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).