A Little Larger Ephod

A Little Larger Ephod
Words of Faith 8-6-24
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy © 2024
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
Faith Fellowship Church - Melbourne, FL
www.faithfellowshipweb.com
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1 Samuel 2
[18] But Samuel was ministering before the LORD--a boy wearing a linen ephod. [19] Each year his mother made him a little robe and took it to him when she went up with her husband to offer the annual sacrifice. [20] Eli would bless Elkanah and his wife, saying, "May the LORD give you children by this woman to take the place of the one she prayed for and gave to the LORD." Then they would go home. [21] And the LORD was gracious to Hannah; she conceived and gave birth to three sons and two daughters. Meanwhile, the boy Samuel grew up in the presence of the LORD.
[22] Now Eli, who was very old, heard about everything his sons were doing to all Israel and how they slept with the women who served at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting. [23] So he said to them, "Why do you do such things? I hear from all the people about these wicked deeds of yours. [24] No, my sons, it is not a good report that I hear spreading among the LORD's people. [25] If a man sins against another man, God may mediate for him; but if a man sins against the LORD, who will intercede for him?" His sons, however, did not listen to their father's rebuke, for it was the LORD's will to put them to death.
[26] And the boy Samuel continued to grow in stature and in favor with the LORD and with men.

Samuel was now operating as a young apprentice priest under Eli's supervision. In this role, Samuel wore the linen ephod-- a special robe-like shirt-- characteristic of that ministry. His mother stayed in contact and lovingly made him a new little robe to wear each year as he grew up, each one a little larger. As God was developing Samuel for His plan for the future, Samuel would see a little more and gain more wisdom each year.
Samuel observed the mess that developed with Eli and his rebellious sons. Eli was unable to restrain Hophni and Phinehas' sinful conduct. They had chosen the way of the world, even mimicking the ritual prostitution that was common in Canaanite religions nearby.
The reputation of Eli's sons became widespread, but his attempt to confront them was to no avail. They had grown callous in their hearts and cavalier in their behavior. They did not honor God and were not about to honor their father. Hophni and Phinehas failed to repent, and God determined to put them to death.
One of the phrases here reads-- His sons, however, did not listen to their father's rebuke, for it was the LORD's will to put them to death. It references God's foreknowledge and sovereign election, much like God's hardening of Pharaoh's heart. While this can be difficult for us to understand, it is a part of God's mystery and majesty.
The Apostle Paul saw such divine design as a reason for worship rather than dismay. He declared: "Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! "Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?" "Who has ever given to God, that God should repay him?" For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen (Romans 11:33-36).
Hannah expressed a similar willingness to leave such decisions within the sphere of divine sovereignty-- "The LORD brings death and makes alive; he brings down to the grave and raises up. The LORD sends poverty and wealth; he humbles and he exalts. He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap; he seats them with princes and has them inherit a throne of honor (1 Samuel 2:6-8).
The big story here is that the boy in the linen ephod was learning all of these deep truths as he observed them. God was building a rich reservoir of wisdom into the heart and life of young Samuel as he served the Lord. He surely learned some good things from Eli, just as he also learned some things not to do. God does that in us. Most of all, he was learning that God is bigger than all our mistakes, ideas, solutions, sins, and judgments.
God works with us in the same way. We learn and gain wisdom from situations that honor the Lord and from those that do not. We gain courage by watching those who have it and those who do not. We are equipped with discernment by circumstances where people exercise it and times when people do not. For Samuel, it was all part of wearing a little larger ephod each year.

Dear Lord, help me wear a little larger ephod each year. Give me wisdom, insight, and discernment. Help me learn from mistakes made by others and those made by me. Help me learn to be a more forgiving person whose heart is like Yours. Teach me to listen carefully and hear Your voice. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

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© Jeffrey D. Hoy 2024
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy - Faith Fellowship Church (EFCA)
2820 Business Center Blvd.
Melbourne, Florida 32940 (321)-259-7200
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
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The Words of Faith devotion is published five days a week by E-mail, excluding Federal holidays. Please feel free to forward this devotion to a friend who might be blessed by this devotion. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is quoted from the New International Version (R) of The Holy Bible. Copyright (c) 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved. Words of Faith (c) 1997, 2024 Jeffrey D. Hoy. All rights reserved. Permission is granted to forward this copyrighted material or use portions of it with appropriate notation of the source for non-profit purposes.