The Lord declares, “The time is coming when I will cut short your strength and the strength of your priestly house, so that no one in it will reach old age…no one in your family line will ever reach old age…and all your descendants will die in the prime of life” (1 Samuel 2:31-33).
The Lord spoke those words to Eli, a priest who served forty years at the tabernacle in Shiloh. His sons Hophni and Phineas scorned, despised, and dishonored God as priests. They took some of the sacrifices supposed to be set aside for the Lord. They slept with the women who served at the tent of meeting.
Everyone knew about it. They told Eli about it. He told them it was wrong, but didn’t do anything about it.
Not only would they die, but the consequences of their actions would last for generations. Every descendant will die young, in their prime.
That’s harsh. But the priests had an important job. They represented the people before God. And they represented God to the people. They had great responsibility. If they didn’t take God seriously, who would?
They had a chance. They were taught. They were warned. God tells you what he’s going to do. And he follows through.
So listen. Pay attention. God is serious. Take him seriously.
Waite for it... 