For Men Abhorred the Offering of the Lord

The Wicked Sons of Eli

12 Now the sons of Eli were corrupt;  they did not know the LORD. 13 And the priests’ custom with the people was that when any man offered a sacrifice, the priest’s servant would come with a three-pronged fleshhook in his hand while the meat was boiling. 14 Then he would thrust it into the pan, or kettle, or caldron, or pot; and the priest would take for himself all that the fleshhook brought up. So they did in Shiloh to all the Israelites who came there. 15 Also, before they burned the fat, the priest’s servant would come and say to the man who sacrificed, “Give meat for roasting to the priest, for he will not take boiled meat from you, but raw.”
16 And if the man said to him, “They should really burn the fat first; then you may take as much as your heart desires,” he would then answer him, “No, but you must give it now; and if not, I will take it by force.”
17 Therefore the sin of the young men was very great before the LORD, for men abhorred the offering of the LORD.
1 Samuel 2:12-17

Their sin was VERY GREAT before the Lord and caused others to despise giving their offering to God.

This causes me to ponder my actions more. Is what I am doing causing others to abhor the things of God?

Is my Christian lifestyle one that results in others wanting what I have - peace and joy even when things are difficult? That trust and hope that can only come from God?

I'm not stealing the offering from those I go to church with like Eli's sons. Their sins were so terrible to God that it ended in extremely severe consequences - death.  Yet, all sin leads to death and that is why we need forgiveness through the blood of the lamb, our offering through Jesus' death.

So while my actions may not compare to theirs, my actions still have consequences for myself and others. Reflection on our own actions shows love and concern for those God sends into our path and ultimately a love for God who created us.

In contrast, we should let our LIGHT shine and in turn it draws people to the God of mercy and grace who loves US so dearly.



(The New King James Version. (1982). (1 Sa 2:12–17). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.)