ELI: Reliving the last 40 years

    This morning I read about the "tragic" death of three Israeli priests.  Two were "gunned downed" while marching in support as their nation battled an opposing army.  The third, too old to march, suddenly collapsed and died at the news of Israel's defeat.
    You won't read about this in USA Today, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, nor in other daily publication nor, possibly, on any other blog.  NBC, CBS, ABC nor FOX NEWS will open with this as their "Breaking News" story.  These events took place in the Middle East (which in itself is no surprise) and took place many centuries ago.
    So, why the fuse, you may ask.
    Well, the story is worth pondering.
    It unfolds in Scripture, in the First Book of Samuel, chapter 4 (and I paraphrase):
          Israel went out to battle against the Philistines, but were defeated losing about four thousand men.  Afterwards, the elders of Israel asked themselves, "Why has the Lord defeated us today before the Philistines?" 
          Then someone came to the conclusion that they weren't using all their 'assets'.
          "Let us bring the ark of the covenant of the Lord... that when it comes among us it may save us from the hand of our enemies."
          So the people sent to Shiloh, that they might bring from there the ark of the covenant of the Lord of hosts... And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were there with the ark of the covenant of God.
          Yet, the Philistines fought and defeated Israel... killing thirty thousand Israelis soldiers.  Also the ark of God was captured; and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, died.
          A survivor ran from the battle and came into the city spreading the terrible news.  When Eli heard the noise of the outcry, he said, "What's the meaning of this noise?"  
          The man came quickly and told Eli, who was ninety-eight years old, that, "Israel has fled before the Philistines, there was a great slaughter... Also your two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, are dead; and the ark of God has been captured."
          When the news that the ark of God had been captured, Eli fell backwards off his seat breaking his neck and dying.  Ending his 40 years of judging Israel.
    If you are familar with the first 4 chapters of First Samuel, you know Israel's High Priest at this time is a man called Eli.  He has two sons, Hophni and Phinehas who serve as priest before God's people, but are wicked and godless.  The Bible, speaking of them in past tense, states that they were 'corrupt... they did not know the Lord' (1 Samuel 2:12).  In fact, time and again the Holy Spirit conveys to the reader through His author that these are wicked men, such as treating the Lord's offering with contempt (2:17), sleeping with various women (2:22), and ignoring the verbal warnings of their father (2:25). 
    And, just so you know, their father, Eli was not innocent in the matter.  The Lord sent 'a man of God' to Eli with this message:
           "Thus says the Lord, 'Why... do you scorn my sacrifices and my offerings that I commanded for my dwelling, and honor your sons above me... Behold, the days are coming when I will cut off your strength and the strength of your father's house, so that there will not be an old man in your house... And this that shall come upon your two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, shall be the sign to you: both of them shall die on the same day...'" (2:29, 31, 34).
    With all that said, let me close with a couple of thoughts.
    First of all, at his death, Eli was 98 years old (1 Samuel 4:15) and had judged Israel for 40 years (4:18).  That means that Eli starting judging Israel at 58 years of age.  That's a time when many today would be thinking of retirement and enjoying the latter days of their life.  Sounds like Eli was just getting started at 58.
    And, second, what if Eli could re-live those last 40 years as Israel's judge?  Those last 40 years as Hophni and Phinehas' father?  Knowing what he knew at the close of his life, would he be a great lover of God and His righteousness?  Would he have a godly impact on his sons, leading them towards holy living?  Would he have a greater zeal for God's name among the people of God, punishing iniquity and wickedness, even among his sons?  I have to believe the answer to all these questions would be a defininte "yes!" 
    One more question: How are you living the last "40 years" of your life?

The Question

    Recently in my devotional readings, I came across this passage and could hear a question not stated:
         ^{EXODUS 13:17} When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them by way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near.  For God said, "Lest the people change their minds when they see war and return to Egypt."  ¹⁸ But God led the people around by the way of the wilderness toward the Red Sea.  And the people of Israel went up out of the land of Egypt equipped for battle.
    We see that Pharaoh allowed the children of Israel go free from bondage.  But it was God Who led them out.  We see two powers: one limited, the Other unlimited.
    Yet, we read:  
         For God said, "Lest the people change their minds when they see war and return to Egypt."... And the people of Israel went up out of the land of Egypt equipped for battle (vv17b, 18b).
    This was not an issue of physical preparedness, but of mind and heart (spiritual preparedness).  You could say, "But they had the Lord God leading them.  He's is All-powerful"  Yes, He is.  But God wanted them (as He wants us) to trust Him, to believe in Him.  Many times (as in the beginning of chapter 14), God will place His children in a situation where all we have is Him!  And then comes the question of all questions, "Will you trust God?"
    In this passage, it's not so much about the children of Israel reaching the Promise Land as it is learning to trust in their precious Lord.  It's not their final destination of reaching the Land of Promise, but their present condition of trusting the Lord God.