The citizen., 1920-04-29


death. but the gift OF God is eternal life
through Jesus Christ our Lord Rom s:2s
ADDITIONAL MATERIAI,-I Sam. 2:22-
", SlO-t. t;ls. SIS. Eph. s:i-4
PRIMARY TOPiC-God Calls the Boy
Samuel
JUNIOR ToPiC-Eii and His Sons
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOPIC
Sowing and Reapins.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC
a Responsibility OF Parents and Chill.
dren.
.. The wlekedness Of Ell and His
Sons 2:i2-i7. 27-36.
I. Eli's sons tvv. l2-i7. 22). The be.
havior ~ these sons is In strange con-
tast 10 that of the hoy Samuel Elrs
sons were priests and mlnlstered in
the things Of the sanctuary, but knew
not the Lord" ". l2).
u Graft wv. R-i7). This greed
was practiced upon the worshlpers
who brought their sacrifices to the
sanctuary. according TO Gods law.
God ordained that the priests should
have the breasts and shoulders Of the
animals which were brought 10 the al.
tar tEx. 20 :27: Lev. 1891. 32). The
degenerate sons OF Ell we're not con-
tent with this but demanded more,
and even sought 10 obtain u by force
". i6). Moreover. they lifted out
with fork certain choice portions
while raw. and had them roasted.
Such behavior on the part OF the
priests was revolving 10 the worship
ers and resulted 10 the adherence OF
the Lords offerings
2. Ell wv. 27-30). Ell was seeming.
iy good man. but he seriously erred
before. God In that he failed TO disci.
pline his sons (vv. 22-24). Tie knew
OF their sins and was conscious OF his
obligation. but his fatherly heart led
him into a sentimental Indulgence; his
love got the better OF his Judgment.
Ell was content with weak remon.
STRANGE. lie yas under obligation not
merely 10 speak against II. but should
have acted against H.
~. Eli and His Sons Punished a:
l-Is).
They nj last came TO reap what
they had sown. God has appointed a
day OF Judgment tActs II :3l). There
h harvest time for the sinner as
well as for the righteous tJoel 3:l3).
II one has sown 10 the wind he shall
reap the whirlwind. The PhIlistines
made war upon Israel and defeated
them with great slaughter. This judg-
ment had been made known TO Eli by
man OF God" e :27) and SAMUEL
3:1i-ls). The Philistines we're in
struments In the hands OF God for
this Judgment.
I. The battle with the PhIlistlnes
tvv. i-9). The Israelltes made an un-
successful attempt TO free themselves
from the oppression OF the Phillstines.
Israel was smitten and some 1900 were
slain. This aroused them 10 inquire
as 10 why the Lord had smItten them
and 10 suggest that the ark be brought
from Shiloh as n defense against the
enemy. In this they committed two
blunders: u) The elders had no right
10 handle the ark that belonged 10
the priests. Before taking such a step
they should have sought the mind OF
God. and n II were his will that the
ark be brought. II should have been
done by the priests. (2) II was SUI
perstltlOus use OF the ark. which was
q symbol OF Gods presence. They ig-
norantly assumed that the presence OF
God inhered In the symbol. forgetting
that he Is the living God. who has a
will and purpose OF his own. and there
fore will not give countenance to that
which disagrees with his holy purpose
and will. Processing Christians I'm this
age commit a similar error when they
substitute the sacraments OF the
church for the presence Of God In the
soul. The earth rang out with great
shout when the ark was brought ipto
the camp and the en\my was struck
with fear. for they knew what wonders
God had wrought In times past. In
their desperation they made stand.
calling upon their men TO do their best.
With their backs TO the wall they
fought and won the victory.
2. Israels disastrous defeat (vv. 10
is). u The army was routed and a
great slaughter occurred ". l0; (2
the ark OF God was taken ". l0). the
symbol Of the divine presence with its
sacred memories torn from their grasp
and with II went Israers hope; (3)
Elrs sons slain ". l0) the very priests
who were the custodians Of the ark
we're slain; (4) death OF ELI the high
priest ". ls). The news OF the de-
feat OF the army and the death OF his
sons was awful, but when he heard
that the ark of God was taken ne died
Instantly.
Best Means OF Safety.