We are all familiar with and love the story found in 1 Samuel Chapter 3, of God calling the young man Samuel to be his chosen servant. While sleeping in the Holy Place in the Tabernacle, young Samuel heard the voice of God calling on two separate occasions. Finally, the Lord calls his name twice,”Samuel! Samuel!” Samuel answers, “Here I am Lord, Speak, for your servant is listening”. Could it be possible that Samuel knew the Torah and knew that something special was about to happen to him? Do you think he knew the story in Genesis 22:11 where Abraham was about to sacrifice Isaac, and God also called to him twice, saying, “Abraham! Abraham!” Abraham also answered, “Here I am Lord”! Perhaps did Samuel also think of the story in Genesis 46:2 when God called to Jacob, “Jacob! Jacob!” and Jacob replied, “Here I am!” God told Jacob not to be afraid to go down to Egypt and that God would make a great nation out of his offspring. And, I’m sure he knew the story in Exodus Chapter 3:3 when God called to Moses out of the burning bush-“Moses! Moses! Moses replied, “Here I am!” God then told Moses that he would be his feet and mouthpiece to free the enslaved Israelites from captivity. Don’t you know that Samuel’s heart raced when he realized that it was God that had called his name twice? He knew that God had something big in store for him and he knew how to answer, “Here I am, your servant is listening!”
Now, let’s fast forward to the New Testament and the story of Saul of Tarsus, as he is heading to Damascus to arrest some followers of “The Way”. You know the story; God knocks Saul down and blinds him, then calls his name out twice, “Saul, Saul”! Saul was a devout student of the text and he knew what was coming next. If God calls your name twice, He is going to have a big job waiting for you!
All these servants of God responded in the right way. They were willing to do whatever the God of Israel asked them to do. And they ended up being some of the greatest pillars of the Hebrew nation. What will we (I) do if God calls our name twice for some big job in the Kingdom? Will we be willing to do whatever He says and go where He says go? Here am I Lord, Your servant is listening!!
About the author:
Bob is the creator of this site and a disciple of Ray Vander Laan. Along with his wife of 50 years, he teaches a Bible study at Christ’s Church in Roswell, NM. He is also an avid hunter and fisher.
With all do respect, but I believe that Samuel heard the voice of God calling in 4 separate occasions. 3 times Samuel went to Eli, being the third time when Eli gave him instrucction as to what to do if he gets a call again. The fourth time is when God called him Samuel, Samuel.
Blessings
Hi, thanks for this which was interesting to me since I am still looking for an answer why God called me by name twice after 6-7 years! But the interesting thing was that I answered Him without thought what you just said “Here I am my dearest, I am listening?” (what I originally said was in Persian but it means this in English).
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Oh my goodness! Amazing article dude! Many thanks,
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Don’t forget one of the most terrifying parts of Scripture in Matthew 7 –
Matthew 7:21-23
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’”
What about in Luke 10:38-42 when Jesus says Martha’s name twice? He didn’t call her to a big life of service. I was thinking calling the name twice might indicate a pleading of sorts, like in many texts where Jesus says something like Matthew 7:21-23, where people are pleading for the Lord to let them in the kingdom by crying Lord, Lord. Do you think maybe Jesus is pleading with Martha to choose the good portion as her sister had?
I’ve turned my life over completely to God, I am in a treatment center and I’ve been getting on my knees and praying to God nightly, before I read my Bible I wash my hands to show God that respect. The night of Christmas Eve I was reading my Bible in bed and God called out to me “Joshua Joshua” I live for God now and try my best to do his will in all my ways!!! God is so great!!!
I read a commentary once that when God speaks your name twice, you better be ready because He is about to rock your world. He is going to elevate you to unimaginable heights. What a blessing would be to have God my name twice.
God calls to get our attention he knows everyone of us.