Daily Manna: Sons Of Belial!

Monday 18, November 2013

TEXT: 1 SAMUEL 2:12-19

KEY VERSE: “Now the sons of Eli were sons of Belial; they knew not the LORD” (1 Samuel 2:12).

The nation of Israel regarded the office of the priest as a sacred one and held it in high esteem and reverence. The holder of the office was regarded no less and was acknowledged as the cherished oracle of God. The priest was to be the epitome of moral excellence as everything about him was to point the people to their duties and obligations to God.

The description of Eli’s sons as the sons of Belial meant they were worthless, wicked and wild. “Wherefore the sin of the young men was great before the LORD: for men abhorred the offering of the LORD” (verse 17). Yet, they continued to minister in God’s house to the knowledge of their father the priest who did nothing about it.

The sacredness of God’s house lies in the righteous and holy conduct of the leaders and worshippers. Eli’s sons committed horrendous evils, of which the penalty was death (Numbers 15:22- 31). Thus, Eli gave himself out as a partial, selfish compromiser, who set personal considerations above God’s commandments.

Those who hold priestly and leadership positions in the church should do so in obedience to the commandment of God and the spiritual demands of their office. We dare not talk of the criminal boldness of Eli’s sons who could not emulate the sparkling conduct of young Samuel where we are equally guilty of same misconducts. Moreover, pastors and leaders are to take heed that they do not tolerate or attempt to cover sins simply because the culprits are their children, relations or friends. The consequence of Eli’s dumb attitude was great. “Behold the days come that I will cut off thine arm, and the arm of thine father’s house that there shall not be an old man in thine house forever” (verse 31). Leaders and workers beware!

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Though hand join in hand, sinners shall not go unpunished.

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