In Exodus 38 we first learned of the serving women who assembled at the tabernacle. Though we don’t know their exact duties, we know there were many women who served in some capacity at the tabernacle.
In 1 Samuel we see the tabernacle women mentioned again.
It was the time of the judges. Eli was the priest. Samuel was a young boy in his care. Eli was an old man, and his sons were corrupt.
Eli’s sons took advantage of the people coming to offer their yearly sacrifice. Even worse, in 1 Samuel 2:22 we learn that the sons of Eli the priest lay with the women who assembled at the door of the tabernacle of meeting. And if that weren’t bad enough, when Eli learned what was going on, he did nothing other than give his sons a slight scolding.
These precious women came to the tabernacle to serve God. Their hearts were pure. But men in a position of authority took advantage of them, stealing their innocence and robbing them of their joy. The people of the land saw and heard what was going on. They knew what happened to these women. I can only imagine the sorrow and shame they felt.
It must have seemed a hopeless situation for these tabernacle women. How alone they must have felt. But they weren’t alone. God saw the sins of Eli’s sons, and He judged them.
It may be that you, too, have had your innocence stolen by someone who knew better. If so, please know that though the world may ignore your plight, God sees you and will judge your perpetrator. His love for you is stronger than anything you can go through.
Read about the tabernacle women in Scripture: 1 Samuel 2:12-36.
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