Divine Delivery: How Samuel's Word Reached All Israel
1 Samuel 4:1a
And the word of Samuel came to all Israel…
Can you imagine what a feat that must have been? Just think about it. In a world where communication was either by the spoken or written word, and where mass printing presses and modern telecommunications did not exist, it was certainly an accomplishment for the word of Samuel to be delivered to all of Israel. The Bible does not tell us much about the delivery method, but it tells us all we need to know; the word got out! Know this; when God has a word for a people, He WILL get it delivered! Several passages come to mind which shed light. I think first of Isaiah 55:11, which says, “So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” God never ineffectively sends a word. His word sent will neither fail in its purpose or in its destination. Another verse that comes to mind is Psalm 68:11, which says, “The Lord gave the word: great was the company of those that published it.” This tells us that God’s word is given in order that it might be published. God does not give a word that is never meant to be published. In fact, not only should it be published, but it should be published on a massive scale! How much so? Well, in our text, God raised up Samuel to be a mouthpiece, and when Samuel spoke on God’s behalf, that word came to ALL Israel. In Mark 16:15, Jesus tells us to “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” And then Habakkuk 2:14 says, “For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.” Do you THINK God wants His word published for ALL to hear? I think so. Furthermore, we just read where it is prophesied that it shall be done! Now I have a question for you; are YOU a part of that great company which is publishing the word that God has given us to publish and to declare across this world? If not, why not? Some might say, “I would speak, but no one would listen to me!” Listen, dear friend; when you speak what GOD says, God sees to it that your words are delivered to their appropriate audience. In fact, if you make a regular habit of saying what God says, and not what you have to say, He will even amplify your voice for more to hear, as He did Samuel. Collectively, as members of the body of Christ, with all voices raised, there is no reason and no excuse why we wouldn’t or shouldn’t do our part in helping fulfill God’s promised word; namely, that of getting the gospel to all the world. Go for it!
~ Pastor Gary Caudill
And the word of Samuel came to all Israel…
Can you imagine what a feat that must have been? Just think about it. In a world where communication was either by the spoken or written word, and where mass printing presses and modern telecommunications did not exist, it was certainly an accomplishment for the word of Samuel to be delivered to all of Israel. The Bible does not tell us much about the delivery method, but it tells us all we need to know; the word got out! Know this; when God has a word for a people, He WILL get it delivered! Several passages come to mind which shed light. I think first of Isaiah 55:11, which says, “So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” God never ineffectively sends a word. His word sent will neither fail in its purpose or in its destination. Another verse that comes to mind is Psalm 68:11, which says, “The Lord gave the word: great was the company of those that published it.” This tells us that God’s word is given in order that it might be published. God does not give a word that is never meant to be published. In fact, not only should it be published, but it should be published on a massive scale! How much so? Well, in our text, God raised up Samuel to be a mouthpiece, and when Samuel spoke on God’s behalf, that word came to ALL Israel. In Mark 16:15, Jesus tells us to “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” And then Habakkuk 2:14 says, “For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.” Do you THINK God wants His word published for ALL to hear? I think so. Furthermore, we just read where it is prophesied that it shall be done! Now I have a question for you; are YOU a part of that great company which is publishing the word that God has given us to publish and to declare across this world? If not, why not? Some might say, “I would speak, but no one would listen to me!” Listen, dear friend; when you speak what GOD says, God sees to it that your words are delivered to their appropriate audience. In fact, if you make a regular habit of saying what God says, and not what you have to say, He will even amplify your voice for more to hear, as He did Samuel. Collectively, as members of the body of Christ, with all voices raised, there is no reason and no excuse why we wouldn’t or shouldn’t do our part in helping fulfill God’s promised word; namely, that of getting the gospel to all the world. Go for it!
~ Pastor Gary Caudill