1 SAMUEL 3:13,14

It could be that one of the prime responsibilities of fathers is to discipline. Fathers must love, but it cannot be denied that true love, according to the holy Scriptures, also involves discipline. This is not just the Old Testament, but the New Testament affirms the same. The writer of the book of Hebrews firmly states, “For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth” (Hebrews 12:6). It signifies hardship and discipline as proof of God’s parental care. The Bible states, “He that spareth his rod, hateth his son, but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes” (Proverbs 13:24). It also says in Proverbs 19:18, “Chasten thy son while there is hope and let not thy soul spare for his crying.” As much as we hate to hear them cry, we are warned not to spoil them. Wisdom demands that we do positive training while using some negative restraints. The ramifications of not disciplining the children are too great a price to pay just because we don’t want to hurt their feelings. May God help us to know there is no greater task or honor to which we have been called, if we have been chosen to be fathers, and to have someone look up to us as fathers. What a blessing!

Somehow, for a reflection today, my mind was directed to Eli. Eli was not just a priest, but was the high priest at the tabernacle in Shiloh and served as a judge over Israel. Unfortunately, he became known as the priest who failed to discipline his sons. He faithfully mentored and supervised the young prophet Samuel, but miserably failed to discipline his own wicked sons, Hophni and Phinehas. His sons became vile, immoral, and contemptuous, and for whatever reason, he neglected to discipline them (1 Samuel 3:13). He meticulously trained others while his own sons became renegade and disgusting.

He failed to restrain them. Eli heard about his son’s evil dealings and refused to hold them accountable, to strip them, or take them out of office, where they could no longer do such harm and disservice to the people of God. They preyed on the weak and defenseless (1 Sam. 2:22). They abused their power and authority. He heard about his sons’ corrupt and immoral behavior, and yet he took no serious action to deter nor restrict them. He honored his sons above the Lord (v.29). They profited off the office of priest. Eli heard and knew of their evil misdeeds and just innocuously, verbally reprimanded them (v.23). He never launched a thorough investigation in an effort to clean house. In fact, it seemed more like a cover-up. Through his inaction he then became complicit with the corruption. It is noteworthy how He strongly, falsely rebuked Hannah in the temple but went softly where his own sons’ conspicuously aberrant behavior was concerned. For this Eli was severely judged and unceremoniously disqualified and defrocked. May God help us!

Fathers, we cannot be afraid to check, confront, and discipline. We can never disrespect God by failing to sharply confront evil and wrong, even when found in our own house. Evil must forever be confronted and not condoned. Scriptures are careful to point out that it was not Eli who made his sons evil. It says “. . . his sons made themselves vile and he restrained them not” (3:13). He took no action. He probably felt it would go away and resolve itself. He may have been a good public figure and excellent mentor/priest to Samuel, but a lousy father to his own sons. May we put the time in to take care of home while we do so much in the outside world and sphere. God help us to be the best fathers we can be! Happy Father’s Day!