The sons with no ears to hear

Regarding the education of children, it is good to be strict when they are young and gradually become more lenient as they grow, allowing them to increasingly exercise their own judgment. The more difficult it would be to correct faults after they reached adulthood, because it’s often too late. Eli’s sons were already beyond help. (1) As we have already seen, they had committed great sins regarding the peace offerings. (2) Moreover, they also have committed sins of immorality. (3) Eli was aware of the bad rumors about his sons but had neglected them for too long. He did speak words of rebuke to his sons, but these words were powerless, unable to lead them to repentance. (4) Eli was absolutely correct when he said, “If one person sins against another, God will mediate for him; but if a person sins against the Lord, who can intercede for him?” The sons did not listen to their father. The Bible explains the reason for this, stating that “the Lord desired to put them to death.” (1) Their situation is similar to that of Pharaoh in the Book of Exodus. Pharaoh hardened his own heart and thus received punishment from God. (2) God left the sons to their stubbornness. “And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a depraved mind, to do those things that are not proper” (Rom. 1:28). (3) Also, it was God’s will to have them reap what they had sown (Gal. 6:7).

The growth of Samuel

In contrast to Eli’s sons is the young Samuel. He continued to grow both physically and intellectually, becoming a person to be in favor both with God and man. This description closely resembles the words used to describe the growth of the child Jesus. “And Jesus kept increasing in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and people” (Luke 2:52). Those who claim to remain as spiritual infants should repent of their stubborn hearts and earnestly pray to become more like the Lord Jesus.