Friday, January 14, 2011

"Let Him do what is good in His eyes."

In Chapter 2, a man of God previously came to Eli and warned him of the pending judgment against his sons, but it seems like Eli did not try to change or fix the situation. Then, in Chapter 3, God revealed the judgment of the house of Eli to Samuel, who later told Eli what he heard. This is where we see Eli's response:

“He is the LORD; let him do what is good in his eyes.” (1 Sam 3:18b)

It looks like Eli accepted his doomed future and didn't bother to attempt to change it, again. But even if he tried, it may have been too late.

I wonder if God would have changed His mind if Eli fasted, wept, prayed, repented? If he persuaded his sons to do likewise? Would it have been a lost cause? From 1 Sam 3:14, it sounds like God would not.

We shouldn't ask God "What if" questions because it doesn't help in understanding anything, especially if we do not receive answers. But thoughts/insights/comments are welcome.
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1 comment:

  1. AdminJanuary 14, 2011 at 6:15 PM

    “But if a wicked person turns away from all the sins they have committed and keeps all my decrees and does what is just and right, that person will surely live; they will not die." (Eze 18:21)


    "And if I say to a wicked person, ‘You will surely die,’ but they then turn away from their sin and do what is just and right—if they give back what they took in pledge for a loan, return what they have stolen, follow the decrees that give life, and do no evil—that person will surely live; they will not die. " (Eze 33:14-15)

    Eli should have wept and repented and changed. I think it is very likely that God would have forgiven him and given him another chance. If he truly repented and humbled himself, he would been much better off. However, he had an attitude of "So be it," and "I guess that's my end...God has already said it." But, if we're still alive, we still have a chance, no matter how far in the horizon we are--even if according to the Bible/God, we will surely die. And God is pleased when the wicked turn from there ways (Eze 18:23).

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