In reading about Eli and his sons, we know that they were Levites, that Eli was a priest, and his sons were servants to the priests (1 Sam. 2:13-15). We also know that his sons were sinning against the Lord’s offering, that they did not consider important what God had required of them when it came to the offerings, and that they were actually in contempt against the Lord. We also read in verse 22 that Eli rebuked his sons, yet we also see that after the rebuke, his sons are basically allowed to continue in their sin. Furthermore, when the prophecy comes against the house of Eli, we read that Eli actually participated in the sin, even if by omission when he is asked, “Why do you scorn my sacrifice and offering ….Why do you honor your sons more than me by fattening yourselves [eating] on the choice parts of every offering?”
That brings me to a couple of thoughts … one is regarding parenting and how important it is that we not only teach our children to follow the Lord, but that we follow through on imposing consequences when they do wrong. That was something difficult for me to do when our children were younger. I was more worried about them being mad at me and wanting to be the “cool” mom rather than imposing consequences for bad behavior and teaching them valuable life lessons in the safe environment of their home. (Oh hindsight!)
And my second thought is in regards to intentional sin in general. By all appearances, while he did rebuke his sons, he stopped at the rebuke and let them continue in their sin. Maybe they were grown men and Eli figured it was enough for him to just say something to them (rebuke them), and then let them suffer the consequences if they didn’t heed the rebuke, but it draws me to Matthew 18:
Matthew 18:15-17 “If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. 16 But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ 17 If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector.
Instead of getting rid of the evil amongst them, he allowed his sons to continue in sin, and the entire household of Eli then suffered the consequences. How often do we do that with friends and loved ones around us or even ourselves? We see a sin but we allow it to remain, maybe we say something, maybe we don’t because we think it’s not our right or our business to do so, or that it isn’t affecting us, yet we read:
1 Corinthians 15:33 Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.”
and
Galatians 5:7-9 “You were running a good race. Who cut in on you to keep you from obeying the truth? 8 That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you. 9 “A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough.”
So it seems very important that we deal with intentional sin so that it doesn’t draw us into it. In this case, when the consequences are imposed, I love Eli’s response to Samuel:
1 Samuel 3:18 ”He is the Lord; let him do what is good in his eyes.”
This speaks volumes about owning up to our actions and accepting the consequences when we waiver or don’t stand up for the truth!
My Ways Are Not Your Ways 