Raising up GODLY children
March 20 Bible
Reading: 1 Samuel Chapters 1-3
Raising up GODLY children
As the book of 1 Samuel opens, judges
had ruled Israel for more than two hundred years. In the midst of the gross
wickedness committed by the High Priest’s sons, God prepared a woman from the
tribe of Ephraim called Hannah to offer her child Samuel for God’s services.
Samuel became the last judge and priest as well as the first official prophet for Israel. He took the
place of the two sons of Eli the High Priest, who were corrupt and did not know
God (1 Sam 2:12). They sinned against God greatly by despising the meat
offerings brought to the Tabernacle (v. 17), committing sexual acts with the
women who came to the door of the Tabernacle (v. 22), and disobeying the
instructions of their father Eli (v. 25). In contrast, the boy Samuel
ministered to the Lord before Eli the priest (1 Sam 2:11b, 18; 3:1a), grew in
stature before the Lord and men (1 Sam 2:21b, 26), and was a recipient of God’s
revelation concerning the future of Israel (1 Sam 3:1-18, 21). The Lord was
with Samuel and did not allow any of his words “fall to the ground” (be in vain), as he became established as a
prophet of God all over Israel (1 Sam 3:20).
In the midst
of the prophecy against the house of Eli (1 Sam 2:35-36), mercy was promised to
Israel. God's work shall be done by faithful people that He will raise up like
prophet Samuel. Jesus Christ is that merciful and faithful High Priest, whom
God raised up when the Levitical priesthood was thrown off. "Then I will raise up for Myself a
faithful priest who shall do according to what is in My heart and in My mind. I
will build him a sure house, and he shall walk before My anointed forever"
(1 Sam 2:35)
The sad story of Eli and his sons tell us how important it is for us to raise godly children. We should never allow our children to continue in any evil way but use our authority to restrain, correct and train them in godly ways. Let Eli's example lead all parents earnestly to look out for any ungodly habits in their children, and take a real effort to train them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
