March 6 - I Samuel 1-3
This passage contains a distinct contrast between Hannah's son, Samuel, and Eli's sons, Hophni and Phineas. It contains some lessons for us, but we must be careful to stick closely to what the Bible says and not to add anything to it. The Bible does not tell us all of the information we might like to have, but it does contain all of the facts that we need to learn what God wants us to learn.
It is easy to see that Samuel is greatly blessed by God after his birth to Hannah and Elkanah. He is given to Eli to serve before the Lord at Shiloh, because Hannah in her barrenness made that promise to God as she prayed for a son. The boy grows up, and God speaks to him from the very beginning of his relationship with God. The first communication from God is a message about the downfall of Eli and his family. Samuel is faithful to hear God's word and to deliver God's word to Eli. All of this came about from the sincere prayer of a lady who wanted a child, but who was willing to totally give her child to the Lord. We see Hannah's heart in her prayer in chapter 2. It is filled with hope and praise for the Lord.
On the other hand, Eli's sons had grown up around the things of God, but they were sinful. They disdained God's laws, and they were selfish for their own pleasures. They went as far as committing immorality with the women who served at Shiloh. In all of this Eli "talked" to them, but he did not "restrain" them. The key seems to be that Eli did not go far enough to insure his sons would not sin against God and His laws. Therefore, God saw their hearts were not going to change, so He knew He would have to remove them from the scene by death. This is sad, but it was the right thing in the wisdom of God.
Why did this happen? No one can say for sure. Only God knows. Eli's sons had a choice to follow God and so did Samuel. Their parents could not make that choice for them. However, we have a contrast here between the heart of Hannah and the heart of Eli. Hannah was willing to act in a drastic way to fulfill her vow to God. She was separated from her son all year except for her short time of worship each year in Shiloh. Eli was not willing to take the drastic action needed for his sons. This could have helped lead to the serious problems developing in their lives. One thing is for sure. When it comes to training children, words are not enough.
Tomorrow, I intend to read I Samuel 4-7.
It is easy to see that Samuel is greatly blessed by God after his birth to Hannah and Elkanah. He is given to Eli to serve before the Lord at Shiloh, because Hannah in her barrenness made that promise to God as she prayed for a son. The boy grows up, and God speaks to him from the very beginning of his relationship with God. The first communication from God is a message about the downfall of Eli and his family. Samuel is faithful to hear God's word and to deliver God's word to Eli. All of this came about from the sincere prayer of a lady who wanted a child, but who was willing to totally give her child to the Lord. We see Hannah's heart in her prayer in chapter 2. It is filled with hope and praise for the Lord.
On the other hand, Eli's sons had grown up around the things of God, but they were sinful. They disdained God's laws, and they were selfish for their own pleasures. They went as far as committing immorality with the women who served at Shiloh. In all of this Eli "talked" to them, but he did not "restrain" them. The key seems to be that Eli did not go far enough to insure his sons would not sin against God and His laws. Therefore, God saw their hearts were not going to change, so He knew He would have to remove them from the scene by death. This is sad, but it was the right thing in the wisdom of God.
Why did this happen? No one can say for sure. Only God knows. Eli's sons had a choice to follow God and so did Samuel. Their parents could not make that choice for them. However, we have a contrast here between the heart of Hannah and the heart of Eli. Hannah was willing to act in a drastic way to fulfill her vow to God. She was separated from her son all year except for her short time of worship each year in Shiloh. Eli was not willing to take the drastic action needed for his sons. This could have helped lead to the serious problems developing in their lives. One thing is for sure. When it comes to training children, words are not enough.
Tomorrow, I intend to read I Samuel 4-7.