1 Samuel 2:12-17
As we begin in verse twelve and explore through verse seventeen of the chapter, I was captured with the opening verse, “Now the sons of Eli were worthless men. They did not know the Lord.” When I ponder on the word “worthless” it connotes no worth, no value, and no admirable qualities. It makes me think of many on both sides in our U.S. Congress, both men, and women of no admirable qualities, but that is not the purpose of this writing.
A note to dads is needed; do not be an Eli, he did not lead, he did not teach, and when it came to raising his boys in the ways of God, he was worthless. His two sons Hophni and Phinehas had been born into the priestly line, and much was expected of them, both by God and by man. But when dads are absent in person or leadership the product is a son of no worth, no integrity and a burden to those they encounter.
A person of no worth will have little fear of God or man, I am sure that at some point Eli read to the boys the Law and rules of how a priest should live as found in Leviticus 7:32-34. Now it’s a given that a worthless person will be both prideful and full of greed, and Eli’s sons filled that role. They came up with their own rules of using a three-pronged fork so they could acquire more of the sacrifice. And they wanted the meat before it was boiled and took the fat portions that were only the LORD’S.
You will find the contempt Hophni and Phinehas had for both God and the people in verses 15-17. “Moreover, before the fat was burned, the priest's servant would come and say to the man who was sacrificing, “Give meat for the priest to roast, for he will not accept boiled meat from you but only raw.” And if the man said to him, “Let them burn the fat first, and then take as much as you wish,” he would say, “No, you must give it now, and if not, I will take it by force.” Thus the sin of the young men was very great in the sight of the Lord, for the men treated the offering of the Lord with contempt.”
Folks, having contempt for a Father who loves you so much He gave His only Son to buy you out of sin; how can one do that and have a personal relationship with Him? I believe it is impossible to do so, and if one reads John 16:33, Jesus said; “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world, you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
Our Lord and Creator tells us that in a world of choice, mankind will often choose sin, they will do what their father the devil, that old thief wants them to do; steal, kill and destroy. And this is the kicker, as a follower of Christ bad things will happen, but we have the Lord Jesus to go to, he has overcome the world! So as one who is a mess, one who knows so little about the ways of God, live in such a way to be grateful and thankful that God the Father has allowed you to know His Son in a personal way, for He alone is worthy of our worship!
From the Back Porch,
Bob Rice
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