ESOCS Devotional 10 April 2023
MEMORY VERSE: “In that day I will perform against Eli all that I have spoken concerning his house, from beginning to end. 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. And therefore I have sworn to the house of Eli that the iniquity of Eli’s house shall not be atoned for by sacrifice or offering forever.” 1 Samuel 3:12-14
TEXT: 1 SAMUEL 3:1-18
Now the boy Samuel ministered to the Lord before Eli. The word of the Lord was rare and precious in those days; there was no frequent or widely spread vision.
2 At that time Eli, whose eyesight had dimmed so that he could not see, was lying down in his own place.
3 The lamp of God had not yet gone out in the temple of the Lord, where the ark of God was, and Samuel was lying down
4 When the Lord called, Samuel! And he answered, Here I am.
5 He ran to Eli and said, Here I am, for you called me. Eli said, I did not call you; lie down again. So he went and lay down.
6 And the Lord called again, Samuel! And Samuel arose and went to Eli and said, Here am I; you did call me. Eli answered, I did not call, my son; lie down again.
7 Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, and the word of the Lord was not yet revealed to him.
8 And the Lord called Samuel the third time. And he went to Eli and said, Here I am, for you did call me. Then Eli perceived that the Lord was calling the boy.
9 So Eli said to Samuel, Go, lie down. And if He calls you, you shall say, Speak, Lord, for Your servant is listening. So Samuel went and lay down in his place.
10 And the Lord came and stood and called as at other times, Samuel! Samuel! Then Samuel answered, Speak, Lord, for Your servant is listening.
11 The Lord told Samuel, Behold, I am about to do a thing in Israel at which both ears of all who hear it shall tingle.
12 On that day I will perform against Eli all that I have spoken concerning his house, from beginning to end.
13 And I [now] announce to him that I will judge and punish his house forever for the iniquity of which he knew, for his sons were bringing a curse upon themselves [blaspheming God], and he did not restrain them.
14 Therefore I have sworn to the house of Eli that the iniquity of Eli’s house shall not be atoned for or purged with sacrifice or offering forever.
15 Samuel lay until morning; then he opened the doors of the Lord’s house. And [he] was afraid to tell the vision to Eli.
16 But Eli called Samuel and said, Samuel, my son. And he answered, Here I am.
17 Eli said, What is it He told you? Pray do not hide it from me. May God do so to you, and more also, if you hide anything from me of all that He said to you.
18 And Samuel told him everything, hiding nothing. And Eli said, It is the Lord; let Him do what seems good to Him.
Read Yesterday’s ESOCS Devotional here
Godly parents do not always produce godly children. There are many cases of “pastors” and devout Christians whose children turn out to be a great disappointment to their parents. They have not followed the footsteps of their parents. Eli was a godly man who was very dedicated in the service of God, but his children were “sons of Belial”. They were corrupt, adulterous, and did not revere God. Samuel’s children did not do much better. They also did not follow the footstep of their father. Samuel appointed them judges but they went after dishonest gains, accepted bribes, and perverted justice. Why does this happen?
Many times, godly parents take the upbringing of their children for granted. They get too busy and too taken with the work of the ministry or with the duties of Christian life so much so that they do not have enough time to give the needed attention to the proper upbringing of their children. Sometimes too as in the case of Eli, parents do not put their feet on the ground and use their parental authority to curb disorderly behavior and ensure that children do the right thing and follow godliness. They fail to apply necessary discipline when the children are out of line. Rather they favor and tend to protect them from the consequences of their wrong deeds. The result will be children of godly parents who are not like their parents. In the case of Eli, the consequence was tragic.
Godly children are a basic need. It’s so important that it is a consideration in qualifying for the ministry. A man’s destiny is not just fulfilled in him but in his children; thus, a man that produces ungodly children short changes himself (Gen 18:19). God desires a godly seed in the Children of His people (Mal 2:15). Christians must therefore take time to get their children to love and fear the Lord.
- hat impression do you get when a man of God has immoral and wayward children?
- Can you think of five common errors parents make in child upbringing? Write them down.
- Heavenly Father, we thank you for the gift of children. Help us know your will and purpose for the precious gift you have given us in our children. Help us in all things to raise children who are in your image and likeness. Amen.
FURTHER READING: 2 Samuel 19:31-end; Jeremiah 36:1-15; Matthew 26:69-end; John 3:1-6
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ESOCS Devotional 10 April 2023
