When I look at world events, I often think of Psalm 14.
Fools say in their hearts, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds; there is no one who does good (Psalm 14:1).
The fool in this psalm isn’t someone who denies God’s existence. Instead, they believe they won’t be accountable to God. They are foolish because one day they will stand before Him and face judgment for their actions.
For all of us must appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each may receive due recompense for actions done in the body, whether good or evil (2 Corinthians 5:10).
Eli’s two sons might have thought they would never face consequences for their actions. However, the Lord told Samuel that this wasn’t true. He explained that He was coming to judge them because they had disrespected His reputation and character through their behavior at Shiloh.
For I told him that I would judge his family forever because of the sin he knew about; his sons blasphemed God, and he failed to restrain them.
Therefore I swore to the house of Eli, ‘The guilt of Eli’s house will never be atoned for by sacrifice or offering'” (1 Samuel 3:13-14).
To claim to represent God, but grossly serve ourselves is a serious offense and Eli’s family would suffer for their actions.
Anyone who claims to represent God but actually serves themselves is in a risky spot before God. I’m grateful that God is gracious, but like Eli and his sons, once someone forms a character against God, there’s no turning back. They must face God’s judgment.
The fool thinks they can do whatever they want and avoid God’s judgment. That’s a very dangerous place to be.
Samuel and Eli
If you’ve ever had to give someone bad news, you can understand how Samuel felt. He had to tell his mentor that God’s judgment was coming for him and his two sons.
Samuel lay down until morning and then opened the doors of the house of the LORD. He was afraid to tell Eli the vision, but Eli called him and said, “Samuel, my son.” Samuel answered, “Here I am.”
“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.”
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” (1 Samuel 3:15-18).
Eli understood that his family was doomed because they had turned away from God.
There’s a 50 Cent theological term for this: “apostasy.” Apostasy is when someone faces the truth, acknowledges it, and then chooses to ignore it and do whatever they want. Eli had committed apostasy, and he now knew he would face the consequences of his actions.
Few things are more dangerous than the sin of apostasy. When we face the truth, recognize it, understand God’s will, and then turn away out of self-will, we put ourselves in a very perilous position.
Samuel’s Growth
If you know the Gospel story of Jesus’ early years, you’ll notice it sounds a lot like Samuel’s story. Samuel grew up, God confirmed His word through him, and everyone around knew there was a prophet in the land.
The LORD was with Samuel as he grew up, and he let none of Samuel’s words fall to the ground.
And all Israel from Dan to Beersheba recognized that Samuel was attested as a prophet of the LORD.
The LORD continued to appear at Shiloh, and there he revealed himself to Samuel through his word (1 Samuel 3:19-21).
Most of us won’t be asked to play a role like Samuel’s. But that doesn’t mean God doesn’t have a role for each of us.
He wants us to be faithful, listen to His word, and follow through. When we do that, we’re fulfilling the part God has given us.
YouTube Discussion
Rudy Ross, Bruce Kirby, and I discussed this passage on YouTube today.
Real Voices 