How does God's communication in 1 Samuel 9:15 relate to other biblical callings? Verse under study 1 Samuel 9:15-16: “Now on the previous day the LORD had revealed to Samuel, ‘At this time tomorrow I will send you a man out of Benjamin. You are to anoint him ruler over My people Israel; he will deliver them from the hand of the Philistines. For I have looked upon My people, for their cry has come to Me.’ ” Divine initiative in callings - Genesis 12:1 — “The LORD said to Abram, ‘Leave your country…’” - Exodus 3:4 — “God called to him from within the bush, ‘Moses! Moses!’” - Judges 6:14 — “The LORD turned to him and said, ‘Go… save Israel…’” - Isaiah 6:8 — “Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send?’” - Acts 9:15 — “The Lord said to him, ‘Go, for this man is My chosen instrument…’” Specific timing and direction - 1 Samuel 9:15 — “at this time tomorrow” - Exodus 4:12 — “Now go; I will help you speak” - Luke 2:26-27 — “It had been revealed… and, moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts” Purpose: deliverance and leadership - Exodus 3:10 — “bring My people… out of Egypt” - Judges 6:14 — “save Israel from the hand of Midian” - 1 Samuel 9:16 — “deliver them from the hand of the Philistines” - Acts 26:17-18 — “rescue you… open their eyes” Prophetic mediation - 1 Samuel 3:10 — “The LORD came and stood, calling as at the other times, ‘Samuel! Samuel!’” - 1 Kings 19:16 — “anoint Jehu… anoint Elisha…” - 2 Kings 9:3 — “Take the flask of oil… anoint him king” Response to human cry - Exodus 3:7 — “I have heard them crying out” - Judges 10:16 — “They could bear Israel’s misery no longer” - 1 Samuel 9:16 — “their cry has come to Me” Continuity into the New Covenant - Luke 1:30-31 — “Do not be afraid, Mary… you will conceive” - Acts 13:2 — “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul” - Ephesians 2:10 — “created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand” Summary connections - God initiates, speaks first, and gives clear direction. - He sets precise timing and circumstances. - Each calling carries a mission of deliverance or blessing. - He often uses a prophetic intermediary. - The pattern spans Old and New Testaments, revealing unchanging divine character and purpose. |
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