January 30, 2025

Passage Read: 1 Samuel 1-4
Meditation Verse: 3:18

Thought

Eli had given up on his sons and on his line. He had rebuked his sons, but they didn't listen, and that was it. He didn't remove them from their priesthood or do anything else to try to turn them from their sin. He just let them be, and perhaps enjoyed the fruit of their sin. So when he heard from the prophet and then again from Samuel, his response was, "So be it." His sons were as good as dead and there would never be an old man in his line. They would be begging other priests for some position so that they might have bread. A prophecy is a warning, not always the final word. A prophecy is meant to drive us to repentance, to change the prediction of the future, a warning that if nothing is done, this will be the result. Eli could have possibly saved his sons, if he'd taken warning and driven his sons from the priesthood. He could have had them and the women at the entrance put to death for adultery, then God would have praised and rewarded his loyalty and zeal for God's house and people and law! But instead, he chose to let things go and turn God's warning into a promise.

Application

For the sake of my family and my church community, I too must be zealous for the Lord and His ways rather than turn a blind eye to sin in our midst. If they will not listen to rebuke, then I need to take whatever next steps are in my power. The goal is not preservation of relationship, but saving of souls. But if they refuse to listen to any and all rebuke, that's on them. But if I do not speak up and act accordingly, that's on me and them.