11. The Ark at Shiloh; or, God's Presence Revealed to the Young

Chapter 11 - The Ark at Shiloh; or, God’s Presence Revealed to the Young

DURING the latter period of the ark’s residence at Shiloh, the oracle had become mute. "There was no open vision." The wickedness of the priests had provoked the Lord to hide his face. A denunciatory message had been sent by the lips of a prophet, to warn Eli of the judgments that were in store for his rebel­lious family. But from the mercy seat, no communications had been made; from Him who dwelt between the cherubim, had no dis­tinct utterance been heard. There was none in the sacerdotal family who might be honored as the recipient and transmitter of such a revelation, Hophni and Phinehas had forfeited the blessing by their crimes; and the high priest himself had so allowed his paternal affections to gain the ascendency over the claims of his official duty, that not for him would the Urim and Thummim give forth their mysterious response.

Such was the state of things, while "the child Samuel ministered unto the Lord before Eli." 1 Samuel 3:1-18. A needful ministry was that, for the priest’s aged eyes "began to wax dim, that he could not see." One night he lay down to rest as usual on his accustomed couch, which was in or near the tabernacle court, his young ser­vitor also sleeping close at hand. During the watches of the night, while yet "the lamp of God" was burning "in the temple," or sacred tent, where at that period "the ark of God" still abode, the youthful sleeper was aroused by a voice as of one speaking to him, and call­ing him by name. Comp.Numbers 7:89. Conscious that but one human voice was likely to summon him at such an hour---as well as conscious that but one human voice was so nigh---he gave the cheer­ful response, "Here am I," and hastened to his master’s side. Surprised to receive no intimation of Eli’s wish, he repeated, "Here am I, for thou calledst me." The priest, imagining the child to have been under the influence of some disturbing dream, sent him back to his repose. Then was the voice heard a second time, exclaiming, "Samuel!" Indo­lence was not permitted to whisper that this was again a delusion; self-indulgence was not allowed to plead for a delay, in order to test whether the call would be repeated. Again, and unrepiningly, "Samuel arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I, for thou didst call me."

Once more was the fact denied by his astonished guardian, and the child dismissed to his resting place. And although there was no "mother’s hand to smooth his bed, when slumber’s dewy cloud fell round him, and darkness as a veil had wound him," yet no fear possessed his heart; for that absent mother had doubtless in her yearly visits oft spoken to him of One who "will keep the feet of his saints," 1 Samuel 2:9. One to whose service he was dedi­cated, One who had power to shield him. But while unalarmed, and while confiding, per­haps, in Jehovah’s protective presence, no sus­picion for a moment flashed across his mind that he had heard the voice of Deity: he "did not yet know the Lord,"---that is, he was not yet acquainted with God’s mode of making known His will either to priest or prophet. The time was come, however, when he was to learn it. A third call was heard, and a third attempt made to satisfy the demand: "he arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I, for thou didst call me." The reiteration of the call proved to Eli, that it had issued from the Divine presence; he "perceived that the Lord had called the child." In accordance with this conviction, he instructed the youthful prophet how to act, and sent him to await a renewed summons.

Then" the Lord came, and stood, and called as at other times." There was now in the child a preparedness. of heart; the voice approached nearer; the call was emphatically doubled, "Samuel! Samuel!" The answer was ready, "Speak, for thy servant heareth." This was no mere phrase that passed the lips. We think it is no straining of the narrative to trace here an intended deviation from the formula prescribed for him. He omitted the name" Jehovah," as though scarcely deeming it possible that one so young should be indeed thus honored, and as though trembling to take so sacred a name upon lips so unworthy. It was the hesitation of modesty, and not of un­belief. His faith evinced itself in the words he did speak; his humility, in the absence of the word which he omitted. The Divine com­munication that had been so won- drously pre­faced, was one which filled him with dismay. He "feared to show Eli the vision;" and it was not till solemnly entreated, that he an­nounced the irrevocable prediction. This early initiation into the prophetic office was the commencement of a long and honorable course. "The Lord appeared again in Shiloh;" He returned to His dwelling place on earth; He "revealed himself to Samuel," and "did let none of his words fall to the ground." The history is rich in practical instruction. So often, however, has it been brought forward, that it might seem superfluous to advance it anew, were it not of such exceeding import­ance. The same God who called Samuel still speaks to the young. He does not call them by name, but He speaks to their conscience. He calls them not to be prophets, but He invites them to become disciples of Christ, that they may be priests and kings unto God. He calls them, not in an audible voice, but through the instrumentality of parents, ministers, teachers, friends. Often do they fall into Samuel’s error. They mistake the heavenly for an earthly voice. They "do not yet know the Lord." They have not recognized His authoritative message. They have not won­dered at His condescension. They have not bowed in homage before His words. They have not learned to say, "Speak, Lord, for thy servant heareth." This is the first great turn­ing point. Till the ear of the soul is gained, its emotions cannot be reached. Those who are enwrapped in the dreams of earth, those who prefer the ease of slumbering on amid their sinful indulgences, those who resist the heavenly call, who turn away the shoulder, who refuse to hearken, are forfeiting privileges and honors such as earth is unable to confer. It is true, that the first message will oft-times be one of mourning, and lamentation, and woe. It will tell of sins committed, and of judgment incurred. But such is not the only revelation God has to make. Let that be humbly and trem­blingly received, and other messages will follow---messages of grace, and goodness, and mercy, and love. Jehovah will reveal Himself to the youthful heart, and will grant the constant communications of His favor.

It is impossible to determine how soon in the tender years of infancy, the Most High can thus make a child the partaker of His grace. The very uncertainty should make us anxious that the earliest ideas should be those of reverence, and make us pray that the soul may be in an attitude to respond to God’s earliest call with an intelligent "Speak, Lord, for thy servant heareth." Happy all who have learned to adopt these words as their own! Happiest those who have learned the lesson soonest! Wondrous is the goodness which "out of the mouths of babes and sucklings has perfected praise." Not for their innocence does God deign to accept their infant homage. The voice that spoke to the docile, active, obedient, un­selfish child in the tabernacle precincts at Shiloh, was a voice that spoke from off the mercy seat. And the loving Savior, who holds the lambs in His arms and carries them in his bosom, is He who died for them on Calvary. The seeds of evil are within, though they have scarcely germinated; the tendencies to sin are perceptible, though they are but partially developed. Sovereign, therefore, inscrutably sovereign is the grace which re­veals to babes what is hid from the wise and prudent. Merciful, unspeakably merciful is that Divine condescension which has gathered so many young ones into the earthly fold, before they have learned to stray far among the dangerous thickets,---which has taught them to love and value His training, by granting them the experience of its tenderness.

Rejoice, youthful believer, in your privilege! A child you may be in years; but yet, through Christ Jesus, a child of God. He who did not despise the children’s hosannas in the temple, accepts your praises. He who took children in His arms and blessed them, is your Savior and your Friend. You are growing in years, but the Lord is with you. Life is before you, but you have a guide. Death is before you, but Jesus will not for­sake you. Eternity is before you, but heaven is to be your home. Take care, then, to "let no man despise" your youth; and, to guard against this, strive by the Holy Spirit’s help to be "an example of the believers in word; in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity." There are some who think early piety will work pride. Let your temper prove the contrary. Samuel went not about boasting of his honor; and you, if you remember God, will feel your own sinfulness, your own feebleness, your own unworthiness. You must be ready to give an answer of the hope that is in you. When you are asked whether you love Jesus, and why you love Him, you must be as true, and faithful, and open, in telling it, as Samuel was in repeating what God had spoken to him. But so long as you are young like Samuel, you must generally wait to be asked about these things. To companions of your own age, you may talk about Christ, and what He has done for you, and what He is ready to do for them; but, in company with your elders, you must let your disposition and your conduct, rather than your words, prove that you have been with Jesus.

Again, there are other people who fancy that early piety unfits for the duties of life. Give heed that you do not let this be laid to your charge. Samuel did not lie dreaming over the wonders of that memorable night. He did not rise, with the notion that his former employments were beneath his notice. He "lay until the morning, and opened the doors of the house of the Lord," as he had been accustomed in times past. Just so, when God calls us to be His, and we have obeyed that call, and have given our­selves to His service, we must remember that we can best serve Him by diligently fulfilling each common duty of our everyday life---fulfilling it the more cheerfully, the more attentively, the more carefully, because for His sake. Whenever God calls you to listen to His word, say again, as you have already said, "Speak, Lord, for thy servant heareth." Whenever· He calls you to your earthly duties, say, "Here am I," and hasten to per­form them with an immediate and a hearty obedience.