Daily Devotional – Sunday, December 19, 2021
Now the sons of Eli were corrupt; they did not know the LORD.
1 Samuel 2:12 (NKJV)
King David loved being in the presence of God. He said, “One thing I have desired of the LORD, that will I seek: That I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, And to inquire in His temple.” (Psalms 27:4).
Many Christians can identify with this feeling, especially when they retreat to their prayer closets. Others cherish spending time in places of worship. More importantly, it is energizing and motivating to be in God’s presence any place, any time.
However, being within and around religious structures and rituals does not necessarily transform one into a genuine believer. That is the lesson will learn from the lives of Hophni and Phinehas, the sons of Eli, the High Priest.
People Abhorred the Offering of the LORD
The two priests had a solemn obligation – to assist and link sinners with God through the sacrificial system. Unfortunately, they corrupted the exercise. “Therefore the sin of the young men was very great before the LORD, for men abhorred the offering of the LORD.” (1 Samuel 2:17).
Eli’s son were immoral despite their high calling. The Bible records, “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.” (1 Samuel 2:22).
The conduct of these wayward priests is summarized as follows: “Now the sons of Eli were corrupt; they did not know the LORD.” (1 Samuel 2:12). Other synonyms for ‘corrupt’ include, ‘worthless’, ‘scoundrels’, ‘useless’, and ‘unprincipled.’
Priests Who Did Not Know the God They Served
How could a priest, ministering in the house of the Lord, not know God? By virtue of their profession, Hophni and Phinehas knew who Jehovah was. However, because they disregarded and disrespected God, they did not know God. They had no personal experiential relationship with God.
In essence, we can be lost while in the presence of God. No amount of praying, praising and preaching can replace total obedience to God. We cannot bribe God, through our outward profession, to forget our open sin and impunity.
Remember this warning from Jesus:
“Not everyone who says to Me, Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’ (Matthew 7:21-23).
Lord Jesus, help me to match my Christians profession with works of righteousness.
