patriarchs and prophets-第151章
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they are doing as did Eli； and are bringing disgrace on the cause of Christ
and ruin upon themselves and their households。 But great as are the evils of
parental unfaithfulness under any circumstances； they are tenfold greater
when they exist in the families of those appointed as teachers of the
people。 When these fail to control their own households； they are； by their
wrong example； misleading many。 Their guilt is as much greater than that of
others as their position is more responsible。
The promise had been made that the house of Aaron should walk before God
forever； but this promise had been made on condition that they should devote
themselves to the work of the sanctuary with singleness of heart and honor
God in all their ways； not serving self nor following their own perverse
inclinations。 Eli and his sons had been tested； and the Lord had found them
wholly unworthy of the exalted position of priests in His service。 And God
declared； 〃Be it far from Me。〃 He could not
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accomplish the good that He had meant to do them； because they failed to do
their part。
The example of those who minister in holy things should be such as to
impress the people with reverence for God and with fear to offend Him。 When
men； standing 〃in Christ's stead〃 （2 Corinthians 5：20） to speak to the
people God's message of mercy and reconciliation； use their sacred calling
as a cloak for selfish or sensual gratification； they make themselves the
most effective agents of Satan。 Like Hophni and Phinehas； they cause men to
〃abhor the offering of the Lord。〃 They may pursue their evil course in
secret for a time； but when at last their true character is exposed； the
faith of the people receives a shock that often results in destroying their
confidence in religion。 There is left upon the mind a distrust of all who
profess to teach the word of God。 The message of the true servant of Christ
is doubtfully received。 The question constantly arises； 〃Will not this man
prove to be like the one we thought so holy； and found so corrupt？〃 Thus the
word of God loses its power upon the souls of men。
In Eli's reproof to his sons are words of solemn and fearful importwords
that all who minister in sacred things would do well to ponder： 〃If one man
sin against another； the judge shall judge him： but if a man sin against the
Lord； who shall entreat for him。？〃 Had their crimes injured only their
fellow men； the judge might have made reconciliation by appointing a penalty
and requiring restitution； and thus the offenders might have been pardoned。
Or had they not been guilty of a presumptuous sin； a sin offering might have
been presented for them。 But their sins were so interwoven with their
ministration as priests of the Most High； in offering sacrifice for sin； the
work of God was so profaned and dishonored before the people； that no
expiation could be accepted for them。 Their own father； though himself high
priest； dared not make intercession in their behalf； he could not shield
them from the wrath of a holy God。 Of all sinners； those are most guilty who
cast contempt upon the means that Heaven has provided for man's
redemptionwho 〃crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh； and put Him to
an open shame。〃 Hebrews 6：6。
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Chapter 57
The Ark Taken by the Philistines
Another warning was to be given to Eli's house。 God could not communicate
with the high priest and his sons； their sins； like a thick cloud； had shut
out the presence of His Holy Spirit。 But in the midst of evil the child
Samuel remained true to Heaven； and the message of condemnation to the house
of Eli was Samuel's commission as a prophet of the Most High。
〃The word of the Lord was precious in those days； there was no open vision。
And it came to pass at that time； when Eli was laid down in his place； and
his eyes began to wax dim； that he could not see； and ere the lamp of God
went out in the temple of the Lord； where the ark of God was； and Samuel was
laid down to sleep； that the Lord called Samuel。〃 Supposing the voice to be
that of Eli； the child hastened to the bedside of the priest； saying； 〃Here
am I； for thou calledst me。〃 The answer was； 〃I called not； my son； lie down
again。〃 Three times Samuel was called； and thrice he responded in like
manner。 And then Eli was convinced that the mysterious call was the voice of
God。 The Lord had passed by His chosen servant； the man of hoary hairs； to
commune with a child。 This in itself was a bitter yet deserved rebuke to Eli
and his house。
No feeling of envy or jealousy was awakened in Eli's heart。 He directed
Samuel to answer； if again called； 〃Speak； Lord； for Thy servant heareth。〃
Once more the voice was heard； and the child answered； 〃Speak； for Thy
servant heareth。〃 So awed was he at the thought that the great God should
speak to him that he could not remember the exact words which Eli bade him
say。
〃And the Lord said to Samuel； Behold； I will do a thing in Israel； at which
both the ears of everyone that heareth it shall tingle。 In that day I will
perform against Eli all things which I have spoken concerning his house：
when I begin； I will also
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make an end。 For I have told him that I will judge his house forever for the
iniquity which he knoweth； because his sons made themselves vile； and he
restrained them not。 And therefore I have sworn unto the house of Eli； that
the iniquity of Eli's house shall not be purged with sacrifice nor offering
forever。〃
Before receiving this message from God； 〃Samuel did not yet know the Lord；
neither was the word of the Lord yet revealed unto him；〃 that is； he was not
acquainted with such direct manifestations of God's presence as were granted
to the prophets。 It was the Lord's purpose to reveal Himself in an
unexpected manner； that Eli might hear of it through the surprise and
inquiry of the youth。
Samuel was filled with fear and amazement at the thought of having so
terrible a message committed to him。 In the morning he went about his duties
as usual； but with a heavy burden upon his young heart。 The Lord had not
commanded him to reveal the fearful denunciation； hence he remained silent；
avoiding； as far as possible； the presence of Eli。 He trembled； lest some
question should compel him to declare the divine judgments against one whom
he loved and reverenced。 Eli was confident that the message foretold some
great calamity to him and his house。 He called Samuel； and charged him to
relate faithfully what the Lord had revealed。 The youth obeyed； and the aged
man bowed in humble submission to the appalling sentence。 〃It is the Lord；〃
he said： 〃let Him do what seemeth Him good。〃
Yet Eli did not manifest the fruits of true repentance。 He confessed his
guilt； but failed to renounce the sin。 Year after year the Lord delayed His
threatened judgments。 Much might have been done in those years to redeem the
failures of the past； but the aged priest took no effective measures to
correct the evils that were polluting the sanctuary of the Lord and leading
thousands in Israel to ruin。 The forbearance of God caused Hophni and
Phinehas to harden their hearts and to become still bolder in transgression。
The messages of warning and reproof to his house were made known by Eli to
the whole nation。 By this means he hoped to counteract； in some measure； the
evil influence of his past neglect。 But the warnings were disregarded by the
people； as they had been by the priests。 The people of surrounding nations
also； who were not ignorant of the iniquities openly practiced in Israel；
became still bolder in their idolatry and crime。 They felt no sense of guilt
for their sins； as they
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would have felt had the Israelites preserved their integrity。 But a day of
retribution was approaching。 God's authority had been set aside； and His
worship neglected and despised； and it became necessary for Him to
interpose； that the honor of His name might be maintained。
〃Now Israel went out against the Philis
