1 Samuel 3:2-4 KJV
And it came to pass at that time, when Eli was laid down in his place, and his eyes began to wax dim, that he could not see;
And ere the lamp of God went out in the temple of the LORD, where the ark of God was, and Samuel was laid down to sleep;
That the LORD called Samuel: and he answered, Here am I.
My focus is on the passage that says that the lamp of God was about to go out. Exodus 27:20-21 insists that this lamp was never to go out. I am of the opinion that Eli had grown too blind to care for these lamps and his sons were too negligent. Physically the priests were neglecting the lamps just as spiritually they had neglected their own relationship with the Lord.
Some would say that this is a reference to the time of evening; that Eli was headed to bed late enough those lamps were near to out and would be soon refreshed with the new shift of priests in the morning. Some say that by the time morning arrived six of the seven candles would be extinguished but that the western most lamp would never go out.
But given the context it seems to be more significant to me that merely the time of night that Eli and Samuel went to bed;
Verse one, there was no open vision. The Word of the Lord was precious.
Verse two, Eli's eyes waxed dim (which would have nothing to do with time of day)
Verse three, this lamp was about to go out
A change in Jewish leadership is taking place here. The priesthood, which should have been the place of receiving the Word of God, has so quickly become corrupted that God's Word, like the eyes of Eli, had become dim through that vehicle. The lamp of God has just about become extinguished in the Temple, hundreds of years before Jesus came, God had already begun to remove Himself from that Jewish tradition. From here on out in the Word of God, the priesthood, even the that of the High Priest, is almost completely insignificant if not unseen. From this passage on, the focus of God's Word is through the prophets and not the priesthood.
I am most concerned today with the fact that this lamp was so soon dimmed out when it obviously was meant to be a bright light in Israel throughout their history.
Would to God that our lamp will not grow dim more quickly than is God's plan.
Would to God we would maintain our relationship with the Lord in such a manner that He continues to give us His vision for our lives, ministries and usefulness to Himself.
One day each of us will see our natural eyes grow dim. May God grant as I grow older physically, I grow more mature spiritually!
And it came to pass at that time, when Eli was laid down in his place, and his eyes began to wax dim, that he could not see;
And ere the lamp of God went out in the temple of the LORD, where the ark of God was, and Samuel was laid down to sleep;
That the LORD called Samuel: and he answered, Here am I.
My focus is on the passage that says that the lamp of God was about to go out. Exodus 27:20-21 insists that this lamp was never to go out. I am of the opinion that Eli had grown too blind to care for these lamps and his sons were too negligent. Physically the priests were neglecting the lamps just as spiritually they had neglected their own relationship with the Lord.
Some would say that this is a reference to the time of evening; that Eli was headed to bed late enough those lamps were near to out and would be soon refreshed with the new shift of priests in the morning. Some say that by the time morning arrived six of the seven candles would be extinguished but that the western most lamp would never go out.
But given the context it seems to be more significant to me that merely the time of night that Eli and Samuel went to bed;
Verse one, there was no open vision. The Word of the Lord was precious.
Verse two, Eli's eyes waxed dim (which would have nothing to do with time of day)
Verse three, this lamp was about to go out
A change in Jewish leadership is taking place here. The priesthood, which should have been the place of receiving the Word of God, has so quickly become corrupted that God's Word, like the eyes of Eli, had become dim through that vehicle. The lamp of God has just about become extinguished in the Temple, hundreds of years before Jesus came, God had already begun to remove Himself from that Jewish tradition. From here on out in the Word of God, the priesthood, even the that of the High Priest, is almost completely insignificant if not unseen. From this passage on, the focus of God's Word is through the prophets and not the priesthood.
I am most concerned today with the fact that this lamp was so soon dimmed out when it obviously was meant to be a bright light in Israel throughout their history.
Would to God that our lamp will not grow dim more quickly than is God's plan.
Would to God we would maintain our relationship with the Lord in such a manner that He continues to give us His vision for our lives, ministries and usefulness to Himself.
One day each of us will see our natural eyes grow dim. May God grant as I grow older physically, I grow more mature spiritually!
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