My parents used to say it: “Did I not make myself clear?” I used to say it to my own children. The implication was I, or they, had done something that was so obviously outside permissible behavior that there was no plausible excuse.
In Israel’s case the priest, Eli, had two sons who were abusing their role as priests. Scripture says (2:12) They didn’t know God and could not have cared less about the customs of priests among the people. Ordinarily, when someone offered a sacrifice, the priest’s servant was supposed to come up and, while the meat was boiling, stab a fork into the cooking pot. The priest then got whatever came up on the fork.
But...not Eli’s sons. Before someone had even burned the fat to God , the priest’s servant would interrupt and say, “Hand over some of that meat for the priest to roast. He doesn’t like boiled meat”. If the man objected, the servant would demand, “No, I want it now. If you won’t give it, I’ll take it.” It was an inexcusable sin, desecrating the holy offerings to God.
Because...God had made himself clear.
Furthermore, Eli (who was very old) kept getting reports on how his sons were ripping off the people and sleeping with the women who helped out at the sanctuary. Eli said “What’s going on here? This is not right! If you sin against another person, there’s help—God’s help. But if you sin against God , who is around to help?”
How would we expect any better from somebody who didn’t know God?
And, as we might expect...God was furious. He told Eli, “Be well warned: It won’t be long before I wipe out both your family and your future family. No one in your family will make it to old age! Your sons, Hophni and Phinehas, will die the same day. Then, I will establish a true priest who does what I tell him to do”.
The lesson here is clear...because God made Himself clear; there are situations in life in which God demonstrates latitude and tolerance with His followers. You and I may very well hold positions more restrictive than God’s. We argue among ourselves and try to convert one another to our position when...all along...God is fine with multiple views on a subject. I might suggest use of alcohol as one. There are others.
So...how do we discern?
First, if we do not know God (like Hophni and Phinehas), it is impossible to please Him. We may masquerade as His children...even hold positions of responsibility in the church...but if we have not confessed our sin before God and claimed forgiveness through the sacrifice and resurrection of His Son, we are just like Hophni and Phinehas...we do not know God.
Second...if we do know God, we are called to serve Him. This means...unlike Hophni and Phinehas...we make decisions in life based on what God wants rather than what we want. As Proverbs 3 says, In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight. We May have to iron out some things between one another but never with God. As Eli told his sons, "If one man sins against another, God will mediate for him; but if a man sins against the LORD, who can intercede for him?"
And...that isn’t really so complicated. We have the resources we need to make good decisions. We have our sacred scriptures and “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16). We also have the Spirit of God to advise us..”But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth” ( John 13:16).
God has made himself clear...all we need to do is ask a simple question: “Is this act, or attitude, consistent with my service to God?”
Live boldly out there today...
Live boldly out there today...
