(credit: Varsha Salome)
Hophni at the helm!
It is rather strange that along with brother Phinehas, Hophni is assigned the task of bringing the Ark of the Covenant from Shiloh into the battle ground; the Israelites had encamped in their fight against the Philistines there. Strange, because the wickedness of the rascals was widely known. And here the two sons of Eli seem to have usurped the top spot without realizing that this was hallowed ground!
The Ark was brought in, because the elders of Israel figured its absence was the reason the Philistines defeated them the first time. However, yet again Israel was defeated. They had the Ark of the Covenant but God was not in their midst! You cannot appease God with mere ceremonial rectitude.
What kind of men do we elect to leadership position in the Church?
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* 31 January, setting 1 January as Day 1