The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1920-05-08
!. The Wickedness Of Eli and His

| ~ responsibility or Parents and Chi
| dren.
!. The Wickedness Of Eli and Hi,
Sons 2:12-17, 27-36.
/. Els sons wv. 1917, 22). The be
havior of these sons is in strange con
trast to that of the boy Samuel. ELS
sons were priests and ministered in
the things of the sanctuary, but "knew
not the Lord" ". 12).
~ Craft wv. 12-1O. This greed
was practiced upon the worshipers
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 to the al
tar (Ex. 20 %; Lev. 2 81, 32). The
degenerate sons of Eli were not con-
tent with this. but demanded more,
ana even sought to obtain il by force
". 16). 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 to the Worship
ers and resulted in the adherence OF
the Lords offerings.
(2). Gross licentiousness (v. 22).
These wicked priests seduced the
women who We're employed about the
sanctuary. They were so shameless
In their practices tat tneS uid not
even make 81 effort to conceal them.
Ministers who indulge in such shame
less practices would not be able to in
nuence men and women to wOrship
God. When men corrupt in heart and
life minister in holy things all kind OF
corruption follows.
2. Eli wv. 27-36). Eli was seeming
~ a good man, but he seriously erred
before God in that he failed TO disci.
pline his sons wv. 22-24. He knew
of their sins and was conscious of his
obligation. hut his fatherly heart led
him into q sentimental indulgence: his
love got the better of his Judgment.
Eli was content with a weak remon.
He was under obligation not
merely to speak against 1t, but should
have acted against 1t. When the
wickedness of his sons was resulting
In contempt with the service of Gods
house, the fathers love should have
been lost in the light and justice of
the high priest.
u. Eli and His Sons Punished a:
1-1S).
They at last came to reap what
they had sown. God has appointed a
day of judgment (Acts Il :3D. There
Is harvest time for the sinner as
well as for the righteous (Joel 3:13).
If one has sOwn 10 the wind he shall
reap the whirlwind. The Philistines
made war upon Israel and defeated |
hem with great slaughter. This judg- |
nent had been made known to Eli by |
imam of God" (2:27) and Samuel
(3:11-1S). The Philistines were in
struments in the hands of God for
this judgment.
1. The battle with the Philistines
Wv. 1-9). The Israelites made an un.
attempt to free themselves
rom the oppression of the Philistines.
srael was smitten and some 1000 were
lain. This aroused them to inquire
is to why the Lord had smitten them
md to suggest that the ark be brought
rom Shiloh as q defense against the
nemy. In this they committed two
plumbers: O The elders had no right
o handle the ark; that belonged to
he priests. Before taking such a step
hey should have sought the mind of
Tod, and If il were his will that the
rk be brought, II should have been
lone by the priests. (2) 1t was a su-
erstitious use of the ark, which was
symbol of Gods presence. They liz.
orantly assumed that the presence of
Iod inhered in the symbol, forgetting
hat he is the living God, who has a
Ill and purpose of his own, and there
)re will not give countenance to that
'hich disagrees with his holy purpose
nd will. Processing Christians in this
ge commit. a similar error when they
Institute the sacraments of the
lurch for the presence Of God in the
'ul. The earth rang out with a great
lout when the ark was brought into
lie camp and the enemy was struck
18th fear, for they knew what wonders
cd had wrought in times past. In
leir desperation they made stand,
filing upon their men to do their best
18th their backs to the wall they
ught and won the victory.
2. Israel's disastrous defeat wv. 10
y. ID The army was routed and a
eat slaughter occurred ". 10Y: (2)
e ark of God was taken ". 10Y. The
mbol of the divine presence with its
cred memories torn from their CRASH
I'd with IL went IsraeFs hope: (3,
is sons slain ". 10) the very priests {
no were the custodians Of the ark :
ere slain; (4) death of Eli the high .
lest ". 1S). The news of the de- :
at of the army and the death of his I
ms was awful. but when he heard I
at the ark of God was taken i.e died
stantly.