ADULT STS LESSON 189 CORRUPTION OF THE PRIESTHOOD

Memory Verse:

“Wherefore the sin of the young men was very great before the LORD: for men abhorred the offering of the LORD” (1 Samuel 2:17).

Text: 1 Samuel 2:12–36

In contrast to the good report of Samuel who was brought up by godly parents, the sons of Eli, the high priest, were described in the text as sons of Belial. Hophni and Phinehas had sold themselves to wickedness by perverting the course of God’s offering and committing adultery with the women who congregated in Shiloh. As a result, the people of Israel began to abhor the sacrifice and offering of the Lord. The mild reproof of their father could neither change them nor appease God’s determined wrath. Their father’s indulgence strengthened their hands in evil.

Eli was a priest in Israel. His sons joined in the leadership as provided by the law. They were saddled with the responsibility of guiding and leading the people in true worship of God. Unfortunately, they corrupted and polluted the worshippers. The despicable deeds of Eli’s sons attracted swift judgment from God who is of purer eyes than to behold evil and cannot look on iniquity (Habakkuk 1:13). It is expected that those called to the service of God and His people should be careful to maintain moral purity lest they court His displeasure. Believers who minister in holy service are required to provide things honest in the sight of all men (Romans 12:17) and build holy confidence in worshippers. They should not despise the Lord in word or action because He is a jealous God and a consuming fire.

INEXCUSABLE SINS OF ELI’S SONS

References: 1 Samuel 2:12–17, 22; Romans 2:1–3; 1 John 3:6–10; Titus 1:16

Eli had two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, who were also priests and supposed ministers of God. But the Scripture says, “the sons of Eli were sons of Belial; they knew not the LORD” (1 Samuel 2:12). Belial is used in a moral sense in the Scripture to mean worthlessness, recklessness, lawlessness and wickedness, and personifies foolishness, evil and Satan (Deuteronomy 13:13; Judges 19:22; 1 Samuel 2:12; 10:27; 25:17, 25; 1 Kings 21:10, 13; 2 Corinthians 6:15). It is thought-provoking to have sons of Belial officiating as priests in the house of a holy God.

Though they claimed to serve God, they knew not the Lord. They had knowledge that God exists but they did not know Him experientially. Many people today claim to be ministers of God but their conduct in and outside their places of worship show that they are sons of Belial. Believers must be vigilant lest such people infiltrate a holy church and spread their corruption.

Eli’s children were described as sons of Belial because of their evil deeds. As priests, they used their position to mislead the people into corruption by engaging in brazen acts of sexual immorality with the women who came to worship God. Sexual immorality is a despicable sin in the sight of God. When such sin is found among leadership, it becomes a leading sin that destroys the entire congregation.

Besides this, Hophni and Phinehas exhibited greed by forcefully extorting meat offerings brought by the people. The priestly regulation prescribed that only the right shoulder and the breast were to be set aside for the priest while the rest of the offering was to be consecrated to the Lord by burning the fats on the altar (Leviticus 3:5; 7:31, 34). But Eli’s children held back what belonged to God for their personal use and took away what belonged to the people as their share in the offering, which amounted to outright robbery.

Their growing wicked conduct affected the spiritual lives of the people. They made men to abhor the offering of the Lord (1 Samuel 2:17). People despised the house of God, shunned His worship, and even those who came were hindered from fulfilling their obligations. Their sin was infectious. Worse still, they were recalcitrant when their father queried their corrupt lifestyle. Since their evil tendencies were not curbed early, they grew into uncontrollable proportions.

EXEMPLARY DEVOTION OF ELKANAH’S FAMILY

References: 1 Samuel 2:18–21; Romans 11:35–36; Psalm 92:12, 13, 15; Luke 2:52

The piety of Samuel, a child lent to the Lord, contrasts sharply with the godless practices of Hophni and Phinehas. They all had the privilege of good and godly parentage but lived different lifestyles. The story of Samuel punctuates the account of the evil deeds of Eli’s sons to impress on believers that lilies can still grow out of the mud.

In spite of the filthy lives of the sons of Belial, Samuel ministered before the Lord, being a child girded with a linen ephod. The power of God’s grace can preserve a child from copying bad examples of siblings, schoolmates and church members. Though Samuel was not a Levite but consecrated to the Lord, he lived up to his calling.

Following Elkanah and Hannah’s example, Christian parents should bring up their children to fear and serve God. To encourage Samuel to abide in his calling, his parents provided for his needs and continued to attend to the things of God. Their continual attendance and consistent devotion served as a strong example for Samuel.

God blessed this devoted family. Eli blessed Elkanah and his wife, and the Lord visited Hannah so that she conceived and bore three sons and two daughters. Samuel continued to grow before the Lord. His growth is mentioned twice in verses 21 and 26, showing his balanced spiritual, physical and social development. Jesus also experienced balanced growth (Luke 2:52). The sons of Eli, though born into the priesthood, had defects in their spiritual and moral character.

REBUKE, REJECTION AND JUDGMENT OF IMPENITENT SINNERS

References: 1 Samuel 2:22–36; 13:13; Proverbs 9:13, 18, 22; 1 Samuel 12:9; 2 Chronicles 24:20; Proverbs 27:5; Titus 1:13; 1 Samuel 15:11, 23–28, 35; Leviticus 10:1–2; 1 Kings 2:27; Malachi 2:1–3, 8–9; Romans 1:32

Eli heard of the evil dealings of his sons and confronted them. He reminded them of the danger of sinning against the Lord, yet they did not heed his warning because the Lord intended to judge them. God’s displeasure with Eli’s sons and his entire family reveals His unchanging attitude toward indulgent parents and leaders who tolerate sin in the Lord’s service.

A man of God came to Eli with a severe message. Though unnamed, the authority and weight of the message were unmistakable. Hophni and Phinehas were reckless and dishonest, and Eli did not stop them. God asked Eli five piercing questions to reveal his guilt, including why he honoured his sons above God.

God rejected the eternal priesthood previously promised to Eli’s house. He declared that those who honour Him He will honour, but those who despise Him will be lightly esteemed. God has the power to reject the unfaithful and raise the faithful. He rejected Saul and raised David. Judas lost his place and was replaced by Matthias.

The prophecies against Eli and his house were sevenfold:

1. His father’s house would be cut off.

2. His sons would die young.

3. An enemy would take away Israel’s wealth.

4. His two sons would die in one day.

5. The surviving sons would beg bread.

6. His lineage would not be extinct but would never rise again.

7. Enemies would invade the land.

All these were fulfilled. Later, Solomon thrust out Abiathar to complete the judgment (1 Kings 2:27). God then raised a faithful priest as promised.

Questions for Review

1. What sins did Hophni and Phinehas commit?

2. Why was Eli also guilty of the sins of his sons?

3. What qualities differentiate Elkanah’s family from that of Eli?

4. Why was Eli’s reproof of his sons unacceptable to God?

5. What were the prophecies against Eli and his posterity?

6. In what areas did Eli fail in his responsibility?

7. How correct is the doctrine of eternal security in the light of God’s revocation of His promise to Eli?