Treating Offerings with Contempt

An Everlasting Covenant

With God

Faithful God, Unfaithful People

1 Samuel 2:12-17 The Message

Samuel Serves God

12-17 Eli’s own sons were a bad lot. They didn’t know God and could not have cared less about the customs of priests among the people. Ordinarily, when someone offered a sacrifice, the priest’s servant was supposed to come up and, while the meat was boiling, stab a three-pronged fork into the cooking pot. The priest then got whatever came up on the fork. But this is how Eli’s sons treated all the Israelites who came to Shiloh to offer sacrifices to God. Before they had even burned the fat to God, the priest’s servant would interrupt whoever was sacrificing and say, “Hand over some of that meat for the priest to roast. He doesn’t like boiled meat; he likes his rare.” If the man objected, “First let the fat be burned—God’s portion!—then take all you want,” the servant would demand, “No, I want it now. If you won’t give it, I’ll take it.” It was a horrible sin these young servants were committing—and right in the presence of God!—desecrating the holy offerings to God.

For Reflection

Even though they grew up in a God worshiping home, the sons of Eli were hard-hearted.  They used their religious position for selfish gain. They cared not for the sanctity of the priesthood. The depravity of this kind is a mark of the false preacher or teacher.  

Pray

Pray that you will support those who preach and teach for the love of God and Christ.  Pray so that the scriptures will inform your choice of whom to follow.