God Has Children, Not Grandchildren ∙∙∙
Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord. – Ephesians 6:4
Deuteronomy 6:5-7
You must love the LORD your God with your whole mind, your whole being, and all your strength.
These words I am commanding you today must be kept in mind, and you must teach them to your children and speak of them as you sit in your house, as you walk along the road, as you lie down, and as you get up.
The Foundations of American Higher Education
Students who take graduate courses in the history of American Higher Education are often surprised to learn that, frequently, the main purpose of America’s earliest colleges was to train Christian ministers. In the early days of the nation, there was no separation between church and state; instead, states actively supported churches in their religious missions.
Harvard College: A Legacy of Faith
Harvard College, established in 1636 as America’s first institution of higher learning, was founded with a clear spiritual purpose. Its original cornerstone reflects this intent:
“After God had carried us safe to New England and we had builded our houses, provided necessaries for our livelihood, reared convenient places for God’s worship, and settled the civil government, one of the next things we longed for and looked after was to advance learning and perpetuate to posterity, dreading to leave an illiterate ministry to the churches when our present ministers shall lie in the dust (1636).”
Yale University: A Response to Liberalism
Yale University, founded on October 16, 1701, by Congregationalist ministers, was established in response to the perceived rise of liberal ideas at Harvard. Named after Elihu Yale, a wealthy merchant and benefactor, the institution aimed to prepare students for both religious and civic leadership. Its mission was clear:
“Youth may be instructed in the Arts and Sciences who through the blessing of God may be fitted for Publick employment both in Church and Civil State.”
Students at Yale were held to rigorous spiritual and moral standards. They were required to live “religious, godly and blameless lives according to the rules of God’s Word, diligently reading the Holy Scriptures, the fountain of light and truth; and constantly attend upon all the duties of religion, both in public and secret.” Prayer was mandatory, and students were instructed to “consider the main end of his study to wit to know God in Jesus Christ” and “to lead a Godly, sober life.”
The Fragility of Faith Across Generations
Despite the strong faith and lofty aspirations of these early institutions, their spiritual fervor did not endure beyond their founding generations. Faith, salvation, and spiritual growth are not inherited; they must be cultivated anew in each individual. Parents bear the critical responsibility of passing on the Truth to their children, but ultimately, each child must make their own decision regarding belief. However, fathers must guide them in understanding the Truth.
The Apostle Paul clearly laid out this reality in Ephesians 6:4: “Fathers . . . bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord.”
REFLECT & PRAY
Life on Earth is fleeting, but it offers the profound opportunity to discover and embrace the Truth. As children of the King, we are called to faithfully guide the next generation to understand God’s Word and live in alignment with His will.
The early American colleges were deeply rooted in Christian principles, emphasizing faith, education, and moral responsibility. Their legacy reminds us of the enduring need to pass on the Truth to future generations, ensuring that the light of faith continues to shine.
Father, may I faithfully pass on the Truth You have revealed in Your Word with those I love and care for.
INSIGHT
The Tragic Tale of Eli and His Sons
The story of Eli, the high priest, and his sons, Hophni and Phinehas, as recounted in 1 Samuel, serves as a sobering reminder of the devastating repercussions of parental negligence and spiritual failure. This narrative emphasizes the vital role of wise discipline in child development, which fosters and exemplifies a personal relationship with God, and the serious consequences when it is lacking.
A Failure to Impart Faith
The Aaronic priesthood, passed down from father to son, was a sacred duty. However, Eli failed to teach his sons the core beliefs and values needed to serve the Lord. Hophni and Phinehas never developed a personal relationship with God, and their actions reflected this spiritual emptiness.
1 Samuel 2:12: “The sons of Eli were worthless men; they did not know the LORD.”
Eli was 98 years old when the story in 1 Samuel took place. Once a figure of authority, Eli had become pitiful. His authority was greatly diminished, and his eyesight was fading. As a man, he was an absent father, a passive and permissive parent. But sadly, as a man of God, he had become an absent priest. He neglected his responsibility to discipline and guide his sons, allowing them to run the family business and take control of the sacrificial system of the Tabernacle. Instead of upholding its holy purpose, they perverted this responsibility for their own selfish gain.
The Corruption of Hophni and Phinehas
Eli’s sons predictably exploited their positions of power, transforming the sacred responsibilities of the priesthood into avenues for greed, self-indulgence, and debauchery. They blatantly disregarded the Law of Moses, which required sacrificial meat to be boiled, instead demanding it be roasted to satisfy their personal tastes. When worshippers objected, they resorted to force, seizing meat meant for the Lord.
1 Samuel 2:11-17 recounts their exploitation, describing how they unjustly seized offerings meant for the Lord. Their corruption extended further, as they took advantage of the women who served at the tabernacle.
To make matters worse, they were emboldened to reach new depths of debauchery and wickedness. They sexually abused the female workers who served alongside the priests and Levites. 1 Samuel 2:22: “Now Eli was very old, but he was aware of what his sons were doing to the people of Israel. He knew, for instance, that his sons were seducing the young women who assisted at the entrance of the Tabernacle.”
Eli’s Ineffectual Response
When Eli finally confronted his sons, his rebuke was too little, too late. He asked them, “Why do you keep sinning?” and warned them of the gravity of their actions.
1 Samuel 2:25: “If someone sins against another person, God can mediate for the guilty party. But if someone sins against the LORD, who can intercede?”
Hophni and Phinehas disregarded their father’s warnings, persisting in their wicked behavior with blatant defiance. Arrogantly convinced of their own invincibility, they believed themselves untouchable, failing to consider that God Himself might intervene.
Divine Judgment
God’s patience with Eli’s household came to an end. A man of God delivered a solemn prophecy of judgment. He declared that Eli’s lineage would be severed from the priesthood, and as a sign of this divine decree, both Hophni and Phinehas would die on the same day.
1 Samuel 2:34: “And to prove that what I have said will come true, I will cause your two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, to die on the same day!”
The Tragic End of Eli
This prophecy was fulfilled when the Philistines attacked Israel. During the battle, Hophni and Phinehas were killed, and the Ark of God was captured. The loss of the Ark meant more than just a military defeat; it represented God’s glory leaving Israel. Overcome with grief, Eli fell backward from his chair, broke his neck, and died.
Eli showed more concern for the loss of the Ark than for his two sons. How is this possible? Does it reflect a memory of a time earlier in Eli’s life when he was a faithful high priest? Maybe. However, the Ark of the Covenant was much more than a religious object; it represented God’s presence, glory, covenant, guidance, and power among His people.
While the deaths of Hophni and Phinehas were tragic, they were the expected fulfillment of God’s judgment on Eli’s household because of their corruption and sin, as foretold in 1 Samuel 2:27-36 and 1 Samuel 3:11-14. In contrast, losing the Ark represented a devastating spiritual loss for Israel, signifying the departure of God’s glory and presence, which far outweighed any personal grief Eli might have experienced.
The Departure of God’s Glory
The capture of the Ark was a national tragedy, comparable to losing a nation’s most treasured symbol. However, the Ark was more than just a symbol; it was the dwelling place of God’s presence. With its loss, the visible glory of God departed from Israel. Eli lost his sons, but the nation of Israel lost God’s presence from among them.
In the aftermath, Eli’s grandson was born, and his mother, overwhelmed with grief, named him Ichabod, meaning “no glory.”
1 Samuel 4:21: “She named the child Ichabod (which means ‘Where is the glory?’), for she said, ‘Israel’s glory is gone.’”
This name reflected the nation’s intense sense of loss: the glory of God had departed because of the negligence and corruption in Eli’s household.
The Principle of Sowing and Reaping
The story of Eli and his sons demonstrates the biblical principle that actions result in consequences. Ignoring spiritual duties and indulging in sin leads to devastating outcomes.
Galatians 6:7: “Don’t be misled, you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant.”
Hosea 8:7: “They have planted the wind and will harvest the whirlwind.”
As Charles Stanley aptly summarized:
- You reap what you sow,
- More than you sow, and
- Later than you sow.
A Sobering Lesson
The devastating collapse of Eli’s household serves as a profound cautionary tale, emphasizing the critical importance of spiritual discipline, parental responsibility, and deep respect for God. It shows that neglecting these duties can have far-reaching consequences, affecting not just individuals but entire nations.
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© Dr. H 2026
Dr H Reflections 