The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Samuel — Section 74

,·,111srio11rnPss of tl1is want on the part of the few pious in Israel. 3. 'l'he continued se1Tice ?[ Sanrnel i!' the ordinary routine of the san?tu~ry. 4. 'l'he resun1ptio11 u:£ tl!e, mamf_est rcvela!1?n by tl1e call of Samuel to )'ece1ve 1t. 5.. Samuel experiences <l1ft~culty m recogmsm_g. the call of ~o_d. 6. Eh r~nd~rs to 1nm the assistance by winch he becomes recipient of the D1vme commumcatJon. The statement concern- ing s~muel's continued service in the sanctuary is evidently to prepare the way for \he new prophet's summons to important duties. The historian's mind rests primarily on a dreary period during which a valued privilege was not enjoyed. I. A rRuGRESSION OF LIGHT IS NEEDED IN THE CIIURCH OF GOD. The ancient .Tewish Church was very dependent for its growth in knowledge, in direction for present duty, and in advancing joy in life, upon well-ascertained communications from, God. The fragmentary history from patriarchal times onwards acquaints us with many specific instances in which "open Yision," as distinguished from individual en- lig-Jite1;1ment for printe uses, was vouchsafed. It is probable that much other light was grven than we have record of, as truly as that the apostles received more from Christ than is explicitly contained in the Gospels. The clear light of God was necessary in successive years to enable Israel to do the work required in paving the way for Messiah. Therefore men looked for " vision " through some chosen instrument and felt that the normal course of Providenc~ was interrupted when, through long and' weary years, none was granted. Substantially the hght has now been given to the modem Church. No one is to " add to or take away from the words of the book " which God has given for the instruction and guidance of his people. But relatively, to the perception of the Church and of the individual, there is still a progression in what is made known to us. All the truth was in Christ before it gradually came- forth "in divers manners to the fathers;" and all the truth requisite for salvation is in the word of God. But as occasional manifestations in ancient times brought successive beams of light from the original Source to supply the need of men, so now out of the word of God much light has to break forth for the instruction, guidance, and comfort of the Church. There is all the difference imaginable between adding to the sum of truth by traditions of men or superior "light of reason," and having· the things of Christ revealed to us by the Spirit. Our growth in knowledge is con- sequent on clearer " visions " from God's word. II. SPIRITUAL RECEPTIVITY IS A CONDITION OF RECEIVING FURTHER LIGHT FROM Gon. The absence of " open visions " in the days of Eli is implicitly accounted for by the circumstance that the official persons through whom the communications usually came were not in a state of mind to be so honoured by God. There seems to be a beautiful adaptation between the fitness of the instrument and the fulness of the truth conveyed. Isaiah's intense spirituality of mind made him a fit instrument for conveying to men the more advanced truth revealed to him. The tone of the Apostle John's nature qualified him for the special quality and degree of truth charac- teristic of his writings. There seem to be high regulative laws by which God sends forth his light to the spiritual man corresponding to those in the lower sphere of intellect and moral perception. The application of this principle is seen in the history of the Church and qf the individual. When the le~ders of the Churc~ Lave been intent on earthly things, no advance has been made m the understandmg o:t: the Scriptures. As protoplastic life must pre-exist in order to the assimilation of protoplasm, so a certain spiritual light and love must dwell in man in order to the absorption in1o self of light from God's word. No wonder if irreligious men can- not know ih,; mysteries of the kingdom. The highest spiritual truth is not intel- lectually, but " spiritually discerned." Christ may have many things to say to us, out we throuo·h deficient receptivity, "cannot bear them now." Hence the wisdom of God' is ofte~ foolishness to men, or the darkness is real because the eye that should see is dim. III. It is a GREAT CALAMITY FOR ANY rE0PLE TO DE DEPRIVED OF THE LIGHT wl1ich urdi.narily comes from God for human use. The historian indicates the sad loss from which the people were suffering in this withholding of "open vision." All light is good, only good. It is the chief means of life. It means cheer, safe~y, deve!op- ment. To be without it in any measure is, in that degree, to be pract1call,r blmd, 11nd to suffer all the evils of blindnes~- We mourn over those who rannot see Lht .Oil. Ill. 1- 21 .] THE FIRST BOOK OF SA~llJEL. 69