Today’s Devotion
Topic: Prayer Of Desperation
(Self Assessment 172)
Part 7
Background: Now a man of God came to Eli in 1 Samuel 2: 27- 29 and said to him, “This is what the Lord says: ‘Did I not clearly reveal myself to your ancestor’s family when they were in Egypt under Pharaoh?
I chose your ancestor out of all the tribes of Israel to be my priest, to go up to my altar, to burn incense, and to wear an ephod in my presence. I also gave your ancestor’s family all the food offerings presented by the Israelites. Why do you scorn my sacrifice and offering that I prescribed for my dwelling? Why do you honor your sons more than me by fattening yourselves on the choice parts of every offering made by my people Israel?’
Surely, heavy questions from the Most High God! Let us delve deep into today’s discussion for the other details of this special prophecy about Eli’s household.
Text: 1 Samuel 2: 30- 35
30 “Therefore the Lord, the God of Israel, declares: ‘I promised that members of your family would minister before me forever.’ But now the Lord declares: ‘Far be it from me! Those who honor me I will honor, but those who despise me will be disdained. 31 The time is coming when I will cut short your strength and the strength of your priestly house, so that no one in it will reach old age, 32 and you will see distress in my dwelling. Although good will be done to Israel, no one in your family line will ever reach old age.
33 Every one of you that I do not cut off from serving at my altar I will spare only to destroy your sight and sap your strength, and all your descendants will die in the prime of life. 34 “‘And what happens to your two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, will be a sign to you—they will both die on the same day. 35 I will raise up for myself a faithful priest, who will do according to what is in my heart and mind. I will firmly establish his priestly house, and they will minister before my anointed one always. Amen
Questions:
1. Reading both the background message and verse 30 kindly answer the following:
a) How do you think God felt about the attitude of Eli’s sons all this while?
b) Drawing from the beginning of the prophecy in the background, do you think Eli and his sons always remembered the covenant between God and their forefathers; the very one that even made it possible for them to be priest in the first place?
c) God stated emphatically that Eli loved his sons more than He (Jehovah). What do you think Eli did to attract such a serious case with our God?
d) What is the lesson here for all Christian leaders who mistreat God’s sacred name, offering and people and always appear to get away with it?
2. What does the Lord mean when He says as in verse 30 that “those who will honor me, I will honor”?
3. Read verses 31-34 again. Do you think Jehovah was too angry with Eli and his sons? Kindly explain your answer.
4. Read verse 35 and describe how Samuel fits into the description the Lord was giving for the man who will do what is in His (Jehovah’s) heart and mind.
5. What have you learnt from today’s discussion?
Kindly reply through these same social media platforms (Facebook & WhatsApp). We learn a great deal from the answers you share with us.
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