How does Samuel's role as judge connect to Christ's role as our mediator? The Snapshot: 1 Samuel 7:15 “Now Samuel judged Israel all the days of his life.” A single sentence, yet it frames Samuel’s lifelong calling: he rendered verdicts, shepherded hearts, and stood between God and the nation. What a Judge Meant in Israel - Settled disputes (Deuteronomy 17:9) - Led the people in battle when needed (Judges 2:16) - Called the nation back to covenant faithfulness (Judges 2:18) Samuel embodied every facet of that role—and added a priestly, prophetic dimension. Samuel’s Unique Blend: Judge, Prophet, Priest - Heard God’s voice from childhood (1 Samuel 3:19–21). - Offered sacrifices on behalf of the people (1 Samuel 7:9). - Taught Israel “the good and right way” and prayed continually for them (1 Samuel 12:23). Those tasks placed him squarely in the gap between a holy God and a wayward nation. Intercession at Mizpah: A Living Picture of Mediation 1 Samuel 7:9–10: Samuel takes a suckling lamb, offers it whole, cries out to the LORD—and the LORD answers with thunder that routs the Philistines. Keys we notice: • A substitute sacrifice. • A praying representative. • Divine deliverance. The scene previews the greater mediation Christ would accomplish. From Samuel to Jesus: The Pattern Completed - Both raised up by God for a pivotal season (Luke 1:31–33; 1 Samuel 1:20). - Both traveled a teaching circuit (Mark 1:38–39; 1 Samuel 7:16–17). - Both spoke the very word of God (John 12:49; 1 Samuel 3:21). - Both stood in the middle with an offering—Samuel with a lamb, Jesus as the Lamb (John 1:29). - Christ brings the pattern to its fullness: “For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” (1 Timothy 2:5) Where the Parallels Stop—and How Christ Surpasses - Samuel judged “all the days of his life;” Jesus lives forever: “Because Jesus lives forever, He has a permanent priesthood.” (Hebrews 7:24) - Samuel’s sacrifices were repeated; Jesus’ sacrifice was “once for all” (Hebrews 10:12). - Samuel ruled an earthly circuit; Jesus reigns at the Father’s right hand (Hebrews 8:1). - Samuel could plead for mercy, but he could not cleanse sin. Jesus “is the atoning sacrifice…for the whole world.” (1 John 2:2) Living Out the Connection • Lean on Christ’s present, active intercession: “Therefore He is able to save completely those who draw near to God through Him.” (Hebrews 7:25) • Run to the throne of grace with confidence (Hebrews 4:16). • Echo Samuel by speaking God’s truth and standing in prayer for others. • Rejoice that the Judge who will one day render every verdict has already become our Mediator, securing mercy with His own blood. |
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