Samuel - Making of a Prophet

There are similarities between Samuel's day and ours. There is social unrest; in some places the truth of God is stifled; and scandals drive people away from his worship. What does God do? Before he could restore his worship God sent a prophet. Godliness is all about relationship (not ritual), and worship is a response to revelation; so people need(ed) to hear God's Word again. Accordingly, God prepared Samuel who would be a prophet to teach God's Law, judge the nation, and show people how to keep covenant with God. Reformation in the church or individual begins with hearing God speak. Although Samuel was given special messages on occasion the bulk of his work used the existing Word of God (the five books of Moses). Similarly, today's prophet applies the Bible, though the Spirit may bring that home to individuals in a personal ('prophetic') way. Prophesying is preaching the Bible in the Spirit's power. God prepared Samuel. He did not choose to be a prophet or hone his skills on some kind of course. God called him and gave him a message (which he did not want to deliver). It is significant that he was doing his duty when God called him - if we don't do our present duty we are not fit to serve God in harder times. God's call is authoritative, though Samuel did not recognise his voice. Today God may call and use a person who does not yet know him. Samuel responded and learned obedience just as Jesus did. Eli helped him, just as the church helps by identifying God's gifts and testing claims that God is calling someone. Like any true preacher Samuel was obedient to the One who sent him. The gospel is a sacred deposit, not something for us to change as society changes.