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It is written:
1 Samuel 2:12, 17, 22, 23, 25-Now the sons of Eli were corrupt; they did not know the LORD. …Therefore the sin of the young men was very great before the LORD, for men abhorred the offering of the LORD.…Now Eli was very old; and he heard everything his sons did to all Israel, and how they lay with the women who assembled at the door of the tabernacle of meeting. 23 So he said to them, “Why do you do such things? For I hear of your evil dealings from all the people. If one man sins against another, God will judge him. But if a man sins against the LORD, who will intercede for him?” Nevertheless they did not heed the voice of their father, because the LORD desired to kill them.
Hophni and Phinehas were sons of Eli, they were all priests. Hophni and Phineas were, sadly, very corrupt. Their despising of God and their abuse of their fellow man was also well known among the people. They were guilty of public unrepentant sin, and so we find what I believe may be some of the most terrifying words of the Bible:
“…the LORD desired to kill them.”
Those words are pregnant with meaning, and stand as a warning to any all who would live in public unrepentant sin.
However, I want to call you attention to something else from this passage of Scripture. God was not only angry with Hophni and Phinehas, but He was angry with their father, Eli.
1 Samuel 3:13-For I have told him that I will judge his house forever for the iniquity which he knows, because his sons made themselves vile, and he did not restrain them.
Please notice: God was angry with Eli. He was not angry because He blamed Eli for the sins of his children. No, parents are not responsible for the guilt of their children’s sins (cf. Ezekiel 18:20). Rather, God was angry because Eli knew the terrible crimes that his children were coming, and he DID NOT RESTRAIN THEM.
Look at how this verse is rendered in other translations of the Bible.
1 Samuel 3:13 (CEV)-He knew that his sons refused to respect me, and he let them get away with it, even though I said I would punish his family forever.
1 Samuel 3:13 (GW)-I told him that I would hand down a permanent judgment against his household because he knew about his sons’ sin—that they were cursing God —but he didn’t try to stop them.
These translations are all bringing out the same message: Eli was held responsible because he knew of the wickedness his sons were committing, and he did not act to stop them. He had spoken with them and tried to get them to repent (1 Samuel 2:22-25). Sadly, they refused to repent (as they had even before this point). Instead, they increased in their wickedness.
Eli should have done more, but he didn’t!
Christian, please hear me: when we know that evil is being committed, and we refuse to speak up and do what we can to stop it, then God will hold us accountable for that. This is a message that God has spoken from the beginning of His Word to the end of His Word. We must be willing to speak out against wickedness. The church is to be the light of the world and the salt of the Earth (Matthew 5:13-14). Light drives away darkness. Salt is both a purifying and a preserving agent.
The church shines the light of Christ in the world to the nations of men. We bring the purifying power of the Gospel, which also has the power to preserve the good in this world. We have been called by Christ to stand up and be counted. This means being willing to speak against evil and promoting goodness.
Moreover, when we refuse to speak against evil, we are not only bringing invitation for God’s judgment upon us, but we are also removing opportunity for the wicked to be saved. When we refuse to speak against evil, then we are also discouraging the hearts of God’s people in the process!
The Prophet Ezekiel condemned several prophetesses in Israel because they were refusing to speak God’s Word to those who were continuing in evil. They spoke lies to embolden them. Like Eli, they were failing to do what they could to restrain evil!
God tells them:
Ezekiel 13:22-Because with lies you have made the heart of the righteous sad, whom I have not made sad; and you have strengthened the hands of the wicked, so that he does not turn from his wicked way to save his life.
My friends, the kingdom of Christ is not of this world (John 18:36), and we do not become bogged down with political situations. However, when political issues interact with moral and ethical issues, then as God’s people, we are called on to speak out against evil, even when it involves the highest offices of the land.
I am thinking in particular of the terrible injustices being perpetrated by the leaders of our country against the people in Ukraine. We are all likely aware of the meeting between President Trump and President Zelenskyy, and of the consequences of that meeting. Our country has stopped supporting the nation of Ukraine who are being continuing to be ruthlessly slaughtered by Mr. Putin, the dictator of Russia. Yet these people from Ukraine continue to boldly and courageously fight against tyranny.
As if the withdraw of American aid was not bad enough, our President is now threatening to revoke the citizenship of over 240, 000 Ukrainians who have fled to our country as refugees from the war that is decimating their homeland.
Sadly, many Christians are so focused on defending President Trump and their political platform that they are turning a blind eye to the wickedness being perpetrated by him and his campaign. Please do not misunderstand: I have many family and friends who support President Trump. I understand their decision to vote for him, just as I understand those who chose to vote for the Democrat ticket. Each followed their conscience to the best of their abilities in the decisions that they made in whom they voted for.
Yet what is happening now is beyond the realm of conscience, my friends. There are moral issues that must be addressed.
Let me be clear:
President Trump pardoning fifteen hundred terrorists who had been legally convicted of insurrection and of hundreds of attacks upon police officers was wrong!
President Trump implementing policies that takes children and persecuted Christians and locking them in cages is wrong!
President Trump threatening to remove an entire population of people from their homeland in order to build a hotel resort is wrong!
President Trump strengthening and encouraging a dictator and helping him in the slaughter of innocent human beings is wrong!
President Trump declaring that he is as loved as the Second Coming of God and should be welcomed as the rightful King of Israel is wrong!
President Trump claiming that he is God’s planned Caretaker of His planned paradise, and declaring that God appointed him to be the shepherd of all mankind who will never leave or forsake them, is wrong!
Will we speak speak against evil?
Or, will we be like Eli?
Some have said that if we as Christians are so passionate about helping the people of Ukraine, we should just take up arms and go to the front lines to fight the Russians.
Of course, they perhaps do not realize the overt hypocrisy of such statements. After all, they are often defending their political points of view-sometimes very passionately-and refuse to take up arms themselves. Yet many of these same individuals then brazenly tell Christians who support Ukraine to do so!.
What would happen if we turn their “logic” around?
Would you defend statements like the following?
“If You Don’t Get A Ph.D. And Open A Clinic, You Shouldn’t Advocate For Mental Health!”
“If You Don’t Go To School And Become A Firefighter Putting Out Fires, Then You Have No Business Criticizing A Firefighter!”
“If You Aren’t Willing To Preach The Word Of God In A Worship Service, Then You Have No Right Calling Out False Doctrine!”
“Unless You Go To Police Academy, You Can’t Advocate Against Police Brutality!”
“If You Don’t Become A Politician, You Have No Right Speaking About Political Issues!”
Come on folks.
Let’s stop hiding behind excuses to avoid moral accountability and responsibility.
Want to be a firefighter?
Want to be a police officer?
Want to be a preacher?
Want to be a politician?
Want to be a psychiatrist?
Want to be a soldier?
Then I will stand with you and support you gratefully while you discharge your duties honorably.
But don’t criticize Christians who speak against evil and who defend victims, especially when you don’t live up to the same standards that you are trying to force on those that you don’t agree with.
If you are a Christian, please stand up and speak out against evil. Put aside the idol of politics if it has become such for you.
With all this being said: America does not have “boots on the ground” in Ukraine. Our country’s support has been primarily financial.
Are we going to be like Eli, seeing the publicly committed evil in front of our noses and failing to do what we can to stop it?
Or, will we take a stand?
Here are some things that we can do.
First, let’s acknowledge that real evil is being perpetrated and committed by many of the highest leaders in our country. Let’s stop justifying evil and start standing against it.
Second, let’s pray for our leaders and for the leaders of the nations around the world. It would be a great thing if President Trump became a Christian, as well as other leaders (1 Timothy 2:1-6).
Third, like the Apostle Paul did, let’s take advantage of our rights as American citizens to promote nonviolent reform.
Acts 22:25-30-And as they bound him with thongs, Paul said to the centurion who stood by, “Is it lawful for you to scourge a man who is a Roman, and uncondemned?” 26 When the centurion heard that, he went and told the commander, saying, “Take care what you do, for this man is a Roman.” 27 Then the commander came and said to him, “Tell me, are you a Roman?” He said, “Yes.” 28 The commander answered, “With a large sum I obtained this citizenship.” And Paul said, “But I was born a citizen.” 29 Then immediately those who were about to examine him withdrew from him; and the commander was also afraid after he found out that he was a Roman, and because he had bound him. 30 The next day, because he wanted to know for certain why he was accused by the Jews, he released him from his bonds, and commanded the chief priests and all their council to appear, and brought Paul down and set him before them.
Acts 25:11-For if I am an offender, or have committed anything deserving of death, I do not object to dying; but if there is nothing in these things of which these men accuse me, no one can deliver me to them. I appeal to Caesar.”
Last week, I wrote the following email to Governor Andy Beshear in Kentucky.
“Letter To Governor Andy Beshear Regarding President Donald Trump’s Consideration Of Deporting 240, 000 Ukrainian Refugees (March 6 2025)
Governor Beshear,
Thank you for taking the time to consider my message.
I am a Christian and Gospel preacher residing in Corbin, Kentucky. I have been very concerned by reports that President Trump is preparing to revoke the legal citizenship of and deport over 240, 000 Ukrainian citizens who have come to the United States for shelter in the last few years as refugees from the Russian invasion of their homeland (https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trump-plans-revoke-legal-status-ukrainians-who-fled-us-sources-say-2025-03-06/?fbclid=IwY2xjawI2qHtleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHZaVImqapp8_CuONBXTv94TMQvtBM5dvWiZaeqI0YdNeRAgzSvr9eT21mA_aem_ewi26ER_333h8E_Cn7iX8A). These men, women, and children are here legally, in compliance with our laws. They obtained their citizenship in full harmony with our country’s immigration policies, and now are in danger of being sent back to their country from which they fled.
It is morally wrong and reprehensible to deport them.
Please do whatever you can to stop this travesty of justice from an administration that seems determined on dismantling our society and empowering the dictator, Vladimir Putin. Our President has endorsed publicly the same basic defense that the Nazis used at their trials in Nuremberg. He declared on his Truth Social platform, “He who saves his Country does not violate any law.” (2/15/25). When the Nazis used a similar argument while defending the atrocities they bore responsibility for during the Holocaust, they were told: “These men should be tried on this basis, on a higher law, a higher law which rises above the provincial and the transient.” (Robert Jackson, quoted in Thomas B. Warren, The Warren-Flew Debate On The Existence Of God, 256 (Kindle Edition): Glasgow, KY: National Christian Press). The same law-the moral law which God has placed in the hearts of all mankind (Romans 2:14-15)-testifies that this mistreatment of the survivors from Ukraine is wrong. The Bible principle of “you shall love your neighbor as yourself” is one of the foundation stones of our great nation, and should not be revoked for political gain and advantage. People’s lives are at stake, and we need to stand up for them.
We continue to pray for President Trump, President Zelenskyy, and all of our leaders-as well as the victims of this tragic war, and even our enemies.
Thank you for taking the time to consider this message, and for utilizing whatever tools are available at your disposal to help these survivors.
In the famous words of Alexis de Tocqueville, the great French ambassador to the United States:
“I sought for the greatness of the United States in her commodious harbors, her ample rivers, her fertile fields, and boundless forests-and it was not there. I sought for it in her rich mines, her vast world commerce, her public school system, and in her institutions of higher learning-and it was not there. I looked for it in her democratic Congress and her matchless Constitution-and it was not there. Not until I went into the churches of America and heard her pulpits flame with righteousness did I understand the secret of her genius and power. America is great because America is good, and if America ever ceases to be good, America will cease to be great.” (Alexis de Tocqueville, quoted in Michael D. Evans, The American Prophecies: Ancient Scriptures Reveal Our Nation’s Future, 251; New York, NY; Warner Faith)!
May America always strive to be good. Only then will she truly be great.
In Christian Kindness,
Mark Tabata (Minister)
I have no idea if Governor Beshear will see my letter or not.
But I am going to try and do my best to encourage repentance and reform.
My friends, will you join me in contacting your representatives? Christians are not of this world, but we are in the world. We speak the Word of God to try and encourage people to turn to the Lord. We speak against evil and promote good, as God’s messengers in this world of man.
Finally, please join me in doing whatever you can to help those locally in need. There is a work for every Christian to do (Mark 13:34), and God has a purpose and a work for every one of His children (Psalm 138:8).
If you aren’t a Christian, please become one today (Acts 2:38). If you aren’t a faithful Christian, then come back to the Lord (1 John 1:9).
I close with these Scriptures. May they speak to each of us.
Deuteronomy 10:18-He defends widows and orphans. He loves even the strangers living among us. He gives them food and clothes.
Isaiah 1:17 (ERV)-Learn to do good. Treat people fairly. Punish those who hurt others. Speak up for the widows and orphans. Argue their cases for them in court.”
Psalm 10:14-But, Lord, you do see the pain and suffering they cause. You see it, so punish them. Those who were left helpless put their trust in you. After all, you are the one who cares for orphans.
Psalm 10:18-Protect the orphans and those who have been hurt. Don’t let powerful people drive us from our land!
Psalm 72:4-May the king be fair to the poor. May he help the helpless and punish those who hurt them.
Psalm 82:3-4-Defend the poor and orphans. Protect the rights of the poor. 4 Help those who are poor and helpless. Save them from those who are evil.
Psalm 146:9-The LORD protects strangers in our country. He cares for widows and orphans, but he destroys the wicked.
Proverbs 31:9-Stand up for what you know is right, and judge all people fairly. Protect the rights of the poor and those who need help.
Jeremiah 22:3-This is what the LORD says: Do what is right and fair. Protect those who have been robbed from the ones who robbed them. Don’t hurt or do anything wrong to orphans or widows. Don’t kill innocent people.
Zechariah 7:9-10-This is what the LORD All-Powerful said: ‘You must do what is right and fair. You must be kind and show mercy to each other. 10 Don’t hurt widows and orphans, strangers, or poor people. Don’t even think of doing bad things to each other!'”
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, be with you all. Amen.