“And therefore I have sworn unto the house of Eli, that the iniquity of Eli’s house shall not be purged with sacrifice nor offering for ever.” — 1st Samuel 3:14
“For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins…” — Hebrews 10:26
Here we see the goodness and severity of God[1] as a warning never to presume upon God’s grace, but rather work out our salvation with fear and trembling.[2] The man of God in 1st Samuel chapter 2 reminded Eli that just because the Lord has ordained a priesthood out of Aaron’s line does not mean that Eli himself or his sons in particular are entitled to that office. God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham[3] if need be. For kicking at his sacrifice[4] the Lord laid the axe to the root of Eli’s tree and raised up Samuel as judge and Ahimelech as priest. God’s omniscience and omnipotence allow Him to keep both his covenant with Aaron and fulfill his promise to Moses to visit the iniquities of the fathers unto the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me.[5]
“Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.” — Romans 11:22
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