Bristol Bay Church Reading Plan
Week 2 April 8-14
“But Samuel ministered before the Lord—a boy wearing a linen ephod.” A boy who prayed. A boy who listened. A boy who heard the voice of God. The Lord had heard the fervent prayers of Hannah, Samuel’s mother, and from her longing and faithfulness, Samuel was born.
In an act of deep devotion, Hannah brought her young son to the temple and entrusted him to the service of God. There, under Eli’s guidance, Samuel learned to recognize and respond to the voice of the Lord. His humble response became a model of obedience: “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.” And God did speak.
From an early age, Samuel wore a priestly ephod—a garment symbolizing service and nearness to God. Though he was not born into the priesthood in the usual sense, he was set apart for God’s purposes. What might have appeared as abandonment was, in truth, consecration. Rather than being defined by what he was separated from, Samuel was defined by what he was called into: a life of communion with God.
The ephod represented more than clothing; it signified access, authority, and responsibility before God. The priests were those who approached God on behalf of the people, offering sacrifices and seeking His will. The ephod signified that the person wearing it had the God-granted ability to pray and communicate with Him. Israelites came to the priests when they wanted to know God’s will.
Who alone was allowed into the Holy of Holies? Only the high priest. Who presented a sacrifice for the sins of the people of Israel? The priests were the only ones allowed to approach the inner areas of the temple and offer this atonement for sin. The priests followed God’s prescription for approaching Him for forgiveness. The priest stood as an intercessor between God and His people.
Yet Scripture reveals a profound truth: what once belonged to a select few has been extended to all who belong to Christ. Like Samuel, who was set apart and clothed for service, believers are now called “a royal priesthood.” In our brokenness and distance, God does not abandon us—He adopts us. He grants us the privilege of drawing near to Him, calling us priests. We pray and make atonement not through human intermediaries, but through Christ Himself.
Because of this, we are invited to approach God with confidence. As Hebrews 4:16 declares, we may “approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” Likewise, 1 John 5:14 assures us that when we ask according to His will, He hears us.
Even when we feel unworthy or distant, we are not without hope. Scripture reminds us that Christ “sticks closer than a brother” (Proverbs 18:24). He meets us in our weakness and draws us near.
Hebrews 7:25 proclaims that He “is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.” He saves us to the uttermost (Hebrews 7:25, KJV). From the farthest point that we can be away from God. He retrieves us and delivers us. He not only saves us from sin itself but from the depths of sin’s dungeon and subsequent chains.
When we don’t know how to be our own priest, Christ is our High Priest. He stands at the right hand of God, interceding for us. Christ lives to intercede for us. He is our high priest, our Redeemer, and He is all we need. He is our High Priest—ever living, ever interceding. He is our Redeemer, our mediator, and our access to the Father. He is all we need. --Val Burgess
. I am praying for your time as you read and study his Word. I like to use two online sites when I study the Bible: Bible Gateway and Blue-Letter Bible. I may refer to these sites occasionally. Enjoy your Bible Reading with a cup of tea or coffee. I have been doing mine late at night.
I have started a new format for study questions. You can choose from Explore, Word Study, and Questions. You can complete one section or more. Many relate to each other.
Blessings.
Praying for Bristol Bay.
Questions? Call Pastor Val at 907-952-3317 or email pastorval@bristolbay.church