5th.: Samuel, Eliab, and Teaching Moments
Per God's command, Samuel went to Jesse the Bethlehemite,
to anoint one of Jesse's sons as king.
Albeit, Jesse did not know this.
Nevertheless, Jesse brought each of the seven oldest sons before Samuel (1st Sam. 16:3-5).
The first son, Eliab, impressed Samuel.
“And it came to pass, that when he looked on Eliab and said, ‘Surely, the Lord’s anointed is before him.’” (1st Sam. 16:6).
It was not wrong for Samuel to say, “Surely the Lord’s anointed is before him.”
Yet, he was mistaken.
The Lord said, “Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature,
because I have refused him, for the Lord sees not as man sees.
For man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” (1st Sam. 16:7).
The Lord used Samuel’s comment as an introduction to a teaching moment.
Likewise, we can bring our impressions to the Lord. Be aware, the Lord may wish to use any comments we make as an introduction to a teaching moment.
“Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser.” (Pr. 9:9a)