So, Eli from the God-ordained Aaronic priesthood had two sons: Hophni and Phineas. He failed to train his sons in the way they should go, and they went too far. They slept with the women on the usher board. They helped themselves to the best food set aside for offerings and special occasions. And even stole from the food pantry.
Eli gave them a little talking to now and then but spared the rod, so they became full-blown rotten PKs next in line to take over the church.
Now God had warned Eli that his love of his no-good sons, over Him and the integrity of his office, would not end well.
But year after year, Eli kept ministering, and his sons kept getting messier and messier.
The church limped along with members coming and going and coming back to see if anything had changed, only to leave again because Eli and his family were still there, with Eli holding onto the pulpit, which was getting harder to do.
Diabetes had robbed him of his sight, and like his sons, he had been feasting on the church’s dime to the point where he could no longer walk. The church bought him a scooter.
In the meantime, war had broken out between Israel and the Philistines. The Philistines slaughtered Israel. A ragged survivor from the battlefield made it to Shiloh, where Eli was waiting to hear any news.
The soldier tells Eli the sacred Ark of the Covenant has been captured by the Philistines, and his sons have been killed.
Eli opens his mouth. No sound comes out. It stays open as he falls back in shock; his weight upturns the scooter. His head snapped back, which broke his neck. And he dies at 98, way past his three score and ten and way past the time he should have retired.
No vision, lack of leadership at home and in ministry. But he was allowed to continue, with no one- not the Board, not the deacons, officers, not the congregation was willing to say enough.
So the church drifted along until Samuel became judge, and though he would make similar mistakes like Eli, Samuel didn’t try to make excuses. He argued with the people but not with God when they asked for a king.
And God blessed Samuel to anoint one from a different family who would ultimately lead the church whose uncompromising character stays the same yesterday, today, and forever.
Reference – 1 Samuel 2:12-17, 22-36, 4:1-18
