If someone sins against a man, God will mediate for him, but if someone sins against the LORD, who can intercede for him?
The second chapter of 1 Samuel contrasts Samuel with the two sons of Eli, the priest. Samuel was a young boy, ministering before the Lord (1 Sam. 2:18) and growing in stature and in favor with the Lord and with man (1 Sam. 2:26).
The picture given to us of Hophni and Phinehas, Eli’s two sons, is quite different. They were abusing the sacrifices being offered by the people, taking what they wanted rather than what was offered (1 Sam. 2:12-17), and sleeping with some of the women serving at the Tabernacle (1 Sam. 2:22). They were worthless men (1 Sam. 2:12) that the Lord had decided to put to death (1 Sam 2:25b).
Eli confronted them about their activity. He told them that if they had wronged another person, God, or His appointed judge, could mediate, interceding on their behalf. But if their sin was against God, who was able to intercede for them?
Ultimately, all sin is against God (Gen. 39:9). Sin is missing the mark, falling short of God’s standard for us. So Eli’s question to his sons is very appropriate to all of us. Who will intercede with God on our behalf when we sin?
For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 1 Timothy 2:5 (ESV)
In answer to Eli’s question, there is one who can, and will, intercede on our behalf. Jesus is our mediator, standing between sinful humanity and Holy God. By His death on the cross, Jesus reconciles to God (Rom. 5:10) all those who come to Him in faith (Rom. 3:21-25). And now, having been justified by faith in the work of Christ, we have peace with God (Rom. 5:1).
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