Why do you give your sons more honor than you give me?
God has done so many good and wonderful things for us. Yet so many times, we don’t even notice. We chalk it up to good fortune or our own efforts.
So why do you scorn my sacrifices and offerings? Why do you give your sons more honor than you give me—for you and they have become fat from the best offerings of my people Israel! (1 Samuel 2:29)
One of more interesting characters of the Old Testament was the High Priest Eli. This guy has quite a story, and not all of it is complimentary. Eli was a High Priest of Israel during the time of the Judges, which should already tell you quite a bit about him.
During the time of the Judges, there was no king in Israel. God ruled. Or at least, He tried to. The people weren’t interested, and they did everything in their power to rebel.
And eventually, God let the people have their way. They wanted a king, so God gave them one. And that’s a whole different story. But until we get to that place in 1 Samuel 8, the Judges ruled by God’s authority and the High Priests continued the religious traditions God had established.
Sort of.
High Priest Eli was a fine guy, I guess. He was quick to jump to conclusions, and we know from Scripture that he was a glutton. But he became young Samuel’s mentor. So he had to have some worth. But the issue between Eli and God was his sons, Hophni and Phineas. These boys were bad news. Wicked. Horrible. They did awful things. And Eli knew about it, but he did nothing.
One day, a man of God came to Eli with the message that Eli’s line would end, that Eli and both his sons would die on the same day. (Spoiler Alert: 1 Samuel 4.)
Eli had a chance to change. He could have corrected his sons, or if nothing else he could have removed them from their positions of authority within God’s Temple. God had the right to demand that of Eli.
But that question haunts me. “Why do you give your sons more honor than you give me?”
Yes, in the context of this story, it’s pointing out that Eli allowed his sons horrific leeway to use God’s holy temple for evil, wicked things. But how often has God asked us that same question?
How often have we found ourselves caring more about what a friend thinks than what God says? How often do we prioritize what a fashion trend dictates rather than what God says about modesty? How often have believed social media’s tyrants concerning our identity and ignored what God declares to be true about us?
God has done so many good and wonderful things for us. He provides for us. He protects us. He loves us. Yet so many times, we don’t even notice. We chalk it up to good fortune or our own efforts.
That’s not how life works, my friends. Anything good in our lives has come from God. Period.
So if God has done all of these things for us, why do we care more about what our friends say? Why do we put more weight on what the culture says? Why do we rely more firmly on what our favorite news channels report?
Who deserves honor? Truly? Who is the One that knows for sure what will happen tomorrow? Who is the One that defines Truth and Justice and Fairness?
It’s not a trick question.
You can question God’s authority. You can disobey Him as long as you’re breathing. You can go your own way as long as you can. If you belong to God, He’ll come after you. He’ll try to stop you. But submitting to God’s will is your choice.
But hear what God is saying, friend: If you claim to follow Jesus but refuse to live like Him, your days are numbered.
God won’t be mocked. You can’t flip Him off and win. His authority is absolute, and your day of reckoning is coming. But it doesn’t have to end in unpleasantness. God is mighty and wrathful and just, but He will always forgive. There is no record of Him ever turning anyone who truly repented away.
Give up on culture leading you toward prosperity. Don’t let the talking heads define you. Stop honoring your friends’ opinions above what God says is true. At the end of your life, it won’t be our politically correct popular culture judges who you hold your soul in their hands.
Maybe it’s time to start respecting the One who does.
Questions for Reflection
What makes popular culture such a powerful influence in our lives?
Why is it easier for a parent to let their children do whatever they want?
What is the danger of taking God lightly?
Weekly Memory Verse
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What makes popular culture such a powerful influence in our lives? None of us likes pain, hardship, and definitely not waiting. Our cultural influences come to us from all sides. Do what makes YOU happy, do whatever it takes to reach the top, feeling intitled to have it MY way etc. Our popular cultural is complete opposite of what scripture tells us. Jesus tells us we will have pain., hardships and we will do a lot of waiting for Gods perfect timing. Popular cultural is all about ME (YOU). Scripture tells us it is all about Jesus.
Why is it easier for a parent to let their children do whatever they want? Well, I do not have kids and growing up I seldom to never got whatever I wanted so I cannot answer from personal experience. But I can answer from lots of observation. I feel it is to just avoid conflict, the tantrum, the judging stare from others in public...It is just easier to give in.
What is the danger of taking God lightly? Compliancy is the result of taking God lightly. The idea of, Well I don't think He really meant that verse for today or for me etc.