Learning from 1 Samuel 3 - Where Eli Went Wrong

1 Samuel 3:1-2 – “The boy Samuel ministered before the Lord under Eli. In those days, the word of the Lord was rare; there were not many visions. One night Eli, whose eyes were becoming so weak that he could barely see, was lying down in his usual place…”

The book of 1 Samuel contrasts the ministry of the boy Samuel, who listened to God and functioned as a prophet, with the ministry of the old priest named Eli, who served in the Tabernacle during a period of apostasy (falling away from God) in Israel’s early history. Most of Eli’s ministry occurred during the period covered by the book of Judges, an era of spiritual confusion, curses, and disobedience. Eli was over 90 years old in this story, so he began ministering a generation earlier.

Eli descended from the High Priest Aaron through Aaron’s son Ithamar (Leviticus 10:1-12). Eventually the high priesthood passed back to the family line of Eleazar, Aaron’s other surviving son, through Zadok the priest (1 Kings 2:35). Eli’s sons, also priests, were wicked men whom the Lord killed (1 Samuel 2:12-34; 1 Samuel 3:11).

Prophetically, Eli illustrates the problem of spiritual aging, and specifically a ministry affected by spiritual aging. We are all familiar with the process of PHYSICAL aging – we grow old, we have less energy, our eyes grow weaker, we develop more health problems, and eventually we die. This is a normal part of human existence and has no spiritual significance (that is, there is nothing wrong with being physically old, from a spiritual standpoint, or with being physically young). Spiritual aging, in contrast, is part of the process of falling away, so the spiritual consequences are very serious. We learn about this process through the story of Eli the priest. A person who is physically young can be spiritually aged (falling away); and a person who is physically old can be spiritually youthful.

Loss of spiritual sight and discernment – Eli’s “eyes were becoming so weak he could barely see” (1 Samuel 3:2; see also 1 Samuel 4:14). He mistook the fervent intercession of a holy woman in the Tabernacle for mere drunken rambling (1 Samuel 1:13-15). Eli overlooked the gross sins of his grown sons. He did not recognize when the Lord was speaking to Samuel. The Bible mentions his dim eyesight together with there being “not many visions” in Israel in those days, when “the word of the Lord was rare” (1 Samuel 3:1). This is the first (and most serious) attribute of spiritual aging – loss of spiritual sight (revelations, visions). A person in this situation is in spiritual darkness, and must lean on his own understanding (see Proverbs 3:5-6; Micah 3:6).

Lack of Energy/Spiritual Inertia – At least twice we read about Eli sitting or lying down in one of his “usual spots” (1 Samuel 3:2; 1 Samuel 4:13). Those who are aging spiritually become resistant to change, slow to obey the Lord, slow to serve Him. They may get excited about God for a few minutes, but they lack spiritual endurance or strength to follow through. When Samuel first hears the Lord calling him, Eli twice tells him to lie down and go back to sleep. His heaviness (1 Samuel 4:18) represents the dominance of the flesh in those who are aging spiritually.

All talk, no action - People who are spiritually aging can say spiritual-sounding things and talk strongly about the Lord, but they do not back up their words with actions. Eli rebuked his sons for their horrific sins and wickedness verbally (1 Samuel 2:23-25), but he did nothing to restrain them or discipline them (1 Samuel 3:13). Twice God warned him of impending judgment through prophets, and he seemed unaffected by it.

Very old (1 Samuel 2:22) – These people live in their past, always talking about miracles or victories that happened years ago, or ways they served God in a previous phase in their lives. Yet God’s mercies are new every morning (Lamentations 3:23) and every day God has new blessings, victories, revelations, and tasks for us.

Lost connection with the head (1 Samuel 4:18) – Eli died from a broken neck, symbolizing a complete loss of connection with the head. Jesus is supposed to the Head of the Body (1 Corinthians 11:3; Ephesians 4:15; Ephesians 5:23), and the neck symbolizes our line of communication with him (revelation through the Holy Spirit). This must be intact for us to survive spiritually. Eli breaking his neck coincided with the capture of the Ark, which brought God’s revelation to the Israelites at that time.

When we perceive ourselves to be “aging spiritually,” we should respond by seeking the Lord earnestly for a deliverance, in prayer, fasting, studying the Word, and fellowship in the Body. God wants every believer to have a vibrant, powerful, effective faith.

.