Joan Boney ... apostle/prophet
Samuel was a prophet of God.
In the Old Testament days, the Holy Spirit was given to the prophets and a few individuals but not to all the children of God. The people inquired of God by coming to a prophet.
In the New Testament, the Holy Spirit is given to all who belong to God.
Ephesians 1:11-14 In Whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of HIM who worketh all things after the counsel of HIS own will: That we should be to the praise of HIS glory, who first trusted in Christ. In Whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in Whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of HIS glory.
We do see there are still prophets in the New Testament church by the scriptures given to us to follow in the New Testament Bible.
We read in the following that after Jesus arose, HE gave to the New Testament church apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers for the work of the ministry in the church.
Ephesians 4:8;11-14 Wherefore HE saith, When HE ascended up on high, HE led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men ... And HE gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
The apostle Paul frequently traveled with a New Testament prophet named Silas. (Acts 15:22; Acts 15:40; Acts 16:19; Acts 17:4; Acts 17:10)
We have two examples of the New Testament prophet Agabus bringing messages from God, once to the church and another time to the apostle Paul.
Acts 11:27-30 And in these days came prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch. And there stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified by the Spirit that there should be great dearth throughout all the world: which came to pass in the days of Claudius Caesar.
Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judaea: Which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.
Acts 21:10-11 And as we tarried there many days, there came down from Judaea a certain prophet, named Agabus. And when he was come unto us, he took Paul's girdle, and bound his own hands and feet, and said, Thus saith the Holy Ghost, So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owneth this girdle, and shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.
Prophets today frequently bring correction to the ministers and also to the individuals in the church.
But you no longer have to go to a prophet today to inquire of God. You can go, and should go, directly to God for His wisdom.
James 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
And we have the following assurance today:
I John 5:14-15 And this is the confidence that we have in HIM (in God), that, if we ask any thing according to HIS will, HE heareth us:
15 And if we know that HE hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of HIM.
Hebrews 1:1-2 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by His Son, whom HE hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also HE made the worlds;
***
The coming birth of Samuel in the Old Testament:
I Samuel 1:1-2 Now there was a certain man of Ramathaimzophim, of mount Ephraim, and his name was Elkanah, the son of Jeroham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephrathite:
And he had two wives; the name of the one was Hannah, and the name of the other Peninnah: and Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children.
In the Old Testament, men often had multiple wives and concubines, and had children from these women. But women never had multiple husbands unless their first husband died. There were prostitutes in the Old Testament and they were called harlots.
In the New Testament, men had one wife.
Paul warned the men about having sex outside of marriage.
What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith HE, shall be one flesh.
But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit.
Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.
What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.
***
I Samuel 1:3-4 And this man (Elkanah) went up out of his city yearly to worship and to sacrifice unto the Lord of hosts in Shiloh.
And the two sons of Eli (the priest), Hophni and Phinehas, the priests of the Lord, were there.
Another difference between the Old and New Testaments:
Old Testament: Some ministers were called priests.
New Testament: Ministers were no longer called priests but were called apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor, teacher. Ephesians 4:11
***
4-8 And when the time was that Elkanah offered, he gave to Peninnah his wife, and to all her sons and her daughters, portions: But unto Hannah he gave a worthy portion; for he loved Hannah: but the Lord had shut up her womb.
And her adversary also provoked her sore, for to make her fret, because the Lord had shut up her womb.
And as he did so year by year, when she went up to the house of the Lord, so she provoked her; therefore she wept, and did not eat.
Then said Elkanah her husband to her, Hannah, why weepest thou? and why eatest thou not? and why is thy heart grieved? am not I better to thee than ten sons?
And her adversary also provoked her sore, for to make her fret, because the Lord had shut up her womb.
And as he did so year by year, when she went up to the house of the Lord, so she provoked her; therefore she wept, and did not eat.
Then said Elkanah her husband to her, Hannah, why weepest thou? and why eatest thou not? and why is thy heart grieved? am not I better to thee than ten sons?
***
9-11 So Hannah rose up after they had eaten in Shiloh, and after they had drunk. Now Eli the priest sat upon a seat by a post of the temple of the Lord.
And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the Lord, and wept sore.
And she vowed a vow, and said, O Lord of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the Lord all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head.
Here is another difference between Old and New Testaments:
In the New Testament Bible, I Corinthians 11, we read that it is a shame for a man to have long hair. And it is a shame for women to be shaven.
I Corinthians 11:3-16 But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.
Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoureth his head. But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven.
For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn: but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered.
For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man.
For the man is not of the woman: but the woman of the man. Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man. For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels. Nevertheless neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord. For as the woman is of the man, even so is the man also by the woman; but all things of God.
Judge in yourselves: is it comely that a woman pray unto God uncovered?
Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him?
But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering.
But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God.
***
I Samuel 1:12-18 And it came to pass, as she (Hannah) continued praying before the Lord, that Eli (the priest) marked her mouth.
Now Hannah, she spake in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard: therefore Eli thought she had been drunken.
And Eli said unto her, How long wilt thou be drunken? put away thy wine from thee.
And Hannah answered and said, No, my lord, I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit: I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but have poured out my soul before the Lord. Count not thine handmaid for a daughter of Belial (the devil): for out of the abundance of my complaint and grief have I spoken hitherto.
Then Eli answered and said, Go in peace: and the God of Israel grant thee thy petition that thou hast asked of Him.
And she said, Let thine handmaid find grace in thy sight.
So the woman went her way, and did eat, and her countenance was no more sad.
When we pray in faith, committing our problems and our griefs to God, HE turns our grief unto joy.
Now Hannah, she spake in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard: therefore Eli thought she had been drunken.
And Eli said unto her, How long wilt thou be drunken? put away thy wine from thee.
And Hannah answered and said, No, my lord, I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit: I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but have poured out my soul before the Lord. Count not thine handmaid for a daughter of Belial (the devil): for out of the abundance of my complaint and grief have I spoken hitherto.
Then Eli answered and said, Go in peace: and the God of Israel grant thee thy petition that thou hast asked of Him.
And she said, Let thine handmaid find grace in thy sight.
So the woman went her way, and did eat, and her countenance was no more sad.
When we pray in faith, committing our problems and our griefs to God, HE turns our grief unto joy.
***
19-28 And they rose up in the morning early, and worshipped before the Lord, and returned, and came to their house to Ramah: and Elkanah knew Hannah his wife; and the Lord remembered her.Wherefore it came to pass, when the time was come about after Hannah had conceived, that she bare a son, and called his name Samuel, saying, Because I have asked him of the Lord.
And the man Elkanah, and all his house, went up to offer unto the Lord the yearly sacrifice, and his vow.
But Hannah went not up; for she said unto her husband, I will not go up until the child be weaned, and then I will bring him, that he may appear before the Lord, and there abide for ever.
And Elkanah her husband said unto her, Do what seemeth thee good; tarry until thou have weaned him; only the Lord establish HIS word.
So the woman abode, and gave her son suck until she weaned him.
***
Hannah rejoices before God:
I Samuel 2:1-10 And Hannah prayed, and said, My heart rejoiceth in the Lord, mine horn is exalted in the Lord: my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies; because I rejoice in THY salvation.
There is none holy as the Lord: for there is none beside thee: neither is there any rock like our God.
Talk no more so exceeding proudly; let not arrogancy come out of your mouth: for the Lord is a God of knowledge, and by HIM actions are weighed.
The bows of the mighty men are broken, and they that stumbled are girded with strength.
They that were full have hired out themselves for bread; and they that were hungry ceased: so that the barren hath born seven; and she that hath many children is waxed feeble.
The Lord killeth, and maketh alive: HE bringeth down to the grave, and bringeth up.
The Lord maketh poor, and maketh rich: HE bringeth low, and lifteth up.
He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set them among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory: for the pillars of the earth are the Lord's, and HE hath set the world upon them.
He will keep the feet of HIS saints, and the wicked shall be silent in darkness; for by strength shall no man prevail.
The adversaries of the Lord shall be broken to pieces; out of heaven shall HE thunder upon them: the Lord shall judge the ends of the earth; and HE shall give strength unto HIS king, and exalt the horn of HIS anointed.
There is none holy as the Lord: for there is none beside thee: neither is there any rock like our God.
Talk no more so exceeding proudly; let not arrogancy come out of your mouth: for the Lord is a God of knowledge, and by HIM actions are weighed.
The bows of the mighty men are broken, and they that stumbled are girded with strength.
They that were full have hired out themselves for bread; and they that were hungry ceased: so that the barren hath born seven; and she that hath many children is waxed feeble.
The Lord killeth, and maketh alive: HE bringeth down to the grave, and bringeth up.
The Lord maketh poor, and maketh rich: HE bringeth low, and lifteth up.
He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set them among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory: for the pillars of the earth are the Lord's, and HE hath set the world upon them.
He will keep the feet of HIS saints, and the wicked shall be silent in darkness; for by strength shall no man prevail.
The adversaries of the Lord shall be broken to pieces; out of heaven shall HE thunder upon them: the Lord shall judge the ends of the earth; and HE shall give strength unto HIS king, and exalt the horn of HIS anointed.
***
11-17 And Elkanah (Samuel's father) went to Ramah to his house. And the child did minister unto the Lord before Eli the priest.
Evil done by the sons of Eli, the priest:
Now the sons of Eli were sons of Belial (the devil); they knew not the Lord.
And the priest's custom with the people was, that, when any man offered sacrifice, the priest's servant came, while the flesh was in seething, with a fleshhook of three teeth in his hand; And he struck it into the pan, or kettle, or caldron, or pot; all that the fleshhook brought up the priest took for himself. So they did in Shiloh unto all the Israelites that came thither.
Also before they burnt the fat, the priest's servant came, and said to the man that sacrificed, Give flesh to roast for the priest; for he will not have sodden flesh of thee, but raw.
And if any man said unto him, Let them not fail to burn the fat presently, and then take as much as thy soul desireth; then he would answer him, Nay; but thou shalt give it me now: and if not, I will take it by force.
Wherefore the sin of the young men was very great before the Lord: for men abhorred the offering of the Lord.
18-21 But Samuel ministered before the Lord, being a child, girded with a linen ephod.
Moreover his mother made him a little coat, and brought it to him from year to year, when she came up with her husband to offer the yearly sacrifice.
And Eli blessed Elkanah and his wife, and said, The Lord give thee seed of this woman for the loan which is lent to the Lord.
And they went unto their own home. And the Lord visited Hannah, so that she conceived, and bare three sons and two daughters.
Now the sons of Eli were sons of Belial (the devil); they knew not the Lord.
And the priest's custom with the people was, that, when any man offered sacrifice, the priest's servant came, while the flesh was in seething, with a fleshhook of three teeth in his hand; And he struck it into the pan, or kettle, or caldron, or pot; all that the fleshhook brought up the priest took for himself. So they did in Shiloh unto all the Israelites that came thither.
But the sins of the sons of Eli were this:
Also before they burnt the fat, the priest's servant came, and said to the man that sacrificed, Give flesh to roast for the priest; for he will not have sodden flesh of thee, but raw.
And if any man said unto him, Let them not fail to burn the fat presently, and then take as much as thy soul desireth; then he would answer him, Nay; but thou shalt give it me now: and if not, I will take it by force.
Wherefore the sin of the young men was very great before the Lord: for men abhorred the offering of the Lord.
The reason this was such a terrible sin is the sons took the offering before it was burnt on the alter, thus they had no respect for the offering and in fact the offering that was intended was taken by the sons before it could be offered.
For here is the way the raw meat was offered.
Leviticus 1:9 ... and the priest shall burn all on the alter, to be a burnt sacrifice, an offering made by fare, of a sweet savour unto the Lord.
So when the sons of Eli took the meat raw before it was burnt on the alter, then there was no offering made for the sin or trespass. Doing this was a great sin.
***
18-21 But Samuel ministered before the Lord, being a child, girded with a linen ephod.
Moreover his mother made him a little coat, and brought it to him from year to year, when she came up with her husband to offer the yearly sacrifice.
And Eli blessed Elkanah and his wife, and said, The Lord give thee seed of this woman for the loan which is lent to the Lord.
And they went unto their own home. And the Lord visited Hannah, so that she conceived, and bare three sons and two daughters.
God was merciful to Hannah, replacing the young son Samuel with 3 more sons and 2 daughters.
And the child Samuel grew before the Lord.
***
More sins of Eli's sons:
22-25 Now Eli was very old, and heard all that his sons did unto all Israel; and how they lay with the women that assembled at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.
And he (Eli) said unto them, Why do ye such things? for I hear of your evil dealings by all this people. Nay, my sons; for it is no good report that I hear: ye make the Lord's people to transgress.
If one man sin against another, the judge shall judge him: but if a man sin against the Lord, who shall intreat for him?
Notwithstanding they hearkened not unto the voice of their father, because the Lord would slay them.
***
New Testament church: If a man in the church is committing fornication, the apostle Paul said to do the following to such a man:
I Corinthians 5:4-5 In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.
Eli did not restrain his sons by putting them away. Though Eli rebuked his sons and Eli knew they were doing evil, Eli did not put the evil away from himself.
There will be strong consequences for his failure to act.
***
26-29 And the child Samuel grew on, and was in favour both with the Lord, and also with men.
And there came a man of God unto Eli, and said unto him, Thus saith the Lord, Did I plainly appear unto the house of thy father, when they were in Egypt in Pharaoh's house? And did I choose him out of all the tribes of Israel to be my priest, to offer upon mine altar, to burn incense, to wear an ephod before ME? and did I give unto the house of thy father all the offerings made by fire of the children of Israel?
Wherefore kick ye at MY sacrifice and at Mine offering, which I have commanded in MY habitation; and honourest thy sons above ME, to make yourselves fat with the chiefest of all the offerings of Israel MY people?
(To make yourselves fat: Remember the sons of Eli took the meat from the offering before it was seething in the pot. They were supposed to wait until the fat boiled out of the meat before they took the meat. But they wanted the raw meat with the fat on it. So they said they would take it by force if they withheld it from them.)
The man of God speaks penalty upon Eli and his sons for their sins:
30-36 Wherefore the Lord God of Israel saith, I said indeed that thy house, and the house of thy father, should walk before ME for ever: but now the Lord saith, Be it far from ME; for them that honour ME I will honour, and they that despise ME shall be lightly esteemed.
Behold, the days come, that I will cut off thine arm, and the arm of thy father's house, that there shall not be an old man in thine house.
And thou shalt see an enemy in MY habitation, in all the wealth which God shall give Israel: and there shall not be an old man in thine house for ever.
And the man of thine, whom I shall not cut off from mine altar, shall be to consume thine eyes, and to grieve thine heart: and all the increase of thine house shall die in the flower of their age.
And this shall be a sign unto thee, that shall come upon thy two sons, on Hophni and Phinehas; in one day they shall die both of them.
And I will raise ME up a faithful priest, that shall do according to that which is in Mine heart and in MY Mind: and I will build him a sure house; and he shall walk before Mine anointed for ever.
And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left in thine house shall come and crouch to him for a piece of silver and a morsel of bread, and shall say, Put me, I pray thee, into one of the priests' offices, that I may eat a piece of bread.
Their desire will be for the physical bread rather than for the things of God and they shall die at a young age.
And there came a man of God unto Eli, and said unto him, Thus saith the Lord, Did I plainly appear unto the house of thy father, when they were in Egypt in Pharaoh's house? And did I choose him out of all the tribes of Israel to be my priest, to offer upon mine altar, to burn incense, to wear an ephod before ME? and did I give unto the house of thy father all the offerings made by fire of the children of Israel?
Wherefore kick ye at MY sacrifice and at Mine offering, which I have commanded in MY habitation; and honourest thy sons above ME, to make yourselves fat with the chiefest of all the offerings of Israel MY people?
(To make yourselves fat: Remember the sons of Eli took the meat from the offering before it was seething in the pot. They were supposed to wait until the fat boiled out of the meat before they took the meat. But they wanted the raw meat with the fat on it. So they said they would take it by force if they withheld it from them.)
The man of God speaks penalty upon Eli and his sons for their sins:
30-36 Wherefore the Lord God of Israel saith, I said indeed that thy house, and the house of thy father, should walk before ME for ever: but now the Lord saith, Be it far from ME; for them that honour ME I will honour, and they that despise ME shall be lightly esteemed.
Behold, the days come, that I will cut off thine arm, and the arm of thy father's house, that there shall not be an old man in thine house.
And thou shalt see an enemy in MY habitation, in all the wealth which God shall give Israel: and there shall not be an old man in thine house for ever.
And the man of thine, whom I shall not cut off from mine altar, shall be to consume thine eyes, and to grieve thine heart: and all the increase of thine house shall die in the flower of their age.
And this shall be a sign unto thee, that shall come upon thy two sons, on Hophni and Phinehas; in one day they shall die both of them.
And I will raise ME up a faithful priest, that shall do according to that which is in Mine heart and in MY Mind: and I will build him a sure house; and he shall walk before Mine anointed for ever.
And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left in thine house shall come and crouch to him for a piece of silver and a morsel of bread, and shall say, Put me, I pray thee, into one of the priests' offices, that I may eat a piece of bread.
Their desire will be for the physical bread rather than for the things of God and they shall die at a young age.
***
God makes Himself known to Samuel and God shows Samuel the work of a prophet of God:
I Samuel 3:1 And the child Samuel ministered unto the Lord before Eli. And the word of the Lord was precious in those days; there was no open vision.
Open vision:
An open vision is shown to us in the following scripture. Peter was awake but "fell into a trance" and God gave information to Peter through an open vision.
Acts 10:9-20 Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour: And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance, And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending upon him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth: Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air. And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat. But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean. And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.
***
I've had several open visions:
I was in a prayer group when I was a new Christian in 1976. One day the women were praying and I heard, "Look up." When I looked up, I saw outlined on the wall a stomach. After the women finished praying, I asked, "Does anyone have a stomach problem?" One woman exclaimed, "I do!" I'm sure the women began to pray over her. From that point on, God would show me things this way when I attended the Bible class at the church or the prayer group.
(Usually while the class was singing, God would show me an open vision outlined on the wall. At one meeting there were so many visions that I had to make a list of them, 24 visions that morning.)
(Usually while the class was singing, God would show me an open vision outlined on the wall. At one meeting there were so many visions that I had to make a list of them, 24 visions that morning.)
Also God gave me several open visions when I was at home by myself.
A young man, who was a friend of mine, was diagnosed with the disease ALS, for which there is no medical cure. I saw an outline on the wall of David on a golf course. He was jumping up and down and making a sign with his arms saying, "Come on, join me. It's great!" By this vision, I knew God was showing me that David would be made whole by dying.
A young man, who was a friend of mine, was diagnosed with the disease ALS, for which there is no medical cure. I saw an outline on the wall of David on a golf course. He was jumping up and down and making a sign with his arms saying, "Come on, join me. It's great!" By this vision, I knew God was showing me that David would be made whole by dying.
A church friend of David's came to see me and I told him of the vision. Their church group had been praying for David to be healed.
Clay said to me, "Don't you think this means God will heal David?" I replied: "David is dying. But he is okay spiritually."
Clay said to me, "Don't you think this means God will heal David?" I replied: "David is dying. But he is okay spiritually."
David died a few months after this.
I sent a written copy, to David's wife, of that which I had seen about David in the vision, and asked her to have this read to the church at David's funeral. I also asked her to share this with their 2 teenaged children.
***
Continued: Peter's open vision
Now while Peter doubted in himself what this vision which he had seen should mean, behold, the men which were sent from Cornelius had made enquiry for Simon's house, and stood before the gate,
And called, and asked whether Simon, which was surnamed Peter, were lodged there.
While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee. Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them.
These men were Gentiles, considered to be unclean by the Jews, and these Gentiles were coming to get Peter to go with them to speak words of God to Cornelius's house. And the Holy Spirit showed Peter, by this open vision, to go with them.
***
God reveals Himself to the child Samuel:
I Samuel 3:2-15 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.
And he ran unto Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou calledst me. And he said, I called not; lie down again. And he went and lay down.
And the Lord called yet again, Samuel. And Samuel arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And he answered, I called not, my son; lie down again.
Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, neither was the word of the Lord yet revealed unto him.
And the Lord called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And Eli perceived that the Lord had called the child.
Therefore Eli said unto Samuel, Go, lie down: and it shall be, if HE call thee, that thou shalt say, Speak, Lord; for thy servant heareth. So Samuel went and lay down in his place.
And the Lord came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth.
And the Lord said to Samuel, Behold, I will do a thing in Israel, at which both the ears of every one that heareth it shall tingle. In that day I will perform against Eli all things which I have spoken concerning his house: when I begin, I will also make an end.
For I have told him that I will judge his house for ever for the iniquity which he knoweth; because his sons made themselves vile, and he restrained them not.
And therefore I have sworn unto the house of Eli, that the iniquity of Eli's house shall not be purged with sacrifice nor offering for ever.
And Samuel lay until the morning, and opened the doors of the house of the Lord. And Samuel feared to shew Eli the vision.
This is what it means to be a prophet. God will give you messages concerning sin in the church and you will fear having to speak such messages. But God will give you the courage to speak. The church prosecutes the prophets who are sent to them for the evil they, the church ministers and the church people, are doing.
Prophets are sent to the church, not to the world.
Ezekiel 2:3-8 And HE (God) said unto me (to Ezekiel), Son of man, I send thee to the children of Israel, to a rebellious nation that hath rebelled against ME: they and their fathers have transgressed against ME, even unto this very day.
For they are impudent children and stiffhearted. I do send thee unto them; and thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God.
And they, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear, (for they are a rebellious house,) yet shall know that there hath been a prophet among them.
And thou, son of man, be not afraid of them, neither be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns be with thee, and thou dost dwell among scorpions: be not afraid of their words, nor be dismayed at their looks, though they be a rebellious house.
And thou shalt speak MY words unto them, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear: for they are most rebellious.
But thou, son of man, hear what I say unto thee; Be not thou rebellious like that rebellious house: open thy mouth, and eat that I give thee.
But the house of Israel will not hearken unto thee; for they will not hearken unto ME: for all the house of Israel are impudent and hardhearted.
Behold, I have made thy face strong against their faces, and thy forehead strong against their foreheads. As an adamant harder than flint have I made thy forehead: fear them not, neither be dismayed at their looks, though they be a rebellious house.
***
I Samuel 3:16-19 Then Eli called Samuel, and said, Samuel, my son. And he answered, Here am I.
And he (Eli) said, What is the thing that the Lord hath said unto thee? I pray thee hide it not from me: God do so to thee, and more also, if thou hide any thing from me of all the things that HE said unto thee.
And he (Eli) said, What is the thing that the Lord hath said unto thee? I pray thee hide it not from me: God do so to thee, and more also, if thou hide any thing from me of all the things that HE said unto thee.
And Samuel told him every whit, and hid nothing from him.
And he (Eli) said, It is the Lord: let HIM do what seemeth HIM good.
***
19-21 And Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him, and did let none of his words fall to the ground.
And all Israel from Dan even to Beersheba knew that Samuel was established to be a prophet of the Lord.
And all Israel from Dan even to Beersheba knew that Samuel was established to be a prophet of the Lord.
And the Lord appeared again in Shiloh: for the Lord revealed Himself to Samuel in Shiloh by the word of the Lord.
Notice how God appeared and revealed Himself to Samuel: It was by the word of the Lord just as it is to us today.
*****