ELI the priest

God’s message to Eli through young Samuel 1 Samuel 3:11-14 NKJV 11 Then the LORD said to Samuel: "Behold, I will do something in Israel at which both ears of everyone who hears it will tingle. 12 "In that day I will perform against Eli all that I have spoken concerning his house, from beginning to end. 13 "For I have told him that I will judge his house forever for the iniquity which he knows, because his sons made themselves vile, and he did not restrain them. 14 "And therefore I have sworn to the house of Eli that the iniquity of Eli's house shall not be atoned for by sacrifice or offering forever."

God pronounced judgment against Eli Not for what he DID but for what he NEGLECTED TO DO! Sons were guilty of great sin These were not secret sins – Eli was aware of them – 1 Samuel 2:22-25 Eli’s sin was a failure to restrain his sons – 1 Samuel 3:13

God pronounced judgment against Eli Eli did take time to deliver a mild rebuke – but did not follow through His sons should have been thrown out of the priesthood Their sins worthy of death by stoning Punishment do for disobedience to parents – Deuteronomy 21:18-21

Eli was too soft, too easy toward his children Loved them but not enough to restrain them As a result, God punished Hophni, Phinehas & Eli Pious Softness Not The Way of God Jesus drove out money changers – John 2:13-17 He harshly rebuked Pharisees in Matthew 15 & 23

Pious softness fails in the home Ephesians 6:4 – Bring up children in the Lord Includes proper instruction – Deuteronomy 6:7; 32:46 Includes restraining them from evil – Proverbs 3:12; 13:24; 29:15-17

Children growing up without seeing any boundaries to their actions Some parents can’t seem to say “NO!” Some say “NO!” when irritated, but never follow through with punishment when child disobeys

Pious softness fails in society We have become soft on crime! Government to punish evil-doers – 1 Peter 2:13,14 Includes carrying out death penalty- Romans 13:3,4; Genesis 9:4 Delay punishment – Ecclesiastes 8:11

Pious softness fails in the church Commanded to withdraw from unrepentant sinner- 1 Corinthians 5:1-5, 11-13; Ephesians 5:11; 2 Thessalonians 3:6, 14,15 Yet so many object – demand more time to encourage person to repent – Remember Ecclesiastes 8:11 Have we come to believe withdrawal is the end of encouragement to live right?

For instance the sin of false teaching Romans 16:17 “note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them” 1 Timothy 6:3-5 “From such withdraw yourself.” Titus 3:10,11 “Reject a divisive man after the first and second admonition”

God remains the same Hebrews 13:8 His words will not pass away – Matthew 24:35 Jesus came to give us life – John 10:10 Jesus’ way gives us peace- John 14:27; Philippians 4:6,7 Must be Jesus’ Way- John 14:6; 5:39,40

Will you not come to jesus today?