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Presented January 7, 2007 (2 Lessons)

THE FAILURE OF ELI
1 Samuel 2-4

 

This morning we want to talk about a little known man in the Old Testament.  Eli was the High Priest of God who for the most part served Him faithfully.  But what Eli is probably best known for is a failure in his life.  That failure had to do with how he raised his sons, Hophni and Phinehas.  Along with Eli, they were in the priesthood.  But we are told in 1 Sam. 2:12 that they did not know the Lord and acted corruptly taking more than they were allotted as priests from the offerings.  In fact, if the people protested, they would threaten them.  It got so bad that the people began to abhor the offering of the Lord.  The problem with Eli was that he knew what they were doing and rebuked them as a result of it, but he didn’t stop or restrain them.  The account is found in 1 Samuel 2:22-25.  So the Lord held Eli accountable stating that his house would not continue, and as a sign both his sons would die in one day (2:27-36).   In this study we want to notice some lessons we can learn from this account.

 

I.                     The influence of leaders (for both good and bad)

a.        The example of Eli is an example of the failure of leadership with his sons.  Eli was a priest and as such a leader of the people before God.  And from what we read he was quite effective at his work.  But while he might have been a good priest in most things, he failed as a father to his sons.  And his failures to deal with them did harm to the priesthood and the people in general because they were a part of it.

b.       Leaders bear a greater responsibility.  Whether it is right or wrong, the conduct, attitude and competence of leaders do impact those who are following them.
James 3:1 notes that leaders (teachers primarily) will receive a stricter judgment.
Often during the history of Israel, the nation(s) were judged by the conduct of their king and the priests.
Leviticus 30:3 after Nadab & Abihu were devoured by “strange fire” the Lord told Aaron their father, “By those who come near me I must be regarded as holy, and before all the people I must be glorified.”
Moses was forbidden to enter the Promised Land because of a sin he committed in front of the people (Numbers 20:12).
In Ezekiel 34 (1-3, 9-10) the Lord condemns the shepherds of Israel (the leaders) because they thought only of themselves and not the flock.  After describing how the flock went astray as a result of their failures he then holds them accountable.
These are just a handful of passages and examples of the importance of leadership within God’s word.

c.        Who are the leaders?

                                 i.      Parents – while Eli was a priest he was also a parent.  Ones occupation does not excuse responsibilities in other areas.  Parents have an awesome responsibility.  Ephesians 6:4 charges father to train their children and not provoke them.
Deuteronomy 6:6-9 bears out this responsibility in Israel.  These are words we should all heed.  Tony Evan, a denominational preacher, in a book entitled, No More Excuses, speaking of fathers gets this point right.  He paraphrased this passage saying, “Now, fathers, go home and train your children in My truth.  Train them when they wake up.  Train them when they lie down.  Train them in between their waking up and lying down.  Train them formally.  Train them informally.  I want My truth tied on their foreheads.  I want them to bump into My truth when they come into the house and whey they leave the house.” (pp 172-173).

                                ii.      Leaders in the Lord’s body – they too have an awesome responsibility.
Timothy was instructed to conduct himself properly as a leader as a preacher.  In 1 Timothy 4:12, Paul said for him to let none despise his youth but rather to be a leader.  In fact the books of 1 & 2 Timothy and Titus are written to instruct preachers (and elders) about some of their responsibilities. 
We have already mentioned teachers – they are leaders (cf. Ephesians 4:11).  That is why they are accountable for what they teach.
Elders are the shepherds of the flock (1 Peter 5:2-4).  We are to submit to them as shepherds because as Heb. 13:17 says, “for they watch for your souls, as those who must give account.”  That is why we are commanded to follow and honor them and to NOT cause them grief.

                               iii.      Priests - we are all priests (1 Peter 2:9).  Just as the priests of the Old Law were leaders, so we by our influence can lead others to Christ (1 Peter 2:12)

 

II.                   The need for rebuke

a.        What is rebuke? 

                              i.      The word is defined in the NT by Thayer’s as, “to tax (charge) with fault…censure severely.”  Timothy is told in his preaching to reprove, rebuke and exhort with all long suffering (2 Tim. 4:2).  The point being there is a time to identify SPECIFICALLY where problems exist. 
There are many examples of this in both the Old and New Testament.
For example, when Nathan confronted David with his sins we find a rebuke, especially when he said, “You are the man!” (2 Samuel 12:7)
Peter rebuked Jesus when He said that all would deny Him (Mark 8:32-33).  Jesus in turn rebuked Peter as well.
Balaam was rebuked by a dumb donkey on his way to meet with (2 Peter 2:15-16)

                              ii.      Is rebuke needed today?  Absolutely! 
Prov 13:18, “Poverty and shame will come to him who disdains correction, But he who regards a rebuke will be honored.”
Prov 28:23, “He who rebukes a man will find more favor afterward Than he who flatters with the tongue.”
But when do we need rebuke? 
Anytime there is sin that that seems to be getting ignored.  1 Timothy 5:20.
When there is danger (physical or spiritual) and we are becoming complacent.
Sometimes even after we have acknowledged wrong, we deserve a good “lecture” to help drive the point home.

                              iii.      BUT the question left to answer is: IS rebuke alone enough!

b.       Eli’s son’s needed to be rebuked.

                              i.      While the word is never found in the account of Eli and his sons either, rebuke is exactly what Eli did.  He identified wrong actions and even made adequate application. (1 Samuel 2:22-25).  He was right in doing this.

                              ii.      How did his sons react?  Vs. 25 tells us that they ignored him.

 

III.                 Adequate reaction

a.        Sometimes rebuke alone is the most effective tool.  When Nathan rebuked David it was enough. 
When preachers preach the whole counsel of God they are COUNTING on their rebuke and exhortations to be enough. 
WE have heard of children who only needed “a good talking to” for them to straighten up. 
The instruction Timothy was given above all dealt with presenting the words of the gospel BUT sometimes rebuke alone is not enough!

b.       But sometimes rebuke is only successful if it is followed up with ADEQUATE action.  We have heard the expression, “talk is cheap.”  That is a true statement.  While words can be powerful and thus we need to weigh our words carefully, the fact is that they NEED to be followed up with action.  Words are no good is we don’t BACK THEM UP!

c.        The problem Eli had was that he did not do enough.  All he did was express disapproval of his son’s sinful actions.  As a priest with high responsibilities, he should have acted to preserve the priesthood and service to God.  He should have tired to PREVENT them from doing their sinful deeds.  And certainly he should not have left ANY impression of approval.  We are told in our text that a man of God said to Eli, “Why do you kick at My sacrifice and My offering which I have commanded in My dwelling place, and honor your sons more than Me, to make yourselves fat with the best of all the offerings of Israel My people?” (1 Sam 2:29)  Note who got fat from the offerings.
The punishment he would face was a result of his failure to restrain his sons.  Note 1 Samuel 3:11-14 where the Lord appears to Samuel as a child to reveal a message to Eli.  Vs. 13 specifically mentions his failure in this. 
AS A FATHER he should have acted.  Proverbs 29:15 says, “The rod and rebuke give wisdom, But a child left to himself brings shame to his mother.”

d.       What about today?  There are times that rebuke is simply not enough!
When a young child is reaching toward a hot stove, sometimes you have to act, snatching him away. The process of addressing sin in Matthew 18:15-17 bears this out.  At first you rebuke one in sin, but if that does not work, you need to do more.
Exposing false teachers involves more than rebuke.  You need to remove the cancer before it infects others.  Titus 1:10-11 tells elders to stop the mouths of the insubordinate, idle talkers and deceivers.
If a church is not growing as it ought to, rebuking the brethren is not enough.  Steps should be taken to rekindle the fire and possibly steer brethren in the right direction toward being more productive.

 

IV.                The Responsibility of Hophni and Phinehas

a.        Eli’s sons were not without responsibility.  We are told in 2:25 that they didn’t listen to Eli.  So while the father did not do enough, the sons knew what they were doing was wrong and thus they bore FULL responsibility for their own conduct.  They SHOULD HAVE listened to the rebuke. 
How many problems would simply go away or at least be reduced if people would just heed needed rebuke instead of ignoring it or reacting in an ungodly fashion?

b.       The Bible is clear about the fact that when you stand before God the only one you are going to give ultimate answer for is YOU!  What you did or did not do for others will be factored in, but ultimately even in this your judgment will be based on YOUR actions.
Romans 14:10-12, “But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.   For it is written: "As I live, says the LORD, Every knee shall bow to Me, And every tongue shall confess to God."  So then each of us shall give account of himself to God.”

c.        Are you ready to stand before Him?

 

Thus we can see some lessons we can learn from the tragedy of the failure of Eli.  We have noted the importance of the influence of leaders, the need for rebuke and times when we need to go even further.  We concluded noting that in all things - ultimately you will answer for yourself as you stand before God. 

The conclusion to the account of Eli and his sons is found in 1 Samuel 4.  As a result of the sins of Hophni and Phinehas, a prophet is sent to Eli to condemn his failure to act.  That condemnation is found in 2:27-36.  That prophecy included the following:

Chapter 4 records that Israel went into battle against the Philistines.  To help promote favor with God they carried the Ark of the Covenant into battle with them.  But instead of it helping, Israel lost the battle and fled in disgrace.  We are told that 30,000 Israelite foot soldiers died that day (4:10). But even more tragic was that the Ark of the Covenant was captured by the Philistines and Eli’s sons both died in the battle (4:11).  When news came to Eli that his sons were dead and that the Ark was captured he fell off his seat in shock and broke his neck and died (4:12-18).  Furthermore, in 1 Kings 2:27 notes that Solomon removed Abiathar, a descendent of Eli and thus completed the fulfillment of the prophecy concerning him. 

Tragedy comes when we fail to obey all that God commands us to do or if we do not do them with all our might.  What about you?  Have you obeyed God?