Dare To Discipline Series

DARE TO DISCIPLINE (1 SAMUEL 2:12-36)

In Virginia several years ago, Elisa Kelly made what she thought was a smart parenting decision. Her son Ryan asked her to buy beer and wine for his 16th-birthday party at the family's home, promising that no one would leave until morning. Kelly agreed, and to further guard against drunken driving, she collected guests' car keys. But neighbors called police, who arrested Kelly and her ex-husband for what one official said was the worst case of underage drinking he'd seen in years. Kelly maintained that she was just trying to control drinking that would have gone on whether or not she had bought alcohol for the kids. Both got time in jail; 27 months for the mother. (“The Teen Drinking Dilemma” Newsweek, June 25, 2007)

The era of the Judges was bad, but the sons of Eli were worse. They did the most beastly things, the most unspeakable and regretful things in the temple. They coveted the meat in the temple, molested the ladies at the temple and betrayed the goodwill of the worshippers. God’s people were abused, God’s place was desecrated, and God’s provisions were stolen.

How could a devout father such as Eli miss the warning signs? What can and should a parent do? What is the privilege and responsibility of parenthood? What happens when discipline is slack, absent or disregarded in the family?

Spare the Rod and Spoil the Child

12 Eli's sons were wicked men; they had no regard for the Lord. 13 Now it was the practice of the priests with the people that whenever anyone offered a sacrifice and while the meat was being boiled, the servant of the priest would come with a three-pronged fork in his hand. 14 He would plunge it into the pan or kettle or caldron or pot, and the priest would take for himself whatever the fork brought up. This is how they treated all the Israelites who came to Shiloh. 15 But even before the fat was burned, the servant of the priest would come and say to the man who was sacrificing, “Give the priest some meat to roast; he won't accept boiled meat from you, but only raw.” 16 If the man said to him, “Let the fat be burned up first, and then take whatever you want,” the servant would then answer, “No, hand it over now; if you don't, I'll take it by force.” 17 This sin of the young men was very great in the Lord's sight, for they were treating the Lord's offering with contempt. (1 Sam 2:12-17)

22 Now Eli, who was very old, heard about everything his sons were doing to all Israel and how they slept with the women who served at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting. 23 So he said to them, “Why do you do such things? I hear from all the people about these wicked deeds of yours. 24 No, my sons; it is not a good report that I hear spreading among the LORD's people. 25 If a man sins against another man, God may mediate for him; but if a man sins against the LORD, who will intercede for him?” His sons, however, did not listen to their father's rebuke, for it was the LORD's will to put them to death. 26 And the boy Samuel continued to grow in stature and in favor with the Lord and with men. (1 Sam 2:22-26)

The most fundamental and important service godly parents can render to God is to raise godly children, to impact their lives and to ready them for responsibilities.

One of the most terrific mothers of all time was Susannah Wesley. Susannah’s father was a minister and she was born in England in 1669 as the youngest of 25 children! Susannah was married at 19 to Samuel Wesley, a minister. Not to be outdone, she had 19 children herself. Her husband was always away attending church meetings and planting new churches, so the responsibility of raising kids was hers. She always wanted to do big things for God but her biggest contribution unquestionably was raising children to serve God. Her two sons, John and Charles Wesley, practically changed the world. John was the founder of the Methodist movement and composer Charles was probably the finest hymn-writer, musician and composer of all-time in England. His songs included the Easter classic, “Christ the Lord is Risen Today,” and the Christmas classic, “Hark! the Herald Angels Sing.”

The godly Susannah’s approach was to spend an hour each day praying for her 19 children and to take each child aside for a full hour each week to discuss spiritual matters. She also expected each child to be able to read the Book of Genesis by the time he or she was six years child.