“And the child Samuel ministered to the Lord before Eli. And the word of the Lord was precious in those days: there was no open vision” (1 Sam. 3:1). It is so now. It is only as we are as little children we can really serve the Lord. And though there is no open vision, no further development, yet cannot we say that the Word of God is precious in these last, closing days of Christendom, as in those closing days of Shiloh? The eyes of Eli began to wax dim that he could not see. It is so wherever known evil is allowed or palliated. Dimness of perception of divine truth is sure to be the result. “And ere the lamp of God went out” (1 Sam. 3:3). Is it not a solemn thought that the bright testimony of the Holy Spirit will soon cease to shine in this poor world, before God shall give the rejecters up to dark and strong delusion? The night grows dark, already pagan ritualism covers the land with many a rite of Baal. Is this a time for indifference? Are the Elis and Samuels to lie down to dream, being neither cold nor hot? No, the voice of the Lord is heard, but not by Eli: “He that hath an ear to hear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches” (Rev. 2:7, 17). But he who allows the evil he condemns, has no ear to hear. Eli heard not that voice, though it had to say to him.
Samuel, the little, weaned, dedicated worshiper, heard. His ear was open, but at first he did not understand. Do we hear the Spirit say, Give out such a hymn; read such a portion of the word; or lead the assembly in prayer or worship? Well does the writer remember the first time the Spirit said to him, Read the first chapter of 2 Corinthians , and the thoughts that were then impressed on his heart, though much over forty years ago. Like Samuel, he did not then know the Lord after this manner Yes; if really waiting before the Lord, it is our privilege to be unmistakably guided by the Spirit, ever present with the saints on earth. But if we allow evil this cannot be; and the official priesthood never thus hear the voice. Nay, in poor, fallen Christendom, the real guidance of the Holy Spirit, as to what shall be done when gathered together, is never thought of. Oh, to be a little child, and with Samuel say, “Speak, for Thy servant heareth” (1 Sam. 3:10). Now is it not most remarkable that the doom and judgment on the house of Eli is communicated to the child Samuel? And what is the sin that brings down this terrible judgment? Is it not repeated again, as we have seen, this one thing — the allowance of sin which he condemned? “And therefore I have sworn unto the house of Eli, that the iniquity of Eli’s house shall not be purged with sacrifice nor offering forever” (1 Sam. 3:14). Very affecting are the words of the aged Eli: “What is the thing that the LORD hath said unto thee? I pray thee hide it not from me” (1 Sam. 3:17). “And Samuel told him every whit, and hid nothing from him. And he said, It is the Lord: let him do what seemeth him good” (1 Sam. 3:18). Yes, in many respects this seems to have been an amiable, aged priest. Was it not even human kindness, or parental kindness? He might call it love, as many have done in this day. They have called it love to allow and pander to the false doctrine and evil they condemn Have they not even slandered those who have sought to exclude the evil and give it no shelter? Oh, let us all take this solemn lesson of Eli’s house to heart! Remember, brethren in Christ, judgment will begin at the house of God, as it swept away the house of Eli at the close of the history of Shiloh.
We thus learn it is not enough to be at Shiloh. We must have the spirit of Samuel the little. Note these results: “Samuel grew” (1 Cor. 3:19). Where there is the suited condition of soul, suited to Shiloh, there will be real growth. “And the Lord was with him” (1 Sam. 3:19). Are you quite sure the Lord is with you? It is no Shiloh if He is not, for He is the true Shiloh. “And did let none of his words fall to the ground” (1 Sam. 3:19). It is so now, and will be to the end. (See Rev. 3:9.) Yes, all shall know this. “And the Lord appeared again in Shiloh: for the Lord revealed himself to Samuel in Shiloh, by the word of the Lord” (1 Sam. 3:21). Nothing could be more cheering to the true Samuels in this day, though just at the end. Yes, up to the end, as at the beginning, the Lord will reveal Himself in Shiloh, in the place that He hath chosen. Wherever two or three are gathered to His name, there He will be, there He is. It is not where there is a splendid cathedral, or a splendid organ, or a gorgeous ritual, or priestly robes of cost! Not where riches and fashion are displayed. No, all this is Laodicean, and where that is, He reveals not Himself, but stands outside and knocks (Rev. 3).
Hold fast, then, this blessed fact: that to the very end, as the Lord appeared to Samuel in Shiloh, as He revealed Himself to Samuel in Shiloh by the word of the Lord, so He will now to the end. Let the house of Eli rail and misrepresent you, the Lord’s dear presence is enough the mind and heart to fill.
The house of Eli may often say, “Ebenezer” (1 Sam. 7:12), “hitherto the Lord hath helped us.” There is much of such boasting in Christendom. It is the spirit of Laodicea. Do not forget that the Philistines are not far off the same place. The Philistines, those who are in the land, but not of it, are gathering and preparing their forces. Shiloh was destroyed; Shiloh as a place came to an end. Samuel went to Ramah, his home — Ramah, “the high places.” Christendom will indeed be destroyed; but the church of God — Samuel, so to speak — will be caught up to the high places, and be seated around the throne of God in glory. From Ramah Samuel judged Israel (1 Sam. 7:17). Paul says, “Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world?” (1 Cor. 6:2).
We will close these brief remarks with a short review.
A redeemed people, not only sheltered by the blood, but brought out of Egypt.
They must also be brought in, through the Jordan, into the land.
Then, when they had rest and possession, the Lord placed His name in Shiloh.
For centuries Shiloh was almost forgotten.
The great revival of Shiloh in 1 Samuel 1-3. To pursue the type, we have Ruth, the bride before the reign.
Then Saul, head and shoulders above the rest. Then follows the reign of David.
Thus also the church is redeemed by the blood of the Lamb Brought out of darkness and slavery, and blest in Christ in the heavenlies. All this must be known before church position can be understood. The church, or even two or three, are now gathered to the risen Christ, the true Shiloh, He “whose it is.”
Blessed place of peaceful tranquility. This was practically lost and unknown for centuries. Then, as Shiloh was so remarkably revived in 1 Samuel. 1-3, so in these last few years the true principle of gathering together has been restored. That is, to Himself, the only One whose right it is. As there were two parties, or families, then, so again now. One who has allowed the evil they condemned, the other desiring to exclude all evil, in separation to Christ, the only Shiloh.
May the Lord apply His truth to us all. May Hannah’s song be ours, however reviled as exclusive. May we learn in this lesson what is pleasing to the Lord! May we know the Shiloh, Emmanuel, “He whose it is.” May we honor Him, cleave to Him, glorify Him, for He alone is worthy. “Worthy, O Lamb of God, art Thou.”
In the midst of the redeemed in glory, Thou shalt be the Shiloh. When Thou shalt come to this poor, sad earth, Thou, whose it is, shall have the glory. All nations shall worship Thee. Thine be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
God’s Center in Shiloh: Lessons for the Church Today