1 Samuel 2

²⁹ Wherefore kick ye at my sacrifice and at mine offering, which I have commanded in my habitation; and honourest thy sons above me, to make yourselves fat with the chiefest of all the offerings of Israel my people?

Eli’s sons were “sons of Belial”.  Belial is a word that means “good for nothing” and the phrase is a biblical way to say someone is wicked and worthless.   I highlighted the 29th verse today because the Lord certainly cares about His honour in the home.  As a father of two young boys and another on the way, I noticed this verse rather quickly.  The principle of it declares God is concerned about His honour in the home, namely how the father honours God before his own children that they too would honour and fear the Lord.  The same principle is written more broadly from the Lord’s own mouth in verse 30:

…for them that honour me I will honour, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed.

Eli had failed to honour God by not dealing with the perverseness of his sons, even allowing them to retain their office as priests in God’s house. I am zealous for my spiritual sons in Taiwan.  My heart is toward them and would quickly overlook many of their faults, even to their hurt that I sometimes do not correct what ought to be disciplined.  We should not withhold the rod when the honour of God is being lightly esteemed.

The only question in the universe is how each person will relate to their Creator, not how they will relate to you.  They may have a sweet relationship with you, but utterly be cast off from God.  I would they have the former than the latter, knowing that a blessed life comes from honouring God above all else.

It takes a life of discipline to raise children for God.  God help me to do better and give you the glory you purchased on Calvary when you washed away the sin and reconciled this unworthy worm.