03/03/14

These two, who work for the Lord shall die

1 Samuel 2:34 - And this shall be a sign unto thee, that shall come upon thy two sons, on Hophni and Phinehas; in one day they shall die both of them.


Today's scripture talks of the anger of the Lord on Elli's sons Hophni and Phinehas, the Lord cursed them to die young.

In today's message I would not be talking of what the sons of Elli did or did not do, but the Lord wants to tell us today there are many Hophni and Phinehas today working in the name of the Lord and these will not see life to its fullness.

These names which Elli gave to his children had a meaning and it is uprising how the names were given which coincided with their destiny.

The name Hophni comes from the Hebrew word 'Chophniy' and means 'handful'. In today's message it speaks of a person who is materialistic and self-serving while claiming to do the Lord's work. These are people who work not so much for God's purpose but for their share from the offering that comes to the Lord. What they take is not wrong, for the Lord Himself had commanded that the priest take a handful of the offering that people offered to the Lord. So what he takes is rightfully his but what angers the Lord is their focus is not on the work of the Lord but more to the handful what they are to receive.

The second name Phinehas comes from the Hebrew word 'Piynchac' which means 'mouth of brass'. The Hebrew word translated as 'brass' comes from the root word 'nachuwsh' which means ringing or metal used for the bell. This metal was an important metal used for many objects in the Sanctuary. In the book of Revelation we read Jesus Christ on Judgment Day is depicted as having feet of brass. The name of the metal comes from the root meaning 'divine' or 'enchanter' symbolizing in today's message as a person who works to perform miracles or sign and wonders.

We need to always remember Jesus came to heal the hearts or inner-man and make them back to what man was before he sinned. Healing of the body or miracles are done so as to encourage a person to come to the Lord, and are a natural consequence when the glory of the Lord in manifested. But when a person hardens his heart and only seeks the Lord for the sake of the healing or miracle then it angers the Lord more.

In today's message the second lot talks of people who focus on stage shows. Their main purpose is not to change people's hearts but to do miracle and healings. They may do it for their own glorification, or glory of their ministry, or may do it just to convert people and bring them to a religion called 'Christianity', but all these reasons fail the purpose of God. Jesus did not start a religion called Christianity, nor was His aim to make it the largest religion in the world; He in fact hated religions and traditions of man. He came to save His sheep and bring them back unto the Father.

In today's message the Lord is angry with both lots of people who do not work for the purpose / mission of the Lord Jesus Christ but yet dedicatedly do 'Lord's work'. Both these lot of people will see their strength diminish and as the Lord says will die young (physically and spiritually).


[ Prayer Starter ]
Lord, there are many who claim to do your work and are very well known in today's world but very, very few are there who work for your mission. Lord, we pray the hearts of these people change and they focus on your mission more than do your work, so that they do not lose strength and die young...

This prayer we make in Jesus' Name, Amen.


[ Reference ]
1 Samuel 2:28-31
28 And did I choose him out of all the tribes of Israel to be my priest, to offer upon mine altar, to burn incense, to wear an ephod before me? and did I give unto the house of thy father all the offerings made by fire of the children of Israel?
29 Wherefore kick ye at my sacrifice and at mine offering, which I have commanded in my habitation; and honourest thy sons above me, to make yourselves fat with the chiefest of all the offerings of Israel my people?
30 Wherefore the LORD God of Israel saith, I said indeed that thy house, and the house of thy father, should walk before me for ever: but now the LORD saith, Be it far from me; for them that honour me I will honour, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed.
31 Behold, the days come, that I will cut off thine arm, and the arm of thy father's house, that there shall not be an old man in thine house.

Revelation 2:18 - And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass;

Matthew 7:21-23
21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.



The Word of God was given free to us, therefore we should also share it freely with others.
(All rights are with God)