The story of Samuel’s early days is one that’s well-known, being taught to children in Sunday schools everywhere. It tells of how the young Samuel heard God’s voice, though didn’t immediately recognise it. But the word which God gave Samuel, of coming judgement upon the family of Eli, is often missed out. While it may not be a story one would want to share in detail with little children, this is a very significant story; we can too easily miss the picture that God describes here of the house of God; for it applies as much to the current Church as to the Tent of Meeting at Shiloh, in ancient Israel.

Corruption in God’s house

In 1 Samuel 2, Hophni and Phinehas, the two sons of Eli the priest, were corrupt and did not “know the Lord”. They treated the process of offerings made to the Lord with contempt, and were leading the people astray (1 Sam 2:12-17, 24). They were also guilty of sexual sin – sleeping with the women who served at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting.

Eli knew about this and rebuked his sons, but he refused to discipline them. They ignored their father’s rebuke, and were able to continue with their corruption, contempt and sin.

A man of God brought a word of rebuke to Eli. Included was the charge that he honoured his sons more than God (1 Sam 2:29). The man of God warned of coming judgement: Eli’s two sons would die and Eli’s descendants would die early. He said that God would raise up a faithful priest who would do exactly as God wanted (1 Sam 2:35).

Reflection on the Church

How does this relate to the Church of today? There are those in the Church hierarchy like Hophni and Phinehas, who do not know the Lord, who are leading people astray. They may be corrupt, or treating the word of God with contempt. They are wolves in sheep’s clothing.

However, many others are like Eli: believers, but unwilling to stand against the corruption. That corruption comes in many forms: rejecting the word of the Lord, compromise with the world, and protecting those who commit evil. Just as Eli refused to discipline his sons, but allowed them, rather, to continue in their posts, so Church leaders over the years have acted in a similar manner.

Separate reports recently on both the Church of England¹ and the Catholic Church² state how they “spent decades failing to protect some children and young people from sexual predators, preferring instead to protect its own reputation”. Other less mainstream groups have had similar issues, including the Jesus Army.

Stand for the truth

Just as Eli wanted to maintain the position of his family, so the Church has tried to maintain its reputation. Even as the Church stopped pretending nothing was happening, implementing proper safeguarding procedures and investigating complaints, it has been so keen to protect its reputation that it was over-zealous in allowing unfounded accusations to stand³.

And effectively, the Church has been so keen to be seen as inclusive that it has elevated people to positions of leadership who disdain the word of God.

I sense that God is calling the Church to repent, and stand up for the truth of the word of God, and allow God’s light to shine on both corruption and compromise. As God did with Samuel, so he is preparing a remnant Church who will be faithful to him and who will fulfil his purposes.

Endnotes

¹Report claims the Church of England put reputation ahead of protecting children from sex abuse, Premier Christian News, 6 October 2020
²‘We will never know the true scale of child sexual abuse within the Catholic Church’, inquiry reports, Premier Christian News, 10 November 2020

³Bishop George Bell not to be cleared over 'abuse', BBC News, 22 January 2018