God’s words will always prove true even when given a ‘bad’ review by man. There is power in words, whether they declare truth or error. Reports, reactive comments (more reports), and concluding comments (more reports), all prove the power of words. Man’s words reflect his faith or doubt in what God has declared. When our words agree with God’s oracles, it reflects our faith in God (1 Peter 4:11). There is an effect that will lead to eternal life for those who hear us. When we speak ‘faith-less’ and/or ‘false words’ about God’s words, it will lead to eternal damnation for the hearer. It depends, of course, upon which words the hearer accepts.
For example, God had made it clear that He was giving them the land of Canaan as a possession. God ordered the land to be spied. One of the two reports spoken to the people was evil, yet it was accepted as truth. It led to death for those who believed it (Numbers 13:31-33; 14:36-37). This report was evil because it reflected their lack of faith in God to perform His oath to Abraham (Deuteronomy 9:5). Those who believed this evil report also lacked faith in God’s power to fulfill His promises.
However, there was another story that involved a bad report made by the people of Israel in the days of Eli. The story is found in 1 Samuel 2:22-35. The circumstances were much different, yet a lack of faith in God was still the issue. Eli was the high priest at this time. His sons, although priests, were ‘worthless’. Even though they were ‘religious’, they despised the offering of Jehovah (1 Samuel 2:17). The abuses in regard to the sacrifice, coupled with the abuses with the women who served at the tabernacle (1 Samuel 2:22) were brought to Eli. This report from the people was not good, but this time, it was the truth. However, their complaint to Eli was did not remedy the problem any more than Eli’s response did. The correct action that should have been taken is seen from the words of Jehovah to Eli: “I will judge his house for ever, for the iniquity which he knew, because his sons did bring a curse upon themselves, and he restrained them not.” (1 Samuel 3:13). Jehovah punished Eli’s house justly (see 1 Samuel 2:34; 4:11).
God had made an oath to which He would be faithful to carry out. This was the reason He dwelt in the midst of His people, Israel. His presence was a blessing for His people. He had already blessed them in many ways. He was an ever-present aid in their time of need (Deuteronomy 4:7; Isaiah 65:24). The Law given at Mt. Sinai was far superior to the lay of any other nation (Deuteronomy 4:8). Their very life depended upon this law (Deuteronomy 6:24-25). While this law was a blessing, it was not THE blessing God purposed for them when He made an oath to Abraham (Genesis 12:3b); no more than Eliezer was THE intended heir from his loins, though he had been born in Abraham’s house (Genesis 15:2-4). Even the blessings to Abraham about his seed becoming a great nation and their possession of Canaan were with a view to a greater, yet future blessing…Christ (Galatians 3:24). It was called a ‘latter end’ blessing by Moses (Deuteronomy 8:16b).
Israel, in failing to believe God, cast this law aside (Nehemiah 9:26). Yet, God was in their midst. Why? Because God is true to His word, fulfilling His oath to bless His people in their “latter end”. In the interim, His presence is sharper than a double-edged sword (Hebrews 4:12). Notice what Eli was told in 1 Samuel 2:32, “And thou shalt behold the affliction of My habitation, in all the wealth which God shall give Israel”. The truth in connection with the report concerning the sinful behavior of Eli’s sons was and is true anytime God’s people sin. They will see the affliction of His dwelling while God does good for His people.
God, through His righteous deeds in the presence of His people demonstrates His faithfulness to His own words. His discipline at the present is to bless His own in their “latter end”. That was His purpose from eternity (Ephesians 1:5). The Hebrew writer wrote of this ‘latter end’ blessing as follows, “…regard not lightly the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art reproved of him; For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth’…for they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed good to them; but he for our profit, that we may be partakers of his holiness. All chastening seemeth for the present to be not joyous but grievous; yet afterward it yieldeth peaceable fruit unto them that have been exercised thereby, even the fruit of righteousness.” (Hebrews 12:5-7, 10-11).
Remember, “the Lord chasteneth His
‘children’ (i.e., those whom He loveth)…for their profit…give Him reverence…be
trained by it.” You will thus, be a channel of blessing.
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