1 Samuel 3:11-21 | Part 8
Romans 12:17-21
Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Don’t return evil for evil
Be honorable in public and private
Pursue and live at peace
Evil is overcome with God’s goodness
1st Samuel 3:11-21
The Lord said to Samuel, “I am about to do something in Israel that will cause everyone who hears about it to shudder. 12 On that day I will carry out against Eli everything I said about his family, from beginning to end.
Pay attention when the God of the universe tells you He’s about to do something that will make you shudder.
What did God say would happen to Eli in Chapter 2?
You have despised me, I will disgrace you
I will take your strength
I will remove your long-life in your family
Affliction, anguish, and distress will be in the Temple
All descendants will die violently
Your sons will both be killed on the same day
13 I told him that I am going to judge his family forever because of the iniquity he knows about: his sons are cursing God, and he has not stopped them. 14 Therefore, I have sworn to Eli’s family: The iniquity of Eli’s family will never be wiped out by either sacrifice or offering.”
Eli and his sons were judged because of the iniquity Eli knew and did nothing about
This is a really big deal. God is extremely angry
What caused this brutal and heavy judgment of Eli’s house?
Eli knew about iniquity in his house and did nothing about it
Telling someone they are doing something wrong is not enough
Eli’s sons cursed God and had contempt for Him
Eli allowed them to continue this behavior in the temple which was a designated holy place
Do we have a responsibility to lead our house?
100% yes
Hebrews 12:5b-8
“My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. 6 For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.” 7 It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? 8 If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons.
Men who disregard the discipleship of God will not take the calling to discipleship their kids to heart
Discipleship is love
God treats us as his children when he disciplines us
If you don’t accept discipleship, you are illegitimate children
If you don’t disciple your kids, you're not a real father.
Last week we read this passage:
Deuteronomy 6:6-7
These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts.
7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.
Where are the precepts to be found?
Children must not just hear what to do, but WHY!
Years ago when our kids were little, Selina and I were told about the three stages of children, and that the 3rd one is skipped all the time with detrimental effects. Here they are:
Stage One: birth to 5
Obey me, Obey me, Obey me!
Stage two: 6-12
Teach precepts
Explain that you as a parent are under these same precepts
Don’t lie, don’t steal, don’t murder, etc.
Stage three: 13-18
Teach the WHY of the precepts!
Why shouldn’t you steal?
Why shouldn’t you have sex?
Why shouldn’t you cheat on homework?
15 Samuel lay down until the morning; then he opened the doors of the Lord’s house. He was afraid to tell Eli the vision, 16 but Eli called him and said, “Samuel, my son.” “Here I am,” answered Samuel. 17 “What was the message he gave you?” Eli asked. “Don’t hide it from me. May God punish you and do so severely if you hide anything from me that he told you.” 18 So Samuel told him everything and did not hide anything from him. Eli responded, “He is the Lord. Let him do what he thinks is good.”
The torch is being passed
Eli is done, and Samuel has been called
Eli’s statement is interesting, isn’t it?
19 Samuel grew. The Lord was with him, and he fulfilled everything Samuel prophesied. 20 All Israel from Dan to Beer-sheba knew that Samuel was a confirmed prophet of the Lord. 21 The Lord continued to appear in Shiloh, because there he revealed himself to Samuel by his word.
This is our desire for our children!
The Lord is with them
The Lord uses them for His glory
The Lord reveals Himself to them and their journey through His word