Because children will often test the limits of acceptable behavior, it is important for parents, youth leaders, coaches, anyone who works with them, to establish clear boundaries from the start, to make sure they know who the boss is.
A schoolteacher injured his back and had to wear a plaster cast around the upper part of his body. Fortunately, it fit unnoticed beneath his shirt, so he did not have to explain his condition to everyone he met. On the first day of the new term, still wearing the cast under his shirt, he discovered that he was assigned to the toughest class in the school. It was a particularly hot day, so when he walked into the rowdy classroom, he opened the window as wide as possible before sitting at his desk. A strong breeze made his tie flap around, annoying him and causing a titer among the students that grew louder as he kept trying to rearrange it. Finally, fed up with the flapping, he grabbed the stapler from his desk and stapled the tie to his chest in several places.... Discipline was never a problem after that.
Proper discipline can prevent problem behavior. Without such restraint, however, the natural tendency some children have to indulge their sinful nature can run unchecked. At that point, the only thing left to do is to watch them self-destruct. That was, in part, what Samuel did with the sons of Eli, Heeding God's Call to See.
At this time, a couple from Ephraim dedicate their son, Samuel, to the Lord, which means they relinquish their claim on him and leave him in the care of the priests, whose ranks he will eventually join. While Samuel is still a young boy, God speaks to him. At first, Samuel thinks it is the voice of Eli that he hears, until Eli realizes it is the Lord.
1 Sam 3:1 The boy Samuel ministered before the LORD under Eli. In those days the word of the LORD was rare; there were not many visions. 2 One night Eli, whose eyes were becoming so weak that he could barely see, was lying down in his usual place. 3 The lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the temple of the LORD, where the ark of God was. 4 Then the LORD called Samuel. Samuel answered, "Here am I" ["Hineni"] 5 And he ran to Eli and said, "Here am I" ["Hineni"]; you called me." But Eli said, "I did not call; go back and lie down." So he went and lay down. 6 Again the LORD called, "Samuel!" And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, "Here am I" ["Hineni"]; you called me." "My son," Eli said, "I did not call; go back and lie down." 7 Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD: The word of the LORD had not yet been revealed to him. 8 The LORD called Samuel a third time, and Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, "you called me." Then Eli realized that the LORD was calling the boy. 9 So Eli told Samuel, "Go and lie down, and if he calls you, say, 'Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening." So Samuel went and lay down in his place. 10 The LORD came and stood there, calling as at the other times, "Samuel! Samuel!" Then Samuel said, "Speak, for your servant is listening."
Unlike the seemingly, suicidal command God gave Moses, to lead Israel out of Egypt, in this revelation to Samuel...
I. The order is simple (1 Sam 3:11-12; cf. 1 Sam 2:31-32, 34).
I. The order is simple (1 Sam 3:11-12; cf. 1 Sam 2:31-32, 34).
1 Sam 3:11 And the LORD said to Samuel: "See I am about to do something in Israel that will make the ears of everyone who hears of it tingle. 12 At that time I will carry out against Eli everything I spoke against his family—from beginning to end.
Samuel does not have to do anything, just watch as events unfold. Yet, is it as simple as it seems? How easy is it to look on, unable to help, as the one who has been raising you loses all hope for the future? So, what has God said about Eli that He wants the lad to see? The answer is in the previous chapter, where a prophet brings the priest a message from the Lord. Look back at...
1 Sam 2:31 "The time is coming, [says the Lord] "when I will cut short your strength and the strength of your father's house, so that there will not be an old man in your family line 32 and you will see distress in my dwelling. Although good will be done to Israel, in your family line there will never be an old man.... 34 And what happens to your two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, will be a sign to you—they will both die on the same day."
What does God ask from Samuel?
A. It is to witness the end (demise) of Eli's dynasty...
...when, one-by-one, the members of his house die prematurely.
B. It is to witness the end (disruption) of Eli's ministry...
...when Philistines destroy the religious center at Shiloh and capture the ark of God.
C. It is to witness the end (death) of Eli's progeny...
...when Hophni and Phinehas both fall in battle.
What an impression this must have made on the young Samuel, first to hear of these dire events, then to watch them unfold.
We usually think of God's call as a summons to some sort of action— teaching a SS class, being an evangelist, helping the needy. Sometimes, however, He may just want you to pay careful attention to what others do, that you may either avoid their mistakes or emulate their achievements. This is especially true for young people, those who have not yet set the course of their lives, those for whom early intervention can make the difference between success and failure.
To the younger people here—and you may decide whether or not you qualify—I encourage you to learn from the example and experiences of others. If you do, you will avoid many of the pitfalls that ensnare your peers, you will reach a level of spiritual maturity uncommon to your generation, and you will place yourself early on the road to God's blessing.
To the older people here—and you may wish to change your answer to the previous question—I exhort you to set a good example for others. Those young in the faith are watching you, imitating you, and reaping what you sow. Remember Jesus' warning to the disciples...
What an impression this must have made on the young Samuel, first to hear of these dire events, then to watch them unfold.
We usually think of God's call as a summons to some sort of action— teaching a SS class, being an evangelist, helping the needy. Sometimes, however, He may just want you to pay careful attention to what others do, that you may either avoid their mistakes or emulate their achievements. This is especially true for young people, those who have not yet set the course of their lives, those for whom early intervention can make the difference between success and failure.
To the younger people here—and you may decide whether or not you qualify—I encourage you to learn from the example and experiences of others. If you do, you will avoid many of the pitfalls that ensnare your peers, you will reach a level of spiritual maturity uncommon to your generation, and you will place yourself early on the road to God's blessing.
To the older people here—and you may wish to change your answer to the previous question—I exhort you to set a good example for others. Those young in the faith are watching you, imitating you, and reaping what you sow. Remember Jesus' warning to the disciples...
Matt 18:6 ...if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.
The devastating events Samuel will see are traumatic, but they are not the end of the matter. There is more at stake, and...
II. The outcome is sobering (1 Sam 3:13-14; cf. 1 Sam 2:27-28, 30).
II. The outcome is sobering (1 Sam 3:13-14; cf. 1 Sam 2:27-28, 30).
1 Sam 3:13 For I told him that I would judge his family forever because of the sin he knew about; his sons made themselves contemptible, and he failed to restrain them. 14 Therefore, I swore to the house of Eli, 'The guilt of Eli's house will never be atoned for by sacrifice or offering."
When the prophet comes to Eli in the previous chapter, he speaks about God's blessing on the priestly house. Look at...
1 Sam 2:27 ..."This is what the LORD says: 'Did I not clearly reveal myself to your father's house when they were in Egypt under Pharaoh? 28 I chose your father out of all the tribes of Israel to be my priest, to go up to my altar, to bum incense, and to wear an ephod in my presence. I also gave your father's house all the offerings made with fire by the Israelites....' 30a Therefore the LORD, the God of Israel, declares: 'I promised that your house and your father's house would minister before me forever."
When God's people repeatedly, persistently sin, they are saying to Him that His blessing means nothing to them—that it offers no incentive for devotion, no deterrent for iniquity. God, in His forbearance, may permit such hubris for a time, but there is a point at which irreverence becomes irreversible (so also Youngblood 1992:591). The members of Eli's house have reached that point: Their rejection of divine blessing has led to God's revocation of that blessing, with two catastrophic results...
A. It will mean the loss of God's promise...
...as Eli's house declines and eventually disappears. What could have been will never be, because Eli's family has squandered its priestly potential. A far more serious consequence, though, is that...
B. It will mean the loss of God's pardon...
...for the sin of Eli's house is so great that it has no means of forgiveness.
This is an example of "unpardonable sin." Although all unrepented sin is unpardoned sin, the term refers specifically to transgression so pernicious or persistent that the individual places himself beyond the pale of God's forgiveness. Unpardonable sin is not unintentional or unknown, so it is not something one may commit inadvertently. The person guilty of this sin is well aware of his transgression and has chosen to ignore it. He has seared his conscience, rendering himself insensitive to God's commands.
If you are concerned you may have committed such an offense and have brought the matter to God in repentance, you are not in danger. God's grace is greater than your sin. As it is written...
If you are concerned you may have committed such an offense and have brought the matter to God in repentance, you are not in danger. God's grace is greater than your sin. As it is written...
I John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
Repentance is the remedy for all sin.
While I do not want to alarm you unnecessarily, neither do I want to assure you uncritically. You should not think that God's goodness overlooks lessor indiscretions, allowing you to "continue in sin, that grace may abound" (Rom 6:1 KJV). Everyone sins, even those who have walked with God for many years. You try not to make it a habit, but you are not yet perfect. No matter what your offense may be, though, it is prudent to keep a short account with Him. When you realize that you have fallen "short of the glory of God" (Rom 3:23), rectify the matter immediately so that your communion with the Lord may continue unhindered.
There is one other observation to make here, and that concerns Eli's response to Samuel's vision. Look at...
While I do not want to alarm you unnecessarily, neither do I want to assure you uncritically. You should not think that God's goodness overlooks lessor indiscretions, allowing you to "continue in sin, that grace may abound" (Rom 6:1 KJV). Everyone sins, even those who have walked with God for many years. You try not to make it a habit, but you are not yet perfect. No matter what your offense may be, though, it is prudent to keep a short account with Him. When you realize that you have fallen "short of the glory of God" (Rom 3:23), rectify the matter immediately so that your communion with the Lord may continue unhindered.
There is one other observation to make here, and that concerns Eli's response to Samuel's vision. Look at...
1 Sam 3:15 Samuel lay down until morning and then opened the doors of the house of the LORD. He was afraid to tell Eli the vision, 16 but Eli called him and said, "Samuel, my son." Samuel answered, "Here am I." 17 "What was it he said to you?" Eli asked. "Do not hide it from me. May God deal with you, be it ever so severely, if you hide from me anything he told you." 18 So Samuel told him everything, hiding nothing from him. Then Eli said, "He is the LORD; let him do what is good in his eyes."
It is curious that upon hearing about God's judgment, Eli makes no attempt to repent but simply accepts the condemnation. He did, of course, receive a similar warning from the prophet in chapter 2, so the news is not unexpected. Perhaps Eli's resignation is because he realizes that the pronouncement concerns something he can no longer change—the immoral behavior of his now adult sons. He is essentially a righteous man but, having failed to discipline his sons, he has allowed their wickedness to increase unchecked. When he finally does rebuke them, it is too late. They are no longer open to his influence, and their sin has brought disgrace and destruction upon his entire family
This account underscores parents' crucial responsibility in raising children: to instill a reverence for God when they are young so that "when [they are] old, [they] will not depart from it" (Prov 22:6b). Such discipline early will save parents and children considerable disappointment later.
Nevertheless, even the best efforts of parents may not prevent a child from choosing a different path as an adult, a path away from God. While this can be most distressing, it is not the end of the matter. That potential for good is, in part, the comfort of Solomon's proverb...
This account underscores parents' crucial responsibility in raising children: to instill a reverence for God when they are young so that "when [they are] old, [they] will not depart from it" (Prov 22:6b). Such discipline early will save parents and children considerable disappointment later.
Nevertheless, even the best efforts of parents may not prevent a child from choosing a different path as an adult, a path away from God. While this can be most distressing, it is not the end of the matter. That potential for good is, in part, the comfort of Solomon's proverb...
Prov 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. [KJV]
The Lord can use parents' early cultivation to work a later transformation. Had the prodigal son, when he was younger, not come to understand the merciful character of his earthly father, he might not have known that he could return home when he was older and finally realized the mess he made of his life. Likewise, when parents teach children about the merciful character of their heavenly father, that lesson can have its most profound effect later in life, because...
2 Pet 3:9 The Lord...is patient...[and even more than a child's parents] want[s]...everyone to come to repentance.
Even in our small congregation, there are probably those who have experienced this, who strayed from God and yet returned to God. You, too, can be an example to the youth of the church, an example of the transformation God can accomplish.
This encounter with the Lord demonstrates that sometimes He may want people to pay attention rather than to take action, as Samuel did—Heeding God's Call to See. This incident also illustrates that God does not deal only with adults; He can also reach out to young people and to children. Whatever God may call you to do, however difficult it may seem, wherever you may be on your spiritual journey—at the beginning or toward the end—the answer He expects is the one Samuel gave—"Hineni, Here am I"—indicating your readiness to respond in obedience to Him.
This encounter with the Lord demonstrates that sometimes He may want people to pay attention rather than to take action, as Samuel did—Heeding God's Call to See. This incident also illustrates that God does not deal only with adults; He can also reach out to young people and to children. Whatever God may call you to do, however difficult it may seem, wherever you may be on your spiritual journey—at the beginning or toward the end—the answer He expects is the one Samuel gave—"Hineni, Here am I"—indicating your readiness to respond in obedience to Him.
For the Bibliography and Endnotes see the pdf here.
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Jim Skaggs