The Word Of The Lord Was Precious In Those Days
I Samuel 3:1 – “And the child Samuel ministered unto the LORD before Eli (served in the Tabernacle). And the Word of the LORD was precious (rare) in those days; there was no open vision. (Although prophetic utterances had been given, even as we witnessed in the last Chapter, still, the Office of the Prophet had not yet been established. In fact, Samuel would be the first one to occupy that Office. Considering that the priesthood was corrupt, the nation, for all practical purposes, was then without spiritual leadership.)”
The word “precious” means that the Word of God was scarce in Israel of those days. The reason being the Priesthood was corrupt and without spiritual leadership. Never forget a nation or church can only rise as high as its leadership.
By the use of the word “precious” this tells us that Revelations, Prophecies, Visions, and personal contact with Jehovah God was rare and scarce, thus, “precious”; hence, the people were not receiving a constant flow of godly instruction, teaching, and guidance.
THE CHURCH TODAY
This Verse is so applicable for much of today’s Church, not all, but way more than should be.
We see everything under the sun being preached, except the plain Gospel Message. Here is a short list of what is being preached in too many churches today:
Social Justice;
Psychology;
Community;
Self-esteem;
Prosperity, or better stated, the “greed gospel”;
Good deeds;
Works;
Law (“The Hebraic Movement”);
Denominational Rules and Regulations; and,
Improvement of self by self.
Everyone reading this should ask yourself, “What is my pastor preaching?”
WHAT ARE WE TO PREACH?
The simple answer is the Word of God. However, we must stress that for one to truly preach the Bible, one must preach Christ and Him Crucified and Resurrected. The Cross (not a wooden beam, but what Christ did on the Cross) is the foundation of the entirety of the Bible. Every Bible Doctrine springs forth from the Truth of Christ Crucified.
WHAT PAUL SAID
In I Corinthians 1:23 and 24, Paul stated, “But we preach Christ Crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; But unto them who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ is the Power of God, and the Wisdom of God.”
Then in I Corinthians 2:2, Paul would write, “For I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ and Him Crucified.” This is the preaching of the Gospel, the preaching of the Cross. As stated, the Cross must be the foundation of all preaching, if not, then the people can’t grow or truly understand God’s Word.
The Church is by and large majoring on “improvement of self.” However, that’s not the story of the Bible and as well it’s impossible for self to improve self; only Jesus Christ can improve man and only if one is properly “in Christ.”
The Believer properly “in Christ” is the only answer for self. Only then can man be properly improved. If one tries to depend on one’s works or efforts, all that will be produced is pride and self-righteousness.
If we truly understand that all we have gained in Christ is because of the Cross, then man will properly see himself for what he really is. Salvation not only comes through the Cross, but our Sanctification comes through the Cross as well.
WHAT IS OUR RESPONSIBILITY?
If you’re a preacher, it is to preach the Message of the Cross; for the laity, it is to support those ministers that are truly preaching Christ and Him Crucified and Resurrected.
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