Epiphany 2

Hebrew parallelism indicates that the word of the Lord came through visions since it was rare and there weren’t many visions. (Although Hebrew word could also be translated as “word of revelation” Sense: A religious or mystical experience of a supernatural appearance (that imparts a message); often in dreams.

Eli suffered from poor eyesight due to his advanced age.

What is “the lamp of God” and why is this significant?

Eli and Samuel lived here because Eli was the high priest and Samuel served him.

We tend to process based on what we know. Since it would normally have been Eli calling Samuel, he just assumed this was the case and followed normal protocol. He went to Eli to serve him.

Verse Seven. Explains what the phrase “Did not know the Lord = the Lord had not yet been revealed to him.” This presupposes that a time would come (and this is it) when the Lord would begin to communicate with Samuel through visions etc.

Biography of Samuel and Eli.

Main focus. Note how the Lord speaks to us and that our response is to be “I am listening.”

How do you open yourself up to the Lord speaking to you?

How do you demonstrate that you are listening?

Specific sin: Not listening (obeying) those in authority.

I think most of us are familiar with Samuel (or we should at least be), but what do you know about Eli?

High priest who served the Lord in the house of the Lord.

Aged and experiencing some disabilities due to his advanced age — poor eyesight.

Had a young boy helping him with his duties — Samuel expected him to call him for help in the night.

But what else can we know about him?

The Lexham Bible Dictionary Eli in the Bible

Eli in the Bible

Eli first appears in 1 Sam 1:9–18 as the priest who mistakes Hannah’s fervent praying as drunkenness. After Hannah gives birth to Samuel, she brings him to Eli to be raised and serve in the temple (1 Sam 1:24–25). The narrative of 1 Samuel records Eli’s failings as a father, labeling his sons “worthless men” (1 Sam 2:12 ESV) and recounting their misdeeds. They are juxtaposed with the young Samuel, who “continued to grow both in stature and in favor with the LORD and also with man” (1 Sam 2:26 ESV). First Samuel 2 ends with Yahweh’s rejection of Eli and his descendants and cursing his familial line (1 Sam 2:27–36). Eli dies in 1 Sam 4:12–18 by falling off his seat after learning of his sons’ death in battle and the Philistines’ capture of the ark of the covenant.

Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible Eli

Eli. Priest in the sanctuary of the Lord at Shiloh in the period of the judges (1 Sm 1:3, 9). Shiloh, about 10 miles north of Jerusalem, was the central shrine of the Israelite tribal confederation. Eli had two sons who were priests, Hophni and Phinehas (which are Egyptian names; 1 Sm 1:3). No lineage is recorded for Eli, but there are two possible suggestions: he is a descendant of Ithamar, Aaron’s younger son (1 Sm 22:20; 1 Kgs 2:27; 1 Chr 24:3); or he comes from the house of Eleazar (Ex 6:23, 25; 2 Esd 1:2, 3). In 1 Samuel 1, Eli blessed the childless Hannah, Elkanah’s wife, after learning of her prayer for a son (v 17). Subsequently Samuel was born, and when weaned was brought by his mother to Eli for service and training in the sanctuary, according to her promise to the Lord (vv 27, 28).

A tomb at Shiloh.

Hophni and Phinehas were corrupting the Israelites despite Eli’s protests, and for this sin God promised judgment upon Eli’s family (1 Sm 2:27, 36). The sons of Eli were to die on the same day (1 Sm 2:34), and the fulfillment came in a battle with the Philistines at Aphek (1 Sm 4:11, 17). Eli too died when he heard of the defeat and the loss of the ark of the covenant to the Philistines. At his death he was 98 years old, and besides being priest he also had judged Israel for 40 years (1 Sm 4:15, 18). Eli’s daughter-in-law, Phinehas’ wife, died in childbirth, brokenhearted over the loss of her husband and the ark. She named her son Ichabod because she felt that there was no more hope (1 Sm 4:19–22).

Eli was not characterized by a firm personality. He was no doubt sincere and devout, but he was also weak and indulgent.

Many parents today can relate to Eli when it comes to how their children turn out. The goal in parenting is to raise children who will become responsible adults. “Train a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it” is often quoted as a promise that if we do the right thing as parents, our children will turn out well. The writer to the Hebrews insists that this is done through discipline (quote).

Hebrews 12:4–11 NIV

4 In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. 5 And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son? It says, “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, 6 because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.” 7 Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? 8 If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all. 9 Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live! 10 They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. 11 No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

We realize that because our children are individuals with the ability to choose and that they too are vulnerable to temptation that we cannot produce children guaranteed to always be upstanding citizens and faithful Christians, but our goal and prayer is that these promises will come true in our families.

We realize that because our children are individuals with the ability to choose and that they too are vulnerable to temptation that we cannot produce children guaranteed to always be upstanding citizens and faithful Christians, but our goal and prayer is that these promises will come true in our families.

Sadly, this was not the case with Eli. In his case the Lord does not chastise him for not carrying out his role as a disciplinarian. This does not make his sons any less guilty. But he too would have to suffer the consequences.

Our goal should always be to control out own actions and strive to do what it is we are required to do. A similar lesson is taught in Ezekiel regarding warning someone who is sinning. We can’t prevent them from making sinful choices, but we can and must warn them when they do.

In contrast to his evil sons, Eli witnessed a young boy who exemplified obedient devotion to Eli and to the Lord. This young man is Samuel (back story).

(Time frame between Eli’s death and Samuel becoming a priest.)

When the time had come for the Lord to bring consequences on Eli and his family, the Lord called Samuel as recorded in this narrative. (verse by verse and explanation).

Application: The Lord still speaks to us today. Are we listening? Shouldn’t it be a concern to us that so few of our members take the time to open themselves us to the study of God’s Word? Shouldn’t it be a concern when so many members are not discerning when it comes to whom they are listening to? (see passage warning against false teachers).

But hearing what is said is not the end game. We are also to listen which means to do what it is we are told. We pray for this in our worship services. How intentional are we in carrying out what we pray for?

Samuel opened his heart to the Lord and said he was listening. He would be asked to do some very hard things. He was given a message that would bring sorrow to Eli. Listen to how Eli encouraged Samuel to do the right thing. (see passages).

One of the problems we have today is that so many people find it easier or more convenient or more enjoyable not to listen to the Lord. (excuses). We need a stiff reminder of whom it is we are to listen to and what our response is to be.

Jesus emphasizes listening and doing in the sermon on the mount.

Our epistle lesson stresses listening as well.