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Hophni and Phinehas - 1 Samuel 1-4


Hophni and Phinehas
·      were priests
·      were corrupt
·      did not know the Lord
·      their sin was very great before the Lord
·      they abhorred the offering of the Lord
·      they laid with women who had assembled at the door of the tabernacle of meeting
·      did not heed the reprimand of Eli
·      per God/Samuel - made themselves vile

Eli
·      very old
·      heard what his sons were doing
·      reprimanded verbally his sons
·      per man of God - kicked at God's sacrifice and offering
·      per man of God - honored his sons more than God
·      per man of God - made themselves fat with best of all offerings of God's people
·      per God/Samuel - did not restrain his sons

But now the LORD says: 'Far be it from Me; for those who honor Me I will honor, and those who despise Me shall be lightly esteemed. - (1Sa 2:30 NKJV)

'Then I will raise up for Myself a faithful priest [who] shall do according to what [is] in My heart and in My mind. I will build him a sure house, and he shall walk before My anointed forever. - (1Sa 2:35 NKJV)

Israel lost to the Philistines. Hophne and Phinehas died in battle. The Ark of the Covenant was taken away.  Eli died. Samuel is hearing the voice of the Lord and God will raise up a faithful priest in him.

What a complete tragedy.  1 Samuel 1-4 is so dramatic and epic.  1 Samuel 3-4 especially capture my heart.  I can just see the whole thing played out almost like a movie. 

But my heart is so heavy in looking at the part that Eli had to play in the whole situation.  It's like he admitted the wrong being committed, even confronted his sons, but in the end, carried much of the blame for his failure to restrain his corrupt sons.  Eli was accused of honoring his sons more than God.

God, may we have the courage to confront evil. May we work to restrain evil, especially when it is in our authority to do so.  And may we be like Samuel - hearing the voice of the Lord even in the midst of sin and corruption around us.

This story was just heavy on my heart tonight.  Lots to ponder.

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