Tuesday, July 07, 2015
TEXT: 1 SAMUEL 2:12-36
KEY VERSE: “Wherefore the LORD God of Israel saith, I said indeed that thy house, and the house of thy father, should walk before me for ever: but now the LORD saith, Be it far from me; for them that honour me I will honour, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed” (1 Samuel 2:30).
Living with heaven in view was what Eli, the priest, with his two sons never had. When God gave them the special privilege to assist the people who came to Shiloh to offer sacrifice to Him, He allowed them to have certain parts of the sacrifices. Yet, they were not contented with it. Eli’s sons forced the people to give them what they wanted to eat. They also had immoral dealings with the women who assembled there. Samuel never associated with Eli’s sons in their evil acts and God was pleased with him. But He was not pleased with Eli’s sons because of their sin.
Eli merely warned his sons that God would deal with them, but they did not repent. God, in Deuteronomy 21:18-21, had instructed that a father must discipline his son and if his son refused to repent, the leaders of the town should judge him. God put in place that injunction because He wanted evil to be completely removed from among His people. Eli, who knew the character of his sons, ought to have stopped them from performing any duty in God’s house. Yet, he allowed them for reasons best known to him. A man of God came to warn him about the consequence of his and sons’ sin but they still did not repent.
Today, God is still intolerant of sin; His judgment against sin is fierce. Some leaders prefer their family and ethnic members to occupy one position or the other in the church, even though they know these people are not living right. The warning God gave Eli and his sons is the same warning He is giving to them today. There is judgment hanging upon every sinner, except he or she repents. God can never be taken for granted for He is not a respecter of anyone.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: GENESIS 21 - 23
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Punishment is justice for the unjust.
Higher Everyday for Youths - Link: http://highereveryday.dclmhq.org/
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