patriarchs and prophets-第150章
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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
religious standing of his people； and in a special sense for the character
of his sons。 He should first have attempted to restrain evil by mild
measures； but if these did not avail； he should have subdued the wrong by
the severest means。 He incurred the Lord's displeasure by not reproving sin
and executing justice upon the sinner。 He could not be depended upon to keep
Israel pure。 Those who have too little courage to reprove wrong； or who
through indolence or lack of interest make no earnest effort to purify the
family or the church of God； are held accountable for the evil that may
result from their neglect of duty。 We are just as responsible for evils that
we might have checked in others by exercise of parental or pastoral
authority as if the acts had been our own。
Eli did not manage his household according to God's rules for family
government。 He followed his own judgment。 The fond father overlooked the
faults and sins of his sons in their childhood； flattering himself that
after a time they would outgrow their evil tendencies。 Many are now making a
similar mistake。 They think they know a better way of training their
children than that which God has given in His word。 They foster wrong
tendencies in them； urging as an excuse； 〃They are too young to be punished。
Wait till they become older； and can be reasoned with。〃 Thus wrong habits
are left to strengthen until they become
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second nature。 The children grow up without restraint； with traits of
character that are a lifelong curse to them and are liable to be reproduced
in others。
There is no greater curse upon households than to allow the youth to have
their own way。 When parents regard every wish of their children and indulge
them in what they know is not for their good； the children soon lose all
respect for their parents； all regard for the authority of God or man； and
are led captive at the will of Satan。 The influence of an ill…regulated
family is widespread and disastrous to all society。 It accumulates in a tide
of evil that affects families； communities； and governments。
Because of Eli's position； his influence was more extended than if he had
been an ordinary man。 His family life was imitated throughout Israel。 The
baleful results of his negligent； ease…loving ways were seen in thousands of
homes that were molded by his example。 If children are indulged in evil
practices； while the parents make a profession of religion； the truth of God
is brought into reproach。 The best test of the Christianity of a home is the
type of character begotten by its influence。 Actions speak louder than the
most positive profession of godliness。 If professors of religion； instead of
putting forth earnest； persistent； and painstaking effort to bring up a
well…ordered household as a witness to the benefits of faith in God； are lax
in their government and indulgent to the evil desires of their children；
they are doing as did Eli； and are
