Worthless Men

Background to passage: Eli was the priest at Shiloh. We saw him in chapter one accusing Hannah of drunkenness, but then blessing her that the Lord would grant her prayer. Now we see his ineptness as a father or as a priest the stewardship of his children and the worship of Israel. The focus in this account is upon the two sons, but it their sin is very widespread.

1 Samuel 2:12–36 ESV

Now the sons of Eli were worthless men. They did not know the Lord. The custom of the priests with the people was that when any man offered sacrifice, the priest’s servant would come, while the meat was boiling, with a three-pronged fork in his hand, and he would thrust it into the pan or kettle or cauldron or pot. All that the fork brought up the priest would take for himself. This is what they did at Shiloh to all the Israelites who came there. 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. Samuel was ministering before the Lord, a boy clothed with a linen ephod. And his mother used to make for him a little robe and take it to him each year when she went up with her husband to offer the yearly sacrifice. Then Eli would bless Elkanah and his wife, and say, “May the Lord give you children by this woman for the petition she asked of the Lord.” So then they would return to their home. Indeed the Lord visited Hannah, and she conceived and bore three sons and two daughters. And the boy Samuel grew in the presence of the Lord. Now Eli was very old, and he kept hearing all that his sons were doing to all Israel, and how they lay with the women who were serving at the entrance to the tent of meeting. And he said to them, “Why do you do such things? For I hear of your evil dealings from all these people. No, my sons; it is no good report that I hear the people of the Lord spreading abroad. If someone sins against a man, God will mediate for him, but if someone sins against the Lord, who can intercede for him?” But they would not listen to the voice of their father, for it was the will of the Lord to put them to death. Now the boy Samuel continued to grow both in stature and in favor with the Lord and also with man. And there came a man of God to Eli and said to him, “Thus says the Lord, ‘Did I indeed reveal myself to the house of your father when they were in Egypt subject to the house of Pharaoh? Did I choose him out of all the tribes of Israel to be my priest, to go up to my altar, to burn incense, to wear an ephod before me? I gave to the house of your father all my offerings by fire from the people of Israel. Why then do you scorn my sacrifices and my offerings that I commanded for my dwelling, and honor your sons above me by fattening yourselves on the choicest parts of every offering of my people Israel?’ Therefore the Lord, the God of Israel, declares: ‘I promised that your house and the house of your father should go in and out before me forever,’ but now the Lord declares: ‘Far be it from me, for those who honor me I will honor, and those who despise me shall be lightly esteemed. Behold, the days are coming when I will cut off your strength and the strength of your father’s house, so that there will not be an old man in your house. Then in distress you will look with envious eye on all the prosperity that shall be bestowed on Israel, and there shall not be an old man in your house forever. The only one of you whom I shall not cut off from my altar shall be spared to weep his eyes out to grieve his heart, and all the descendants of your house shall die by the sword of men. And this that shall come upon your two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, shall be the sign to you: both of them shall die on the same day. And I will raise up for myself a faithful priest, who shall do according to what is in my heart and in my mind. And I will build him a sure house, and he shall go in and out before my anointed forever. And everyone who is left in your house shall come to implore him for a piece of silver or a loaf of bread and shall say, “Please put me in one of the priests’ places, that I may eat a morsel of bread.” ’ ”

Opening illustration: Daryl Strawberry baseball stats vs. rap sheet

Main thought: We’ll see how people can bring about so much destruction

1) Abuse Power and Position (v. 16, 22)

1 Samuel 2:16 ESV

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.”

1 Samuel 2:22 ESV

Now Eli was very old, and he kept hearing all that his sons were doing to all Israel, and how they lay with the women who were serving at the entrance to the tent of meeting.

1) Abuse Power and Position (v. 16, 22)

Explanation: These two priests of the Lord who were supposed to be interceding for the people were taking advantage of their position. They wanted the best meats. They routinely threatened and used force to get what they wanted. They slept with the women who served at the temple; again using a gift from God for their own pleasure. These women were in the service of God, dedicated to Him. These women were God’s precious daughters created to display his glory. H & P objectified them, used them, if not direct rape, it probably involved the power they had over them.

Titus 1:10–14 ESV

For there are many who are insubordinate, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision party. They must be silenced, since they are upsetting whole families by teaching for shameful gain what they ought not to teach. One of the Cretans, a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.” This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith, not devoting themselves to Jewish myths and the commands of people who turn away from the truth.

Illustration: Examples of abuse of power include using a position of authority to intimidate, coerce, or discriminate against others, such as a boss demanding an employee falsify an invoice or a politician using government power for personal gain or to suppress dissent. Other examples include sexual assault, domestic violence, and using government surveillance on journalists or political opponents without justification. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5] In the workplace

A boss who threatens to fire an employee unless they falsify a company document. [1]

A manager who ridicules an employee in front of others. [1]

An employer who makes unreasonable demands or unfairly manipulates an employee's duties to make their job more difficult. [6, 7]

A supervisor who forces an employee to share a room to cut costs. [8]

In government

Government shutdown

A public official using their position for private gain

In personal relationships

A person controlling their partner's finances or threatening to leave them without financial support if they speak out.

Using threats or intimidation to control a partner's decisions about work or school.

Insulting, demeaning, or shaming a person, especially in front of others.

A religious leader sexually assaulting someone after religious instruction. [1, 9]

Application: We all have the potential and the propensity to use created things, meant for God’s purpose and glory, for our personal gain. We often demand that we get the choicest of each area of our lives. We want the best office. We want the best title. We want the nicest car. We want preferential treatment for our children. We think the rules don’t apply to us. We can demean our spouses. We can manipulate finances. We can spread rumors and lies about others to advance our own cause. We can talk down to people who are different, of less means, or who we perceive as less spiritual than us. This is not how we give HOPE to people. We must lift up, not put down. We must lend a hand not step on a head. We must ask how we can put other’s interest first and die to self.

We live in a culture where sex sells and women in particular are objectified, taken advantage of, and abused. The culture has thrown off the “bondage” of sexual intimacy only between a husband and wife, and embraced promiscuity, adultery, fornication, pornography, and many other perversions of God’s beautiful gift to those in a covenant relationship with him and each other in marriage. How do you view the opposite sex? Are they are person on a screen or someone’s daughter, mother, sister, child? Are you involved in any sort of sexual activity outside of marriage? Do you use your power for favors? This can happen within a marriage too!

2) Abuse of Holy Things

1 Samuel 2:17 ESV

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.

2) Abuse of Holy Things

Explanation: Beyond their abuse of power, they were guilty of abuse of the special duties and responsibilities given spiritual leadership. The treated the holist of things they performed with disdain. The way to offered sacrifice was sacrilegious, hypocritical, and wretched in the eyes of the Lord. This was the greater failure.

Malachi 1:6–14 ESV

“A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If then I am a father, where is my honor? And if I am a master, where is my fear? says the Lord of hosts to you, O priests, who despise my name. But you say, ‘How have we despised your name?’ By offering polluted food upon my altar. But you say, ‘How have we polluted you?’ By saying that the Lord’s table may be despised. When you offer blind animals in sacrifice, is that not evil? And when you offer those that are lame or sick, is that not evil? Present that to your governor; will he accept you or show you favor? says the Lord of hosts. And now entreat the favor of God, that he may be gracious to us. With such a gift from your hand, will he show favor to any of you? says the Lord of hosts. Oh that there were one among you who would shut the doors, that you might not kindle fire on my altar in vain! I have no pleasure in you, says the Lord of hosts, and I will not accept an offering from your hand. For from the rising of the sun to its setting my name will be great among the nations, and in every place incense will be offered to my name, and a pure offering. For my name will be great among the nations, says the Lord of hosts. But you profane it when you say that the Lord’s table is polluted, and its fruit, that is, its food may be despised. But you say, ‘What a weariness this is,’ and you snort at it, says the Lord of hosts. You bring what has been taken by violence or is lame or sick, and this you bring as your offering! Shall I accept that from your hand? says the Lord. Cursed be the cheat who has a male in his flock, and vows it, and yet sacrifices to the Lord what is blemished. For I am a great King, says the Lord of hosts, and my name will be feared among the nations.

Isaiah 5:24 ESV

Therefore, as the tongue of fire devours the stubble, and as dry grass sinks down in the flame, so their root will be as rottenness, and their blossom go up like dust; for they have rejected the law of the Lord of hosts, and have despised the word of the Holy One of Israel.

Illustration: Gorilla’s don’t know how to treat fine china

Application: As if their personal lives were not vile enough, they shook their fist at God, ignored his commands, were careless and passive and hollow and unholy. Of course we say that we never would do that. We would never treat the worship of God with disdain, contempt, or complacency. We abuse worship. We abuse our testimony. We abuse the salvation that we were freely given when Christ freely died for us and rose again.

So let’s think about the service we are called to, because none of us are called to the ministry of the OT priesthood. God calls us to know him. God calls us to worship him. God calls us to love one another. God calls us to invest in each other. God calls us to love our family, neighbors, and enemies. God calls us to share the good news of salvation. God calls us to serve in the church. God calls us to give of our finances. God calls us to live on mission for Jesus. Do we treat these things casually or lightly? Do spiritual/religious/church things seem insignificant to you?

3) The End of Abuse

1 Samuel 2:25 ESV

If someone sins against a man, God will mediate for him, but if someone sins against the Lord, who can intercede for him?” But they would not listen to the voice of their father, for it was the will of the Lord to put them to death.

1 Samuel 2:31–34 ESV

Behold, the days are coming when I will cut off your strength and the strength of your father’s house, so that there will not be an old man in your house. Then in distress you will look with envious eye on all the prosperity that shall be bestowed on Israel, and there shall not be an old man in your house forever. The only one of you whom I shall not cut off from my altar shall be spared to weep his eyes out to grieve his heart, and all the descendants of your house shall die by the sword of men. And this that shall come upon your two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, shall be the sign to you: both of them shall die on the same day.

3) The End of Abuse

Explanation: The end of God’s mercy had come for H & P. God was “pleased” to put them to death. He is a God that values justice. Their hardness of heart was past God’s limit and he had pronounced a judgment. These men were unbelievers, the did not know the Lord. God is the judge of when “enough is enough.” God also disciplines his children for godliness, but if we reject, it means that we are rebellious non-believers or that we will incur more harsh discipline.

Romans 1:18 ESV

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth.

Illustration:

Application: The bible doesn’t present a picture of God who is waiting up on high watching and waiting for the opportunity to throw lightening bolts of judgment down at us. However, it does not present a picture of God who “loves” to the point where sin is ignored in the lives of men and women. God is the one who judges when he sees fit. Wrath for believers was spent at Calvary, but chastisement can come. Multiple times in scripture we see God even going to the point of taking the lives of believers because of their determination to despise holy things.

We must not take sin lightly. God may reach His end, determine that judgment is inevitable, and put an end to your sin. If you are not saved, you are not promised tomorrow, Christ died for you and today is the day of salvation. If you are a believer and playing light and loose with Holy things or abusing the position and resources God has given you or that you are taking, God may reach his end.

Repentance is the key for both believers and non-believers, saved and unsaved. Repent and believe for the first time or the 10Kth time.

Closing illustration: C. T. Studd, 1885 to China for 10 yrs, India for 7 yrs, SS Africa for 20 yrs

Two little lines I heard one day, Traveling along life’s busy way; Bringing conviction to my heart, And from my mind would not depart; Only one life, twill soon be past,

Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes only one, Soon will its fleeting hours be done; Then, in ‘that day’ my Lord to meet, And stand before His Judgement seat; Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, the still small voice, Gently pleads for a better choice Bidding me selfish aims to leave, And to God’s holy will to cleave; Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, a few brief years, Each with its burdens, hopes, and fears; Each with its clays I must fulfill, living for self or in His will; Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

When this bright world would tempt me sore, When Satan would a victory score; When self would seek to have its way, Then help me Lord with joy to say; Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Give me Father, a purpose deep, In joy or sorrow Thy word to keep; Faithful and true what e’er the strife, Pleasing Thee in my daily life; Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Oh let my love with fervor burn, And from the world now let me turn; Living for Thee, and Thee alone, Bringing Thee pleasure on Thy throne; Only one life, “twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes only one, Now let me say,” Thy will be done”; And when at last I’ll hear the call, I know I’ll say “twas worth it all”; Only one life,’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last. ”

Recap