1 Samuel 2:22-29
22 Now Eli was very old, and he kept hearing all that his sons were doing to all Israel, and how they lay with the women who were serving at the entrance to the tent of meeting. 23 And he said to them, “Why do you do such things? For I hear of your evil dealings from all these people. 24 No, my sons; it is no good report that I hear the people of the Lord spreading abroad. 25 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. 26 Now the boy Samuel continued to grow both in stature and in favor with the Lord and also with man. 27 And there came a man of God to Eli and said to him, “Thus says the Lord, ‘Did I indeed reveal myself to the house of your father when they were in Egypt subject to the house of Pharaoh? 28 Did I choose him out of all the tribes of Israel to be my priest, to go up to my altar, to burn incense, to wear an ephod before me? I gave to the house of your father all my offerings by fire from the people of Israel. 29 Why then do you scorn my sacrifices and my offerings that I commanded for my dwelling, and honor your sons above me by fattening yourselves on the choicest parts of every offering of my people Israel?’
Eli's sons were guilty of sexual sin (they were priests who slept with other women in the church), and also of the sin of greed. Eli's response was to tell them that was wrong, but not take any further action. We don't know exactly why he didn't act, but it is reasonable to assume that he loved his sons and didn't want to be too harsh on them. This is a struggle that we also face when someone we care about is trapped in sexual sin. The Lord is merciful, but we need to beware of trying to protect others from the consequences of their actions. In verse 29 God asks Eli why do you “honor your sons above me"? Similarly, when faced with the issue of whether to intervene we need to ask what our motive is: do we want to avoid conflict, or protect someone from their actions, or execute our own judgment? Our priorities should be clear: God comes first. Particularly when the person involved is a representative of God's church, the Lord may want us to act to stop the sin, and we need to be willing to accept that, even if it embarrasses us.
Lord, help me to honor You more than people, and to trust You with those I care about.
22 Now Eli was very old, and he kept hearing all that his sons were doing to all Israel, and how they lay with the women who were serving at the entrance to the tent of meeting. 23 And he said to them, “Why do you do such things? For I hear of your evil dealings from all these people. 24 No, my sons; it is no good report that I hear the people of the Lord spreading abroad. 25 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. 26 Now the boy Samuel continued to grow both in stature and in favor with the Lord and also with man. 27 And there came a man of God to Eli and said to him, “Thus says the Lord, ‘Did I indeed reveal myself to the house of your father when they were in Egypt subject to the house of Pharaoh? 28 Did I choose him out of all the tribes of Israel to be my priest, to go up to my altar, to burn incense, to wear an ephod before me? I gave to the house of your father all my offerings by fire from the people of Israel. 29 Why then do you scorn my sacrifices and my offerings that I commanded for my dwelling, and honor your sons above me by fattening yourselves on the choicest parts of every offering of my people Israel?’
Eli's sons were guilty of sexual sin (they were priests who slept with other women in the church), and also of the sin of greed. Eli's response was to tell them that was wrong, but not take any further action. We don't know exactly why he didn't act, but it is reasonable to assume that he loved his sons and didn't want to be too harsh on them. This is a struggle that we also face when someone we care about is trapped in sexual sin. The Lord is merciful, but we need to beware of trying to protect others from the consequences of their actions. In verse 29 God asks Eli why do you “honor your sons above me"? Similarly, when faced with the issue of whether to intervene we need to ask what our motive is: do we want to avoid conflict, or protect someone from their actions, or execute our own judgment? Our priorities should be clear: God comes first. Particularly when the person involved is a representative of God's church, the Lord may want us to act to stop the sin, and we need to be willing to accept that, even if it embarrasses us.
Lord, help me to honor You more than people, and to trust You with those I care about.