Command 24: Hear God’s Voice
Study Question
Q: Why did God call Samuel three times before giving him a message, and why did God use a voice that sounded to Samuel like the voice of Eli? (See I Samuel 3:1–18.)
A: “The LORD called Samuel: and he answered, Here am I. And he ran unto Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou calledst me. And he said, I called not; lie down again … .
“And the LORD called yet again, Samuel. And Samuel arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And he answered, I called not, my son; lie down again. Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD, neither was the word of the LORD yet revealed unto him.
“And the LORD called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And Eli perceived that the LORD had called the child.
“Therefore Eli said unto Samuel, Go, lie down: and it shall be, if he call thee, that thou shalt say, Speak, LORD; for thy servant heareth. … And the LORD came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth” (I Samuel 3:4–10).
Before children know the Lord, God often speaks to them through the instruction of their parents. (See Proverbs 1:8, 4:1, and 6:20.) God uses their human authorities to prepare them to hear and obey His voice when they are older. It was God who spoke to Samuel, but it was Eli who perceived it was God speaking. Samuel’s obedient response to Eli prepared him to respond obediently to God.
The first time God called to Samuel, God could have said “Samuel, this is God talking to you” and given him the message. However, it was necessary first for Eli to recognize Who was speaking to Samuel before receiving the message of God’s impending judgment. It is not unusual for God to use children to communicate things that their parents need to hear. It is then the parents’ challenge to recognize and respond to the voice of God. (See Matthew 21:15–16.)
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This study question and answer is adapted from the Commands of Christ, Series 4, book. For further study, this book may be purchased from our Online Store.