|
What did God say, when He called
Samuel the fourth time? God had something very sad to tell
Samuel. He said He was going soon to do a fearful thing in Israel:—to
punish Eli and his family, because his sons were wicked, and he restrained
them not. When it was
light, Samuel arose. He was not an idle boy; he had work to do, and
he always did it in good time: it was his business, in the morning,
to open the doors of the Lord's house. He was very sorry to make Eli
unhappy; and he did not tell him what God had said for a long time.
But the old priest saw Samuel looking very sad: and he called him,
and said, "My son, what did God tell thee last night? Do not
fear to speak; I wish to know the truth; tell me all." Then
Samuel remembered that it is very wrong to say what is untrue; so he told
Eli all that God had said. Samuel was sorry to make his dear, kind
friend unhappy; but he knew that it was right to tell the truth. He
spoke very humbly, and kindly, and respectfully, because he remembered
that Eli was an old man, and it is right for children to be kind and
respectful to old people. Eli
knew that God had spoken, and he felt that all was right. Everything
God does must be right, because He is so wise, and good, and holy.
Then Eli said, "It is the Lord: let Him do what seemeth Him
good." Eli did well to submit: if God punishes us, we
ought to be humble and patient; but when Eli thought about his sin, he
felt unhappy. What was his sin? His sons were wicked, and he
did not restrain them. The Bible tells parents to teach children
what is right, and to punish them when they are self-willed and
rebellious; and the children ought to be thankful to their parents, and
teachers, and friends who try to bring them up aright.
|
