Thurs.’s Devo - Judgment on Eli

Read: 1 Sam. 2:22-4:22, John 5:24-47, Ps. 106:1-12, Pr. 14:30-31 To whom much is given; much will be required. Eli and his sons had been given the priesthood and they dishonored God in their service. Eli’s sons had sex with the women that worked at the temple. Eli didn’t do anything about it thus honoring them over God and he took the best part of the sacrifice for himself. Their punishment was that no one in their family would live their lives out to the end. They would all die young. To confirm this prophecy, Hophni and Phinehas would both die the same day. To make matters worse, God would raise up His priest and Eli’s offspring who would one day beg him for food and a job. God did raise up a faithful priest - Samuel. Everything the Lord said would happen did, and the ark of the Lord was taken by the Philistines. Eli and his son’s sought the honor of men and it cost them their lives. Jesus and Samuel didn’t seek the honor of men but of God. None of their words fell to the ground. Whatever they said came to pass. Lord, may we be like Jesus and Samuel; may we hear what you say and say it.