"Now the sons of Eli were corrupt; they did not know the Lord."I Samuel 2:12
One little verse of scripture says quite a lot when you realize the context. This was in the days when Israel was ruled and led by anointed judges who were empowered by God to supply critical leadership for the Jewish people. Eli served as a judge for forty years according to 1 Samuel 4:18, and was succeeded by the final judge, Samuel. As the days of the judges were coming to a close, the Bible says on two different occasions: "Everyone did what was right in his own eyes." (See Judges 17:6 and 21:25) What a sad testimony of God's people as they lived self-centered lives instead of being shaped and transformed by the Divine truth found in His word.
But the problem was not just a people problem, it was also a priestly problem. Why do I say this? Because as you read 1 Samuel you discover that the sons of Eli were not just common citizens of the nation. Those two men had been elevated to positions of priestly authority. In other words, they served in positions of spiritual leadership over the people, yet the scriptures tell us that "THEY DID NOT KNOW THE LORD!" What? Are you kidding me? The sons of Eli grew up in the home of this priest and judge and now served in strategic roles for the spiritual development of God's people and they didn't even know God for themselves? That's exactly right, for that is what the Bible plainly and powerfully reveals to us concerning both Hophni and Phinehas. And, beloved, with a broken heart I confess unto you that I do not believe this problem was limited to the nation of Israel and to those two men who lived so many years ago.
Surveys conducted during the past twenty years reveal that less than 10% of Americans with a so-called "born again" experience have a biblical worldview, compared to 4% of the general population. You may be asking: "What is a biblical worldview?" That's a good question, and here is a good answer: A worldview is the framework from which we view reality and make sense of life and the world. Whether consciously or subconsciously, every person has some type of worldview. It is a combination of all you believe to be true, and it becomes the driving force behind every emotion, decision and action. Therefore, it affects your response to every circumstance of life. It is the interpretive “lenses” we use for understanding what we believe is real. Someone with a biblical worldview uses the divinely inspired word of God as their lenses for understanding the world around them, as well as allowing the eternal truth of God's word to form the foundation upon which they build their lives. In other words, those who possess a biblical worldview refuse to base life choices and decisions upon any personal human logic, emotional persuasion, or cultural peer pressure. Having a biblical worldview, therefore, demands that God's word is the most powerful element in shaping how a person views all elements of life, including relationships, morality, lifestyle choices, parenting, and eternity. A biblical worldview will shape what a person believes about EVERYTHING!
For quite a few years, I have attempted to sound the alarm concerning these sobering statistics. If these surveys are correct, it means that an overwhelming majority of church members DO NOT possess a biblical worldview. Men and women in our congregations have such a shallow knowledge of scripture, coupled with a yawning attitude towards growing in biblical understanding, that we should not be surprised to see our churches declining in spiritual health and vitality. But please hold on to your hat, for in May of this year a new nationwide survey of America’s Christian pastors revealed that a MAJORITY OF PASTORS DO NOT HAVE A BIBLICAL WORLDVIEW! In fact, the findings stated that slightly more than a third (37%) possess what is commonly referred to as a biblical worldview. WHAT? Pastors, those who serve in the strategic areas of church leadership, do not possess a biblical worldview? That, my friend, is what the survey revealed. And now you know why we are in such a mess in this rancid domain known as American Christianity.
Looking at the truth revealed in I Samuel, I find three unique thoughts unfolded for our benefit:
1. The Sinful Condition - As I mentioned already, the people are described during this time as doing what was right in their own eyes. What a pitiful description of a special people blinded to the realities of life and truth. But the sinful condition of the people was only a reflection of the sinful condition of the priests. Elevated to places of spiritual authority, Hophni and Phinehas went through all the motions of their priestly duties, yet they did not even know the Lord. A preacher friend of mine who has completed his faith journey told me years ago as I began travelling in itinerant ministry: "Bro. Charles, you won't have to look past the pulpit to see what's wrong with most churches in America." He told the truth in that statement. During those years I often wondered if the pastor that I was with even had a true, personal relationship with the Lord. I vividly remember asking a particular Mississippi pastor about his salvation experience, and he could never verbalize how he came to faith in Jesus Christ. God have mercy.
2. The Sudden Confrontation - An unknown and unnamed prophet appears in verse 27 with a disturbing message for Eli. He speaks of the Disgrace that Eli's sons are bringing upon everyone serving in the priesthood, and how Death will come upon his sons on the same day because of their sin. Finally, in light of this horrible report, the man of God states that a Deliverer, a faithful priest, will God raise up that shall do everything that is in His heart and mind. Praise God that when darkness and depravity are overwhelming us, He has a plan of deliverance - Amen!
3. The Sure Conclusion - In I Samuel 4, we find the final days of Hophni and Phinehas described for us as they accompany the Ark of the Covenant onto the field of battle. There, in a very unceremonious way, these two men are killed as the Ark is captured and taken by the Philistines. When a solitary runner brings the awful news to Shiloh, the aged judge, Eli, falls from his seat and dies as he hears the report of his two sons and the Ark of the Covenant. Likewise, as the tragic testimony reaches the wife of Phinehas, who at the time was giving birth to their son, she said: "Name the child, Ichabod, for the glory of God is departed from Israel." What a horrible and honest confession concerning a group of backslidden religious folks that were supposed to be the people of God.
Proverbs 29:1 says, "If he that is often reproved, hardens his neck; he shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy." I wonder how often the two sons of Eli were troubled deep down in their unregenerated hearts to repent of their sin and trust in the grace of God for eternal salvation? Yet they refused. Beloved, do you possess a living, vital RELATIONSHIP with Jesus Christ; or do you simply have an empty, dead RELIGION that will result in eternal condemnation before a holy God?
"Truly, truly, I say unto you, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." When Jesus made that statement, He was in the presence of one of the most outstanding citizens of Israel. The absolute experience of the new birth is a requirement for any and every one to gain entrance into Heaven. And my dear pastor friend, as well as music minister, seminary professor, denominational worker, church officer, youth or children's minister, and faithful deacon, that includes YOU! "Marvel not that I said unto you, YOU MUST BE BORN AGAIN!"
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