Pay attention to what’s happening in your household/family – God certainly does.
The first book of Samuel begins with the introduction to a family, Elkanah and his wives, Hannah and Peninnah. Immediately in the second verse we’re told that Peninnah has children, but Hannah does not. We’re never told a single word that Peninnah said, (God’s Word just ignores some people) but she tormented Hannah continually, especially when the family went up to Shiloh to worship the Lord. Hannah’s inmost character was revealed when she turned to the Lord in deep distress and promised her first child to Him if He would give her a son.
After Samuel has been given over to the work of the Tabernacle, Hannah utters her powerful prophetic praise and thanksgiving to the Lord, including these words;
She who was barren has borne seven children, but she who has had many sons pines away. 1 Samuel 2:5
It would seem that in the end things had not gone well for Peninnah, her unrecorded words may have brought trouble on her.
A second family is also highlighted in the book, the family of Eli the High Priest. The misconduct of members of this family provoked God’s intervention in the priesthood at Shiloh.
Eli‘s sons (though priests) were wicked men; they had no regard for the Lord. 1 Samuel 2:12
The young men treated the Lord’s offerings with contempt, taking the best part for themselves, even before the fat was burnt. Eli did confront them about their conduct, including immorality, but he didn’t stop them. They refused to listen to him, because God had decided to put them to death.
Now a man of God came to Eli and said to him, “… Why do you scorn My sacrifice and offering that I prescribed for my dwelling? WHY DO YOU HONOUR YOUR SONS MORE THAN ME by fattening yourselves on the choice parts of every offering made by my people Israel”? 1 Samuel 2:27,29
God in effect cursed the whole house of Eli because of the sins of his sons. In future they would lose their privileged position and live far from the blessings of God. God’s reason for all this is given in His appearance to Samuel;
At that time I will carry out against Eli everything I spoke against his family – from beginning to end. For I told him that I would judge his family for ever because of the sin he knew about; his sons made themselves contemptible and HE FAILED TO RESTRAIN THEM (as their father and High Priest). 1 Samuel 3:12, 13
Eli was guilty before God of failing to restrain his sons and THE FUTURE DESTINY OF THE ENTIRE FAMILY WAS CURSED BY GOD HIMSELF. They had stood closer to God and so their sin was greater.
Don’t turn a blind eye to wrongdoing in your family, correct while you still can.
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