Title: A Father's Failure/Topic: Priorities

Today’s Reading: 1 Samuel 1; 1 Samuel 2; Psalm 66; 2 Corinthians 7

Scripture: 1 Samuel 2:12, 22-24, 29-30
12 Eli's sons were wicked men; they had no regard for the LORD.

22 Now Eli, who was very old, heard about everything his sons were doing to all Israel and how they slept with the women who served at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting. 23 So he said to them, "Why do you do such things? I hear from all the people about these wicked deeds of yours. 24 No, my sons; it is not a good report that I hear spreading among the LORD's people.

29 Why do you scorn my sacrifice and offering that I prescribed for my dwelling? Why do you honor your sons more than me by fattening yourselves on the choice parts of every offering made by my people Israel?'
30 "Therefore the LORD, the God of Israel, declares: 'I promised that your house and your father's house would minister before me forever.' But now the LORD declares: 'Far be it from me! Those who honor me I will honor, but those who despise me will be disdained.

Observation: The above verses are highlights of a very sad story. Eli, whether out of laziness or loving his sons too much to punish them or some other reason, refuses to correct their sinful behavior. They are priests who represent God to the people and Eli's failure as a father has resulted in many people harboring resentment toward serving God. Eli needed to remove his sons from their priestly office until they repented of their evil behavior instead of giving them a verbal rebuke only. Eli, even knowing what his sons were doing, still ate some of the offering meat that was stolen wrongfully from the people by his sons and by doing so, passively accepted their behavior. As a result, a prophet came and told Eli that his sons would be killed. Notice in verse 30 that God even changes his mind about what he had promised Eli about his family because of Eli's refusal to properly discipline his sons. God is faithful but most of his promises to us are conditional. If we fail to do as he says, he is under no obligation to continue his blessings to us.

Application: I need to have my priorities in order. God comes first, then family. I cannot afford to put my family and their approval of me or affection for me above God's approval of me. If I do, then ultimately both my family and I will suffer. As with Eli, if I don't do right, many others may suffer as well. If anyone I love is making choices in rebellion to God, I must stand by God, even if it means alienation from my loved ones.

Prayer: Help me Lord to be a parent with the proper priorities in my life. I want to be an example of right living to everyone who knows me. Bless me as I serve you so that all who watch me may know that putting you first is the best way to live even though it is sometimes difficult. Intimacy with you and living under your hand of blessing is worth any momentary hardships in this life.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.