Stroll through Scripture for October 12, 2025

Based on 1 Samuel 3:1–21

The second sentence of verse one is probably the most overlooked sentence in this story. “The word of the Lord was rare in those days; visions were not widespread.” But that sentence might just be the most important sentence in the story. Stay with me on this.

The details seems like just a small narrative point. Yet, how often have people expressed this lament that God is distant, quiet, unseen, and unheard? How often has the cry gone up to God — “How long oh Lord?”

That sentence caught my attention and stopped be before I could read any further. It raised questions within me — why? What was happening? If the word of the Lord was rare, but what words were plentiful?

At the time of 1 Samuel 3, Israel was in what has been described as a state of spiritual darkness. God had been silent and the priesthood was run by the corrupt priest Eli. Eli and his sons exploited their positions as priests running the Temple like a mob organization — taking excess portions of the sacrifices and doing other immoral acts. And when there is rot at the top, it trickles down.

And in the midst of this silence and moral rot, God speaks up and calls Samuel to be his prophet. It’s a turning point for Israel — an opportunity for Isreal to enter a new phase. But with that new phase will come upheaval. And the prophet will be in the midst of it all, offering God’s word for the people and their leaders to hear. Not that they want to hear…