Why Are These Leaders Not Removed?
|
Things had become so bad at the tabernacle they could no longer be tolerated. “As the men of Israel witnessed the corrupt course of the priests, they thought it safer for their families not to come up to the appointed place of worship.
Many went from Shiloh . . . determined to offer their sacrifices themselves, concluding that this would be fully as acceptable to God, as to sanction in any manner the abominations practiced in the sanctuary.” “Elkanah and Hannah must have had some concern as they placed their gift to the Lord in the hands of Eli, and of his two sons, Hophni and Phinehas. How much greater must have been the concern of the divine Father as He placed His Son under the influence and scrutiny of the unworthy priests of His day. Christ was 12 years of age when He came to the attention of the priests, yet His conduct upon that occasion testifies to the reality of divine protection extended even to children who seek heavenly guidance (see on Luke 2:52). Samuel’s experiences testify to the same divine guidance.” “Samuel lived for years in an evil environment, and could not help seeing the difference between the instructions given in the scrolls of the law and the lives of the young priests. . . . As he turned the matter over in his heart, the same question would come to him that comes to the mind of a godly youth today: If the Word of God lays down certain principles for the conduct of His work, and the leaders not only fail to follow these instructions, but are guilty of gross misconduct, why does He allow them to continue ministering in holy office?” Samuel knew he must faithfully bear the message given, no matter how painful.
Eli accepted the verdict and the sentence (1 Samuel 3:18).
“Eli’s sun was about to set, but that of Samuel was already rising.”
