Three Famous Fathers and Six Scalawag Sons! (1 Samuel 2:12-17, 22-25)           2009.06.21        Dr. George Fox

In Scripture, fathers are charged with disciplining and training their children in the admonition of the Lord.  Fathers are role models, as children “close their ears to advice and open their eyes to example.”  One would think that righteous fathers would raise righteous children; and crooked fathers would raise crooked children.  Yet, surprisingly, Scripture abounds in examples of wicked fathers having righteous children: King Ahaz, who encouraged moral decline in Judah, was father to Hezekiah; Amon was father of Josiah, who followed the Lord; Saul, who “died because of his own unfaithfulness,” raised Jonathan.  Scripture also contains many examples of righteous fathers who raised wicked children.  When all is said and done, how dependent are we on the grace of God!

Aaron was the first anointed high priest, he acted as Moses’ spokesperson, and he was the spiritual leader for Israel.  In fact, the entire sacrificial system was mediated by Aaron.  But two of Aaron’s sons, Nadab and Abihu, were stricken by God because they profaned His name.

Solid Stock: There was nothing wrong with their pedigree, which was part of the Messianic line that traced back to Levi.

Special Service:  Aaron and these boys were the only ones allowed to wrap and move the tabernacle – others were not even allowed to watch.  With this responsibility, shouldn’t the fear of God be evident in the sons’ lives?

Special Spiritual Privilege: These boys were among 70 elders who attended a meeting at the foot of the mountain, where a magnificent manifestation of the glory of God appeared, and they ate and drank in His presence.  Furthermore, Lev. 8 and 9 show elaborate preparations.  The climax of this passage, Lev. 9:22, shows that holy fire consumed the sacrifice and was solemnly prepared by Aaron.

Sinful Sacrilege: In the next chapter, Nadab and Abihu disrespected God, and their judgment served as an example of the offensiveness of violating God’s holiness.  Why would they do this?  They took their position for granted, and allowed familiarity to breed contempt.  Sometimes we attempt to serve God on our own terms, and we do not heed his command to be clean. Do not undervalue the privileges He has given you.

Faithful Father: Eli.  Scalawag Sons: Hophni and Phinehas

Inspired Appraisal of their character: Eli’s sons were wicked and worthless, as the Bible uses a word to describe them that is used elsewhere to describe Satan.

Isolated from God.  Even in service to God, they had no fellowship with Him.  This is unfortunately replicated today – people mouth the words and perform the rituals, yet inside they are empty.  Isn’t this sad?  This is the classic definition of a hypocrite, one who so masks himself that he can function in any setting and pull it off.

Insolent: The sins of the sons were great and led others astray.

Immoral: They engaged in religious prostitution.

Ineffectual Discipline: The sin of the Eli was that he was well aware of his sons’ behavior (1 Sam. 2:23).  Unfortunately, he did not discipline them.  Telling is not the same as training!

Indictment of the men: The men had done the sacrifices so many times that it lacked meaning – it was like “kicking something aside.”  Eli honored His sons ahead of God. “Honor God, and He will honor you.”  Eli also did not rebuke his sons.

The lesson from Eli and his sons is to warn us how we can easily become dull and insensitive.  Do you really walk with God?  We cannot just tell children about the truth.  We must bring them to Christ and communicate the satisfying walk with Christ.

Samuel saw all that happened to Eli and his sons.  Samuel was the mouthpiece for God, and spoke the judgment on Eli for his neglect.  Yet years later, Samuel’s own sons went astray.  Samuel has a pristine practice.  He challenged the nation to find any fault with him.  The nation could not, admitting that Samuel was just and true.  It wasn’t the father’s fault at all.  Joel (Yahweh is God) and Abijah (Yahweh is my father), had a great example and heritage in their father, but what a sad succinct summary statement in 1 Sam. 8:3.  “They did not walk in His ways.  They turned aside after dishonest gain.  They took bribes and perverted justice.”  They turned aside for money.  Ministry became a satisfying vocation instead of a spiritual vision; an honorable profession rather than a holy passion; lovely contribution versus a living commitment.

How do you view the calling that God has given you?  He has lavished His grace upon you.  Are you allowing familiarity to breed contempt?  Having been brought up in the church, are you eager to serve Him?  Do you desire to know Him more everyday?  Is there still an inner hunger for the things of God?  Or has the fire gone out?  You have to poke the dying embers, don’t let the flame die!

Live life, lead children, commit yourself to the grace of God.  May God make us men of character, of sterling caliber, whose lives are the best expression of their ideals.