S) "3 His sons, however, did not walk in his ways, but turned aside after dishonest gain and took bribes and perverted justice.
4 Then all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah; 5 and they said to him, 'Behold, you have grown old, and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now appoint a king for us to judge us like all the nations.'"
1 Samuel 8:3-5 (NASB)
O) A few things are here, that aren't exactly related.
First, it is tragically ironic that this issue is the same one that faced Eli, before Samuel. Eli was serving as priest, his sons were wicked, so Samuel comes to replace them as successor to Eli.
Second, it strikes me that this could have been early motivation for the Catholic church to require celebacy in their priesthood. I mean, there is biblical precedent for a priest to have wicked offspring. I'm well aware of the historical, political, financial reasons as well, but this did still occur to me.
Third, and most importantly, this was a major blow to Samuel, personally. He did, in fact, witness this same thing happen to the priest before him. In the very next verse, it says this, "was displeasing in the sight of Samuel," (emphasis added). Even before he brought the issue to the LORD, he recognized this as the same problem that brought him into the priesthood from the start. As he prays to God in the next few verses, he is also confronted with the fact that his failure as a father will mean a major shift for the nation of Israel, and there will be no turning back from this day.
First, it is tragically ironic that this issue is the same one that faced Eli, before Samuel. Eli was serving as priest, his sons were wicked, so Samuel comes to replace them as successor to Eli.
Second, it strikes me that this could have been early motivation for the Catholic church to require celebacy in their priesthood. I mean, there is biblical precedent for a priest to have wicked offspring. I'm well aware of the historical, political, financial reasons as well, but this did still occur to me.
Third, and most importantly, this was a major blow to Samuel, personally. He did, in fact, witness this same thing happen to the priest before him. In the very next verse, it says this, "was displeasing in the sight of Samuel," (emphasis added). Even before he brought the issue to the LORD, he recognized this as the same problem that brought him into the priesthood from the start. As he prays to God in the next few verses, he is also confronted with the fact that his failure as a father will mean a major shift for the nation of Israel, and there will be no turning back from this day.
A) Several places in the New Testament speak to the importance of leading my family, before trying to lead other people (see 1 Timothy 3:1-7, especially v.5). The above passage is one more example of that importance. In a larger sense, sometimes I see grandparents who must step in, raising their grandchildren as proxy-parents. I've never had the occasion to discuss it with one of them directly, but it occurs to me that many times, this need is borne from the parents (the 2nd generation), failing in some capacity or another. Drug use, crime, desertion, or some combination, leaves the 1st and 3rd generations with eachother. I wonder sometimes, how much the grandparent is driven by the guilt of facing their own failure in the absence of their child, the parent of their grandchild... If I am raising my children to love and serve God wholly, then I have done well. But, I think the real proof, is seeing how they raise their children. If I can see that I have taught my children, how to teach their children, then I know the cycle can really be changed toward God. By His grace, I was saved. By His grace alone, all are saved. But, I that does not relieve me of responsibility in raising my daughters and son to walk in my ways. Most notably, as they grow up and have their own spouses and children, I need to continue to teach them how to be effective spouses and parents for the LORD.
P) Father, by Your grace, You pulled me from the mire. You took me up, adopting me, disciplining me as Your own child. I know, ultimately, that my children belong to You. My grandchildren are likewise Yours. I am only a steward. But, as a steward to Your blessing entrusted to me, I want to be faithful to love them well. As my primary, external ministry, lead me to lead them. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.
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