Eli and His Wicked Sons
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The sons of Eli, not content with the part of the peace offerings
allotted them, demanded an additional portion. These sacrifices gave
the priests an opportunity to enrich themselves at the expense of the
people. They not only demanded more than their right, but refused to
wait even until the fat had been burned as an offering to God. They
persisted in claiming whatever portion pleased them, and, if denied,
threatened to take it by violence.
This irreverence robbed the service of its holy significance, and
the people “abhorred the offering of the Lord.” The great antitypical
sacrifice to which they were to look forward was no longer recognized.
“Wherefore the sin of the young men was very great before the Lord.”
These unfaithful priests dishonored their sacred office by their vile,
degrading practices. Many of the people, filled with indignation at the
corrupt course of Hophni and Phinehas, ceased to come to the place
of worship. Ungodliness, profligacy, and even idolatry, prevailed to a
fearful extent.
Eli had greatly erred in permitting his sons to minister in holy
office. Excusing their course on one pretext and another, he became
blinded to their sins. But at last he could no longer hide his eyes from
the crimes of his sons. The people complained of their violent deeds,
and the high priest dared remain silent no longer. His sons saw the
grief of their father, but their hard hearts were not touched. They heard
his mild admonitions, but they were not impressed, nor would they
change their evil course. Had Eli dealt justly with his wicked sons,
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they would have been punished with death. Dreading thus to bring
public disgrace and condemnation upon them, he sustained them in
the most sacred positions of trust. He permitted them to corrupt the
service of God and inflict upon the cause of truth an injury which years
could not efface. But God took the matter in hand.
Eli’s Unfaithfulness Leads to Ruin
“There came a man of God unto Eli, and said unto him, Thus saith
the Lord, ... Wherefore ... honorest [thou] thy sons above Me, to make
yourselves fat with the chiefest of all the offerings of Israel My people?
Wherefore the Lord God of Israel saith, I said indeed that thy house,
and the house of thy father, should walk before Me forever: but now
the Lord saith, Be it far from Me; for them that honor Me I will honor,