1 Samuel 2:13-17 Offering

 ”And the priests’ custom with the people was that when any man offered a sacrifice, the priest’s servant would come with a three-pronged fleshhook in his hand while the meat was boiling. Then he would thrust it into the pan, or kettle, or caldron, or pot; and the priest would take for himself all that the fleshhook brought up. So they did in Shiloh to all the Israelites who came there. Also, before they burned the fat, the priest’s servant would come and say to the man who sacrificed, “Give meat for roasting to the priest, for he will not take boiled meat from you, but raw.” And if the man said to him, “They should really burn the fat first; then you may take as much as your heart desires,” he would then answer him, “No, but you must give it now; and if not, I will take it by force.” Therefore the sin of the young men was very great before the Lord, for men abhorred the offering of the Lord.“ I Samuel‬ ‭2‬:‭13‬-‭17‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

a. The priests’ custom with the people: With many of the sacrifices brought to the tabernacle, a portion was given to God, a portion was given to the priest, and a portion was kept by the one who brought the offering. According to other passages in the Old Testament, the priest received a portion of the breast and the shoulder. But now, some 400 years after the Law of Moses came, the priestly custom changed – they did not take the prescribed portion of the breast and shoulder but took whatever the fork (fleshhook) brought up out of the pot.

b. Before they burned the fat: God’s portion was always given first, so it was wrong to take the priest’s portion before they burned the fat.

i. The fat was thought to be the most luxurious, best part of the animal, so they gave it to God. The idea was that God should always get the best, and God should get His portion first. But in their pride the sons of Eli took their portion before they burned the fat.

c. He will not take boiled meat from you, but raw: Why did the sons of Eli want raw meat? Perhaps it was so they could prepare it in any way they pleased; or more likely, it was because raw meat was easier to sell and they sold the meat and pocketed the money.

d. No, but you must give it now; and if not, I will take it by force: The greed of Eli’s sons was so bad that they did not hesitate to use violence and the threat of violence to get what they wanted.

e. For men abhorred the offering of the LORD: The greatness of the sin of Eli’s sons was clear because through their greed, violence, and intimidation they made others not want to come and bring offerings to the LORD. It was bad enough what they themselves did, but the greater sin of Eli’s sons was in how they hurt other people.

(Guzik)

Offering

I was raised in the Catholic Church and they always passed the offering plate. This method was always intimidating to me because people would watch if you gave and or the amount you put in the plate.

When we attended Calvary they had tithing boxes located throughout the church and you could give your offerings in secret, it was between you and God.

God doesn’t need our blood 🩸 offering because Jesus offered Himself up, once for all.

”By that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.“ ‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭10‬:‭10‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Blessings