Before doing this Bible study, please read the 1-minute introduction Unpleasant, Unpopular, Loving. It explains that Samuel faithfully shared God's truth in situations that were difficult and unpopular. But he did so with a heart of compassion and love.
In every era of history, there have been false teachers offering messages that are soft, self-focused, and not from the Lord. Our modern "Christian" culture is filled with such messages and they are enormously popular. For an important example see Beware of Ex-vangelical Teachings.
1. Samuel Obeyed even though it was hard:
In 1 Samuel 3 when Samuel was a young boy, God gave him the difficult task of telling his guardian Eli that God was going to punish Eli because he allowed his sons to blaspheme God. Samuel was afraid, but he obeyed.
Jeremiah had similar feelings about his difficult assignments, but he felt so strongly about God's Word that he could not help but obey.
Jeremiah 20:8-9: Whenever I speak, I cry out
proclaiming violence and destruction.
So the word of the Lord has brought me
insult and reproach all day long. But if I say, “I will not mention his word
or speak anymore in his name,”
his word is in my heart like a fire,
a fire shut up in my bones.
I am weary of holding it in;
indeed, I cannot.
2 Timothy 4:2-3: Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.
2. All genuine believers face opposition:
Samuel had to deliver an unpopular rebuke to King Saul which Saul ignored (1 Samuel 15:22-23). King Saul did things to suit his own desires and the people around him encouraged him to do this. See the 1-minute devotion Partial Obedience and the short video As Serious as Witchcraft for a deeper look at King Saul's choices.
Paul warned Timothy that he would face similar opposition:
2 Timothy 4:2-3: Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.
In 2 Timothy 3:1-5, we read the description of those who reject the gospel message while claiming to be Christians, i.e. "having a form of godliness but denying its power."
And Christ warns us several places in Scripture that the world hated Him and they will hate us too (e.g. John 15:18-19).
In our present culture, many families are being torn apart because of the gospel. Christ warns us of this in Matthew 10:21-22 and urges us to stand firm.
3. Samuel is an example for us.
Samuel did things that were hard because he loved the Lord and wanted to obey Him. We should remember men like Samuel and Jeremiah. They are part of the "great cloud of witnesses" who have gone before us. We can follow their example. And our perfect example is Christ Himself.
Hebrews 12:1-3: Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
Samuel did things that were hard because he loved the Lord and wanted to obey Him. We should remember men like Samuel and Jeremiah. They are part of the "great cloud of witnesses" who have gone before us. We can follow their example. And our perfect example is Christ Himself.
Hebrews 12:1-3: Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
The gospel is not pleasant or popular to those who reject it. But we understand the wonderful love, forgiveness, grace, and truth it offers. So let's stand firm, dear Christians! Let's speak God's truth even when it becomes unpleasant and unpopular to do so.
copyright 2015, Gail Burton Purath, BiteSizeBibleStudy.com, updated in 2023
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