ESOCS Devotional 26 March 2021
TEXT: 1 SAMUEL 2:27-35
MEMORY VERSE: “And what happens to your two sons Hophni and Phinehas will be a sign to you, they will both die the same day.” 1 Samuel 2:34 NIV
Eli excelled and succeeded as a priest in his ministry but did not take charge of his family. He did not discipline his children to show them the way of the Lord Proverb (23:13-14; Proverb. 22:6; Proverb 13:24). The Bible says, “The children were wicked and had no regard for the Lord” (1 Samuel 2:12).
The Lord’s wrath fell upon the family and the two sons died on the same day. He cut off the covenant of priesthood from the family of Eli. Eli’s failure to lead his family eventually led to his downfall as a religious leader. The revered judge of Israel failed to discipline his two sons and ended up rearing spiritual rebels. Eli lost his credibility before God, his job, and eventually his life.
The scripture teaches that if we do not faithfully lead our own household, we lack the
qualifications to lead beyond the home (1 Timothy 3:4-5). Simply put, if it doesn’t work at home, don’t export it.
Eli made some crucial errors:
He emphasized teaching his colleagues and his clients but not his family.
Eli thought his children will ‘get it’ just because they lived in the house of God.
Eli failed to live out in his home what he taught in his work.
Eli got so caught up with his profession that he was blinded at the home front, and he failed.
Let us learn from this mistake of Eli and like Abraham teach our families the ways of the Lord (Genesis 18:19).
Read yesterday’s ESOCS Devotional here
CHALLENGES
Do you leave your family members and go to church alone?
Do you teach them to practice biblical principles?
PRAYER POINT
Pray God to give you the wisdom to lead your family aright.
FURTHER READING: 1 Samuel 16:1-13; Mathew 7:15-27; 1 Corinthians 4:1-8
Thank you for reading the ESOCS Devotional today. Please share and follow us on all our platforms to contribute to the spread of the Gospel.
ESOCS Devotional 26 March 2021
