If someone sins against a man, God will mediate for him, but if someone sins against the Lord , who can intercede for him?” But they would not listen to the voice of their father, for it was the will of the Lord to put them to death.
… And I will raise up for myself a faithful priest, who shall do according to what is in my heart and in my mind. And I will build him a sure house, and he shall go in and out before my anointed forever. (1 Samuel 2:25, 35 ESV)
It’s very sobering reading the judgment of God.
From the ecstasy of a barren woman who prayed to God and was given a son we are taken to a situation where an old man with two sons is told he is about to lose what he he has because of their contempt for God.
In as much as Eli rebuked his sons for their scandalous behaviour as priests, he did not take action to stop them bringing disrepute to their service. The words of the man of God to Eli don’t hold back from what God will do for such contempt. It takes something significant for God to move so severely to replace a lineage with another.
There’s much to learn about parental priorities that don’t indulge sin. There’s also much to learn about the sort of service God looks for – not ones that exploits people, but one that genuinely looks to be faithful and diligent to God and the people.
These were serious matters then, they remain serious matters now. Treating the service of God and service to others with contempt has serious consequences.
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
C. L. J. Dryden
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