The Perils of Comfort

1 Samuel 3:1-18

The old priest Eli is an interesting character. His quote in 3:18 is telling; “It is the Lord; let him do what seems good to him.” That is his response to the impending death of his sons and the impoverishment of his family? What brings a man to that point? We read later that he is old and fat. Now in those days, no one was fat. He had grown fat off the offerings of the people. As a priest and judge, he led his people and taught them the ways of the Lord, but somewhere along the way he grew comfortable. Comfortable in the good life afforded a priest, too comfortable to stop his sons from taking advantage of people and their position, too comfortable even to lament God’s judgement. Too comfortable to repent. He isn’t overtly doing evil like his sons; he’s just grown too comfortable to do good. He is passive before the Lord, blandly accepting judgment as if he has no choice in the matter. 

Contrast this attitude with the parable of the unjust judge and the widow who won’t stop demanding justice from him (Luke 18:1-8). Jesus tells us that we are called to take action, never to stop praying, never to grow comfortable with injustice. Of course, that requires getting uncomfortable. It’s much easier to chalk things up to “the will of God,” when you see injustice, close your eyes, stop your ears, and keep on in your comfort. So, where could you get a little more uncomfortable in pursuit of justice?