Godchaser Podcast

Samuel's Life Echoes: Finding Jesus in the Old Testament

• Evan Evans

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Samuel's life reveals God's faithfulness and His desire for a personal relationship with us. Through Hannah's tearful prayer, Samuel's anointing, and Israel's longing for a king, we discover powerful lessons about integrity, leadership, and God's unwavering call amidst modern distractions.

• Exploring Hannah's prayer as a model of desperation and faith 
• Samuel's birth and purpose parallel to Christ's coming 
• Key lessons on hearing God's voice in a noisy world 
• The significance of Samuel's threefold office as a precursor to Jesus 
• Israel’s demand for a king reveals our struggle with divine authority 
• Samuel's integrity and lasting impact in guiding Israel 
• The importance of faithful service in challenging times

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Speaker 1:

Welcome to the God Chaser podcast, where we pursue the heart of God and explore the depths of His wisdom. I'm your host, evan Evans. We're continuing our journey of finding Jesus in every story of Scripture. Last week, we discovered how Ruth's story revealed Christ as our kinsman Redeemer. Today we're diving into the life of Samuel, a man who served as prophet, priest and judge, the only person besides Jesus to hold all three offices. Samuel's story begins with a mother's tears and ends with a nation's transformation. From his miraculous birth to his faithful service, from hearing God's voice as a child to anointing Israel's greatest king, every aspect of Samuel's life points to Jesus Christ.

Speaker 1:

In today's episode, we'll explore how Samuel's birth and calling preview Christ's coming, what it means to truly hear God's voice in a noisy world. How Samuel's threefold office pictures Jesus's ministry. Why Israel's demand for a king reveals our own struggles with divine authority. How Samuel's faithful service models Christ-like leadership. Whether you're struggling to hear God's voice like young Samuel, facing opposition in your ministry or wrestling with questions of authority and leadership, this story speaks directly to your situation. We'll discover how Samuel's life not only pointed to Jesus, but also shows us how to serve God faithfully in challenging times. The God Chaser podcast is committed to helping you see Jesus on every page of Scripture, growing deeper in your faith and understanding God's heart more fully, whether you're new to the Bible or have walked with God for years fully. Whether you're new to the Bible or have walked with God for years, you'll discover fresh insights into how all of Scripture points to Christ.

Speaker 2:

Welcome to the God Chaser podcast, the ultimate destination for those yearning to cultivate a passionate, intimate relationship with God. Join your host, Evan Evans, as he explores the depths of Scripture, shares inspiring testimonies and provides practical guidance to help you become a true God Chaser, Discover the transformative power of pursuing God's presence and be inspired to reignite your spiritual journey. Subscribe now on Apple Podcasts and get ready to embark on an adventure that will change your life forever. Welcome to the God Chaser Podcast. Let the chase begin.

Speaker 1:

Welcome back to the God Chaser Podcast. I'm your host, evan Evans. Last week we saw how Ruth's story revealed Jesus as our kinsman redeemer. Today we're stepping into another powerful narrative that points to Christ, the life of Samuel, the prophet who bridged the gap between the time of judges and kings. Our story begins with a broken heart. 1 Samuel 1, verses 10-11 shows us Hannah in the temple weeping bitterly. Verses 10 to 11 shows us Hannah in the temple weeping bitterly. In her deep anguish, hannah prayed to the Lord, weeping bitterly, and she made a vow saying Lord Almighty, if you will only look on your servant's misery and remember me and not forget your servant, but give her a son, then I will give him to the Lord for all the days of his life. Some of you are in your own temple of tears right now. Maybe you're praying for a miracle that seems impossible, carrying a burden that feels unbearable, facing mockery like Hannah did from Peninnah, wondering if God hears your cries. But watch what happens. Hannah's prayer leads to a birth that would change Israel's history. Just as Samuel's birth was an answer to desperate prayer, jesus' coming was God's answer to humanity's desperate need. Both births were announced with songs of praise Hannah's in 1 Samuel 2 and Mary's Magnificat in Luke 1.

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Listen to Hannah's prophetic words in 1 Samuel 2, verse 10. The Lord will judge the ends of the earth. He will give strength to his king and exalt the horn of his anointed. This isn't just about Samuel. It's pointing to Jesus, god's ultimate anointed one. Young Samuel's life in the temple points us to Jesus in remarkable ways. 1 Samuel 2, verse 26 tells us the boy Samuel continued to grow in stature and in favor with the Lord and with people. Sound familiar. Luke 2, verse 52 uses almost identical words about Jesus. And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and man.

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But Samuel's serving in the temple takes place during dark times. 1 Samuel, chapter 2, verses 12 to 17, shows us Eli's sons, the priests, corrupting the worship system. Some of you are serving God in similarly dark environments. Maybe it's a toxic workplace, a compromised ministry, a divided family, a culture hostile to faith. Then comes that pivotal moment in 1 Samuel, chapter 3, god's call in the night. Three times Samuel runs to Eli, thinking the old priest is calling him. Some of you are like that right now God's calling. But you're running to human sources for answers. Self-help books instead of scripture, social media instead of secret prayer, popular opinion instead of divine wisdom, human comfort instead of holy conviction.

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But notice something crucial in 1 Samuel 3, verse 7. Samuel did not yet know the Lord. The word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him. This points to a profound truth Knowing about God isn't the same as knowing God. Jesus would later say in John 17, verse 3, now this is eternal life that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.

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Samuel grows into a unique role in Israel's history. He serves as prophet, priest and judge, the only person besides Jesus to hold all three offices. Look at 1 Samuel, chapter 7, verse 15. Samuel continued as Israel's leader all the days of his life. But watch what he does first.

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1 Samuel 7, verses 3 to 4, shows Samuel calling people to repentance. If you are returning to the Lord with all your heart, then rid yourselves of the foreign gods and commit yourselves to the Lord and serve Him. Only Some of you need to hear this right now. You're trying to serve God while keeping your idols. Experience revival without repentance, claim promises without commitment, have resurrection without death to self. Samuel's ministry points to Jesus' ultimate work. Both called for true repentance. Confronted religious hypocrisy, interceded for the people, established new covenant relationships. Look at how Samuel led In 1 Samuel, chapter 7, verses 9 to 10,.

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When the Philistines attacked, samuel took a suckling lamb and sacrificed it as a whole, burnt, offering to the Lord. He cried out to the Lord on Israel's behalf. This pictures Christ perfectly. The sacrificial lamb John 1, verse 29. The intercessory prayer Hebrews 7, verse 25. The divine response John, chapter 11, verse 42. The deliverance of God's people Colossians, chapter 1, verse 13.

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Now we come to a pivotal moment in Israel's history. First, samuel, chapter 8, verses 4 to 5. Give us a king to lead us, like all the other nations have. Some of you are making the same request right now. You're saying God, make me like everyone else, let me fit in with the world. Why can't I be normal, like others? Why must I be different? Watch Samuel's reaction in verse 6. But when they said, give us a king to lead us, this displeased Samuel. Why? Because he knew they were rejecting God's kingship for a human substitute.

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God tells Samuel in 1 Samuel 8, verse 7, they have not rejected you, but they have rejected me as their king. This points to a deeper truth about humanity's relationship with divine authority. We often want a visible king instead of an invisible God, human solutions instead of divine provision, worldly power instead of spiritual authority, immediate gratification instead of eternal purpose. Jesus would face this same rejection. John, chapter 19, verse 15, shows the religious leaders declaring we have no king but Caesar. Just as Israel rejected God's kingship for Saul, humanity would reject Christ's kingship for worldly authority.

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But look what happens next. God tells Samuel in 1 Samuel, chapter 8, verses 9 to 22, to warn the people about what a human king will do. Take their sons for his armies. Take their sons for his armies. Take their daughters for his service. Take their best fields and vineyards. Take a tenth of their grain and vintage. Take their servants and cattle. Isn't this exactly what the world's systems do? They take your children's minds through godless education. Take your best years through endless striving. Take your resources through constant consumption. Take your worship through subtle idolatry, take your freedom through false promises.

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Even after Israel rejects God's direct kingship, watch how Samuel continues his faithful ministry. In 1 Samuel, chapter 12, verses 23 to 24, he declares as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by failing to pray for you, and I will teach you the way that is good and right. This mirrors Christ's response to rejection. Even as people were rejecting him, jesus prayed for those who crucified him, taught truth until the end, remained faithful to his mission, continued loving those who spurned him. Then comes that powerful moment when God sends Samuel to anoint David.

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1 Samuel, chapter 16, verse 7, gives us one of scripture's most profound insights. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart. Some of you need to hear this today. You've been judged by external standards, rejected because of appearances, overlooked because you don't fit the mold. But God sees differently. Just as he chose David over his stronger brothers, israel over larger nations, mary over more prominent women, fishermen over religious scholars. This points to Christ, who had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him. Isaiah, chapter 53, verse 2, yet was God's chosen king. Even after anointing David, samuel's work wasn't done. First Samuel, chapter 19 shows David fleeing to Samuel when Saul tries to kill him. This pictures Christ as our refuge when the world's systems turn against us. Hebrews, chapter 6, verse 18, calls this refuge to take hold of the hope set before us.

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Look at Samuel's farewell speech in 1 Samuel, chapter 12. He can say something remarkable in verse 3. Here I stand, Testify against me in the presence of the Lord. Whose ox have I taken? Whose donkey have I taken? Whom have I cheated? Whom have I oppressed? This points to Jesus. Who could ask in John, chapter 8, verse 46, can any of you prove me guilty of sin? Can any of you prove me guilty of sin?

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Both Samuel and Jesus served with complete integrity, finished their course faithfully, maintained clean hands and pure hearts, put God's kingdom above personal gain. Some of you are wondering if faithful service is worth it. You're tired of standing alone, weary of speaking truth, exhausted from swimming upstream, questioning if integrity matters anymore. But Samuel's legacy lived on long after his death, even after he dies in 1 Samuel, chapter 25, his influence continues through David's kingship. He established the prophetic schools, he founded the pattern of faithful service. He modeled the truth. He spoke that endured. This points to Christ, whose impact continues through his church. He established his spirit, he sent his truth, he proclaimed his life, he modeled. Samuel's final appearance in scripture comes after his death, when Saul consults the medium at Endor.

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Even from beyond the grave, samuel speaks God's truth. This reminds us of Jesus' words in Luke, chapter 16, verse 29. They have Moses and the prophets. Let them listen to them. Family, here's what we need to grasp from Samuel's story. Like Hannah, your tears matter to God. He hears your prayers. He knows your pain. He has a purpose in your waiting.

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Like young Samuel, learn to hear God's voice In his word, through prayer, in quiet obedience. Like Samuel the prophet, speak truth without compromise, despite opposition, in love and courage. Like Samuel the priest, intercede for others, for your nation, for God's kingdom. Like Samuel the judge, stand for righteousness in your decisions, in your leadership, in your example. Next week we'll look at King David's life and see an even clearer picture of Christ. But today, remember, just as Samuel bridged the gap between judges and kings, jesus bridges the gap between us and God. This is Evan Evans, reminding you to keep chasing God's heart Until next time. Remember, god is still calling in the night, still looking at hearts, still using faithful servants to accomplish his purposes. This has been the God Chaser podcast. Join us next week as we continue finding Jesus in every story of the Bible. This episode of the God Chaser podcast is proudly sponsored by God Chaser Apparel, the clothing line designed to empower and inspire your spiritual journey.

Speaker 2:

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Speaker 1:

May you not just chase God but find him in the blessings, big and small, that he has in store for you. And there we have it, folks, another episode of God Chaser wrapped up. We hope you've been blessed by today's discussion and we look forward to diving into more life-transforming topics with you in the future. Stay blessed and keep chasing after God.