1 SAMUEL 2:12 Now the sons of Eli were sons of Belial; they knew not the Lord.
Eli was an Israelite priest who did not teach his sons to be submissive.
Eli's failure to raise his children properly had disastrous effects on not only his own family but also the entire nation of Israel. Referring to 1 Samuel 4:10–11
The story of Eli and his sons illustrates how significant God thinks it is for parents to raise and teach their children to obey him.
1 SAMUEL 3:13 For I have told him that I will judge his house for ever for the iniquity which he knoweth; because his sons made themselves vile, and he restrained them not.
1 SAMUEL 2:22 Now Eli was very old, and heard all that his sons did unto all Israel; and how they lay with the women that assembled at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.
Eli may have warned his sons that what they were doing was improper, but it is clear that they had no concen for their father's word and disregarded his advice.
Eli must have failed to teach them to obey while they were young since God held him accountable for this.
Teaching is only one aspect of training.
Making sure someone performs a task correctly until it becomes second nature is training.
1 SAMUEL 2:29 Wherefore kick ye at my sacrifice and at mine offering, which I have commanded in my habitation; and honourest thy sons above me, to make yourselves fat with the chiefest of all the offerings of Israel my people?
God punished Eli because he failed to enforce moral behavior in his kids.
Eli was to honor his sons more than God, according to God.
A lot of parents do the same thing wrong. They prioritize their children's needs and happiness above all else in life, even God. By elevating their kids in this manner above God, parents are basically worshiping their kids.
COLOSSIANS 3:20 Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.
We are only supposed to OBEY our parents when we are youngsters. Scripture, however, commands us to ALWAYS HONOUR our parents, regardless of our age. Honor primarily refers to respect and treating someone with extra regard.
EPHESIANS 6:2 Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise;
The main reason for teaching children to comply is for their own benefit, not for the parents'.
It is child abuse not to teach your kids to obey.
At the time, it could seem simpler for a parent to let their child do anything they want rather than constrain them or teach them to do the appropriate thing. However, this hurts the kid because it teaches them to commit crimes. They are robbed of the blessing and peace they ought to experience as a result.
God gives fathers the primary responsibility for ensuring that their children are raised in accordance with His Word.
Mothers are not free from this obligation, but God ultimately holds fathers accountable.
EPHESIANS 6:4 And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
(Note: Don't give up if you weren't a perfect parent. God is a gracious and forgiving God. Therefore, if you pray for your kids, God will intervene in their lives.)
SAY THIS: Lord, I ask that parents in our nation raise their kids in accordance with God's Word.
