Title: Ellie Failed to Raise Children
Content It is always called Children's Sunday, but it seems to exist only in Korea, and in the Bible, the responsibility of raising children is entrusted to the parents (Ephesians 6:4). Therefore, because parents have a great responsibility, if they do not grow in faith, they will receive God's wrath together. If you look at the failure of the priestly family of Eli:
1. Something shocking happened 11-12
1) Judgment of Eli's house 11- “The Lord will do something... and both ears will tingle at everyone who hears it.” Here, “what has been done” refers to the judgment of Eli’s house, the punishment for the priest Eli and his descendants. is. Because God's judgment is just, we must not commit sin. If we do not overcome sin, we must hurry in time to repent and the way to live will be opened. Because of the two sons in Eli's family, he will be severely judged. “Both ears will ring” means that everyone who hears God's chastisement will understand, and everyone is shocked and surprised by this rumor. In the war with the Philistines, 30,000 infantrymen were killed, the court was taken, and their two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, were killed (4:10-11). The 98-year-old Elijah (4:15) was shocked by the news, fell on a chair and broke his neck and died, and his son-in-law also died in childbirth (4:18-20).
2) Fulfillment of prophecy 12- “All that I have said about Eli’s house… will be fulfilled” God, who is merciful, always awakens his chosen people with his generous love, and speaks before punishing them (Genesis 6: 13- Deaf flood light). God has already prophesied through God's people (2:27-36), but now he is reaffirming that covenant and saying that it will be completely fulfilled. Whether we read the Bible or listen to sermons, if there is a closing word that comes to our mind, we must chew the cud to find the meaning and obey it to open the way to live. “From the beginning” means “from the beginning to the end” that it will be completely fulfilled. In any case, the family should come to honor by nurturing the faith well, rather than being dishonored by failing to raise children.
2. Causes of shocking events 13-14
1) Knowing the sin and letting it go 13- “…because of the sins he knew… His sons asked for a curse, but he did not forbid…” Eli himself knew well the crimes that the priest Eli’s house should be judged on. it was a fact. It blasphemed the sacrifice offered to God (2:12-17) and committed the sin of having sex with the woman who served at the door of the tent of meeting (2:22). However, Eli said only with lukewarm words about the sins of his sons, “2:24, my son, the rumors that I have heard are not good.” If you do not listen and continue to commit crimes, you must punish them so that they can stop their sins. If you love your children, discipline them (Proverbs 13:24, 29:17), but not cause them to anger. No matter what happens to our children, we must worship them reverently and not get drunk on the world.
2) It was a sin that did not receive mercy14- “...the iniquity of Eli's house is to be atoned for forever, whether through sacrifice or offering...” The sons of Eli's priests committed an irreversible sin and were disciplined because they erred in raising them. will be There is no worship for atonement for the sins of those who do not receive God's mercy (Hebrews 10:26). “Sacrifice” in the text is animal sacrifice, and “gift” is a sacrifice made with grain. When Brother Hophni died, there was no time to offer such a sacrifice. In the Bible, the limit of the reason for sin is mentioned (Matthew 12:31, Heb 10:26-29, 1 John 5:16). If children or themselves behave recklessly, they will only be disciplined. To God who is rich in mercy (Ephesians 2:4), we must pray to receive mercy (Joel 2:17, Hab 3:2), and receive blessings, not judgments.
(Conclusion) The children God has given us are God's chosen people. Therefore, we need to nurture them with the Bible so that we can serve God according to the will of God, and we must raise them carefully while praying together. Let us worship, pray, evangelize, and devote ourselves to avoid being plundered by the world, and follow the teachings of the Bible to receive the guidance of the Holy Spirit.