Eli's Worthless Sons

The Old Testament charater of Eli had two boys that were described as "worthless." Why were the worthless? What did Eli do to try to mend the problem? Check out these passages::

I Samuel 2 (English Standard Version)

12. Now the sons of Eli were worthless men. They did not know the LORD. 13. 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, 14. 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. 15. 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." 16. 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." 17. 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.

22. 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. 23. And he said to them, "Why do you do such things? For I hear of your evil dealings from all the people. 24, No, my sons; it is no good report that I hear the people of the LORD spreading abroad. 25. 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.

I think there are some lessons to learn from this passage. Obviously, these sons lacked respect for authority. Doesn't that sound modern day? Second, Eli failed since discipline was not adminstered at the proper time. Afterall, Eli heard about the poor behavior from other people. Who knows how much time had passed. Also, tt doesn't appear he was very involved in his sons' lives. From the beginning of the passage we know that Eli didn't raise them to know the Lord.

Next, it seems that Eli was more concerned about his reputation than the sin of his children. He doesn't appear determined to stop the sin. Third, was there any punishment given by this father? Finally, the little that Eli did resulted in no improvement. Afterall, God wanted them to be put to death for their corruption.

Let's not raise children to be worthless like Eli did!