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The Prophet Samuel was a very significant prophet of the Bible. He was the Prophet called from Hannah's womb. Remember how Hannah prayed for a son and then she "gave" her son to work for the Lord in the temple. This was the Samuel who upon hearing the voice of the Lord, said, "Speak Lord, for thy servant heareth." This was the same Samuel who took the horn of oil and anointed the young shepherd boy, David, to be the next king over all of Israel. This was the same Samuel who had to speak truth to King Saul, because King Saul's reign became evil. It was Samuel who told Eli that his sons had committed evil acts in the house of God.

1 Sam 8:1-3

8:1 When Samuel grew old, he appointed his sons as judges for Israel. 2 The name of his firstborn was Joel and the name of his second was Abijah, and they served at Beersheba. 3 But his sons did not walk in his ways. They turned aside after dishonest gain and accepted bribes and perverted justice. (New International Version)

With all of this godly experience under his belt, it is a travesty to realize that this same Samuel allowed his sons to sin against the law and standard of God. This might cause you to ponder about why a truly godly man could allow such disgrace to be committed in God's house. I mean if anyone knew the voice of God and how to obey God's voice, it was the Prophet Samuel.

Hence, you might have to reason that as you get older there is a tendency to allow things to occur that you never would have even considered back in your prime of life. Perhaps, as the Prophet's age increased, there was an inversely proportional occurrence happening with his five senses. For the Prophet Samuel, was not seeing right, hearing right, or doing right.

I believe that it can be safe to assume that as you get older, you can be "convinced" to change your ways and change your mind about certain issues. You know, those things you spoke against yesterday, are okay and within reason today.

Well, I have to keep the Bible examples in mind, as I listen to seasoned politicians flip-flop on the issue of gambling. How sad it is that as many voters counted on the wisdom of certain politicians to bring about moral and social sensibility to the issue of gambling, we now find that, all of a sudden, they are willing to speak in favour of gambling. And you know what Bermuda. They speak so elegantly, so sweetly, and so calmly, that you might be convinced to soften your own views towards gambling being allowed on the big ships. Some say, that we have to try it and then if it does not work we can always return to our pre-gambling state.

No turning back?

Sure. That is like telling the crack addict or the alcoholic that if drugs or alcohol don't work they can always return to their pre-addiction days. Let's face it. Once this cat is out of the bag, it will have nine lives. You may think you can kill it, but it will live on to produce and reproduce.

My hope is that we are prepared to build a recovery clinic for those who will become gambling addicts and end up losing their home and hope. (Please do not tell me it will stop at the ships. One way or the other it will make its way onto the main shore.) As far as I am concerned they ought to name this recovery clinic after our leading politicians who have "wisely" spoken that gambling may work and, after all, it will bring life to the island. (Really it will kill life.)

No, it's about money. Hmmmm. Think about it. If gambling were so good, we would all gamble and win. But then it would not be called gambling; it would be called "winning".

To all of the prophetic Samuels who speak glowingly about this evil of gambling, your legacy will be one of causing added grief and pain to the families of Bermuda. This is what a government that allows gambling to occur in Bermuda will be remembered for. This is a sad day for Bermuda and her children. Just what we need: another issue for the generation of today and the generations to come to have to deal with. Respice finem.

Rev. Dr. Maria Seaman serves as the Pastor of Shekinah Worship Centre, worshipping at the Victor Scott Primary School, Glebe Road, Pembroke.[[In-content Ad]]

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