“Samuel The Judge”

 “And Samuel spake unto all the house of Israel, saying, If ye do return unto the LORD with all your hearts, then put away the strange gods and Ashtaroth from among you, and prepare your hearts unto the LORD, and serve him only: and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines.” (1 Samuel 7:3)

When the children of Israel were living under the thumb of Egypt, Moses was chosen by God to lead them and teach them the intricate ways of worship. Moses continued with the children of Israel and with God. Then Moses died.

Joshua continued the lessons of Moses. How to worship, pray, and stay true to God’s word. Joshua added FAITH in God. Faith that God kept his word as long as you kept your word to God. God not only performed wonders for Israel, but he also punished them for disobeying God. The children of Israel were on the way to control of the promised land. Then Joshua died.

The children of Israel were on the brink of victory in Canaan, but they didn’t have a leader to keep them on the path of God. Just like teaching children to walk, there comes a time that they must walk alone.

Then came the Judges. The Judges, both good and bad, appear when Israel needs a reminder about the lessons taught by Moses and Joshua. Israel either has Faith in God, knows how to worship God, and Prays to God, or God will turn his back, as they have forgotten God.

Then Came Samuel

Samuel replaced the priest Eli, and his sinful sons. God selected Samuel to lead the children of Israel back to God. Samuel follows God with Faith, worship, and prayers.

“Then the children of Israel did put away Baalim and Ashtaroth, and served the LORD only.” (1 Samuel 7:4)

Baalim and Ashtaroth are made of clay, mud, sticks and stones. It is towards those idols that Israel clung to expecting peace. But there was no peace. It was an illusion of what didn’t exist. Shiny baubles, good feeling drink, happy dances, it all comes with a price. The power of Baalim and Ashtaroth exists only in the mind of the weak.

The children of Israel, through the leadership of Samuel, through the guidance of God, repented and returned to the God of Abraham, Issac, and Jacob.

The Defeat of the Philistines

“And when the Philistines heard that the children of Israel were gathered together to Mizpeh, the lords of the Philistines went up against Israel. And when the children of Israel heard it, they were afraid of the Philistines.” (1 Samuel 7:7)

Fear and Faith are in a constant battle. To quote American President Franklin Roosevelt, “The is nothing to Fear, but Fear itself.”

“And Samuel took a sucking lamb, and offered it for a burnt offering wholly unto the LORD: and Samuel cried unto the LORD for Israel; and the LORD heard him.” (1 Samuel 7:9)

When Samuel sacrificed the lamb to God, God brought more than a bad case of Hemorrhoids on the Philistines. God made the Philistines tremble and run, leaving the cities of the children of Israel, theirs again.

The Circuit Judge

Samuel established a circuit he would travel to bring judgment to Israel. It was his constant duty to God to ensure the children of Israel did not forget their God.

Samuel returned from his circuit to live and built an altar to God in Ramah.

He judged the children of Israel for the rest of his life. But its far from over.

Stay Tuned…