Eli, Judge of Israel 1 Samuel 2-3

Background  Eli judged Israel for 40 years  Was the high priest of Israel  No record of any overt sins of Eli Basically a good man Basically a good man  When Eli learns Samuel will replace him Does not rebel or become bitter Does not rebel or become bitter Instead, raises and teaches Samuel Instead, raises and teaches Samuel  Despite the many good things about Eli, God pronounced a serious judgment against him.

Eli’s Sin  Eli’s sons were priests (at least 30 yrs old) They were “sons of Belial” 1 Sam 2:12-17 They were “sons of Belial” 1 Sam 2:12-17  Profaned the offerings, threatened, stole  Made the people hate sacrifices  Unrestrained, their sins increased 1 Sam. 2:22 – even committed fornication with women dedicated to the Lord’s service 1 Sam. 2:22 – even committed fornication with women dedicated to the Lord’s service  Eli finally rebukes them (1 Sam. 2:23-25) They don’t listen and more time passes They don’t listen and more time passes

Eli’s Sin  God sends a prophet to rebuke Eli 1 Sam 2: Sam 2:27-34  Eli had honored his sons more than God  He had rebuked them (too little, too late), but had failed to follow through on discipline Should have removed them from priesthood Should have removed them from priesthood Should have stoned them for fornication Should have stoned them for fornication Should have stoned them for rebellion (Deut. 21:18-21) Should have stoned them for rebellion (Deut. 21:18-21)  Even though God’s punishment would affect ALL his descendants, Eli still does not act

Eli’s Sin  God allows more time to pass and then sends Samuel 1 Sam. 3: Sam. 3:11-14  Eli had failed to “restrain them”  Still had not acted Might argue his sons were too old (30’s or 40’s at least) Might argue his sons were too old (30’s or 40’s at least) Could say he loved them despite their sins Could say he loved them despite their sins  God’s verdict: Eli has sinned and must face consequences

“Softness” In Our Society  Our nation has become “soft on sin” Remember the protests when a young vandal was going to be caned in Singapore? Remember the protests when a young vandal was going to be caned in Singapore? Look at the slap on the wrist most criminals get in our courts Look at the slap on the wrist most criminals get in our courts Even death penalties take decades to enforce (if ever enforced) – Eccl. 8:11 Even death penalties take decades to enforce (if ever enforced) – Eccl. 8:11  1 Pet 2:13-14, Rom 13:1-5 God expects governments to punish evil God expects governments to punish evil Softness only increases the amount of sin Softness only increases the amount of sin

Children Without Restraint  A society’s problems will reflect the problems of the HOME.  Why are children involved in fornication, violence, open rebellion, etc? Parents do not restrain them Parents do not restrain them Say “No” but fail to enforce it Say “No” but fail to enforce it  Like Eli’s sons, when there is a lack of discipline the sins grow worse and worse. Softness on sin only makes the sins more numerous and more abominable. Softness on sin only makes the sins more numerous and more abominable.

“Softness” In Our Homes  Ephesians 6:4 We like the nurture / training part We like the nurture / training part Are we making the hard choices to bring our children up in the Lord’s admonition? Are we making the hard choices to bring our children up in the Lord’s admonition?  God’s Wisdom Proverbs 3:12 – love means correction Proverbs 3:12 – love means correction Proverbs 13:24 – no punishment = hatred Proverbs 13:24 – no punishment = hatred Proverbs 29: the rod and rebuke give wisdom Proverbs 29: the rod and rebuke give wisdom

“Softness” In the Church  A church’s problems will reflect the problems in the HOME.  Many churches refuse to discipline, even though God’s commands are clear 1 Cor. 5:1-5, 11-13; 2 Thess. 3:6, Cor. 5:1-5, 11-13; 2 Thess. 3:6,  Why object to obeying God’s commands? “Need more time” “Need more time” “Won’t listen anyway” “Won’t listen anyway” “They are friends / relatives” “They are friends / relatives”  Eli could have made the same objections  Softness won’t bring them back; OBEY!

“Softness” In Doctrine  Many churches have become soft on doctrine Brethren object if denominations are pointed out from the pulpit, even though the denomination is teaching false doctrine Brethren object if denominations are pointed out from the pulpit, even though the denomination is teaching false doctrine Churches are now teaching denominational doctrines (social gospel, instrumental music, grace and faith only, no works, no hell, etc.) Churches are now teaching denominational doctrines (social gospel, instrumental music, grace and faith only, no works, no hell, etc.)  Softness leads to more false doctrine 2 Tim. 3: But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them,

Conclusion  Eli failed to act, he was “soft on sin” As a result, he died, his sons died, and all his descendants died young As a result, he died, his sons died, and all his descendants died young  God has a standard of righteousness God will not be “soft” in enforcing His standard God will not be “soft” in enforcing His standard God will not accept our excuses for being “soft on sin” God will not accept our excuses for being “soft on sin”  Will we stand up against sin? Our stand starts in the home.

Will You Become A Christian? Hear The Word (Rom. 10:17) Believe That Jesus is the Son of God (John 8:24) Repent of Your Sins (Acts 17:30) Confess That Jesus is the Son of God (Acts 8:37) Be Baptized for the Forgiveness of Sins (Acts 2:38) Live Faithfully Until You Die (Rev. 2:10)