Day1
Week4
1 Samuel
“The sons of Eli [Hophni and Phinehas] were worthless (dishonorable, unprincipled) men; they did not know [nor respect] the Lord and the custom of the priests with [the sacrifices of] the people. When any man was offering a sacrifice, the priest’s servant would come while the meat was boiling, with a three-pronged [meat] fork in his hand; then he would thrust it into the pan, or kettle, or caldron, or pot; everything that the fork brought up the priest would take for himself. This is what they did in Shiloh to all [the sacrifices of] the Israelites who came there. Also, before they burned (offered) the fat, the priest’s servant would come and say to the man who was sacrificing, “Give the priest meat to roast, since he will not accept boiled meat from you, only raw.” If the man said to him, “Certainly they are to burn (offer) the fat first, and then you may take as much as you want,” then the priest’s servant would say, “No! You shall give it to me now or I will take it by force.” So the sin of the [two] young men [Hophni and Phinehas] was very great before the Lord, for the men treated the offering of the Lord disrespectfully.”
1 Samuel 2:12-17 AMP
Cross references
Leviticus 3:16;
Romans 1:28–30;
Malachi 2:7–9;
Matthew 18:7;
Unprincipled
An unprincipled person follows no moral code, has no integrity, and should not be trusted, like the guy who offers to help an old lady across the street but steals her purse instead.
Eli was not just a priest, but a father. He was responsible for teaching his boys about the Lord and disciplining them.
He was the high priest at Shiloh. He could have removed his son’s from their office of priesthood. He chose to ignore what they were doing rather than hold them accountable. Thus loving them more than God.
Have you ever given in to your child just to shut them up?
Have you ever helped them out of a jam ( maybe done a project for them or paid for something they broke)rather than allow them to face the full consequences of their actions?
I think as parents we all have done that a time or two.
Eli’s boys had no moral code. They were unprincipled. I think spoiled rotten may be a pretty good description.
These boys were trained in the office of a priest unto God, but they didn’t respect nor honor the office, their father or God.
We are all supposed to teach our children all the laws of God and remember all God has done by teaching God’s Word to them.
Also discipline them and let them face their own consequences.
This is hard, but it is showing them love.
If you have a wayward child no longer under your care; you can not go back in time and fix it.
We can only repent and ask God to intervene in His mercy.
If you have repented, then let go and allow God to do the work.
Continue to pray in thanksgiving for the prodigal child’s return to God.
(Philippians 4:6;
1 Thess. 5:16-18)
Prayer example:
Thank you God that you see my child where they are and thank you God for your mercy on them. Thank you God for softening their heart and bringing them safely back into Your flock!
We have a mouth and we can obey God by following His example and speaking things that be not as though they are according to His Word. (Romans 4:17,Isaiah 44:7;)
We can speak God’s Word, which is His will back to Him.
It is God’s will that all would be saved. Your child included.
Trust God, let go of your false control over things and thank God for His promises.
Action Step:
Repeat the above prayer of thanksgiving and insert your specific request thanking and praising God for your victory!
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