I. The principle of Divine rejection is always the same.
1. There is nothing arbitrary in God’s dealings with men.
(1) They seem so to us--
(2) Only because we are ignorant of many of the facts with which He is acquainted.
(3) If we know the whole, we should see how entirely all His doings are referable to His eternal love and wisdom.
(4) We must never therefore justify God’s dealings by mere appeals to His power, to His right to do as He pleases, as though His pleasure could ever be at variance with the dictates of infinite love and perfect wisdom.
2. The real cause of rejection is always found in the enmity against God in the natural man. And this enmity shows itself in self-will. “Them that honour Me I will honour, and they that despite Me shall be lightly esteemed “(1Sa_2:30).
(1) So it was in Saul: “Hath the Lord as much pleasure in burnt offerings and in sacrifices as in obeying the voice of the Lord?”
(2) So in the sons of Eli. They did not love God’s will or way.
(3) The most awful example in Judas.
II. God will not have His work neglected on account of our unfaithfulness. “I will raise up a faithful priest” (1Sa_2:35). In the Old Testament, Samuel came into the place of Eli’s family. In the New Testament, Matthias came into the place of Judas. Note here, in conclusion, two separate lessons.
1. To those who refuse God’s work. They will be rejected, but the work will not be left undone.
2. To those who offer themselves to that work in sincerity and devotion. What is their course?
(1) Fidelity: “a faithful priest.”
(2) Sympathy with the purposes of God: “Do according to that which is in mine heart.”
(3) The protection and blessing of God: “I will build him a sure house.”
(4) Endurance: “He shall walk before mine anointed forever.” (W. R. Clark, M. A.)
He shall walk before Mine anointed forever.--
Holiness becometh God’s Minister
“As precious liquors are best kept in clean vessels, so is the mystery of faith in a pure conscience.” Who, indeed, would knowingly pour a choice wine into a tainted cask? It would be no instance of his wisdom if he did so. When we hear of men living in sin and yet claiming to be the ministers of God, we are disgusted with their pretences, but we are not deceived by their professions. In the same manner, we care little for those who are orthodox Christians in creed if it is clear that they are heterodox in life. He who believes the truth should himself be true. How can we expect others to receive our religion if it leaves us foul, false, malicious, and selfish? We sicken at the sight of a dirty dish, and refuse even good meat when it is placed thereon. So pure and holy is the doctrine of the cross that he who hears it aright will have his ear cleansed, he who believes it will have his heart purged, and he who preaches it should have his tongue purified. (C. H. Spurgeon.)
