Family Matters
Scripture:
1 Samuel 2:29 ‘Why do you kick at My sacrifice and at My offering which I have commanded in My dwelling, and honor your sons above Me, by making yourselves fat with the choicest of every offering of My people Israel?’
Observation:
This is a sad story about the wickedness of Eli the priest’s sons. Here is a man of God knowledgeable in the Law of God, yet his sons are wicked above all the people of Israel. The Bible calls them “worthless men”. They took advantage of the people and were involved in major sexual immorality, maybe even rape. At the very least they definitely abused their position of leadership. Eli failed miserably not only his family but the whole nation of Israel. He was so unaware of what was happening he had to hear about it from all the people (unless he chose to ignore it and only was embarrassed that people were talking about it).
And we see how God saw Eli as guilty in this matter by partaking of the stolen meat making himself fat from all the choice meats. This really is sad. Here Eli honored his sons above the Lord and caused great damage because of it, damage which would last for generations to come.
Application:
If I really want to honor my family, I must first learn to honor the Lord. By following closely all His commands and remaining obedient to His ways am I able to really lead my family and bring true honor to my household. When I get that backwards and allow the immediate wants and needs and behaviors of my kids to run the house I am in danger of really destroying them. When I am out of godly order and balance in the home everyone suffers. This is especially true as a leader in ministry. God has a great vision for my family to walk in His ways and to honor Him. I have the opportunity to raise a generation who will follow hard after the Lord.
Prayer:
God, help me be the father I need to be. I pray I wouldn’t lead my family from a place of convenience or laziness. Give me wisdom and strength to stand up and be the dad I need to be. Help me to lead by example and to speak into the heart of my children. May I never put “family loyalty” above my loyalty to you. May I never be so quick to hide the dysfunctions of my family to the point where it causes damage for generations to come. Please allow the blessings of walking with you and raising a godly heritage pass on from me to my kids and to their kids and beyond for generations and generations. Help me to establish a deep family root of godliness in my line. May the Casteel family be one dedicated to serving You all the days of their lives. This I pray in Your name-Amen.
