Samuel — Prophet and LeaderSample

Growing Up Amidst Sin

Samuel grew up in the tabernacle, which was the place where God was worshiped. However, in his days the tabernacle was all but a holy place. It was defiled by the sins of its priests. The Bible describes them as “worthless men. They did not know the Lord” (I Samuel 2:12). Their evil dealings were well-known to everybody. All in all, this was not exactly a safe place for Samuel to grow up. And yet, “he continued to grow both in stature and in favor with the LORD and also with man”.

Centuries later, we read the same statement about Jesus: “And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man” (Luke 2:52, ESV).

Despite his sinful surroundings, Samuel grew up to become a God-fearing man. That is reassuring and comforting as we watch the sinful world around us, and ask ourselves how our children are going to end up. The example of Samuel shows that not even bad examples and sinful surroundings can prevent God from keeping his children safe. His faithfulness is much stronger.