Be honest. How much do you think Eli failed as a father? Which parent would bring their child up like Eli, even if they were not a priest?

Eli was a great man of God and a good priest. He was so good at his priestly duties that God made a covenant with him that priesthood would not depart from his lineage. He had a pretty good relationship too…

But, he failed as a father

Eli had two sons; Hophni and Phinehas. Who you could call two very spoilt brats, in today’s parlance. They both grew up to be the proverbial sons of Belial. They were not just rude to the elders but they caused God to be furious. Eli failed to give his sons moral and godly training.

How do we know?

The sons of Eli took the portion of the sacrifice that was supposed to be offered to God. If you are not conversant with how things were back in the day, you may say …and so what?!

But what they did was an abomination!

Actually, during the time of Eli, animals were still offered for remission of sins, and that had to be done by the Levites. This gave the sons of Eli the privilege of offering sacrifice to God. However, of the animal to be used, there was a part that was meant for the Levites’ consumption, and the rest would be offered to God as burnt offering. Unfortunately, the sons of Eli deliberately took the parts meant to be offered to God as burnt offering. 

But they did not stop there.

As if their grievous act was not enough, the two sons of Eli molested women. They slept with women who came to the tabernacle of congregation to worship, by the door. Travesty!

Perhaps, if Eli had brought up his children in the way of God, they would fear God, hearken to his words, and respect women. 

Eli called his sons casually and told them that he had heard about all their acts and that they should stop. He said it was better they sinned against man than to face the wrath of God. However, it was a bit too late. The boys put their father’s voice on silent mode and continued. 

A wise man once said- “What you don’t have, you can’t give”

When God sent a man of God to tell Eli to warn his sons from their destructive ways, Eli foolishly said, “He is God, let him do as he pleases.” He underestimated God and he lacked a proper manner of speech. 

We could say that, indeed, the apple didn’t fall far from the tree.

What did Eli’s failure cost him?

• As Eli failed to train his children, it cost him his priesthood authority and title. 
• He implicated the rest of his generation. God took away the priesthood from his lineage forever. Despite being Levites, they lost their authority.
• He lost his relationship with God because he failed to take care of the investment God gave him. If he could not control his family, how would he have led Israel?
• He lost his two sons in one day. Their acts brought God’s wrath upon their lives. 1 Samuel 4:11 says, “And the ark of God was taken; and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were slain”.
• Eli lost his life. 1 Samuel 4:17-18, says when the messenger delivered news of the death of Hophni and Phinehas, Eli “…fell from off the seat backward by the side of the gate, and his neck brake, and he died: for he was an old man, and heavy”.

Dear readers, children’s hearts are very tender. This is why it is important for parents to mould their children well, guard their hearts and guide them in the way of the Lord from childhood. 

If you are a parent, make a conscious decision to train your child in the way of the Lord. If you are yet to have children, it is a good time to pray and prepare for the challenges of parenthood.