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God held Eli； as a priest and judge of Israel； accountable for the moral and
religious standing of his people； and in a special sense for the character
of his sons。 He should first have attempted to restrain evil by mild
measures； but if these did not avail； he should have subdued the wrong by
the severest means。 He incurred the Lord's displeasure by not reproving sin
and executing justice upon the sinner。 He could not be depended upon to keep
Israel pure。 Those who have too little courage to reprove wrong； or who
through indolence or lack of interest make no earnest effort to purify the
family or the church of God； are held accountable for the evil that may
result from their neglect of duty。 We are just as responsible for evils that
we might have checked in others by exercise of parental or pastoral
authority as if the acts had been our own。
Eli did not manage his household according to God's rules for family
government。 He followed his own judgment。 The fond father overlooked the
faults and sins of his sons in their childhood； flattering himself that
after a time they would outgrow their evil tendencies。 Many are now making a
similar mistake。 They think they know a better way of training their
children than that which God has given in His word。 They foster wrong
tendencies in them； urging as an excuse； 〃They are too young to be punished。
Wait till they become older； and can be reasoned with。〃 Thus wrong habits
are left to strengthen until they become
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second nature。 The children grow up without restraint； with traits of
character that are a lifelong curse to them and are liable to be reproduced
in others。
There is no greater curse upon households than to allow the youth to have
their own way。 When parents regard every wish of their children and indulge
them in what they know is not for their good； the children soon lose all
respect for their parents； all regard for the authority of God or man； and
are led captive at the will of Satan。 The influence of an ill…regulated
family is widespread and disastrous to all society。 It accumulates in a tide
of evil that affects families； communities； and governments。
Because of Eli's position； his influence was more extended than if he had
been an ordinary man。 His family life was imitated throughout Israel。 The
baleful results of his negligent； ease…loving ways were seen in thousands of
homes that were molded by his example。 If children are indulged in evil
practices； while the parents make a profession of religion； the truth of God
is brought into reproach。 The best test of the Christianity of a home is the
type of character begotten by its influence。 Actions speak louder than the
most positive profession of godliness。 If professors of religion； instead of
putting forth earnest； persistent； and painstaking effort to bring up a
well…ordered household as a witness to the benefits of faith in God； are lax
in their government and indulgent to the evil desires of their children；
they are doing as did Eli； and are bringing disgrace on the cause of Christ
and ruin upon themselves and their households。 But great as are the evils of
parental unfaithfulness under any circumstances； they are tenfold greater
when they exist in the families of those appointed as teachers of the
people。 When these fail to control their own households； they are； by their
wrong example； misleading many。 Their guilt is as much greater than that of
others as their position is more responsible。
The promise had been made that the house of Aaron should walk before God
forever； but this promise had been made on condition that they should devote
themselves to the work of the sanctuary with singleness of heart and honor
God in all their ways； not serving self nor following their own perverse
inclinations。 Eli and his sons had been tested； and the Lord had found them
wholly unworthy of the exalted position of priests in His service。 And God
declared； 〃Be it far from Me。〃 He could not
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accomplish the good that He had meant to do them； because they failed to do
their part。
The example of those who minister in holy things should be such as to
impress the people with reverence for God and with fear to offend Him。 When
men； standing 〃in Christ's stead〃 （2 Corinthians 5：20） to speak to the
people God's message of mercy and reconciliation； use their sacred calling
as a cloak for selfish or sensual gratification； they make themselves the
most effective agents of Satan。 Like Hophni and Phinehas； they cause men to
〃abhor the offering of the Lord。〃 They may pursue their evil course in
secret for a time； but when at last their true character is exposed； the
faith of the people receives a shock that often results in destroying their
confidence in religion。 There is left upon the mind a distrust of all who
profess to teach the word of God。 The message of the true servant of Christ
is doubtfully received。 The question constantly arises； 〃Will not this man
prove to be like the one we thought so holy； and found so corrupt？〃 Thus the
word of God loses its power upon the souls of men。
In Eli's reproof to his sons are words of solemn and fearful importwords
that all who minister in sacred things would do well to ponder： 〃If one man
sin against another； the judge shall judge him： but if a man sin against the
Lord； who shall entreat for him。？〃 Had their crimes injured only their
fellow men； the judge might have made reconciliation by appointing a penalty
and requiring restitution； and thus the offenders might have been pardoned。
Or had they not been guilty of a presumptuous sin； a sin offering might have
been presented for them。 But their sins were so interwoven with their
ministration as priests of the Most High； in offering sacrifice for sin； the
work of God was so profaned and dishonored before the people； that no
expiation could be accepted for them。 Their own father； though himself high
priest； dared not make intercession in their behalf； he could not shield
them from the wrath of a holy God。 Of all sinners； those are most guilty who
cast contempt upon the means that Heaven has provided for man's
redemptionwho 〃crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh； and put Him to
an open shame。〃 Hebrews 6：6。
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Chapter 57
The Ark Taken by the Philistines
Another warning was to be given to Eli's house。 God could not communicate
with the high priest and his sons； their sins； like a thick cloud； had shut
out the presence of His Holy Spirit。 But in the midst of evil the child
Samuel remained true to Heaven； and the message of condemnation to the house
of Eli was Samuel's commission as a prophet of the Most High。
〃The word of the Lord was precious in those days； there was no open vision。
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； and ere the lamp of God
went out in the temple of the Lord； where the ark of God was； and Samuel was
laid down