BIG IDEA:
THE ABUSE OF THE PRIVILEGES OF SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP HAS FAR-REACHING CONSEQUENCES
INTRODUCTION:
Prophecy delivered to Eli by “a man of God” —
I. (:27-28) ABUSE MADE MORE TRAGIC AND INEXCUSABLE IN LIGHT OF THE LOFTY PRIVILEGES THAT HAD BEEN GRANTED
A. (:27a) Privilege of Revelation
“Did I not indeed reveal myself …”
B. (:27b) Privilege of Redemption
“when they were in Egypt in bondage to Pharaoh’s house”
B. (:28a) Privilege of Election
“And did I not choose them …”
C. (:28b) Privilege of Leadership Function
II. (:30-32) FAILURE HAS TRANSFORMED THE POTENTIAL FOR BLESSING INTO THE BITTERNESS OF DESTRUCTION
A. (:30) Key Principle: The Lord’s Promise of Blessing Hinges on the Human Responsibility of Faithfulness
B. (:31-32) Far-Reaching Consequences of Failure for the House of Eli
III. (:33-36) HUMAN FAILURE CANNOT COMPROMISE GOD’S OVERALL PROGRAM OF REMNANT RESTORATION AND PERMANENT BLESSING
A. (:33) Merciful Promise of Remnant Restoration
B. (:34) Sign to Validate the Certainty of the Prophecy
C. (:35-36) Glorious Promise of Permanent Blessing – “a faithful High Priest”