“11 Then the Lord said to Samuel, ‘I am about to do a shocking thing in Israel. 12 I am going to carry out all my threats against Eli and his family, from beginning to end. 13 I have warned him that judgment is coming upon his family forever because his sons are blaspheming Godand he hasn’t disciplined them. 14 So I have vowed that the sins of Eli and his sons will never be forgiven by sacrifices or offerings.’” ~ 1 Samuel 3:11-14
The LORD places children in the hands of their parents. It’s not by chance or accident that you are the parent of the child you have, but it was supernaturally ordained by God. He gave you your child. He placed them in your hands, with the expectancy that you would train them up in the way they should go. Eli, even though he was the High Priest, never corrected his two sons. Because of this, his sons died for their sins, and Eli was also held responsible because he didn’t teach his children. He allowed his two sons to carry on however they wanted, when God wanted and expected him to raise his sons to respect and fear God.
The fear of the LORD isn’t a negative thing, it’s a positive. Proverbs 1:7 says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.” Fearing the LORD means you respect Him and all that He commands. God’s ways don’t always make sense, but if you teach your child to have faith in the LORD, they will never abandon Him. They may stray, but never for long because you helped them build a strong foundation. Teach and discipline your children from a young age, and you will see the seeds you planted flourish as they age. When they are put to the test, they will be able to pass. When they are tempted, they will be able to overcome. When they are lost, they will know how to seek God.
Peace. Love. Go Forth and Train Your Children.