Eli's Advice

I Samuel 2:22-36 Eli’s Advice

1. Eli would tells us in-order to be a good Father “put God First”

• He did not put God first. He had other priorities. He had other concerns.

• 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.

• God sent his prophet to rebuke Eli, he asked him, “Why do you honor your sons more than me?” (1 Samuel 2:29) Eli had put his sons before God. Eli’s sons were abusing the sacrifices in the temple, and Eli knew what they were doing, but he did nothing about it.

• "Putting God first" Theologian said, means making God your top priority in all aspects of life. This involves aligning our thoughts, actions, and choices with God's will and teachings.

2. Eli might tells us to be a good Father correct or fix the sins in your own life.

• Eli not only let his sons continue in their sin, but he participated in their sin with them. The prophet made it clear that Eli was fattening himself on the offerings of the people along with his sons.

• Fathers if there is sin in our life that we are not bringing before God and confessing, we are endangering our family’s well-being.

• Eli probably would tell us. I should have showed the way. We need to set the example as the apostle said to folks in Corinth: “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.” (1 Corinthians 11:1)

• Simply put we are to live righteous by prayer, meditation, fasting, studying

3. The next thing Eli might tell us discipline your children Fathers

• God said, “For I told him that I would judge his family forever because of the sin he knew about; his sons made themselves contemptible, and he failed to restrain them. Therefore, I swore to the house of Eli, `The guilt of Eli’s house will never be atoned for by sacrifice or offering.'” (1 Samuel 3:11-14)

• Discipline also means we train or teach them God’s Word and God’s ways. Psalm 119:9 says, “How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word.” (Psalm 119:9)

• One of the most important things you can do for your children is to make sure that they learn and know God’s word.

4. Eli would tells us today men we should teach our children about Jesus

• Teach about repentance and faith Matthew 4:17 - From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

• 2 Peter 3:9 - The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.

• Teach them about confession and forgiveness

• His sons, however, did not listen to their father’s rebuke, for it was the LORD’s will to put them to death. (1 Samuel 2:25)

5. Finally Eli would remind us do these things and you not regret the way you raised your children

• Put God First Seek first the Kingdom of God

• Put your own life in order. Make yourself accountable to God

• Discipline your children by teaching and training

• Teach and tell about Jesus