[1Samuel 3:1] Now the young man Samuel was ministering to the LORD under Eli. And the word of the LORD was rare in those days; there was no frequent vision.[2] At that time Eli, whose eyesight had begun to grow dim so that he could not see, was lying down in his own place. [3] The lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the temple of the LORD, where the ark of God was. [4] Then the LORD called Samuel, and he said, “Here I am!” [5] and ran to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he said, “I did not call; lie down again.” So he went and lay down. [6] And the LORD called again, “Samuel!” and Samuel arose and went to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he said, “I did not call, my son; lie down again.” [7] Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD, and the word of the LORD had not yet been revealed to him.
The revealed word of the Lord or ‘revelation’ is of premier importance. Without it we cannot truly know God, follow God, understand God or love God. Revelation is more than information or knowledge. Revelation occurs when a certain truth supernaturally comes alive in someone’s spirit; they hear from God. Anyone can obtain knowledge, just as Samuel would have from his work, study and duties around the temple. But revelation is given directly by God, on His terms and in line with His character.
In the Old Testament the Ark represents the presence of God. But it was more than just symbolism; God’s presence actually resided in the Ark. Anyone who disrespected the Ark by not obeying the correct procedures in handling it received quick, harsh judgement (like we receive from touching high voltage power). Samuel’s life was spent around the presence of God. Verse 3 tells us he even slept near the ark. But with all his study, work and contact with the presence of God, verse 7 clearly points out that Samuel did not know the Lord because ‘The word of the LORD had not yet been revealed to him’.
Revelation is the key to conversion and knowing God. Revelation is what changes people, not knowledge or activity or even the presence of God. Being from a Pentecostal background this was a bombshell truth to me. I used to think the presence of God (especially in ‘worship’ music) was like some magical life-changing atmosphere. People will convert if I could just get them to feel God in a meeting or event. God’s presence does affect things but not in the way we have sometimes been led to believe. Yes, revelation has come to people during the music at church, but it has also come to people while mowing the lawn or lying in bed. Revelation is not something we can control. The only way someone can have the life-changing word of God revealed to them is if God reveals it to them. When, where and how are totally up to God’s sovereignty.
Revelation is a supernatural experience essential to the Christian life, both for conversion and ongoing change, but we should not be fatalistic about it and take the attitude of ‘whatever will be will be’. God in His sovereignty has allowed us to take some responsibility. We can affect how much we hear from God. Verse 1 says, ‘And the word of the Lord was rare in those days; there was no frequent vision’. This was no coincidence; certain conditions had brought this situation about. The priesthood, particularly Eli’s sons, and the people were disobedient. They displayed contempt for the things of God. Israel had effectively shut down revelation by apathy and unholiness. A godly lifestyle of obedience (worship) helps create the right conditions for hearing the voice of God.
We need to take the hearing of God’s voice seriously - without it we are lost. His word is life to us. So let us humbly live a life of worship and like Samuel say, ‘Speak, for your servant hears’ (verse 10).