"...there was no open vision." I Sam. 3:1
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I was reading the Scripture ["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." (1 Samuel 3:1)] used in another blog. As so often happens when reading and studying God's Word, I felt there was more to be said.
Another consideration of this passage that the blog author dealt with as to "why the Word was so precious in Samuel's days" is found in the verse more specifically in that phrase "there was no open vision." The vision or word of God (i.e. "thus saith the Lord") was to come from the Man (men) of God...prophets and priests. Eli and his sons failed the people because they had no communication...no vision from God. In fact Eli's sons turned the people against the worship of God (I Sam. 2:12-17, 22). Obviously we know that they did have religious rituals and temple functions but no communication...no real relationship with God. Hmmm...seems very similar to modern times doesn't it!? Sad!
So what did Solomon mean when he said in Proverbs 29:18, "Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he." Is this judgement from a lack-of-vision to be applied towards witnessing or growth in a ministry, as so many pastors imply? I say no it is to be applied to our acceptance and reliance upon the very vision or words from God, the Scriptures. In times past the vision came through a prophet or priest and this was how God spoke to His people but Hebrews 1:1-2 clearly tells us that God now speaks to us through His Son. And I would confidently say that the Apostle John describes the Son of God as synomynous with the Word (John 1:1-3; I John 1:1-5). So Jesus is the Word. He is the Truth. So the Bible is the Supernatually inspired and preserved words from God and I would say it is the Word of God...Jesus no long in human flesh walking the earth but in written evidence of the Bible. The truth exists even today in the Scriptures and this is the way that God speaks to His children.
I firmly believe that pastors are to completely and boldly teach/preach the Word, or as 2 Timothy 4:2 clearly tells us, "Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine. " Too many pastors make light of the Word, the commuication with God and vision from God, and so it should be no surprise when the congregation fails to see the importance...the preciousness of God's Word. Oh, I pray that this will never be thought of me, in my service as a Christian or in my minsitry as a pastor.
What is often overlooked today is that the children of God, both the Israelites of old and the Christians since the days of Christ, are supposed to take personal responsibility for their own spiritual growth, but I believe that the prophets/priests (of old) and pastors (of today) were/are to mind the camp and keep the Lord at the forefront of the people's lives.
So my goal as a Christian is to be learning as much about God's instructions for me and my life. My purpose as a pastor is to tell the people that God has entrusted me with to "stand thou still a while, that I may shew thee the word of God." (1 Samuel 9:27b). My desire is to make the Word of God precious and relevant in all aspects of their life.
I encourage you to read this other blog first that very elegantly shares the viewpoint of the preciousness of God's Word. Starting there gives you a reference for my continuing thoughts here.
I was reading the Scripture ["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." (1 Samuel 3:1)] used in another blog. As so often happens when reading and studying God's Word, I felt there was more to be said.
Another consideration of this passage that the blog author dealt with as to "why the Word was so precious in Samuel's days" is found in the verse more specifically in that phrase "there was no open vision." The vision or word of God (i.e. "thus saith the Lord") was to come from the Man (men) of God...prophets and priests. Eli and his sons failed the people because they had no communication...no vision from God. In fact Eli's sons turned the people against the worship of God (I Sam. 2:12-17, 22). Obviously we know that they did have religious rituals and temple functions but no communication...no real relationship with God. Hmmm...seems very similar to modern times doesn't it!? Sad!
So what did Solomon mean when he said in Proverbs 29:18, "Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he." Is this judgement from a lack-of-vision to be applied towards witnessing or growth in a ministry, as so many pastors imply? I say no it is to be applied to our acceptance and reliance upon the very vision or words from God, the Scriptures. In times past the vision came through a prophet or priest and this was how God spoke to His people but Hebrews 1:1-2 clearly tells us that God now speaks to us through His Son. And I would confidently say that the Apostle John describes the Son of God as synomynous with the Word (John 1:1-3; I John 1:1-5). So Jesus is the Word. He is the Truth. So the Bible is the Supernatually inspired and preserved words from God and I would say it is the Word of God...Jesus no long in human flesh walking the earth but in written evidence of the Bible. The truth exists even today in the Scriptures and this is the way that God speaks to His children.
I firmly believe that pastors are to completely and boldly teach/preach the Word, or as 2 Timothy 4:2 clearly tells us, "Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine. " Too many pastors make light of the Word, the commuication with God and vision from God, and so it should be no surprise when the congregation fails to see the importance...the preciousness of God's Word. Oh, I pray that this will never be thought of me, in my service as a Christian or in my minsitry as a pastor.
What is often overlooked today is that the children of God, both the Israelites of old and the Christians since the days of Christ, are supposed to take personal responsibility for their own spiritual growth, but I believe that the prophets/priests (of old) and pastors (of today) were/are to mind the camp and keep the Lord at the forefront of the people's lives.
So my goal as a Christian is to be learning as much about God's instructions for me and my life. My purpose as a pastor is to tell the people that God has entrusted me with to "stand thou still a while, that I may shew thee the word of God." (1 Samuel 9:27b). My desire is to make the Word of God precious and relevant in all aspects of their life.
God bless you my friends and stay in the Word!
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December 21, 2013 at 12:35 PM
When will false preacher, pastor's and men who claim to be men's of God stop LYING. Every year and throughout the year's. These so called church leader never seems to cease from plating their traditional false teaching into the hearts of the people. For example: Jesus was born on Christmas Dec 25. This is one of the most false lies ever told by those that serve the Devil. Have you ever thought, that with this lie. You are lying on God. To make it even reprobated. You lie to your kids. Even the World News is on board with this Lie. The News is informing the children how to track down Santa on their computer by a radar tracking device, that is set up by their system. What the preacher fail to inform you is that Jesus was born of the day of Tishri. Feast Of Tabernacle.. Sukkot. Dec 25 is the day of Sol Invictus(sun god unconquered) or Saturnalia an evil ideal practice by Scandinavian, Old Norse, Swedish and North Germanic. The Roman Catholic is the main source who influence the continuation of this ungodly belief. Most people think a little lie is okay, funny and no one is hurt. God said a lie will keep you from entering into His Kingdom. Read Revelation 21:27. The preacher's has added to the word of God (Christmas). To all pastor's stop your lying on the living God. You will never find Christmas in the Holy Bible. To everyone that read this message...Repent and ask Jesus to be your Lord and Savior. End this garbage about Christmas. Jesus has never been part of Christmas and Christmas has never been part of Jesus.
Read Jeremiah10:1,2,3,4,5. The heathen ways.
Thank you!
Famous James
March 23, 2014 at 8:16 AM
i think i missed the part of the blog that dealt with december 25th being the birth of christ. and i know i speak for a great number of people when i say that i never thought december 25th was the actual birthday of Jesus. it is however the day that my family and i acknowledge his birth and celebrate it. the giving of presents on this day has nothing at all to do with santa in my home. but instead to symbolize that Jesus was a gift to us and so on the day we celebrate this gift we give gifts one to another. in like manner it doesnt bother me that easter changes days every year. it isnt the exact day of the resurrection but it is the day i specifically set aside to acknowledge and celebrate the resurrection.
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