Tuesday, March 13, 2018

Tag: Leadershp’s Ultimate Role - 1 Samuel 1-5

1 Samuel 3:10-14
And the Lord came and stood, calling as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant hears.” Then the Lord said to Samuel, “Behold, I am about to do a thing in Israel at which the two ears of everyone who hears it will tingle. On that day I will fulfill against Eli all that I have spoken concerning his house, from beginning to end. And I declare to him that I am about to punish his house forever, for the iniquity that he knew, because his sons were blaspheming God, and he did not restrain them. Therefore I swear to the house of Eli that the iniquity of Eli's house shall not be atoned for by sacrifice or offering forever.”

Tag:  Leadership’s Ultimate Role

Eli was the priest and his two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, we the religious leaders of the day.   The two boys, however, were very wicked.   Eli knew about this wickedness and failed to correct them and hold them accountable.  He did speak to them:

1 Samuel 2:23-25
And he said to them, “Why do you do such things? For I hear of your evil dealings from all these people. No, my sons; it is no good report that I hear the people of the Lord spreading abroad. 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.

But, mere words don’t correct sin.  Eli refused to correct the sin of his sons and the wicked example they gave to the nation.   Samuel, the. young boy given to Eli, by a faithful mom, was given the message about what would happen to these boys and their lazy, overweight, father.   God does not allow sin to run rampant in His service.   Eli had profaned the priesthood by his lack of correcting his boys.   God does not tolerate unconfessed and unhealthy with sin in His servants.   God knows His servants are sinful (i.e. David, Peter, Paul, etc.).  Yet, unconfessed sin and failing to address sin in our lives is something God will address.  In the next chapter Hophni and Phinehas have their lives taken and Eli falls over and breaks his neck.  God does what He says He will do.  The seed we sow will reap what it does.  God does not tolerate sin in our lives.  We ought to remember what God said through Paul to the Philippians:

Philippians 2:12
Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling ... 


God knows our sin - We are to honor Him at all times ... especially if we are in His service.   

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