An Increasingly Beautiful Life 1
Bible passage: 1 Samuel 2:22-26
“Now Eli, who was very old, heard about everything his sons were doing to all Israel and how they slept with the women who served at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting. 23. So he said to them, "Why do you do such things? I hear from all the people about these wicked deeds of yours. 24. No, my sons; it is not a good report that I hear spreading among the LORD's people. 25. If a man sins against another man, God may mediate for him; but if a man sins against the LORD, who will intercede for him?" His sons, however, did not listen to their father's rebuke, for it was the LORD's will to put them to death. 26. And the boy Samuel continued to grow in stature and in favor with the LORD and with men. "
Today’s scripture introduces two types of people who lived in the same era and served in the same temple.
They were all young people. One was Samuel, the son of Hannah, and the others were the two sons of Eli the priest, 'Hophni' and 'Phinehas.' Although the Bible does not provide their exact ages, Samuel was likely a teenager. Today's scripture refers to him as a 'boy.'
On the other hand, Eli's two sons, given that they committed sinful acts even before marriage, were likely older, falling into the category of young adults rather than boys. In verse 22, Eli rebukes his sons, but they do not listen to him. After verse 25, however, Samuel is described in this way: 1 Samuel 2:26 says, “And the boy Samuel continued to grow in stature and in favor with the LORD and with people.” This passage is precious because the word ‘favor’ here in Hebrew is 'tov.' In English, it means good or beautiful.
The first person to use this word in the Bible was God Himself. In Genesis Chapter 1, as God created the heavens and the earth, He looked at the world He had made each day and said, "God saw that it was good." The word 'good' here is 'tov' in Hebrew - God’s expression of admiration. Amazingly, the boy Samuel was 'tov' in the sight of God.
Maisha Yanayozidi Kuwa Mazuri 1
Andiko la Biblia: 1 Samweli 2:22–26
“Eli alikuwa mzee sana, akasikia mambo yote ambayo wanawe walikuwa wakiwatendea Israeli, na jinsi walivyolala na wanawake waliotumika mlangoni pa hema la kukutania. 23. Akawaambia, Mbona mnatenda mambo kama hayo? Nasikia habari zenu mbaya kwa watu wote. 24. Sivyo, wanangu; habari ninazosikia si njema. 25. Mtu akimkosea mtu, Mungu atamhukumu; lakini mtu akimkosea BWANA, ni nani atakayemwombea? Lakini hawakuisikiliza sauti ya baba yao. 26. Naye mtoto Samweli akazidi kukua, akapendeza kwa BWANA na kwa watu.”
Andiko la leo linatutambulisha kwa aina mbili za vijana walioishi katika kipindi kimoja na kutumika katika hekalu moja.
Wote walikuwa vijana. Mmoja alikuwa Samweli, mwana wa Hana; wengine walikuwa wana wawili wa Eli kuhani, Hofni na Finehasi. Biblia haisemi umri wao kamili, lakini huenda Samweli alikuwa kijana mdogo, kwa kuwa andiko linamwita mtoto.
Kwa upande mwingine, wana wa Eli walikuwa huenda wamekomaa zaidi, kwa kuwa walitenda dhambi hata kabla ya kuoa. Eli aliwakemea lakini hawakumsikiliza. Kisha Biblia inamweleza Samweli: “Naye mtoto Samweli akazidi kukua, akapendeza kwa BWANA na kwa watu.” Neno “kupendeza” hapa lina thamani ya pekee; neno la Kiebrania ni *tov*, likimaanisha wema au uzuri.
Mungu mwenyewe ndiye wa kwanza kutumia neno hili katika Biblia. Katika Mwanzo 1, baada ya kuumba mbingu na nchi, Mungu alitazama alichokifanya kila siku na kusema kilikuwa chema. Kwa kushangaza, mtoto Samweli alikuwa *tov* machoni pa Mungu: maisha yake yalikuwa mazuri na yenye kumpendeza Mungu.
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