Readers Guide: “The Word for Today” Wednesday, October 24, 2012 Read – 1 Samuel 3 & 4 The call of Samuel is a story familiar to most of us. It is the story along with the call of Isaiah that inspired the writing of the hymn, “Here I am, Lord.” In the story God signals the end of the priesthood of Eli. Chapter 4 tells that story of the Ark of the Covenant being captured by the Philistines. For those who think that God will somehow always protect his people, this story cuts to the reality that failure to follow God will end in disaster. The story of the Ark has an almost “magical” touch within it – at least the people seem to think there is “magic” in the Ark. But it does not save them. Perhaps we are somewhat troubled by this strange story – and the story that follows in the next chapter. Once again our scientific way of thinking gets in our way. This story does not fit well with our world-view. But the message in it is at least somewhat clear – God takes seriously the failure of his people and God brings judgment – “magical” Arks will not prevent those consequences.