God's Grace Admidst the Rot Within

In our passage this weekend, we are given a picture of the rot at the centre of Israel’s priesthood. “Eli’s sons were scoundrels.” Even though they were supposed to be priests of God, they had no regard for God at all. They took advantage of the sacrifices that people brought for God and used their position to sleep with women who served at the temple. They were supposed to be priests – mediators between God and mankind and teachers of God’s laws to God’s people. However, what they are doing is a complete mockery of who they were supposed to be. On the other hand, in the midst of this rot within the priesthood, we have faithful Samuel. Samuel, dedicated to the Lord since his birth, has been ministering faithfully to the Lord all throughout this period. He continues to “grow in stature and in favour with the Lord and with people.” God’s grace is working in the midst of the rot within the priesthood. While he is in the background at this moment, it is clear that he is being prepared b