Samuel's growth ... and us both?

“And the boy Samuel continued to grow in stature and in favour with the Lord and with people”. 1 Samuel 2:26 NIVUK

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Oh what a lovely summary of growth

to manhood1 (reminiscent of what Luke

had in his mind when he’s describing both

the Baptist and Messiah in their youth).

"The Lord was with young Samu’l as he grew

up, and he let none of the prophet’s words

fall to the ground. And all of Israel knew,

well, recognised that Samuel, he had heard”.2

And then that wistful statement, quite lovely,

how God revealed himself to Samuel at

the place where God had said that he would be

with his people, and through the message that

came from the Lord, the very word of God,³

so, as the story told us just before:

when God spoke, and awoke Sam, it was odd,

but God chose when to do it less, or more4!

And something in me now awakes with this

small story that I've heard from in my youth,

about a boy whose mum’s prayers in anguish

set him on paths to be God’s man in truth,

who would be true to all the good his name

had given him, to help him listen well

to God, and what he said, he’d be ashamed

to sin against the Lord as we can tell

from what he later said about his prayers5

for all God's people, and that he would teach

them God's own way - what’s  good and right and fair,

and help them to fear, serve, consider, each!

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1  “And the boy Samuel continued to grow in stature and in favour with the Lord and with people”. 1 Samuel 2:26 NIVUK    “And the child grew and became strong in spirit ; and he lived in the wilderness until he appeared publicly to Israel”. Luke 1:80 NIVUK.  “And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man”.  Luke 2:52 NIVUK

2 Samuel sounds like the Hebrew for God heard, or maybe like Shimon, heard God. 1Sam1:20.   "The Lord was with Samuel as he grew up, and he let none of Samuel’s words fall to the ground. And all Israel from Dan to Beersheba recognised that Samuel was attested as a prophet of the Lord.  1 Samuel 3:18‭-‬20

3"The Lord continued to appear at Shiloh, and there he revealed himself to Samuel through his word.". 1 Samuel 3:18‭-‬21

4 less: The boy Samuel ministered before the Lord under Eli. In those days the word of the Lord was rare; there were not many visions.  1 Samuel 3:1 NIVUK
more: in the case of Samuel, (see footnotes 2 and 3 above).

5 “As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by failing to pray for you. And I will teach you the way that is good and right. But be sure to fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you.  1 Samuel 12:23‭-‬24 NIVUK

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