One of the key principles of hermeneutics or biblical interpretation is that we should take literally what makes literal sense in Scripture. Some other time, we need to check the meaning of a word and see how its uses have changed over time. Take our text for example. It says that the word of the Lord was precious in the days of Eli. We cannot interpret the word “precious” the way we do today. In a literal sense, there is no time when the word of God is not precious. If we interpret it in modern-day English, we will miss the meaning. Another translation will be of help. “Now the boy Samuel ministered to the LORD before Eli. And the word of the LORD was rare in those days; there was no widespread revelation.” (I Samuel 3:1 NKJV). Typically, God delights in speaking to His people. Whenever He stops speaking, the people must have persisted in their sins. The withholding of divine presence such as the absence of vision or prophecy can be a form of divine judgment or discipline.

If the word of God is scarce, then victory is far! …A strong appetite for the word is a must for those who desire to walk in victory.

Every believer must strive to create a conducive environment for divine manifestation. This is because the scarcity of the word of God has consequences. If the word of God is scarce, then victory is far! God’s word is described in various ways. Jeremiah said it is like the hammer that breaks the rock into pieces. He also describes it as fire. Without access to the word of God, those rocks and chaffs will continue to assault a child of God. Moreover, as we can see from Jesus, the word of God is the sword of the spirit that can push back the devil when he comes with temptations. A strong appetite for the word is a must for those who desire to walk in victory.