1Sa 7:17 | KingComments | STEP | Samuel is not characterized by sitting on a chair, as we read from Eli ( ). He works diligently and has no time to become fat like Eli. As a father of his people, he visits his children in different places. He teaches them for the good of their souls. The four cities mentioned here are, as it were, the four stations in the life of the people of God. Our life also take place between these ‘stations’. 1. “Bethel” means ’house of God’. In this we recognize “the household of God, which is the church of the living God” ( ), in which we are. It is the house where God dwells and where we may dwell with Him ( ). The awareness of His presence will sanctify our lives. His house is characterized by holiness. In Bethel Jacob met God ( ). Do we know this truth and is it always in our minds? It is a truth which concerns all believers, all saints. 2. Gilgal” means ’rolled away’ ( ). Every year Samuel comes and preaches there. This shows us in picture that the people are told that they must constantly live in self-judgment. We must remain aware that “nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh” ( ). We put the meaning of ‘Gilgal’ into practice by rolling away the reproach of the world, which means that we give up every connection with it. It is our realizing that we have been judged in the judgment that has come on Christ: “in Him you were also circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, in the removal of the body of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ” ( ). There also the judgment of the world is carried out. This should be expressed in the prophetic service. 3. “Mizpa” means ’watchtower’ and suggests that after each decay God is gracious to make a new beginning. We must not remain standing by what has been removed, the flesh, otherwise we will slide back into its power. This is why Mizpa follows Gilgal. We must remain vigilant and sober, so that the enemy does not take us by surprise again. God offers a view – the function of a watchtower is to look forward – to a new beginning, a wonderful future. Mizpa teaches the believers to look forward to the coming of the Lord Jesus and to organize their lives accordingly. 4. “Rama” means ‘height’. Samuel does not travel there, but lives there. It shows that it is about living on the spiritual heights we have in the letter to the Ephesians. In practice, it means that we keep seeking “the things above” ( ). To this place of residence, we must come after our journey along the previous places. It leads to a separated, heavenly walk on earth, “for our citizenship is in heaven” ( ). In the place where he lives, he builds an altar. Samuel is also a real priest. He is not so busy with his service that he forgets his personal fellowship with God in worship and prayer and intercession. This spirit that works in the people of God can only be a blessing. Service is important and necessary but is only fruitful if it comes from personal fellowship with God. Otherwise service in an activity of the flesh. In that case success is followed by pride and if success fails discouragement and abandonment will follow. It is to be desired that every servant of Christ has his ‘altar’ in connection with his work for God and His people.

‏ 1 Samuel 7:17

Samuel Judges Israel

Samuel is not characterized by sitting on a chair, as we read from Eli (1Sam 4:13). He works diligently and has no time to become fat like Eli. As a father of his people, he visits his children in different places. He teaches them for the good of their souls.

The four cities mentioned here are, as it were, the four stations in the life of the people of God. Our life also take place between these ‘stations’.

1. “Bethel” means ’house of God’. In this we recognize “the household of God, which is the church of the living God” (1Tim 3:15), in which we are. It is the house where God dwells and where we may dwell with Him (Eph 2:19). The awareness of His presence will sanctify our lives. His house is characterized by holiness. In Bethel Jacob met God (Gen 28:10-19 ; Gen 35:1-15). Do we know this truth and is it always in our minds? It is a truth which concerns all believers, all saints.

2. Gilgal” means ’rolled away’ (Jos 5:9). Every year Samuel comes and preaches there. This shows us in picture that the people are told that they must constantly live in self-judgment. We must remain aware that “nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh” (Rom 7:18a). We put the meaning of ‘Gilgal’ into practice by rolling away the reproach of the world, which means that we give up every connection with it. It is our realizing that we have been judged in the judgment that has come on Christ: “in Him you were also circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, in the removal of the body of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ” (Col 2:11). There also the judgment of the world is carried out. This should be expressed in the prophetic service.

3. “Mizpa” means ’watchtower’ and suggests that after each decay God is gracious to make a new beginning. We must not remain standing by what has been removed, the flesh, otherwise we will slide back into its power. This is why Mizpa follows Gilgal. We must remain vigilant and sober, so that the enemy does not take us by surprise again. God offers a view – the function of a watchtower is to look forward – to a new beginning, a wonderful future. Mizpa teaches the believers to look forward to the coming of the Lord Jesus and to organize their lives accordingly.

4. “Rama” means ‘height’. Samuel does not travel there, but lives there. It shows that it is about living on the spiritual heights we have in the letter to the Ephesians. In practice, it means that we keep seeking “the things above” (Col 3:1). To this place of residence, we must come after our journey along the previous places. It leads to a separated, heavenly walk on earth, “for our citizenship is in heaven” (Phil 3:20).

In the place where he lives, he builds an altar. Samuel is also a real priest. He is not so busy with his service that he forgets his personal fellowship with God in worship and prayer and intercession. This spirit that works in the people of God can only be a blessing.

Service is important and necessary but is only fruitful if it comes from personal fellowship with God. Otherwise service in an activity of the flesh. In that case success is followed by pride and if success fails discouragement and abandonment will follow. It is to be desired that every servant of Christ has his ‘altar’ in connection with his work for God and His people.