1 Samuel 2:12-21 The good, the bad and the ugly
Memory Verse 1 Samuel 2:18(KJV)
“But Samuel ministered before the LORD, being a
child, girded with a linen ephod”
Yesterday, we saw the songs of praise rendered to
the Lord by Hannah, she returned to God with a grateful heart. We should
cultivate the habit if giving thanks to God both in the good times as well as
the bad times.
Today’s passage is a sad one. The job of the priest
was to minister to God and also draw the people to God. It is apparent that Eli
failed in his parental duties. While he was busy ministering to the children of
Israel, he neglected his sons. We know that once a priest dies, the next in
line which is usually his sons will take over the priestly duties. We learnt about family harmony in Colossians
some days ago, each of us have a role to play, it starts from the head down to
the least. Parents should train up their children in the way of the Lord
(Proverbs 22:6).
The priests were entitled to meat from each
sacrifice and the custom was for them to take ‘potluck’. They plunged a fork
into the boiling meat and took whatever it pierced, but Hophni and Phinehas
insisted on choosing their meat while it was raw and before the fat has been
burnt off. These men had no regard for God at all, otherwise they would have
adhere to his instruction that fat was to be preserved for him alone (Leviticus
3:14-16)
They violated the custom and treated both the
sacrifices rendered to God and the worshippers of God with contempt Verses
16-17, they even threatened violence when they were cautioned, these were
priests that ought to minister before God instead they were selfish and placed
their needs before God. No wonder they were referred to as sons of Belial in
verse 12 meaning they were worthless, useless and huge failures who knew not
the Lord.
Even in the midst of perversity, we see a good
example in verses 18 and 21. No doubt Samuel must have witnessed the evil deeds
of these men but he choose to minister to God, another good example is Hannah,
she never stopped caring for Samuel and she ensure he had all the necessary
requirements to minister before God. It was her good act that made Eli bless
her and God opened her womb and gave her more children.
As believers, we have been called to the service of
God; we should serve God willingly and obey his commandment. We are in a world
full of evil men, but just as Samuel, we should grow in the Lord and not join
in their evil deed (Read Psalm 1). Tomorrow, we will see the reward of the
wicked, judgement will surely come upon those who sin against God. God bless
you
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