Beginning of the End - Ellen G. White

Though entirely unfit, they were placed as priests in the
sanctuary to minister before God. These wicked men carried their
rebellion into the service of God. The sacrifices, pointing forward to
Christ's death, were designed to preserve the people's faith in the
coming Redeemer, so it was absolutely essential to precisely follow
the Lord's directions concerning them. In the peace offerings only
the fat was to be burned on the altar. A certain specified portion was
reserved for the priests, but the greater part was returned to the
offerer to eat in a sacrificial feast with friends. This would direct all
hearts in gratitude and faith to the great Sacrifice that was to take
away the sin of the world.
Not content with their share of the peace offerings, the sons of
Eli demanded an additional portion. The priests took these sacrifices
as an opportunity to enrich themselves at the expense of the people.
They not only demanded more than their right, but refused to even
wait until the fat had been burned as an offering to God. They
claimed whatever portion that they wanted, and if denied, threatened
to take it by force
This irreverence robbed the service of its sacred meaning, and
the people "abhorred the offering of the Lord." They no longer
recognized in the symbol of the offering the great Sacrifice to which
they were to look forward. "Therefore the sin of the young men was
very great before the Lord."
These unfaithful priests dishonored their sacred position by
their evil, degrading practices. Many of the people were disgusted
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