Eli was at the pinnacle of success. He was the High Priest, the Judge of Israel. He had prestige, position, and power. In the book of first Samuel, we watch Eli disciple a young Samuel into his destiny as he leads Israel for forty years.
Sounds like a great legacy. But it didn’t end well.
Eli had two sons who were crooks. They worked for their dad in the synagogue.
They used their position and their dad’s influence to take money from the people. They were sexually permissive with women. They treated the things of God with disdain. The corruption of Hophni and Phineas was known by everyone, including Eli.
But Eli didn’t correct them. It would have meant the end of his position; it would have damaged his prestige and power. So, he turned away in false ignorance, protecting his religious position.
As a result of their blasphemy, in a battle against the Philistines, the Ark of the Lord was captured. Hophni and Phineas were killed. When Eli found out, he died of a heart attack. God ended the house of Eli. His legacy died with him. His pride was his downfall.
Contrast Eli with Jairus.
We meet Jairus in Mark 5 and Luke 8. He’s a leader in the synagogue in Capernaum. He’s a man of prestige, position and power. Everyone knows who he is. And Jesus is living nearby.
Jesus is seen as a major threat to the religious order. He was the rebel. Synagogue leaders deplored Jesus, would not honor him … you know the story. Jairus was one of those men attacking the legitimacy of Jesus.
But his 12-year-old daughter was sick and close to death. Doctors could not help her. What did Jairus do? Committing religious leadership suicide, he went and found Jesus.
Jairus humbled himself for the sake of his daughter. This could be the end of his position and power. He did it anyway. Dramatically, while he was meeting with Jesus, his daughter died. But Jesus, seeing his faith, went to his home and raised her from the dead. The humility of Jairus saved the life of his little girl.
Two men. Both with high positions. Both fathers. With different priorities.
For Eli, his position was more important than his children.
For Jairus, his child was more important than his position.
Priorities. What’s important to you?
Check your schedule for the week.
Check your heart. What’s your motivation?
“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, and whose hope is the Lord. For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, which spreads out its roots by the river, and will not fear when heat comes; But its leaf will be green, And will not be anxious in the year of drought, Nor will cease from yielding fruit.” Jeremiah 17:7-8 NKJV
Stay daring. Stay close to Him.
