23/07/2025
MEN WHO FAILED IN THEIR HOMES 2 - ELI
Eli was another wonderful man of God. He was saddled with great responsibility over his house and the whole nation of Israel. But he failed in his house. His failure in the home led to the failure of the whole nation.
The children of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, became corrupted and they, in turn, corrupted the sacrifice and the people of God.
Let's hear their record: "Now Eli’s sons were despicable men who didn’t know the Lord. 13This was how the priest was supposed to act with the people: Whenever anyone made a sacrifice, while the meat was boiling, the priest’s assistant would come with a three-pronged fork in hand. 14 He would thrust it into the cauldron or the pot. Whatever the fork brought up, the priest would take for himself. This is how it was done for all the Israelites who came to Shiloh. 15 But with Eli’s sons, even before the fat was burned, the priest’s assistant would come and say to the person offering the sacrifice, “Give the priest some meat to roast. He won’t accept boiled meat from you.” 16 If anyone said, “Let the fat be burned off first, as usual, then take whatever you like for yourself,” the assistant would reply, “No, hand it over now. If not, I’ll take it by force.” 17 The sin of these priestly assistants was very serious in the Lord’s sight because they were disrespecting the Lord’s own offering" (1Sam. 2:12-17).
Eli’s sons, Hophni and Phinehas, did not only desecrate God's sacrifice, they were also committing sexual immorality with ladies: "Now Eli was very old; and he heard everything his sons did to all Israel, and how THEY LAY WITH THE WOMEN WHO ASSEMBLED AT THE DOOR OF THE TABERNACLE OF MEETING."
The consequences:
First, their behavior contributed to the spiritual decline of Israel and the need for a righteous leader, ultimately foreshadowing the arrival of Samuel.
The corruption of Eli's sons, Hophni and Phinehas, had severe consequences for both themselves and the nation of Israel. Their evil actions brought God's judgment upon their family.
God announced through a prophet that Eli's lineage would be cut off from the priesthood due to his sons' wickedness and Eli's failure to restrain them.
Death of Hophni and Phinehas:
Both Hophni and Phinehas died on the same day during a battle against the Philistines, fulfilling the prophecy of their demise.
Eli's Death:
Upon hearing the news of the Ark's capture and the death of his sons, Eli, who was old and blind, fell backward, broke his neck, and died.
Loss of the Ark of the Covenant:
The Ark of the Covenant, which symbolises the presence God among Israel was captured by the Philistines during war and left Israel empty of God's presence.
Can you imagine all of these consequences, just because a man failed to manage his home.
Our home is very important in the scheme of things. It should be our first ministry, church and assignment. No wonder Jesus says, anyone who cannot manage his own family well should not be a leader in His [Jesus'] own church.
Home matter is a serious matter.
