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worldly considerations to influence his conduct. Now he had been tried and found
wanting. Without murmurings or disputings he submits himself to the righteous
judgment of his God, not trying to justify himself and his past conduct. He wisely
realized he had sown the wind, and must now reap the whirlwind.
One of the major causes of the sickness in the world today is the over-indulgence of
parents toward their children. Lack of discipline in the home inevitably leads to rebellion
and disruption, and lack of respect and regard for others. Young people grow up
suspicious and resentful of any restraint. Thinking they have freedom to do as they
please they fall victim to the many abuses and snares that entangle the feet of many of the
young and unwary today. Following the example of their elders they show little respect
for God and His Word and account it foolishness. The words of the apostle Paul to the
Corinthians reveal why there exists so much indifference to the things of God, and
especially of the Lord Jesus Christ:
"But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are
foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned"
(I Cor. 2: 14).
In other words, it is necessary to have the mind and Spirit of Christ to discern the
things of God.
Eli is an example to be noted by all who are believers, for he fell from a position of
trust and responsibility. His zeal for God oozed away as he grew older. It was not his
eyes only that became dim, but his mind and will as well. As we read in the epistle to the
Hebrews, "if any man draw back, My soul shall have no pleasure in him" (10: 38). On the
other hand "let us go on unto perfection" (6: 1), where the thought behind the word
"perfection" is likened by the apostle Paul in Phil. 3: 12-15 to a runner in a race
pressing towards a goal, finishing the course and touching the tape. In other words,
pressing on to the end and not giving up.
The conduct of Samuel was quite a contrast to that of Eli:
"And Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him, and did let none of His words fail to
the ground. And all Israel from Dan to Beersheba knew that Samuel was established to
be a prophet of the Lord. And the Lord appeared again in Shiloh: for the Lord revealed
Himself to Samuel in Shiloh by the word of the Lord" (I Sam. 3: 19-21).
What a contrast is here! As Samuel grew to manhood the Lord was with him, giving
him strength and wisdom, guiding and guarding him, and Samuel let none of His words
fall to the ground. He caught them all and absorbed them in his heart and mind. In those
dark days of sin and shame in God's house, Samuel stood firm, having nothing to do with
them; his life a perpetual protest against covetousness and iniquity. Then from Dan to
Beersheba, all Israel came to know of the relationship between Jehovah and this young
man. A prophet of the Lord had appeared among the people once again. There spread
throughout the nation the universal acknowledgement that in Samuel there was the hope
of a future deliverer. So Jehovah came to Samuel and revealed Himself, and gave him
information concerning events that would take place, perhaps soon after. His reputation