1 Samuel 3:2-14 And it came to pass at that time, when Eli was laid down in his place, and his eyes began to wax dim, that he could not see;… Eli and Samuel. 1. They are contrasted in point of years: for the one is a boy, the other a grey-headed old man; and if it were for only this, the chapter would be one of deep interest. For it is interesting always to see a friendship between the old and the young. It is striking to see the aged one retaining so much of freshness and simplicity as not to repel the sympathies of boyhood. It is surprising to see the younger one so advanced and thoughtful, as not to find dull the society of one who has outlived excitability and passion. 2. They are contrasted again in point of office Both are judges of Israel. But Eli is a judge rendering up his trust, and closing his public career. Samuel is a judge entering upon his office. The venerable judge of forty years is sentenced by the judge elect. 3. Still more striking is the contrast in point of character. Here the difference of inferiority is on the wrong side. It is the young who is counselling, supporting, admonishing the old 4. Once more, we have here the contrast between sludge by office and a judge by Divine call. It is wise after an earthly sort to have an appointed succession. Hereditary judges, hereditary nobles, hereditary sovereigns: without them human life would run into inextricable confusion. Nevertheless, such earthly arrangements only represent the heavenly order. The Divine order of Government is the rule of the Wise and Good. From time to time, one who has qualifications direct from God is made, in Scripture, to stand side by side with one who has his qualifications only from office or earthly appointment; and then the contrast is marvellous indeed. And thus by the side of Eli, the judge by office, stands Samuel, the judge by Divine call: qualified by wisdom, insight, will, resting on obedience, to guide and judge God's people Israel. Very instructive are the contrasts of this chapter. I. ELI'S CHARACTER. II. ELI'S DOOM. Eli's character has two sides; we will take the bright side first. The first point remarkable in him is the absence of envy. Eli furthers Samuel's advancement, and assists it to his own detriment. God's priest and God's judge, to whom so fitly as to him could God send a message? But, another is preferred: the inspiration comes to Samuel, and Eli is superseded and disgraced. God's message for all Israel comes to a boy: to one who had been Eli's pupil, to one beneath him, who had performed for him servile offices. This was the bitter cup put into his hand to drink. And yet Eli assists him to attain this dignity. He perceives that God has called the child. He does not say in petulance — "Then, let this favoured child find out for himself all he has to do, I will leave him to himself." Consider how difficult this conduct of Eli's was. Remember how difficult it is to be surpassed by a younger brother, and bear it with temper. It is hard to give information which we have collected with pains, but which we cannot use, to another who can make use of it Where is the professional man, secular or clerical, who will so speak of another of the same profession, while struggling with him in honourable rivalry, or so assist him, as to ensure that the brightest lustre shall shine upon what he really is? Whoever will ponder these things will feel that Eli's was no common act. It was easy for Eli to have instructed anyone else how to approach God. But the difficulty was how to instruct Samuel. Samuel alone, in all Israel, crossed his path. And yet Eli stood the test. He was unswervingly just. He threw no petty hindrances in his way. 2. Remark the absence of all priestly pretensions. Eli might with ease have assumed the priestly tone. When Samuel came with his strange story that he bad beard a voice calling to him in the dark, Eli might bare fixed upon him a clear, cold unsympathising eye, and said, "This is excitement — mere enthusiasm. I am the appointed channel of God's communications; I am the priest Hear the Church. Unordained, unanointed with priestly oil, a boy, a child, it is presumption from you to pretend to communications from Jehovah! A layman has no right to bear Voices; it is fanaticism." On the other hand, Eli might have given his own authoritative interpretation to Samuel, of that word of God which he had heard. But suppose that interpretation had been wrong? Eli did neither of these things. He sent Samuel to God. He taught him to inquire for himself There are two sorts of men who exercise influence. The first are those who perpetuate their own opinions, bequeath their own names, form a sect, gather a party round them who speak their words, believe their belief Such men were the ancient Rabbis. And of such men, in and out of the Church, we have abundance now. It is the influence most aimed at and most loved The second class is composed of those who stir up faith, conscience, thought, to do their own work. Such men propagate not many views; but they propagate Life itself in inquiring minds and earnest hearts. Now this is God's real best work. Men do not think so They like to be guided. They ask, what am I to think? and what am I to believe? and what am I to feel? Save me the trouble of reflecting and the anguish of inquiring. And this is the Ministry and its work — not to drill hearts, and minds, and consciences, into right forms of thought and mental postures, but to guide to the Living God who speaks. To bring the soul face to face with God, and supersede ourselves, that is the work of the Christian ministry. 3. There was in Eli a resolve to know the whole truth. "What is the thing that the Lord hath said unto thee? I pray thee hide it not from me: God do so to thee, end more also, if thou hide any thing from me of all the things that He said unto thee." Eli asked in earnest to know the worst. It would be a blessed thing to know what God thinks of us. But next best to this would be to sea ourselves in the light in which we appear to others: other men's opinion is a mirror in which we learn to see ourselves. Therefore it is a blessing to have a friend like Samuel, who can dare to tell us truth, judicious, candid, wise. True friendship will not retail tormenting trifles; but what we want is one friend at least, who will extenuate nothing, but with discretion tell the worst, using unflinchingly the sharp knife which is to cut away the fault. 4. There was pious acquiescence in the declared Will of God. When Samuel had told him every whit, Eli replied, "It is the Lord." The highest religion could say no more. Free from envy, free from priestcraft, earnest, humbly submissive — that is the bright side of Eli's character, and the side least known or thought of. There is another side to Eli's character. He was a wavering, feeble, powerless man, with excellent intentions, but an utter want of will; and if we look at it deeply, it is will that makes the difference between man sod man; not knowledge, not opinions, not devoutness, not feeling, but will — the power to be. Let us look at the causes of this feebleness. There are apparently two 1. A recluse life — he lived in the temple. And such are the really fatal men in the work of life, those who look out on human life from e cloister, or who know nothing of men except through hooks. Doubtless there is a danger in knowing too much of the world. But, beyond all comparison, of the two extremes the worst is knowing too little of life. 2. That feebleness arose out of original temperament, in sentiment Eli might be always trusted: in action he was forever false, because he was a weak, vacillating man. Therefore his virtues were all of a negative character.Let us look at the result of such a character 1. It had no influence. Eli was despised by his own sons He was not respected by the nation. 2. It manifested incorrigibility. Eli was twice warned; once by a prophet, once by Samuel. Both times he was warned in vain. There are persons who go through life sinning and sorrowing — sorrowing and sinning. No experience teaches them, Torrents of tears flow from their eyes. They are full of eloquent regrets. But tears, heart breaks, repentance, warnings, are ell in vain. Where they did wrong once, they do wrong again. 3. It resulted in misery to others. (F. W. Robertson, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: And it came to pass at that time, when Eli was laid down in his place, and his eyes began to wax dim, that he could not see; |
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