And when Samuel had heard all the words of the people, he repeated them in the ears of the LORD.
(1 Samuel 8:21 ESV)
This simple statement takes me back. Really, Samuel?!?! Do you think the LORD did not hear what they said? Moses did the same thing - telling God the people's complaints. Elijah complained to God about what the people had said and done to him, as if God do not see and hear. Why did these men tell God? Did they think He missed something?!? I don't think so. They had a high view of God. They understand their part in completing the conversation. They spoke for God, but they also listened for Him. Samuel was stuck in the middle, going back and forth, and without this repeating what He said and they said, he would be an uninvolved party. But He was very much involved, helping this be a conversation, and not just an announcement. When God uses us to share his truth with others, it is not just beating them with our Bibles; it is bringing them into the conversation God wants to have with us, taking in what everyone is saying, bringing the parties together, making sure each understands the other. Let us listen, and speak well.
No comments:
Post a Comment