Secret Sins Made Public

O. T. #577  "Secret Sins Made Public"
August 13, 2015
1 Samuel 2-Part 3
And he said unto them, Why do ye such things? For I hear of your evil dealings by all this people.  1 Samuel 2:23

LET IT GLOW

Have you noticed that whenever a person goes public in politics, sports, the entertainment world, or  high profile, folks dig into their past for hidden or secret sins? Sometimes it due to a family taking a stand against a certain sin, as is the case in our area. People can be vindictive and down right mean. Even if a sin has been confessed and forgiven, they want to smear the family. How mean is that? As though there is any of us who do not have any secret sins. We are all sinners. When the damage is done, it's ripple effect can continue for years. But, what goes around, comes around. Eventually, those meanies will get theirs.
Well, in this chapter, Daddy finds out what sins his two sons have been committing. check out the result.

We can't overlook a specific segment of this chapter. It is not an encouraging part. It deals with God's judgment of sin.

1 Peter 4:17 warns us, For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God.

2 Corinthians 5:10 says, For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

 Romans 14:10b reminds us, for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.

Why would there be a need for God's judgment to occur in the tabernacle? Shall we see what was taking place there? It involves the two sons of the elderly Eli, the high priest and judge in Israel. Eli was a descendent of Aaron through his son Ithamar. At Shiloh, where Israel's tabernacle was located for their worship, that was where this corruption and sin was taking place. Eli failed to be a restrainer of sin, even in his own family. It was too late when he finally disciplined them. Eli and his house would be excluded from the privilege of serving as priests.

What were these two priests of the LORD, Hophni and Phinehas, doing wrong?

• First of all, these two sons of Eli did not know the Lord. (verse 12)
• His son were taking parts of the offering (raw meat) before they were offered to God rather than waiting until after the sacrifice had been made (cooked meat), as God instructed in Leviticus 3. By giving into greed, they showed utter contempt for God's laws. (D. Jeremiah) they stole from God.
• When women would come to the tabernacle to worship, Hophni and Phinehas would have sex with them. This sin perverted themselves, the women, and the house of God. Eli heard about it and confronted his sons about their sin. They were causing the women to sin. Eli's sons did not heed their father's warning in verse 25.

These two sons were disrespecting all that God stood for and His laws said. The Lord told Eli that his family would be cut off, forfeiting their positions as priests. On the same day, Hophnit and Phinehas died. During the battle with the Philistines, 30,000 Israelites died, including these two men. (4:11)

Do we take seriously the responsibilities which God has called us to carry out for His service?
Be careful, our sins will find us out.


LET IT GROW

God said in verse 35 that He would raise up a faithful priest.
Jesus Christ Himself is the final and ultimate fulfillment of the faithful priest. He offered Himself as the only sacrifice which can ever completely atone for sin and bring us eternally back to God. Jesus is our High Priest and anointed King. (Falwell)

Jesus gives us hope from our sinful destiny through salvation. Have you trusted in Him as your Savior? Today can be the day. Simply as Jesus to forgive you of your sins and be your Savior and Lord. His grace and mercy await.

LET IT GO

Turn from sins that separate me from my heavenly Father by repenting.

Study His Word so I will know what pleases and displeases God.

Bring myself to my High Priest, Jesus, to offer to God's service.