Priest Eli is known for his failure as a father who raised up rebellious, disgraceful and wicked sons. Priest Eli might still fear the Lord with his heart, there is no question about that.However, his incapability to discern between the true and false, right and wrong, is not quite exemplary. He was unable to discern between a drunkard and a sorrowful Hannah.
If Eli, as the priest, was ever to bless us and tell us the Words of God,
"My followers, you shall learn the ways of the Lord. You shall use the rod of discipline on the undisciplined. You shall beware the falsehood of doctrines. You shall not do this, do that... and you must do this do that..."
almost to a point to nag at us, to command us and admonish us...
I will probably slam my hand on the table, grudging.
"Are you even qualified to tell me what to be and what to do?"
"Wanna teach me to use the rod of discipline? Look at yourself in the mirror and see if you did that to your children."
"Beware the falsehood of doctrines? Then did you 'beware' the earnest prayer of Hannah?"
This is in fact a metaphorical, biblical example to reflect even on the modern life, on us.
We think others are not qualified to be 'bigger' than us because they ain't good exemplary themselves.
This happens in the society, in schools, and even in the church.
some may bear a grudge against a certain deacon, a certain preacher
or brother - whoever brags about God's words but is never a doer of his own words/is weaker than us -
up to an extent where we don't wanna come close to them.
We think that these people are not qualified to tell us what to do.
We may have our own perception of hate, and we may think it's okay this way,
but let's look at what Hannah might do:
Hannah was pouring her heart out to God in prayer, but the priest barged in
and scolded her for being a drunkard in the Temple.
When Eli knew his mistakes, he blessed her instead, with a blessing that we might surely reject.
But Hannah still humbly accepted her blessing, and her face was no longer downcast.
It doesn't matter to Hannah who delivers the encouraging words on behalf of God.
Regardless of status, background, weakness, capability...
all that matters is how God wants to deliver His words to us.
