Returning Back to God
Read 1 Samuel 2:22-36
“But I will raise up for Myself a faithful priest who will do according to what is in My heart and in My soul; and I will build him an enduring house, and he will walk before My anointed always.” (1 Samuel 2:35)
A Father’s Appeal (vv. 22–25)
The priesthood in Eli’s time had become deeply corrupted. Even Eli’s earnest appeal to his sons to repent fell on deaf ears. They continued in wilful and deliberate sin against God, ultimately facing judgment. Let this be a sober reminder: knowingly persisting in sin will not exempt anyone from God’s righteous judgment.
The Prophet’s Pronouncement
Judgment was inevitable. God declared the death of Hophni and Phinehas, but His judgment extended beyond them—it encompassed their descendants as well. The priesthood was removed from Eli’s lineage entirely. This underscores a sobering truth: sin’s consequences often ripple far beyond the immediate offenders.
Object Lesson: Sins and Sinners
In recent years, many have embraced the slogan, “God hates sin but loves the sinner.” While this holds some truth, it’s only part of the story.
There are those who battle sin daily, striving to overcome it. These individuals need our love, support, and encouragement as they walk toward God’s grace.
However, there are also those who advocate for sin, trading good for evil and calling evil good. These individuals stand as active opponents of God’s truth, preaching a false gospel—a gospel of darkness. As believers, we are called to proclaim the gospel of light and stand firm against such opposition. As Psalm 5:4–6 reminds us, God does not delight in wickedness, and He opposes the proud and unrepentant.
God’s Standard and Our Response
This passage also offers hope and encouragement. Amid the condemnation of Eli’s household, we find Samuel—a young boy growing in favour with God and man (v. 26).
God will always raise up those whose hearts are fully committed to Him. He calls us to be priests in our homes, workplaces, and communities, ushering in His presence wherever we go. Our faithfulness impacts not only us but also future generations. Let us rise to our calling as God’s people. Let us teach and model righteousness for our children. Let us stand as lights in a dark world, reflecting His holiness and truth.
Reflection
This passage reminds us of the gravity of sin and the far-reaching consequences of disobedience, but it also highlights God’s redemptive work. Even in the midst of judgment, He raises up faithful servants like Samuel.
Consider how this applies to your own life:
Are there areas where you’ve been complacent or tolerant of sin?
How can you actively live as a “priest” in the spheres where God has placed you?
What legacy of faith are you building for the next generation?
God calls us not to passive belief but to active commitment. Like Samuel, we are to grow in favour with God and man by aligning our hearts with His and walking in His ways.
Take time to reflect on the ways you can be a faithful priest, standing for truth and bringing God’s presence into every aspect of your life. Remember, God’s promises endure for those who are wholly committed to Him.
1 Samuel 2:22-36
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[b] 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?’ 30 Therefore the Lord, the God of Israel, declares: ‘I promised that your house and the house of your father should go in and out before me forever,’ but now the Lord declares: ‘Far be it from me, for those who honor me I will honor, and those who despise me shall be lightly esteemed.31 Behold, the days are coming when I will cut off your strength and the strength of your father's house, so that there will not be an old man in your house.32 Then in distress you will look with envious eye on all the prosperity that shall be bestowed on Israel, and there shall not be an old man in your house forever. 33 The only one of you whom I shall not cut off from my altar shall be spared to weep his[c] eyes out to grieve his heart, and all the descendants[d]of your house shall die by the sword of men.[e] 34 And this that shall come upon your two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, shall be the sign to you: both of them shall die on the same day. 35 And I will raise up for myself a faithful priest, who shall do according to what is in my heart and in my mind. And I will build him a sure house, and he shall go in and out before my anointed forever. 36 And everyone who is left in your house shall come to implore him for a piece of silver or a loaf of bread and shall say, “Please put me in one of the priests' places, that I may eat a morsel of bread.”’”