Topical Bible: Covetousness: Eli's Sons, in Taking the Flesh of the Sacrifice

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Covetousness, a strong desire for possessions or wealth, is a sin that is frequently condemned in the Bible. One of the most illustrative examples of covetousness is found in the actions of Eli's sons, Hophni and Phinehas, as recorded in the book of 1 Samuel. These sons of Eli, who served as priests at the tabernacle in Shiloh, are notorious for their blatant disregard for the sacred duties entrusted to them and their insatiable greed.

The account of their covetousness is detailed in 1 Samuel 2:12-17. The Berean Standard Bible describes their actions: "Now the sons of Eli were wicked men; they had no regard for the LORD or for the customs of the priests with the people. Whenever any man offered a sacrifice, the priest’s servant would come with a three-pronged meat fork while the meat was boiling and plunge it into the pan, kettle, cauldron, or pot. Whatever the fork brought up, the priest would take for himself. This is how they treated all the Israelites who came to Shiloh. Even before the fat was burned, the priest’s servant would come and say to the man who was sacrificing, 'Give the priest some meat to roast, because he will not accept boiled meat from you, but only raw.' And if any man said to him, 'The fat must be burned first; then you can take whatever you want,' the servant would reply, 'No, you must give it to me right now. If you refuse, I will take it by force.' Thus the sin of these young men was severe in the sight of the LORD, for they were treating the LORD’s offering with contempt."

The actions of Hophni and Phinehas demonstrate a profound level of covetousness, as they prioritized their own desires over the sacredness of the sacrificial offerings. According to the Levitical law, the fat of the sacrifice was to be burned as an offering to the Lord (Leviticus 3:16). However, Eli's sons, driven by greed, demanded the best portions of the meat for themselves, even before the fat was offered to God. Their actions not only violated the sacrificial laws but also showed a complete lack of reverence for God and His commandments.

The covetousness of Eli's sons had severe consequences. Their actions led to widespread corruption and disdain for the sacrificial system among the Israelites. Moreover, their behavior incurred the wrath of God, who ultimately pronounced judgment on Eli's household. In 1 Samuel 2:30-34, the Lord declared through a prophet that Eli's lineage would be cut off from serving as priests, and both Hophni and Phinehas would die on the same day as a sign of divine judgment.

This narrative serves as a stark warning against the sin of covetousness, particularly in the context of spiritual leadership. It underscores the importance of honoring God's commandments and the sacredness of worship practices. The account of Eli's sons is a reminder that covetousness not only leads to personal downfall but can also have far-reaching consequences for the community of believers.

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1 Samuel 2:13-17
And the priest's custom with the people was, that, when any man offered sacrifice, the priest's servant came, while the flesh was in seething, with a meat hook of three teeth in his hand;
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A Holy Life the Beauty of Christianity: Or, an Exhortation to ...
... I do depart from the iniquity of my flesh, from the ... giving none, so neither is he
for taking any: he ... to sabbath-breaking, to pride, to covetousness, to deceit ...
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