1 Samuel 2
Hannah's Prayer
The beginning of this chapter is in pure gratitude. Nothing like answered prayers to lift one's spirit. This polar comparison between right and wrong begins to form. Arrogance versus wisdom. The mighty and the feeble. Her gratitude continues when she compares those that have several children (not realizing the blessing), against a barren borne seven. God is the only one that can allow a barren woman to have children and seven represents completeness...
Hannah continues her praises very song like
Eli's Worthless Son's
This brings us to Eli's sons - Hophni and Phinehas. These 2 showed contempt towards God by changing the sacrificial custom where meat given was boiled (thus breaking down the fats and proteins making it tender). A portion was then given to the priest by a 3-pronged fork. These 2 would only accept raw, therefore yielding a large piece and if not obeyed would be taken by force.
In the last chapter I mentioned Eli as being an outside perspective to Hannah. An open-minded spiritual symbol. Eli's sons were priest, but they did not carry the spirit of the Lord in them. Rather they used their position to gain advantage. This was not good in the sight of the Lord, obviously.
I am unsure specifically at what age Samuel began ministering before the Lord, but no stone was left unturned. He wore the proper attire each year during the yearly sacrifice attending with both Hannah and Elkana. Eli gave blessed them both with more children in response to the amazing reverence that they displayed before God. The Lord indeed listened as she bore 3 sons and 2 daughters. Samuel would grow in the presence of the Lord.
Eli rebukes His Sons
Eli pleaded to his sons. Some rational points were made in that the Lord looks after those who follow Him that are injured and will mediate for them. Unfortunately, for the sons no one could protect them against the Lord. They did not listen to their father and eventually were put to death.
Samuel continues to grow in favor with the Lord and the people.
The Lord Rejects Eli's Household
Eli was visited by a man of God. He took a moment to inform Eli about those burnt offerings (or raw rather...). The man reminded Eli that during Pharaohs reign in Egypt, he chose Eli's father from a tribe in Israel to be his priest. He sacrificed his offerings before Eli's father, only to now have his sacrifices scorned by Eli's 2 sons. The blessing given to Eli's house through his father is now only lightly esteemed. Basically, the old man said he won't always be there and neither will be the power of God. This will result in envy towards Israel. Those left behind will weep and eventually the son's will die by the sword of men.
While a new faithful priest steps up, Eli's family will be beggars of him.
How this speaks to me...
What do I want my normal to be? After seeing God's power, it seems foolish to want to go against His word, because there is hell to pay for sin. The sons were given chances and they chose to go against the Lord. Not knowing the life if these 2 sons leading up to this moment, I can only assume that they simply were raised in an environment where strength was not earned but handed to them.
Life does not appear to be so difficult, when people living under the father of the house are sheltered. Eventually, there is a price to pay. While my son was attending college, he lived with me. He was pretty carefree. Dropped a few classes here and there. One day we looked up and he was 23 and had enough credits to qualify as a freshman. We agreed that it was time for a change. Through some very significant personal matters, my son followed through and moved on campus.
3 years later he graduated.
We have moments in our lives where we must heed a call. Time is truly of the essence. For some, poor choices and misdirection can result in a downward spiral. One can only hope that in that moment of desperation, those few can look up to God.
I've heard that the elevator does not need to go to the bottom...
