Who Are You Before the Lord? (1 Samuel 2:12–36)

Before the monarchy was established, Israel was surrounded by threats to its national prosperity, integrity, and identity. Foreign nations advanced, false gods enticed, and hostile alliances formed. Yet, as real as these external dangers were, the greatest threat came from within. The priesthood had become a law-ignoring, self-serving, and people-abusing institution—modelling and promoting religious apathy and disobedience instead of faith in God and service to God. With such covenant unfaithfulness in leadership, it’s no surprise that Israel was enduring such dark days. Those who oppose the Lord will find the Lord opposing them.And yet, as He always does, God offered His wayward people an undeserved silver lining of hope: a road to reconciliation, a path to forgiveness, a picture of faithfulness, and an invitation to acceptance.