CHILDREN LESSON 33 VOL 4 CORRUPTION OF THE PRIESTHOOD

1 Samuel 2:12-36

Eli was a priest and a judge before kings began to rule in Israel. He was a descendant of Aaron, the first high priest in Israel. God gave the duty of offering sacrifices brought by the people to Aaron and his family from generation to generation. This was a very special privilege. Eli had two sons, Hophni and Phinehas. His sons neither loved nor respected God. They were called children of Belial (Satan) (1 Samuel 2:12). They stole from the sacrifice meant for God and forcefully committed immorality with the women who came to the temple to pray. These were grievous sins before God.

Eli, their father, was weak. He could not control his children. God was very unhappy with Eli and his sons. He condemned their attitude and sent Samuel, His servant, to pronounce judgment on Eli and his family. Consequently, Hophni and Phinehas died the same day. The sudden news of this also led to the death of Eli. Eli’s family also lost the special privilege of being priests and making offerings to God forever.

Pastors and our godly teachers are the priests of God in this present time. You may be the son or daughter of any of these leaders, but if you refuse to obey the call of God to repentance, He will not consider your father or mother’s position and spare you from the punishment for your wickedness (Romans 2:12). However, if you fear God and obey His word, He will bless you and other members of your family.

1. THE CORRUPT WAYS OF ELI’S SONS

1 Samuel 2:12-17, 22-25; Romans 1:28-32; 2 Peter 2:12-14

Eli’s sons, Hophni and Phinehas, were called sons of Belial, meaning worthless men. They were wicked and corrupt ministers in God’s house who used their position as an opportunity for greedy gain and immorality. They had no regard for God’s glory or His word. They were disobedient and careless. Their actions made the people disrespect God’s word, name and house. They were not only corrupt, but they also corrupted God’s house and the sacrifices brought by worshippers. Their sins were very grievous before God.

Many children today are following in the footsteps of Eli’s sons. They have turned the church or worship centre into a playground. They run and play on the altar, bring their toys to church and play without respect for God’s house. Some make noise with their friends to distract other children who are interested in God’s word. They never take part in important worship activities like prayer, singing and Bible reading. All they want to do is play and disturb the church.

Eli told his sons that if anyone sins against God, no one can plead or deliver such a person from God’s judgment. If you are involved in polluting God’s house and disturbing the worship service, you must repent now to avoid God’s judgment.

2. CONSEQUENCE OF THE SINS OF ELI’S SONS

1 Samuel 2:22-25; 4:10-22; Hebrews 10:26-31

There are grave consequences for disobedience. Eli’s sons continued in their rebellious attitude without caring about the result of their actions. When their father spoke to them, they refused to listen. Their wicked actions led to:
a. Disrespect for the office of the priest
b. General spiritual decline among the people
c. Departure of the glory and presence of God from Israel
d. Decay in moral value among the people of God
e. Disregard for God’s word and His righteous ways

Eli’s sons hardened their hearts. They committed evil openly without shame. Their father’s warnings had no effect on them. They were like the sons of Aaron who offered strange sacrifices before the Lord. They eventually paid dearly for their wicked ways.

i. Hophni and Phinehas died the same day. When Eli their father heard the news, he also fell down and died.
ii. The wife of Phinehas, who was pregnant, fell into untimely labour, delivered her baby and died.
iii. The family of Eli was cut off from the priesthood.

It was a great judgment against the family of Eli.

The world is full of evil. Many people, even children, kill, steal, cheat, lie, hate, get involved in immoral relationships and commit other ungodly acts as if they would not be judged. But God has set a day when He will judge the world through Jesus Christ (Romans 2:16). The day of God’s judgment is near. He will not spare sinners. The Bible warns, “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Hebrews 10:31). It also says, “The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God” (Psalm 9:17). Great men, presidents, murderers, criminals, sinners both adults and children will stand before God to be judged (Revelation 20:11-12). Yet God, in His mercy, has provided a way of escape through Jesus Christ.

3. CALL TO REPENT AND BE SAVED

1 Samuel 2:22-25; Ezekiel 18:30-32; 2 Peter 3:9

God is not interested in the death of any sinner. His desire is for all sinners to repent and be saved. This is why God sent a prophet and even young Samuel to warn Eli about the ways of his sons. If Eli had been faithful to remove his sons from the priest’s office, he would have saved the family from God’s judgment. Perhaps the sons would have realised their sinful ways and repented. But they refused to repent and were destroyed.

Samuel lived in the midst of this corruption but chose to be different. You must be like Samuel (1 Samuel 2:18-21).

Do not wait for God’s judgment. Ask for pardon and cleansing in the blood of Jesus. Invite Him into your heart to be your Lord and Saviour. As a new creature, rejoice and serve Him with your whole heart. Be a good example. Do not use your offering and tithe money to buy sweets, biscuits or ice cream. Do not fight with visitors who come to church. Have respect for God’s house. Be attentive during worship. Live holy always and you will enjoy God’s blessings.

QUESTIONS

1. Eli was a ______ and ______ in Israel.

2. The two sons of Eli were ______ and ______.

3. Mention the sins committed by the sons of Eli.

4. ______ was pure and served God faithfully even in the midst of corruption.

5. Mention three consequences of the sins of Eli’s sons.

6. What should a sinner do to escape God’s judgment?

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

LESSON

There are serious consequences for disobedience.

THOUGHT

I will not disobey God’s word so as to escape from judgment.

ACTIVITY

Teachers and children should pray:
a. Against the spirit of rebellion, disobedience and weak faith.
b. For grace to be obedient to God’s word.
c. For strength to serve God faithfully throughout life.

HOMEWORK

Pray daily for grace to live holy all your life.

CONGREGATIONAL SONG

GHS 40 – Wash Me, O Lamb of God

CHORUSES

1. If you do good there is kingdom.

2. I wandered far away.

3. You cannot hide it from God.

BIBLE WORD SEARCH

Find the meaning of these words using your dictionary:

1. Consequences

2. Rebellion

3. Corrupt

4. Misconduct

5. Decline