Eli’s Worthless Sons

00:00:00 Speaker 1: Previously on the Chosen People. 00:00:03 Speaker 2: Perhaps it isn't your season. 00:00:05 Speaker 3: Maybe the Lord will remember you next year, if he. 00:00:09 Speaker 4: Chooses to remember you at all. 00:00:12 Speaker 2: Ew can it is this not? 00:00:14 Speaker 5: Yes, a double portion. 00:00:17 Speaker 2: You are kind, my husband, But I have found that a heart without hope cannot find the strength to rejoice God Most High. If you will indeed look upon the affliction of your servant and remember. 00:00:33 Speaker 1: Me, you know I will give him to you all the days of his life. 00:00:39 Speaker 2: All that has been poured out tonight is my soul before the Lord. 00:00:43 Speaker 5: May the God of Israel, grant you your petition that you have made to him. On this day. 00:00:49 Speaker 2: I shall call him Sam, for I have asked for him from the Lord. For this child I prayed, and now I stand here testifying that the Lord has granted me my petition. 00:01:09 Speaker 6: The fall of the unfaithful is loud, but the rise of the righteous it's louder still. Shelloh, my friends, from here in the holy Land of Israel, i'm el extein with international fellowship of Christians and Jews, and welcome to the Chosen People. The temple stand silence, its walls heavy with unseen grief. Once this was a place of worship, where prayers rose like incense and hearts trembled before God. But now the shadows creep in where holiness should dwell. The flicker of firelight reveals not reverence but rebellion. A covenant hangs by a thread, songs of privilege defy their calling. The sacred becomes profane. What happens when those entrusted with God's light embrace darkness instead? Today we find such a story of ruone and redemption, a tale of unfaithfulness that echoes the warnings of the Torah and the cries of the prophets. It is a tragedy that will leave you asking will anyone remain faithful when all seems lost. 00:02:25 Speaker 1: The tabernacle at Shiloh was alive with activity. Pilgrims bustled about bringing sacrifices to the Lord. The smoke of burnt offerings curled upward above the tabernacle like a halo. The smell was a fragrant reminder of Israel's covenant with their God. Yet amidst this sacred atmosphere, her shadow of corruption loomed for Hofni and Finnahas the sons of Eli life had become monotonous, They had known no other life than that in the shadow of their father. For most Jewish young men, to take the role of priest would have been an honor, Yet no honor was found within these two. They strode arrogantly among the worshipers. Though they were to act as intercessors between God and his people, they knew nothing of the Lord. Years of apathy had corroded away their souls, leaving nothing more than empty shells. Performing the motions of ceremonies and rituals. Their fine robes swayed with their animated movements. Despite the smiles stretched across their faces, Underneath were hards, marked with pride and marred with disdain for their calling. They had been tasked with upholding the holiness of the priesthood, but they were anything but holy. Hofni and finnahas meandered about the tabernacle, as Eli stood stoic behind the altar, a man walked through the entrance and approached the priest. He was clutching a young ram in his arms. The animal's lifeless body was a chilling reminder of the weight of sin and the importance of honoring God through sacrifices. The man paused to look at the holy place. He bowed his head low before making his way to the altar. Eli had begun to start the fire. Hofny passed his father, with his servant close behind. The man presented the animal to the young priest. 00:04:33 Speaker 7: All right, ah, let's make this quick attendant. Take the animal place to the altar, remove a portion for our share, then we can proceed. 00:04:45 Speaker 1: The worshiper's eyes widened, his mouth moved as he tried to compose himself. 00:04:51 Speaker 8: But my Lord, the fact the fat should be burnt first, should it not? That is the Lord's portion, then, of course the priest may. 00:05:02 Speaker 1: Hofney raised a hand abruptly to stop the man. He rubbed his eyes in his impatience. 00:05:09 Speaker 5: That'll be enough from you. 00:05:10 Speaker 7: Surely you're not questioning the decisions of the Lord's anointed priests, are you. 00:05:14 Speaker 1: The worshiper hesitated. He looked to the Holy place once more, praying for some sort of divine intervention. Yet none came. His ability to worship was left in the hands of Hofni and his greed. Just then, another young man approached from behind the altar. It was Hoffney's brother finnahas. 00:05:36 Speaker 4: Are we having some trouble here? Come now? 00:05:40 Speaker 9: Remove our portion, so that we can resume with our averings. 00:05:45 Speaker 1: He patted Hofnee on the back, a sign of support for his brother's actions. The worshipers countenance dropped, as if overcoming the greed of one priest wasn't hard enough, overcoming the greed of two seemed impossible. The servants stepped forward, removing the choice portions for the priests. Hofni and Finnahas laughed as they turned on their heels. The worshippers stared at the ground. He had come with reverence for the Lord, but he was met with the rebellion of the young priests. It was the same wickedness that had caused others to abhor making their offerings to the Lord. The day carried on in this same fashion. Worshippers came to honor the Lord, but Hofni and Finnahas used them as opportunities to honor themselves. As his sons worked, Eli sat near the entrance of the tabernacle. He sat in a wooden chair, both he and his seat worn throughout the years. He greeted each worshiper with a smile, but his heart was grieved. He had heard rumors of his son's lost ways. They had begun as whispers among the people, but recently they had become shouts. He could no longer ignore the tension of deciding his next steps. Weighed around his neck like a millstone. Samuel's brow dripped with sweat. His lean arms raised the axe overhead before swinging it down with a heavy smack. The wood piece before him splintered in every direction. He stacked the wood that would be used for burnt offerings. The work was repetitive, but Samuel didn't mind. With each swing, he would say a prayer, a word of gratitude to the Lord, a song of praise to his God. Samuel counted himself blessed beyond measure to be able to serve the Lord in the tabernacle. It was the only life he had ever known, but it didn't come without its own complexities. Samuel was no orphan, but his relationship with his family extended to only a few visits a year, when they would come to worship and make sacrifices. He expected their arrival soon for the day of atonement. He closed his eyes and pictured how it would feel to embrace them. He imagined what the robe his mother would bring him would look like every year, she would make him a new one, and he cherished them deeply as a symbol of her ongoing love. But he was roused from his day dreaming when Hofne hollered for him to get back to work. He gave no response as he split more wood. He had become accustomed to Hofni and Finnahas's demands. He did his best to not be bothered by his unique circumstances. His mother and father had shared countless times the miracle God performed by blessing them with a son, and he deeply admired his mother's faithfulness to lend him to the Lord. Her faith had become a source of comfort for him, devoting himself to grow in the same reverence and steady fastness. As the sun loomed over the tabernacle from above, Samuel took a break from his work. He would take only a few minutes to eat and drink before continuing with his day. Only when he went to fetch his skin of water, he was greeted by Eli. 00:09:18 Speaker 5: Samuel, why, Ma, you have been working tirelessly today, haven't you please come come have a seat. 00:09:26 Speaker 1: Samuel made his way to Eli. He sat down quietly and began wringing his hands together. Eli noticed the boy's somber countenance. 00:09:38 Speaker 5: Mark, are you all right? 00:09:41 Speaker 6: Oh, yes, Eli, I suppose I'm just restless. 00:09:45 Speaker 5: My family should be here any day now. You are quite right, except it is not any day now. It is today, you mean, yes, yes. I sent him my servant early today to confirm your family safely arrived in the city just this morning. They should be arriving here any minute now, so please go clean up the wood can wait. 00:10:08 Speaker 1: Samuel stood to his feet and ran his hands through his hair. He looked at his dirty palms. He ran off with a skiff in his step and a smile spread wide across his face. After cleaning, Samuel dressed in his linen ephod. He found a quiet spot in the tabernacle and began to pray. His voice was humble, hardly more than a whisper, but his words reflected a purity that stood in stark contrast to the corrupt words of Hofni and Finnahas that could be heard in the distance. Despite their disloyalty to God, Samuel remained focused on the holiness of the Lord as he prayed. His family entered the tabernacle Hannah's eyes started around. She clenched the small robe she was holding tightly. Anticipation welled up inside her when suddenly she spotted who she was looking for. Her heart leaped with joy As she pulled at Elcana. She could hardly believe how her little boy had grown. As they got closer, she could hear small portions of his prayers. She was overcome with pride to see him growing in the Lord. Samuel sprang to his feet at the sight of his parents. Tears started to steadily stream down Hannah's cheeks. With quivering hands, she extended the gift how to her son. He took it and slowly rubbed his fingers over the cloth. To Samuel, this was more than a robe. Each stitch was evidence of his mother thinking about him, praying for him, loving him. Without a word, he flung his arms open and wrapped them around his mother and father. Elcana was the first to break the silence. 00:12:07 Speaker 9: Easy, heart, your Abba is not a steady on his feet as he once was. 00:12:13 Speaker 2: Better, Oh, my son, how wonderful it is to see you walking in the ways of the Lord. May you be blessed, and may your heart always remain pure. Before him. 00:12:27 Speaker 1: She wrapped her hands around his face. Just as Eli approached from behind them. The elderly priest leaned on his staff. As he inhaled, he took in the beautiful scene before him. He commended Hannah and Elcana for the dedication of their son. 00:12:45 Speaker 5: Elcana Hannah. In all my years, I have not found one of the Lord's servants to be like Samuel. May the Lord give you more children through this woman, but the gift she has given to him. 00:13:00 Speaker 1: Elcana and Hannah bowed their heads. Their hearts swelled with gratitude for what they had and hope for what the Lord would provide. The years proved God's faithfulness. They continued to bear sons and daughters and devoted themselves to raising them in the fear of the Lord. Both their houses and hearts were full, and as for Samuel, he remained uniquely set apart for the Lord's work. Day by day, he gave himself completely to God, trusting in the path he was setting before him. After Samuel's family departed from the tabernacle, Eli sat in silence, though within him a storm raged. Watching Samuel with Elcana and Hannah had only confirmed his need to confront his own sons. With a heavy sigh, he asked his servant to call for them. He closed his eyes and prayed as he waited. Hafnee and Finnahaus arrived promptly, though seemingly annoyed by the distraction. 00:14:09 Speaker 4: You've called for us. We have our hands quite full, you know. 00:14:14 Speaker 1: Eli shook his head in disappointment. Even now they dismissed him, But more grievously, they dismissed Adam. 00:14:22 Speaker 5: And I, my sons, Why do you do such things? 00:14:27 Speaker 4: It is our role as priests. 00:14:29 Speaker 3: We are only You've heard of your wicked deeds among the people and how you dishonor God. The reports I hear spreading throughout God's people have only confirmed what I feared. You have become a stumbling block for the people. 00:14:45 Speaker 4: Hey, don't look at me. Haffne's the one who told me. 00:14:48 Speaker 3: To give me that Phineas. I know your deeds. You've both acted together. If one person sins against another, their transgressions may be mediated. But if if one sins against the Lord, who will intercede for him? 00:15:06 Speaker 9: It seems that your aging years deceive you. We're only doing what's asked of us now, if you don't mind, it seems it's best that we get back to the work at hand. 00:15:18 Speaker 1: As his sons arrogantly strode away, Eli's shoulders sagged. He dropped into his chair as his eyes whirled with sadness. He couldn't find the means to accept the reality that his sons were lost and had chosen the path of darkness. That night, Eli drifted off into a restless sleep. He anxiously rolled to his side, but his disquieted state prevented him from finding any comfort in his bed. Eli heard the wind rushing outside. He pulled his blanket up over his head. Then he heard what he thought were footsteps. He pressed himself and peered through the darkness. In the shadows, he could make out the figure of a man. 00:16:10 Speaker 5: Is Is there some one there? 00:16:15 Speaker 1: He called out hesitantly. Suddenly a dim light shone, as though the man before him was glowing. Eli's eyes widened as the light grew brighter. The stranger answered, as though he had heard Eli's silent inquiry. 00:16:32 Speaker 10: This is what the Lord says. Did I not clearly reveal myself to your ancestors when they were in Egypt under Pharaoh? I chose your family out of all the tribes of Israel, to be my priests, to go up to my altar, to burn incense, to wear an epot in my presence. But now you honor your sons more than me by fattening ourselves on the choice parts of every offering made by my people in Israel. 00:17:07 Speaker 1: Eli's breath caught in his chest. He couldn't have spoken, even if he had known what to say, But the Man of God continued. 00:17:16 Speaker 10: Therefore, the Lord, the God of Israel, declares, I promise that members of your family would minister before me for ever. But now the Lord declares, far be it from me. Those who honor me I will honor, but those who despise me will be disdain'd. The time is coming when I will cut short your strength and the strength of your family, so that no one in it will reach old age. 00:17:51 Speaker 1: The words hit like stones of judgment, heavy and irrevocable. 00:17:56 Speaker 10: And you will see an enemy in my dwelling place, despite all the good which God does for Israel. And there shall not be an old man in your house forever. But any of your men whom I do not cut off from my altar shall consume your eyes and grieve your heart, and all the descendants of your house shall die in the flower of their age. No, they shall be a signed to you that will come upon your two sons, Hoffni and Phineas in one day they shall die, both of them. 00:18:33 Speaker 1: The edict confirmed Eli's greatest fear. He had been broken over evil brought about by his sons, but no good father would ever wish such a fate on his children. The elderly priest sat in stunned silence as the Man of God finish'd I. 00:18:53 Speaker 10: Will raise up for thyself a faithful priest who will do according to what is in my heart and in my mind. I he will firmly establish his priestly house, and they will minister before me, anointed always. 00:19:10 Speaker 1: As suddenly as he appeared, the Man of God departed. Eli rubbed his eyes, finally feeling his chest breathe again, but his slow breaths quickly turned to sobs, as the crushing realization of what was to come set in his son's wickedness would bring about their own downfall, and his own failure to intercede had lost his entire lineage the hope of carrying on in the priesthood. But hope was not lost for the people of Israel. In a nearby womb, the young boy Samuel sat up in his bed. He panted as sweat dripped down his face. He looked around the darkness. Slowly, he called out to see if anyone was there, but he heard no answer, just a dream, I suppose. 00:20:03 Speaker 4: Wow. 00:20:04 Speaker 6: What a heart wrenching narrative. This wasn't just a story of failure. It was a story of decay. Watching sacred things crumble beneath the weight of human sin is devastating. The sons of Eli turned their backs on God, not in ignorance, but an open defiance. And yet woven through the darkness there is hope. A single thread of righteousness stands unbroken. One life, small and quiet, yet brilliant in its obedience. It left me reflecting on legacy. What does it mean to live a life that honors God even when surrounded by corruption. The high priest Eli did live a life honoring God. This righteous man was respected by the Israelites. But then his two sons came along, abusing the priesthood and not acting with their father's godliness or righteousness. Verse twelve sums it up very nicely, telling us now the sons of Eli were worthless men because they did not know the Lord. What does that mean they did not know the Lord they were priests in the temple well. The Jewish ages suggest two possible explanations. First, they suggest that of course Eli's sons knew God, but they failed to understand God's supreme authority. They thought that they could do whatever they wanted. But some sages suggest a second possibility. They say that Eli's sons didn't understand the way of God, that they somehow didn't realize that acting in a godly manner, including how they treat others, is what is meant by knowing God. We still see this today, don't we, when people who claim to know God instead act badly. Truly, knowing God is recognizing his authority over us, and that means acting in a godly manner. I think of this all the time as I lead the fellowship. Yes, I can say I know God, but until I put that knowledge into action, until I act in a godly manner, until I make sure that we are providing as much help as we can to the poor, the elderly, and the lonely, Until I go out to the field and bring the food box to the Holocaust survivor. Until I go and hug that orphan and provide them with clothing. Only then can I truly come back to my desk, get the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews, look up and say that I truly know God. This story also makes me ask, how do those entrust it with such holy work fall so far? At least sons weren't outsiders. They were priests. Their lives were intertwined with the sacred rhythms of tabernacle warship. Their hands meant to handle hole things. Yet they forsook the Covenant, treating God's calling as if it were nothing. The Bible calls them bellial, worthless men, not because they lacked value in God's eyes, but because they abandoned their purpose. And here lies the warning, not just for them, but for us. Ministry is a sacred trust to stand near the altar, to handle the word of God. That's not a right, it's a weighty privilege. And Ellie's sons remind us how easy it is to take that privilege for Granted, they didn't just break rules. They broke a relationship. They broke the covenant, the bond between God and the chosen people, and when they did well, they exalted themselves above the God that they claimed to serve. How often do we, my friends, in our own ministries in life, start to see the Holy as ordinary? 00:24:03 Speaker 4: How often do. 00:24:04 Speaker 6: We grasp for recognition, comfort, and control forgetting the weight of God's calling. The story of Eli's Sons warns us being close to God doesn't mean we're close to God. Our proximity to him doesn't guarantee our faithfulness to him. It demands humility, a constant returning to the God who called us. Elie's sons show us the dangers of taking our own ministries lightly, but Samuel, quietly serving in the shadows shows us the beauty of a heart that remains loyal to God. The question is not whether we will fail, because we will. The question is whether we will stay near to the God who is always faithful even when we are not. This story gives us the choice, will we serve ourselves or will we serve the one who called us. This story is a collision of two kingdoms, the kingdom of Self and the Kingdom of God. Ellie's sons built their own kingdom on greed and entitlement. They saw the sacrifices, not as holy but as an opportunity. Their kingdom was small, petty, and corrupt, and it crumbled under the weight of their sin. Samuel, by contrast, represents the kingdom of God. His obedience was quiet, almost unnoticed. He didn't take, he served, He didn't exalt himself, He humbled himself. My friends, what does this story mean for us? Well, first, it's a call to self examination. The story of Eli's sons is a mirror asking us to confront the places where we've put ourselves before God. Maybe it's in our ambitions, in our relationships, or even in our ministries. Where are we taking instead of giving? Second, this Bible story should give us hope. Samuel's life reminds us that faithfulness doesn't need to be flashy in a world obsessed with results. God calls us to be obedient. It's not about being noticed, my friends, It's about being faithful. 00:26:34 Speaker 1: You can listen to the Chosen People with Isle Eckstein add free by downloading and subscribing to the Prey dot Com app today. This Prey dog comproduction is only made possible by our dedicated team of creative talents, Steve Katina, Max Bard, Zach Shellabaga and Ben Gammon are the executive producers of The Chosen People with Yile Estein, edited by Alberto Avilla, narrated by Colto Fianu. Characters are voiced by Jonathan Gotten, Aaron Salvado, Sarah Seltz, Mike Reagan, Stephen Ringwold, Sylvia Zaradoc, Thomas Copeland Junior, Rosanna Pilcher, and the opening prayer is voiced by John Moore. Music by Andrew Morgan Smith, written by Aaron Salvado, bre Rosalie and Chris Baig. Special thanks to Bishop Paulinier, Robin van Ettin, Kayleb Burrows, Jocelyn Fuller, and the team at International Fellowship of Christians and Jews. You can hear more Prey dot com productions on the Prey dot com app, available on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. If you enjoyed The Chosen People with Yeile Eckstein, please rate and leave a review.