Wednesday 6th March 2019 - Daily Reading:
1 Samuel 2:12-36 - Children by Becky White
At the end of yesterday’s reading, we learned that Samuel stayed with Eli and ministered to the Lord under his authority.
Today, we begin by reading that Eli’s own sons were wicked men who did not serve the Lord at all. Their wickedness was especially serious because they served as religious leaders in Israel, and yet not only did they lead ungodly lifestyles, but they did not honour God, or worship him, or treat their priestly duties with any respect.
The contrast here is not only between Samuel and Eli’s sons, but also between Hannah and Eli. Hannah respected God’s calling on Samuel’s life, and even made him a little priestly robe every year. Although, as a young boy, his service would probably have been only minor, she still dressed him for the role he would eventually fulfil. Hannah was purposeful for Samuel. She influenced him towards God’s purposes for his life throughout his childhood.
Unfortunately, Eli had no influence over his sons. Even when he confronted them about their behaviour, they paid no attention to him, and carried on as before, which only led them on to disaster.
Raising children is a heavy responsibility. There can be few parents who have not at some point felt themselves to be failing. Within the body of the church, we have a responsibility to support families to raise their children. What are God’s purposes for those children? How are we, as parents and as brothers and sisters in Christ, modelling godly living, and guiding children towards the good plans that God has made for them? Hannah began as she meant to go on, dedicating Samuel to God, and she followed that promise through. May God give us strength as we seek to do the same.