The Grace and Holiness of god
The Grace and Holiness of God
1 Samuel 1-5
“Therefore, the Lord God of Isarel declares, “I did indeed say that your house and the house of your father should walk before Me forever’; but now the Lord declares, ‘Far be it from Me—for those who honor Me I will honor, and those who despise Me will be lightly esteemed.”
We cannot conform God to our understanding; instead, we must conform our understanding to God. The Book of Samuel opens with a story of God’s grace upon a heartbroken woman who sought Him and a story of God’s judgment upon a household that dishonored Him. The two-fold theme of God's nature and activity is one that is woven throughout the entire Bible. Indeed, to have a right perspective of God, we must maintain a perfect balance between the grace of God and His holiness. His grace gives us the hope of salvation, His holiness reminds us of His divine judgment upon those who refuse to submit to His word.
The book opens with the heartbreaking prayer of a barren wife. In that culture, to be childless was seen as a great dishonor and an indicator that one was rejected by God. It had both social and spiritual implications. Because Hannah was barren, she was the subject of ridicule even in her own household, as Peninnah, the second wife of Elkanah, would constantly berate her as a way of elevating herself. Consequently, she made a vow before God that if she were given a son, she would dedicate him as a Nazarite (see Numbers 6:1-21). This was not only an incredible act of worship and surrender it God, it was an astonishing act of love and sacrifice. For her to give up her son to serve in the temple would be a difficult promise. When God fulfilled his promise, Hannah not only surrendered Samuel to God but also sang a song of thanksgiving that exalted God for His grace and concern for those on the margins of society. God cares about people, especially those who are rejected by others. Her son, Samuel, would become one of the greatest and most influential prophets in the Old Testament.
In contrast to the faith, submission, and worship of Hannah were the sons of Eli. As the sons of the High Priest, they were involved in the sacrifices and temple activities. However, instead of seeing their position as a position of honor, they showed their contempt not only for the temple but for God Himself by turning the sacrifices of the people into an act to satisfy their own selfish and sinful desires. Instead of following the law that required all the animals to be burned on the altar, they would take the best of the animals for their own use. But the ultimate act of dishonor was incorporating temple prostitution into the worship of God. While God is a God of infinite grace, He is also a God of infinite holiness. He is a God who responds with mercy, grace, and forgiveness to those who seek Him, but responds with justice, wrath, and punishment upon those who reject Him. As a result, the household of Eli would be judged by God and removed from the priestly line. This would be fulfilled when Abiathar, the great-great-grandson of Eli, would be removed from office by King Solomon, thus ending Eli’s family’s involvement in the priesthood.
We must always keep the grace and justice of God in perfect balance, for it is only when we realize His holiness, justice, and judgment of sin that we can begin to understand the depth and necessity of His grace. The story of Hannah and Eli serves to highlight this truth. Hannah sought the grace of God and experienced His blessing. Eli showed contempt for God by allowing His sinful sons to continue their sin in the temple and as a result experienced God’s judgment. We must then ask ourselves, which of the two characterizes our life?
1 Samuel 1-5
“Therefore, the Lord God of Isarel declares, “I did indeed say that your house and the house of your father should walk before Me forever’; but now the Lord declares, ‘Far be it from Me—for those who honor Me I will honor, and those who despise Me will be lightly esteemed.”
We cannot conform God to our understanding; instead, we must conform our understanding to God. The Book of Samuel opens with a story of God’s grace upon a heartbroken woman who sought Him and a story of God’s judgment upon a household that dishonored Him. The two-fold theme of God's nature and activity is one that is woven throughout the entire Bible. Indeed, to have a right perspective of God, we must maintain a perfect balance between the grace of God and His holiness. His grace gives us the hope of salvation, His holiness reminds us of His divine judgment upon those who refuse to submit to His word.
The book opens with the heartbreaking prayer of a barren wife. In that culture, to be childless was seen as a great dishonor and an indicator that one was rejected by God. It had both social and spiritual implications. Because Hannah was barren, she was the subject of ridicule even in her own household, as Peninnah, the second wife of Elkanah, would constantly berate her as a way of elevating herself. Consequently, she made a vow before God that if she were given a son, she would dedicate him as a Nazarite (see Numbers 6:1-21). This was not only an incredible act of worship and surrender it God, it was an astonishing act of love and sacrifice. For her to give up her son to serve in the temple would be a difficult promise. When God fulfilled his promise, Hannah not only surrendered Samuel to God but also sang a song of thanksgiving that exalted God for His grace and concern for those on the margins of society. God cares about people, especially those who are rejected by others. Her son, Samuel, would become one of the greatest and most influential prophets in the Old Testament.
In contrast to the faith, submission, and worship of Hannah were the sons of Eli. As the sons of the High Priest, they were involved in the sacrifices and temple activities. However, instead of seeing their position as a position of honor, they showed their contempt not only for the temple but for God Himself by turning the sacrifices of the people into an act to satisfy their own selfish and sinful desires. Instead of following the law that required all the animals to be burned on the altar, they would take the best of the animals for their own use. But the ultimate act of dishonor was incorporating temple prostitution into the worship of God. While God is a God of infinite grace, He is also a God of infinite holiness. He is a God who responds with mercy, grace, and forgiveness to those who seek Him, but responds with justice, wrath, and punishment upon those who reject Him. As a result, the household of Eli would be judged by God and removed from the priestly line. This would be fulfilled when Abiathar, the great-great-grandson of Eli, would be removed from office by King Solomon, thus ending Eli’s family’s involvement in the priesthood.
We must always keep the grace and justice of God in perfect balance, for it is only when we realize His holiness, justice, and judgment of sin that we can begin to understand the depth and necessity of His grace. The story of Hannah and Eli serves to highlight this truth. Hannah sought the grace of God and experienced His blessing. Eli showed contempt for God by allowing His sinful sons to continue their sin in the temple and as a result experienced God’s judgment. We must then ask ourselves, which of the two characterizes our life?
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