It’s the Heart That Matters

Eli’s sons were scoundrels; they had no regard for the Lord.

1 Samuel 2:12 (NIV)

As priests, Hophni and Phinehas would have been consecrated to the Lord (Leviticus 8) and, when serving the Lord, would have to have been ceremonially clean each time they did (Leviticus 21). However, consecration and being ceremonially clean were only external characteristics of being holy. In fact, had either of Eli’s sons had any physical defects, they would have been excluded from the priesthood (Leviticus 21:21). Despite any outward display of holiness, Eli’s sons were wicked priests who served the Lord.

One thing about Hophni and Phinehas was that everyone knew what they were doing and that it was wrong. They were only “holy” because they went through the rituals to be holy. Inwardly, they had no love for God.

While Hophni and Phinehas eventually got their comeuppance for their sins against God, the Israelites endured their sinful behavior until God settled the score.

As Christians, we can try and keep up appearances, but if we don’t have a love for God, we will face the consequences someday.