THE FIRE MUST NOT DIE! (5)

*WISDOM FOR TODAY.*

*THE FIRE MUST NOT DIE! (5)*

*Scripture Treasure.*

1 Sam 3: 1-4

*And the child Samuel ministered unto the Lord before Eli. And the word of the Lord was precious in those days; there was no open vision.*

*And it came to pass at that time, when Eli was laid down in his place, and his eyes began to wax dim, that he could not see;*

*And ere the lamp of God went out in the temple of the Lord, where the ark of God was, and Samuel was laid down to sleep;*

*That the Lord called Samuel: and he answered, Here am I.*

*Insight and Highlight.*

Deut 4:24:  *For the LORD thy God is a consuming fire, even a jealous God.*

*Scripture Commentaries.*

The "*.......ere the lamp of God ......."* that *".....went out in the temple of the Lord where the ark of God was....."* marked the turning point and a watershed in Israel but a waterloo in the life of Eli the Lead priest in Israel.

The illustration of the timing of the dawn of the day, condition of the lamp of God and the position of the ark tells us that though the dawn of the day was quickly going out for the sky to lighten up the day, the reign of Eli must equally go out before a new day begins.

The ere of the lamp of God went out just as Eli went out.

Samuel's calling was the beginning of a transition of leadership that began a new day that would give light to a new prophetic and leadership dispensation.

The dawn that *".....went out in the temple of the Lord where the Ark of God was.....* extinguished Eli's ministry and eventually his life.

1 Sam 3 starts with how the word of the Lord was still precious and most desired but *"..... there was no open vision.*

Eli's eyes *"......began to wax dim, that he could not see;* unlike the physical atmosphere that was transiting from darkness to dawn to light, Eli was dwindling, he was going out, Samuel's calling rekindled the hope of a not-yet extinguished hope of God's covenant faithfulness and the presence of His guidance during a time of spiritual darkness in Israel. 

Eli's dimness was a powerful illustration of not only his physical incapacity to see well but also the fading glory which God's quick intervention of His presence gave light before it could be extinguished because of the failure of the priesthood.

Eli did not really fail himself. It was his children that failed and he warned them, 1 Sam 2:12-17, 22-25 but he did not remove them. Eli should have removed them from priesthood!

However, his continued tolerance of the sinful children in the temple of God coupled with his irresponsible response (1 Sam 3:18) to God's disgust and distaste to how the priesthood was being run (1 Sam 3:11-14), burned any hope of mercy for Eli and his children. They were disqualified and banished forever as God's priests, 1 Sam 26:6-24, 22.

Samuel must be called in immediately so that Eli and his children would not extinguish the fire on the altar. They must not desecrate it as they had defiled the Lord's offering and the people, 1 Sam 2:27-36.

If Eli could not control his children, how would he be able to command them to keep the fire on the lamp burning day and night so that the fire would not go out?

They were of no use to themselves and God.

Eli's children were killed in his time and the Ark was taken by the Phillistines. He was told and in his shock *"......he fell from off the seat backward by the side of the gate, and his neck brake, and he died:...."* 1 Sam 4:10-22.

God is jealous over His covenant made by keeping the fire burning.

The continual burning of the fire was at risk with Eli but God quickly intervened by bringing in Samuel.

God would rather keep His fire burning by saving it rather than keep someone who will extinguish the fire that would keep His presence among His people.

God is jealous over His covenant!

Is the fire still burning in you?

*Remorse corner.*

If you can not keep the fire burning, you can not stand the heat, so stay out of the kitchen!

If you can not keep the fire burning, stay out of the Kingdom!

*Call to Word action.*

Forewarned is forearmed. Jesus had adequately warned us about His zero tolerance to disobedience.

Rev 3:16 *So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.*

*The Christian clarion duty.*

Jesus has made known to us the potential danger of why the fire must not go out and this allows us to be prepared to deal with it, thus avoiding harm, Lev 6:13, Prov 26:20a, Matt 12:43-45.

*Prayer.*

Lord, help me to keep Your fire burning in me, in Jesus name.

Good morning all and have a blessed day.

God bless you.

Shalom.