A Gift to the Lord

God's Creative Word
God Calls For Justice:  Justice Defined
The Heart of the Law

1 Samuel 2:11-21

The Message

 ¹¹ Elkanah went home to Ramah. The boy stayed and served God in the company of Eli the priest.

Samuel Serves God

^12-17 Eli's own sons were a bad lot. They didn't know God and could not have cared less about the customs of priests among the people. Ordinarily, when someone offered a sacrifice, the priest's servant was supposed to come up and, while the meat was boiling, stab a three-pronged fork into the cooking pot. The priest then got whatever came up on the fork. But this is how Eli's sons treated all the Israelites who came to Shiloh to offer sacrifices to God. Before they had even burned the fat to God, the priest's servant would interrupt whoever was sacrificing and say, "Hand over some of that meat for the priest to roast. He doesn't like boiled meat; he likes his rare." If the man objected, "First let the fat be burned—God's portion!—then take all you want," the servant would demand, "No, I want it now. If you won't give it, I'll take it." It was a horrible sin these young servants were committing—and right in the presence of God!—desecrating the holy offerings to God. ^18-20 In the midst of all this, Samuel, a boy dressed in a priestly linen tunic, served God. Additionally, every year his mother would make him a little robe cut to his size and bring it to him when she and her husband came for the annual sacrifice. Eli would bless Elkanah and his wife, saying, "God give you children to replace this child you have dedicated to God." Then they would go home.
 ²¹ God was most especially kind to Hannah. She had three more sons and two daughters! The boy Samuel stayed at the sanctuary and grew up with God.

For Reflection

It must have been difficult to give up Samuel to God's service.  Hanna's sacrifice was gigantic in comparison to the minor requests for meat from the Priests.  And yet, Hanna obeyed.  Worshipers were unwilling to respond to the Priest's request for sacrifice, even when the request was lessened  How unwilling are we to give God His due?

 

Pray

that you find justice in the sacrifices you make for God.  Pray that you will not withhold anything from God.  Pray that you are always willing and able to sacrifice for the Glory of God.