Scripture

“Then I will raise up a faithful priest who will serve me and do what I desire. I will establish his family, and they will be priests to my anointed Kings forever.”

Observation

The sons of Eli had no respect for the Lord or for their role as priests. They would demand a portion of the meat of the sacrifice that was reserved for the family of the people making the sacrifice. They also slept with the young women who assisted at the Tabernacle.

Samuel, on the other hand, served the Lord faithfully. Each year, his mother would bring him aa new robe. Eli would pray for them and bless them to have children to replace Samuel. Hannah had three sons and two daughters.

Eli rebuked his sons for their behaviour, but to no avail. A man of God comes and prophesies that the two sons will die on the same day, and that the Lord will raise up a faithful priest who will serve Him and do His will.

Application

At this time, the priesthood under Eli and his sons was corrupt. But God was looking to replace the corrupt priests with a faithful priest who will serve the Lord.

This is a reference to Samuel. He wasn’t exactly a priest, but as the story develops, we see that he really is faithful to God even when all others around him are not. Since, He is also the faithful prophet who hold kings and rulers accountable to the Lord .

It is also a reference looking forward to Jesus who is the eternal high priest of God who is forever faithful to the Lord. We are His priests, a royal priesthood, that stands in the presence of the Lord forever.

Prayer

Thank you Lord for replacing the old system of sacrifices by being the perfect and eternal sacrifice for us. My sins are taken away and my guilt is extinguished. Amen.