“Now a man of God came to Eli 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? 28 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 offeringspresented by the Israelites. 29 Why do you[e] 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?’ 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.” 1 Samuel 2.27-33
God has a long memory. He remembers everything that has happened from before the beginning of time until today and beyond. He knows everything we have ever done, both good and bad. He knows our failures, our sins, our successes, our thoughts, and our fears. God knows everything.
This is evident when the Lord sends a representative to speak to the priest Eli. Things had evidently gotten out of hand at his house and in the tabernacle of the Lord. As mentioned earlier in this chapter, his sons were sleeping with the women who were attending to the work of God in that place, profiting from the offerings by taking only the “choice parts,” and treating the Lord with contempt.
Eli was complicit because he was complacent. He might not have been doing all the evil his sons were doing, but he allowed them to do it. He could have cast them out of the house of the Lord or punished them in some way, but he was cowardly and selfish. He loved and feared his sons more than he loved or feared the Lord.
So, the representative who comes to him, identified only as a “man of God,” brings a harsh message of judgment to Eli—death and destruction for him and his offspring for despising and dishonoring the Lord. It’s not looking good for Eli or his sons.
The truth is, each of us has been guilty of sinning against God. We have all turned away and forsaken our first love. Only by trusting in Jesus can we gain forgiveness of our sins and be restored to a right relationship with God. Only by submitting to Christ and receiving the offering He gave on our behalf can we be saved.
Each day, we have the opportunity to serve the Lord, spend time with Him, and learn to love Him more. Yet, many days we go about as if He does not exist. But God has a long memory. He remembers when we needed Him the most, when we were broken and downcast, when we were high and lifted up. He remembers you and loves you (He even likes some of you!). But most of all, God wants us to remember Him, to love Him, and to walk in His light.
Will you remember Christ this day? Will you turn to Him now and receive His gift of salvation? Find strength and power in His words, life in His Spirit. Allow Him to bathe you in His love and redeem you by His grace.
“O Lord God, thank you for loving me. When I was lost, you found me. I need you, praise you, and glorify your name. Come, Holy Spirit, fill me with your power. Help me know your grace and walk according to your ways. For you are good, and your love endures forever.” Amen