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restraining and governing the children that God had given to his care。 But
Eli shrank from this duty； because it involved crossing the will of his
sons； and would make it necessary to punish and deny them。 Without weighing
the terrible consequences that would follow his course； he indulged his
children in whatever they desired and neglected the work of fitting them for
the service of God and the duties of life。
God had said of Abraham； 〃I know him； that he will command his children and
his household after him； and they shall keep the way of the Lord； to do
justice and judgment。〃 Genesis 18：19。 But Eli allowed his children to
control him。 The father became subject to the children。 The curse of
transgression was apparent in the corruption and evil that marked the course
of his sons。 They had no proper appreciation of the character of God or of
the sacredness of His law。 His service was to them a common thing。 From
childhood they had been accustomed to the sanctuary and its service； but
instead of becoming more reverent；
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they had lost all sense of its holiness and significance。 The father had not
corrected their want of reverence for his authority； had not checked their
disrespect for the solemn services of the sanctuary； and when they reached
manhood； they were full of the deadly fruits of skepticism and rebellion。
Though wholly unfit for the office； they were placed as priests in the
sanctuary to minister before God。 The Lord had given the most specific
directions in regard to offering sacrifices； but these wicked men carried
their disregard of authority into the service of God； and did not give
attention to the law of the offerings； which were to be made in the most
solemn manner。 The sacrifices； pointing forward to the death of Christ； were
designed to preserve in the hearts of the people faith in the Redeemer to
come； hence it was of the greatest importance that the Lord's directions
concerning them should be strictly heeded。 The peace offerings were
especially an expression of thanksgiving to God。 In these offerings the fat
alone was to be burned upon the altar； a certain specified portion was
reserved for the priests； but the greater part was returned to the offerer；
to be eaten by him and his friends in a sacrificial feast。 Thus all hearts
were to be directed； in gratitude and faith； to the great Sacrifice that was
to take away the sin of the world。
The sons of Eli； instead of realizing the solemnity of this symbolic
service； only thought how they could make it a means of self…indulgence。 Not
content with the part of the peace offerings allotted them； they demanded an
additional portion； and the great number of these sacrifices presented at
the annual feasts gave the priests an opportunity to enrich themselves at
the expense of the people。 They not only demanded more than their right； but
refused to wait even until the fat had been burned as an offering to God。
They persisted in claiming whatever portion pleased them； and； if denied；
threatened to take it by violence。
This irreverence on the part of the priests soon robbed the service of its
holy and solemn significance； and the people 〃abhorred the offering of the
Lord。〃 The great antitypical sacrifice to which they were to look forward
was no longer recognized。 〃Wherefore the sin of the young men was very great
before the Lord。〃
These unfaithful priests also transgressed God's law and dishonored their
sacred office by their vile and degrading practices；
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yet they continued to pollute by their presence the tabernacle of God。 Many
of the people； filled with indignation at the corrupt course of Hophni and
Phinehas； ceased to come up to the appointed place of worship。 Thus the
service which God had ordained was despised and neglected because associated
with the sins of wicked men； while those whose hearts were inclined to evil
were emboldened in sin。 Ungodliness； profligacy； and even idolatry prevailed
to a fearful extent。
Eli had greatly erred in permitting his sons to minister in holy office。 By
excusing their course； on one pretext and another； he became blinded to
their sins； but at last they reached a pass where he could no longer hide
his eyes from the crimes of his sons。 The people complained of their violent
deeds； and the high priest was grieved and distressed。 He dared remain
silent no longer。 But his sons had been brought up to think of no one but
themselves； and now they cared for no one else。 They saw the grief of their
father； but their hard hearts were not touched。 They heard his mild
admonitions； but they were not impressed； nor would they change their evil
course though warned of the consequences of their sins。 Had Eli dealt justly
with his wicked sons； they would have been rejected from the priestly office
and punished with death。 Dreading thus to bring public disgrace and
condemnation upon them； he sustained them in the most sacred positions of
trust。 He still permitted them to mingle their corruption with the holy
service of God and to inflict upon the cause of truth an injury which years
could not efface。 But when the judge of Israel neglected his work； God took
the matter in hand。
〃There came a man of God unto Eli； and said unto him； Thus saith the Lord；
Did I plainly appear unto the house of thy father； when they were in Egypt
in Pharaoh's house？ And did I choose him out of all the tribes of Israel to
be My priest； to offer upon Mine altar； to burn incense； to wear an ephod
before Me？ and did I give unto the house of thy father all the offerings
made by fire of the children of Israel？ Wherefore kick ye at My sacrifice
and at Mine offering； which I have commanded in My habitation； and honorest
thy sons above Me； to make yourselves fat with the chiefest of all the
offerings of Israel My people？ Wherefore the Lord God of Israel saith； I
said indeed that thy house； and the house of thy father； should walk before
Me forever： but now the Lord saith； Be it far from Me； for them that
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honor Me I will honor； and they that despise Me shall be lightly esteemed。 。
。 。 And I will raise Me up a faithful priest； that shall do according to
that which is in Mine heart and in My mind： and I will build him a sure
house； and he shall walk before Mine anointed forever。〃
God charged Eli with honoring his sons above the Lord。 Eli had permitted the
offering appointed by God as a blessing to Israel to be made a thing of
abhorrence； rather than bring his sons to shame for their impious and
abominable practices。 Those who follow their own inclination； in blind
affection for their children； indulging them in the gratification of their
selfish desires； and do not bring to bear the authority of God to rebuke sin
and correct evil； make it manifest that they are honoring their wicked
children more than they honor God。 They are more anxious to shield their
reputation than to glorify God； more desirous to please their children than
to please the Lord and to keep His service from every appearance of evil。
God held Eli； as a priest and judge of Israel； accountable for the moral and