1st Samuel 2:12-36 A SMALL BRIGHT LIGHT IN DARKNESS Some things in our lives happen over which we have no control. Other things come into our lives and we may not think they are too serious at first but as time passes, we can see the danger that they bring. There are still other things we must act on quickly and firmly lest the results that come have an evil effect on our family and others. Eli's sons took advantage of their position as priests to satisfy their own lust for power, control passion and possessions. They treated the people of God, the priesthood of which they were a part and the worship of God with contempt. They treated the offerings the people brought to the Lord with contempt. This called for execution because they were taking their portion before the offering was on the altar and before the fat was burned off.
The law said that those who did what Hophni and Phinehas were doing were to be put to death which is likely why Eli didn't deal with the situation the way he was supposed to. The problems resulting from his inaction were that many other lives were adversely affected. Priests were allowed to eat of the meat of a sacrifice by putting a hook down into the pot and whatever was pulled up was theirs. The servant of these priests used a rod with three hooks to satisfy their greed. Irreverence for God and the house of God is still a problem today. Irreverence and immorality often go together but is overlooked because the practice of them is so common. Even some so-called spiritual leaders do those things hoping that either no one will notice, or that their sin will be overlooked because of the leadership position they hold. Some look down on people of simple faith and take what has been given them to further the work of the Lord and use it to make themselves rich.
These sons of Eli are called "sons of Belial," or worthless men," "children of corruption." They sinned against God's people by robbing their sacrifices and they sinned against God by taking that which belong to Him alone. They enriched themselves by robbing God and other people. It is possible for us to keep for ourselves that which really belongs to God. I have to search my heart to make sure that I am not doing that which is unlawful for me as a son in the family of God. As a father I am responsible for what goes on in my home. When reports of evil come to my ears about my children. I need to correct that behavior right away. I am responsible to guide my family as well as guard it. I must do whatever is necessary to change wrong behavior and bring righteousness of life before them.
Right in the middle of all this moral and spiritual darkness going on among the people of God in the place where Israel was called to bring their sacrifices and offering, God was getting His portion from the heart of a child. While all the evil was going on around the door of the tabernacle and at the altar, out of sight in the sanctuary was Samuel, wearing an ephod, the vestments of a priest, bringing joy to the heart of God. He was "ministering to the Lord." What a delight that must have been to the Lord as a happy child, glad to be serving his Lord, went about day after day and year after year, just doing what was right. Hannah’s family teaches us that blessings are not always immediate. Things taught to children as infants and small children do not leave them. They would have learned from a praying mother and faithful father that deliberate acts, good and bad, have God’s eye. Children learn more about living, at home in early years than they will ever learn from secular teachers and/or college professors. The seemingly small candle-light of a boy doing what was right when everyone else around him was doing wrong was not unnoticed by the Lord of the universe.
1st Samuel.2:30. “But now the Lord saith, ‘Be it far from me; for them that honor me I will honor, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed.” HONOR. There are some principles that we can count on no matter what happens. The Lord will never let a person down who gives the Lord the right to make the choices we live by. I have had the privilege of coming from a long line of people who have committed themselves to letting the Lord direct their lives. Great-grandfather Henry Goff, made a decision in England with his wife, Emma Caroline, that it was the Lord’s mind for them to move to North Dakota in the 1880’s. All but two of their family gave evidence that they were real and committed believers. The other two professed faith in Christ but made some decisions based only on how much money they could make rather than what was God’s will. Then my grandfather chose to make a move west that was opening up because he felt it was God’s will to make a new start for his family. The results of that move made over 100 years ago proved to be one God has blessed and many members of our extended family will be in heaven because he and grandma chose to honor God.
My father and mother knew that unless the Lord had first place in their lives and home, everything else they did would not last and would not honor God. Linda and I have tried to do this in our life from the time we were able to make decisions and it has led us to a lot of wonderful blessings.
“O Father of families: You have moved so wonderfully on our behalf. We know all glory for all the benefits we have received as a family comes from You. Help me to pass on to our children and grandchildren, a sense of the dignity and responsibility that is ours as those who have had fore-bearers who honored God. Our heritage brings with it the need of passing on to succeeding generations the fact of God’s grace to us as a sanctified family. Amen.”
Indulgent fatherhood brings disaster on their children and others influenced by their children. Eli as a father carried out no discipline when his children were in their learning time. There are some people who refuse to act on the light they have been given in order to have others feel good about them. It is better for children to respect their parents than to love them. Love may come as time passes but if respect isn't learned early in life it will be fundamentally lost. When we do not maintain the standard we have been given, and we know it is right, corruption of people and even worship follows the course of the leadership. Eli as a priest over priests acted in the same way he had as a father. He had no standard of discipline that he followed or expected of those he led. Overcoming natural relationship is one of the greatest and hardest tests of leadership. No discipline of children and no discipline of those we are called to lead leads to disobedience and disregard for people and God. To allow this made Eli guilty too.
The main characters in the book of first Samuel, Eli, Samuel and David all made the same mistake when it came to their families. Some men are willing to act scripturally in dealing with other people, but they try to find ways to avoid carrying out scriptural discipline when it comes to their own family. An impartial leader is a man who is esteemed by the Lord's people. The first Phinehas was that kind of man and he carried out the needed justice in the needed way. He was honored by God and promised an on-going priesthood for his family because of the action he took against sin. Corrupt living and covetousness seem to go together. Once it is allowed to start there seems to be no way to stop it. That in turn sets a trend for others to follow. They soon are degraded and live wicked lives with habits, passion and dishonor that is not acceptable in the
Lord's people. Those who want a leadership position for power and prominence adversely effect other people and take away that which should be for God alone.
The man of God who was sent to prophesy to Eli had a message from God to deliver the consequences of which he could not escape. The judgment of God was coming on his household and there were specific reasons for this. First, the call to remember. Eli's forbearers had the honor and privilege of being separated to God generations before when they were still in Egypt. The trust given to priests was a solemn trust to be engaged in divine service. They were also given all the provision they needed right from God's table. Second, the reason why. God's blessings and ample provision had been set aside by Eli in the interest of honoring his sons instead of God. The blame for the lawlessness of his sons was laid at Eli's door. His toleration of their behavior was considered honoring them more than God. Third, the warning given. God judges evil as well as giving grace. The judgment that was coming would suit the sin that had been committed. Fourth, the description given. We all have a legacy that we leave behind us usually for several generations. Eli was leaving behind a legacy of calamities and judgment to his family, while God was going to show good to the children of Israel. Fifth, the day of judgment. Both of Eli's sons would die on the same day and Eli would live to see that day. Sixth, the other priest. A faithful priest will take Eli's place who will do God's will and will bring God's blessings to His people. Seventh, the contrast. Eli's heritage to his family will be degradation, destitution and poverty.
We need to remember that worship and authority are linked because one without the other is meaningless and dangerous. Some people want to "worship God in my own way." They are not too concerned about what God says as long as it is suitable to themselves. The respect of people does not come just because we hold some particular "office." Cut and dry teaching does not create devoted hearts because we tell them about it or demand it of them. Devoted, warm and grateful-hearted teachers produce that effect on others, even if the person speaking is simple and not nearly as gifted as others. A young believer, a simple, faithful man or woman or a child who loves the Lord and appreciates the privilege of ministering to Him, exposes the dark things that have been hidden from men, not because of their condemning words but because of their living light. Samuel ministered before the Lord. He grew before the Lord and he grew on in favor both with the Lord and also with men. What a blessing a little light shining in a dark place can be to the Lord's people. This is what we should all be committed to as we live in these dark days.