1 Samuel 2:11-17 God’s Cleansing Of the Nation Begins with The Church

1 Samuel 2:11-17

11 Then Elkanah went to his home at Ramah. But the boy ministered to the Lord before Eli the priest. Now the sons of Eli were worthless men; they did not know the Lord 13 and the custom of the priests with the people. When any man was offering a sacrifice, the priest’s servant would come while the meat was boiling, with a three- pronged fork in his hand. 14 Then he would thrust it into the pan, or kettle, or caldron, or pot; all that the fork brought up the priest would take for himself. Thus they did in Shiloh to all the Israelites who came there. 15 Also, before they burned the fat, the priest’s servant would come and say to the man who was sacrificing, “Give the priest meat for roasting, as he will not take boiled meat from you, only raw.” 16 If the man said to him, “They must surely burn the fat first, and then take as much as you desire,” then he would say, “No, but you shall give it to me now; and if not, I will take it by force.” 17 Thus the sin of the young men was very great before the Lord, for the men despised the offering of the Lord.

Background

The state of affairs in Israel is appalling given that the priests themselves were worthless and immoral men. There is every kind of sexual immorality, dishonesty, desecration and contempt for God within the priesthood that is unheard of even among common men. That state of any nation is a reflection of the moral state of the church and her leadership. God is cleansing the nations beginning with the church and He will not overlook sin and will hold His ministers and priests accountable with greater judgment.

Observation

Now the sons of Eli were worthless men; they did not know the Lord and the custom of the priests with the people.

The sons of Eli were wicked and ungodly, the text describes them as worthless men. “They did not know the Lord” does not mean having no knowledge of the law or who God is, but rather they do not fear God or love His laws. The term “know” connotes one’s acknowledgement of God as his Lord, and to fear Him. They also despise the laws that stipulate how the sacrifices are offered and do not follow them. Eli made a grave mistake that caused the downfall of his family and descendants by installing two wicked men as priests.

When any man was offering a sacrifice, the priest’s servant would come while the meat was boiling, with a three- pronged fork in his hand. Then he would thrust it into the pan, or kettle, or caldron, or pot; all that the fork brought up the priest would take for himself. Thus they did in Shiloh to all the Israelites who came there.

The sons of Eli were not following procedures as stipulated in the law where only the thigh and the breast portions of the sacrificial animal can be taken by the priests for their own consumption (see Leviticus 10:14-15). Here, the sons of Eli are simply plunging the fork into the pot of the sacrificial meat contrary to procedures prescribed.

Also, before they burned the fat, the priest’s servant would come and say to the man who was sacrificing, “Give the priest meat for roasting, as he will not take boiled meat from you, only raw.” If the man said to him, “They must surely burn the fat first, and then take as much as you desire,” then he would say, “No, but you shall give it to me now; and if not, I will take it by force.”

Certain portions of the sacrificial animal carried special significance. The fat portion is considered the best and reserved for God to be offered by burning. Abel’s offering to God consists of fat portions from his flock (Genesis 4:4). The sons of Eli despised God by taking portions of the fats of the sacrificial animal for themselves that rightfully belong to God.

Thus the sin of the young men was very great before the Lord, for the men despised the offering of the Lord.

Here it says the sin of the young men was exceedingly great before God. There are different degrees of severity concerning sin in God’s eyes and what they have done is considered as the most severe of sins known as “high handed” sins; they showed utter contempt for God by taking what is rightfully His. Because they despised the offering of God, the sacrifice then loses its efficacy in forgiving their sins.

Truth

1. Do not install people into important positions just because they are your relatives. Those who seemed to be loyal to you but are unrighteous in their ways must not be given a place of authority for they will cause you grief and your eventual downfall. Instead, install those who are righteous at heart; those who are loyal towards God and who are willing to stand up to you for your poor decisions. It is complicated working with a relative in a professional manner as sentiments often get in the way. Trust and promote those who are righteous even though they may not yet possess much chemistry with you. By observing how one deals with others especially those who are of lower stature, we can discern whether he/she is a person of truth and integrity.
2. When evaluating a person for a certain task, note the following criteria in order of importance: Character and truth, Competence and skill, Chemistry and personality. Character and truth is the most important because it determines if a candidate will be putting the interests of the organization above his own. It also determines if he will act with integrity and truth in all matters. People of little character and truth tend to exaggerate their competence or their chemistry with you.
3. The type of sin that is most severe among other sins is contempt for God. Taking what rightfully belongs to God is a form of contempt. Stealing from the offertory or from the church is definitely contempt for God. Intentionally hindering God’s work by preventing others from receiving the gospel is contempt for God. Blaspheming God by attributing His work to a source of evil, making light of His authority and laws by mocking Him and worshiping other gods after having experienced God’s loving-kindness and power are sins of contempt for God.

Application

1. Do you practice partiality or favoritism when you deal with your children, subordinates or members in the church? What are the situations that cause you to treat some differently from the rest? Understand the importance of dealing with an even hand, and be principled at all times; not with partiality or double standards. Romans 2:11 say, “For there is no partiality with God.”
2. How do you evaluate people in the context of friendships and partnerships? Take time to understand them through observation. Do not entrust yourself to them until you know their character and the inclinations of their heart.

Dear Lord, help me to exercise fairness and justice in all my dealings with people. Give me wisdom and discernment to understand them so that I can relate with them meaningfully. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.