forever, really?

[Full Quiver]

The other night we had our monthly Men's meeting and studied from Samuel. In the lesson we came across this passage which lead to much after thought. I have dwelt upon it myself quite a bit and Shane Queener approached me last night at another event about it as well.

1 Samuel 3:10-14 And the LORD came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth.
And the LORD said to Samuel, Behold, I will do a thing in Israel, at which both the ears of every one that heareth it shall tingle.
In that day I will perform against Eli all [things] which I have spoken concerning his house: when I begin, I will also make an end.
For I have told him that I will judge his house for ever for the iniquity which he knoweth; because his sons made themselves vile, and he restrained them not.
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.


Does this mean that Eli's family, if any still exist, can never be saved by the sacrifice of Christ?

[JohnDB]

Eli had the ability and duty to stop his sons from behaving in the fashion that they were...on more than one grounds.

But he didn't...and his sons knew that he wouldn't do anything so in essense he must have approved of their behavior.

That is teaching people that right is wrong and wrong is right. Unacceptable in God's book.

It is on the same level as "Killing Babies for Jesus" or calling evil, good and or Good, evil...otherwise known as blasphemy of the Holy Spirit.

IT is the same as saying that wich is good (like the gospel message) has no value and is worthless.

[stevenson]

No! Look up the actual meaning of the word forever. If I remeber right it means something like as long as the mind can remember or something. But it doesn't mean a literal forvever.

[Full Quiver]

I'll do that John. Just thinking out loud though wouldn't that still be forever to those that are future generations of Eli and are rehearsing that curse to themselves? For example if 15 generations later those words are read to one of Eli's descendants then wouldn't it apply to them "forever"?

[JohnDB]

Not exactly for 15 generations...

Those that are currently alive in Eli's house are not going to be forgiven.

That can be four generations or better...maybe five. But not six to eight.

Sons built onto their father's house for their own house. Your uncle lived on the other side of grandpa...

In other words what God was saying was that everyone involved with the practices these two were doing were going to be held responsible. They definately knew better...they all were responsible for stopping this. This was besmirching the Lord's Name with wickedness...kinda one of those things...Misusing the Lord's name.

[pastorjason]

Not delving deep into this it seems like an absurd argument to me but I am not trying to judge the participants here. Sometimes the fun is in the discussion itself hence those who are the devils advocates.

That being said now the question again I have not looked into this but was not the judgment of the house of Eli the end of the line are their any descendants of the house of Eli?

[Full Quiver]

Not delving deep into this it seems like an absurd argument to me but I am not trying to judge the participants here. Sometimes the fun is in the discussion itself hence those who are the devils advocates.

I've had a busy day so could you elaborate?