Slices
Prepare
Where are you most vulnerable to temptation? Take time to sense the weight you carry from this. Share with God now. He awaits your turning towards him.
Bible passage
Eli’s wicked sons
12 Eli’s sons were scoundrels; they had no regard for the Lord. 13 Now it was the practice of the priests that, whenever any of the people offered a sacrifice, the priest’s servant would come with a three-pronged fork in his hand while the meat was being boiled 14 and would plunge the fork into the pan or kettle or cauldron or pot. Whatever the fork brought up the priest would take for himself. This is how they treated all the Israelites who came to Shiloh. 15 But even before the fat was burned, the priest’s servant would come and say to the person who was sacrificing, ‘Give the priest some meat to roast; he won’t accept boiled meat from you, but only raw.’
16 If the person said to him, ‘Let the fat be burned first, and then take whatever you want,’ the servant would answer, ‘No, hand it over now; if you don’t, I’ll take it by force.’
17 This sin of the young men was very great in the Lord’s sight, for they were treating the Lord’s offering with contempt.
18 But Samuel was ministering before the Lord – a boy wearing a linen ephod. 19 Each year his mother made him a little robe and took it to him when she went up with her husband to offer the annual sacrifice. 20 Eli would bless Elkanah and his wife, saying, ‘May the Lord give you children by this woman to take the place of the one she prayed for and gave to the Lord.’ Then they would go home. 21 And the Lord was gracious to Hannah; she gave birth to three sons and two daughters. Meanwhile, the boy Samuel grew up in the presence of the Lord.
22 Now Eli, who was very old, heard about everything his sons were doing to all Israel and how they slept with the women who served at the entrance to the tent of meeting. 23 So he said to them, ‘Why do you do such things? I hear from all the people about these wicked deeds of yours. 24 No, my sons; the report I hear spreading among the Lord’s people is not good. 25 If one person sins against another, God may mediate for the offender; but if anyone sins against the Lord, who will intercede for them?’ His sons, however, did not listen to their father’s rebuke, for it was the Lord’s will to put them to death.
26 And the boy Samuel continued to grow in stature and in favour with the Lord and with people.
Explore
The writer is blunt. Eli’s sons were wicked, deliberately and defiantly sinning against God.
The tabernacle contained the Holy of holies, where God dwelled among his people. Alarmingly, Eli’s sons were priests-in-charge, polluting the tabernacle with intimidation and violence (vs 12–17).
Yet light and hope come. Glimpses of Samuel are given (vs 18–21,26) and the contrast between Samuel and Eli’s sons is clear. Since a barren, faithful Hannah requested a child, God has been growing a faithful person after his own heart to love and lead his people – a youngster in a linen ephod (v 18). Such an apron signified a person called to serve in the Temple, the linen a sign of purity. Samuel grows in stature and favour before the Lord, God’s gift, not just to Hannah but for Israel (v 26).
Today we need leaders like Samuel in the church and the community, not those like Eli’s sons whose behaviour dishonours God. Let us be aware of the temptations that power can easily bring. Let us come to the One who can ‘provide a way out so that you can endure it’ (1 Corinthians 10:13).
Respond
Ask God for guidance. Consider finding someone to whom you can be regularly accountable. Choose someone spiritually mature who you respect and feel safe with, a person who will gently challenge you when needed. Could you approach them this week?
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: 2 Kings 4,5; Zephaniah 1–3
Pray for Scripture Union
Give thanks to God that, as we step out in faith to share Jesus with the next generation, he is ready to bless the plans we lay before him in prayer. (This week's prayers relate to this story.)
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