The sin of Eli as seen through the book of Jude

I never used to memorize Scripture. At least, not much, not regularly. But ever

since God came and got me and ‘woke me up’ I have had this desire to know His

word. And when I read, sometimes I think: ‘wow that’s so good I should memorize

it!’ And then something amazing happens as you mull the word of God over in

your mind: you get insights! Thoughts! You begin to ‘connect the dots’ in the

Bible. Now, I’m not implying that I have conquered the Bible, that would be

impossible: and I always need to read the word of God with humility, but God

reveals things to everyday people. Anyone who has a heart to get to know Him

better!

So today, I am reading the story of Eli and his wicked sons. Eli was the judge of

Israel, the one right before Samuel. He was the most powerful man in the land and

everyone knew who he was and respected him. He had two sons, Hophni and

Phineas who were wicked men. They did not treat the people’s sacrifices to the

Lord with the respect it deserved by following the commands God had already

prescribed. Instead, they plunged their three-pronged fork into the meat and

grabbed whatever they wanted. And if that was not bad enough, they were also

sleeping with the women who served at the entrance to the tent of meeting. We

are told they were wicked men: they did not respect the Lord or what He said.

Their father confronts them and says: ‘why are you doing these things? I have

heard about your evil actions from all these people. No, my sons, the news I hear

the Lord’s people spreading is not good. If one person sins against another, God

can intercede for him, but if a person sins against the Lord, who can intercede for

him?’ (I Samuel 2:24,25). I always used to think: ‘that sounds good! He

reprimanded them!’ and today it hit me: it’s just like the false teachers in the

book of Jude!

I don’t know if Eli started out walking with God, but he did not end

up that way.

In Jude we are told that false teachers ‘deny Jesus Christ our only

master and Lord’. He honored God with his words when he confronted his sons

and then denied Him by his actions.

That’s when I had my ‘aha’ moment. Our words and our actions must match.

When Eli reprimanded his sons, it was too little too late. He honored his sons by

leaving them in office: when they should have been removed! Eli ended his life by

becoming a false teacher according to the book of Jude. A man of God comes to

Eli and first reminds him of how God honored him by choosing his family to be his

priests. He also gave them all the Israelites fire offerings. ‘Why then, do all of you

despise my sacrifices and my offerings that I require at my place of worship? You

have honored your sons more than me by making yourself fat with the best part

of all the offerings of my people Israel.’ (I Samuel 2:29). Did you notice what Eli

did? He told his sons they shouldn’t be doing that, but he went along with it

anyways. And that’s his sin: he too benefitted from the stolen offerings to the

point that he became fat from them. He closed his eyes to their sin, and he

allowed them to take advantage of God’s people. God hates that. Leaders who

benefit only themselves without regard for the people will be removed.

And that’s exactly what God does to the house of Eli. It is no more. His judgment

sounds harsh, but remember he is dealing with a family who despises Him! ‘For

those who honor me I will honor, but those who despise me will be disgraced.’ (I

Samuel 2:30b). After Eli confronts them, we are told: ‘But they would not listen to

their father, since the Lord intended to kill them. By contrast, the boy Samuel

grew in stature and favor with the Lord and with people.’ (I Samuel 2:25b,26).

Here’s what I noticed today:

-there are wicked people masquerading as Christians and there are godly people

who are genuine believers, and we can know the difference. I used to think we

were supposed to tolerate everything and that made us ‘good’. After all, we are

trying not to be ‘judgmental”. But that’s not what the Bible teaches. We are to be

discerning! If we can’t discern good from evil, then we will be devoured by wolves

in sheep’s clothing. The Bible is a lamp for our feet and a guide for our path. It is a

book to be studied. We will not be able to discern anything if we are not in the

Word. Did you notice what it said about Samuel? He was nothing like Hophni and

Phineas!

He stood in sharp contrast to them.

He was loved by God and by people.

We should see the fruit in the lives of other believers, and they should see the

fruit in us! Are you filled with joy or with fear? With love or with hate? With

patience or impatience? With self-control or self-indulgence? We are still sinners

who stumble at times, but we should be able to see the fruit of the Spirit in our

lives and others in increasing measure if we are real Christ-followers. Are you

humble? Is there anyone you respect who is allowed to speak into your life?

These are questions we should always be asking ourselves as we go through this

life. We are either growing more like Jesus or less like Him. And it is obvious to

those around us.

-God wants us to stop sin when it is in our power to do so. These were Eli’s sons.

He was the most powerful man in Israel. They served under the authority of their

father. If he didn’t stop then, who would? So, I guess this comes back to us as a

warning to speak up against sin in another believer’s life who is in our sphere of

influence. When I had wandered away from the Lord, I had several people who

tried to talk to me. To point me back to the truth. At the time, I remember not

wanting to talk to them. Not listening to them. But God, who is rich in mercy,

came and got me and opened my eyes. I will be forever grateful. And the ones

who tried to talk to me during that time, well, there is a reward in heaven waiting

for them. And looking back, I now see that they were right all along. It takes

humility to listen to someone who is walking with God, but that’s where freedom

will be found. And if you’re not sure about something: (is this a sin or not), then

open your Bible and get to know Jesus. Start with the book of John and read all 4

gospels. He is the exact representation of the Father! He will show you if you

really want to know.

-God will judge the ones who condone sin. It’s not enough to not do it yourself,

but when you tolerate and close your eyes to it, God will judge. Especially those of

us who are in a place of influencing others by what we approve of: maybe that’s

all of us! But this is what God says to Eli: ‘You will see distress in the place of

worship, in spite of all that is good in Israel.’ I love this because we are reminded

again that God is the God of the individual. He is going to judge the house of Eli

while still bringing good to Israel. So, I take this as a warning to be careful what I

‘approve of’: does God say it’s wrong? Then it’s wrong. Does God say it’s good?

Then it’s good. We live in a time when the world is going a little crazy, but God

has not changed. He hasn’t moved: we have! But the days we live in are a time of

God’s ‘kindness, restraint, and patience’ and this kindness is intended to lead us

to repentance. Maybe God is just waiting for you to repent. Don’t wait too long!

It’s not a time to close our eyes to sin.

Here’s what I have discovered in my new walk with God: -He is good! What He

says is good! He is out for my welfare and for yours. So, humble yourself, ask God

to open your eyes to how loved you are, ask Him to help you to open your Bible

and fall in love with Him. And then, suddenly, the sin that seemed so attractive or

harmless or empowering or necessary loses its appeal. And when the sin that

used to trap you has lost its appeal, on the other side of that, is freedom.

‘But you, dear friends, as you build yourself up in your most holy faith, praying in

the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting expectantly for the

mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ for eternal life. Have mercy on those who waver,

save others by snatching them from the fire: have mercy on others but with fear,

hating even the garment defiled by the flesh. Now to Him who is able to protect

you from stumbling and to make you stand in the presence of His glory without

blemish and with great joy, to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our

Lord, be glory, majesty, power and authority before all time, now and forever.

Amen. (Jude20-25).

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