The Word of the Lord

I am struck by one seminal event in our reading this week, and it occurs in 1 Samuel 3, when the word of the LORD comes to Samuel.

Notice in verse 7 how “Samuel did not yet know the LORD: The word of the LORD had not yet been revealed to him.” The first phrase (did not yet know the LORD) suggests a person. The latter phrase suggests a message or sound. What is going on here? I think the solution is found in verse 10. "The LORD came and stood there, calling as at the other times.”

This is pretty clear. The word of the LORD is a person! Messages or sounds don’t come and stand. What was it that the apostle John said? “In the beginning was the word and the word was with God and the word was God.” I think Samuel is being visited by the pre-incarnate Jesus. The same thing happened to Abraham and it is the reason Jesus could say, “Your father Abraham rejoiced at the thought of seeing my day; he saw it and was glad.” They replied, “You are not yet fifty years old and you have seen Abraham?” Jesus answered, “Before Abraham was born, I am.”

The unity of scripture always amazes me. Let’s keep exploring it together.

Rob