THE COURAGE TO PARENT

• DAY 154
• FEAR FILES: ELI
• SCRIPTURES: 1 SAMUEL 2

“Now the sons of Eli were corrupt; they did not know the Lord. Then a man of God came to Eli and said to him, “Thus says the Lord: ‘Did I not clearly reveal Myself to the house of your father when they were in Egypt in Pharaoh’s house? Why do you kick at My sacrifice and My offering which I have commanded in My dwelling place, and honor your sons more than Me, to make yourselves fat with the best of all the offerings of Israel My people?’ Behold, the days are coming that I will cut off your arm and the arm of your father’s house, so that there will not be an old man in your house. 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.”

I Samuel‬ ‭2‬:‭12‬, ‭27‬, ‭29‬, ‭31‬-‭32‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

To understand what’s happening here you’d have to read the entire story starting from verse 12. But let me summarize it for you in 21st Century church pattern. Eli was the G.O/founder of the Church of Israel, he had two sons who served in that same church as associate pastors.

When people brought their tithes and offerings, they’d send the ushers to go inspect it, divide it up and bring the bigger portion for them. And of the people objected there was a consequence. As if that was not enough evil, these men slept with the ushers, the choir members, sanctuary keepers, protocols members and any lady they see that serves in church. And it wasn’t always consensual. The vileness!!!

You Are Responsible

When their father found out, he cautioned them to stop but they wouldn’t listen. As a result, God promised to strip them of their positions and drive them away from the church. Not only that, they will die young and no man in their generation will live to see old age. To top it all off, God held Eli responsible for their actions. He said of Eli to Samuel:

“For I have told him that I will judge his house forever for the iniquity which he knows, because his sons made themselves vile, and he did not restrain them.” -‭‭I Samuel‬ ‭3‬:‭13‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

In our text He told Eli that he did not honor Him above his sons, so he will be disinherited. I’m over here wondering, but Eli tried now, he warned them in verse 23-25. He told them to stop, what did he do wrong? The things is, a simple warning was not enough to change decades of wrong fathering. And a warning is nothing compared to removing them from service.

Eli knew their evil but didn’t send them out of the temple. He didn’t excommunicate them. He spoke a few words and left them in the position that gave them access to disobey God. In this way he honored them above God. God also told them clearly that they were to tech their children His laws.

The next generation was so important to God that He made them carry a rock from the midst of the sea and put manner in the ark of covenant. He was leaving evidence for the next generation but somehow the people He made responsible failed at their jobs because they wanted to be friends rather than parents.

Be A Parent

It is so amazing how our world today looks exactly like Bible days. When I look at the decadence of culture and the new inventions of how people think children should be raised I shudder. We are in an era where parents let kids choose what they want. Really? We are so afraid to stand up for the culture of God and raise our kids right because we don’t want to be canceled. The social media parents are ready to come for anyone who is even remotely trying to uphold God’s standard of child raising.

If you are a parent or you plan to be, 1 Samuel 2 should send shivers down your spine. Especially as a father. To know that God does not tolerate irresponsible parenting. God is not saying abuse your kids, He’s saying raise, teach and guide them. Sometimes that might mean more than go to your room. It could mean introducing them to the law of consequence. God forbid that because you are too afraid of being disliked you invoke a generational curse upon your children. God forbid that because you refuse to put your foot down, your child grows up to be a menace to society.

I pray for you.

You will not be afraid to raise your kids in the love and fear of God. You will not be afraid to honor God above your seed. The spirit of courage is upon you and you will stand for the next generation. Your children will be godly. Your generation will know God. No seed that proceeds out of your loins or womb will walk away from the Lord. I bring them under the preservation power of the blood . In the name of Jesus. Amen

Shalom