Dr H Reflections

What goes around . . . ∙

What goes around . . . ∙

Love prospers when a fault is forgiven, but dwelling on it separates close friends. – Proverbs 17:9

Galatians 6:7-10

7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap.

8 For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.

9 Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time, we will reap if we do not grow weary.

10 So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially those of the household of the faith.

Over time, people have identified and understood universal principles that dictate and control “how things work.” Ralph Waldo Emerson regarded the universal Law of Cause and Effect as the “Law of laws.” This law declares that every outcome has a specific cause, and equally, every cause leads to a specific outcome.

Simply put, our lives are shaped by our thoughts, behaviors, and deeds. When we alter our actions, the outcomes also change.

We always have the authority to decide our responses to life’s highs and lows. Our reactions can be either wise or foolish. Wise decisions yield positive results, while imprudent ones can lead to catastrophic outcomes.

Thoughts and actions have repercussions. These effects are akin to ripples expanding across a body of water, impacting us and those around us. Unfortunately, we often believe that our actions exist in isolation.

People from cities often overlook farming wisdom: “You reap what you sow, more than you sow, and later than you sow” (Stanley). In modern terms, “what goes around, comes around.”

This truth applies not only to the natural world but also to our relationship with the Father. To believe otherwise is, at best, wishful thinking and, at worst, self-deception. Paul cautions.

Galatians 6:7 Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever a man sows, that will he also reap.

What does it mean to mock? In English, mocking implies treating someone or something with contempt or scorn. The Greek word translated as mock is mukterizo. Mukterizo is used only once in the New Testament (Galatians 6:7). Mukterizo comes from the Greek noun from mukter – nose or nostril.

Mukterizo could be translated as turning the nose in scorn or sneering. Thus, it has the sense to mock, deride, cheat, outwit, or despise. The meaning of the whole statement is captured in the TEV – “No one makes a fool of God!” The JB translates it, “Don’t delude yourself into thinking God can be cheated.”

How many individuals presume they can disregard the Father and His immutable laws without consequences? They may believe they can hoodwink the Father and trick Him without adverse repercussions. Maybe they don’t believe in His existence, or if they do, they assume He isn’t observing or paying attention. Really? Take a moment to reflect on that.

REFLECT & PRAY

Our current position in life is essentially a reflection of our choices. Poor decisions lead to adverse outcomes, while good choices yield positive results.

Father I seek your guidance in learning and cultivating sound decisions. Please help me.

INSIGHT

“If you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always get what you’ve always got” (Henry Ford)

Regrettably, our inherent fallen nature predisposes us to make poor choices and engage in detrimental actions.

“Today is the father of tomorrow. What we are today is the result of what we have been thinking and the way we have lived in the past” (Stanley).

“Change is inevitable. Growth is optional” (John Maxwell).

To change takes awareness and desire, then commitment, courage, and effort. But the good news is that when we choose to do what is good and sow to the spirit, we are on the positive side of the equation. Paul reminds us that our actions invariably lead to either positive or negative consequences.

Here are three principles to remember:

The Father instituted the law of cause and effect, the principle of sowing and reaping. The saying “what goes around comes around” holds true as a principle laid down by the Father.

The law of the harvest, reaping what you sow, is a double-edged sword. It applies to both good and bad deeds.

As the law of reaping and sowing is a principle established by the Father. It just happens. There’s no need to struggle to enforce it.

The law of the harvest, reaping what you sow, is always in effect, but its results aren’t instant. The outcomes of our decisions and actions may not be immediately visible. Moreover, if we have been nurturing our earthly desires, sowing to the flesh, we might have a substantial harvest of corruption to reap and eliminate.

Relationships can often be challenging. What should the children of the King do when life becomes tough? When hurt or wronged by others, especially family and close friends, we should aim to forgive and not dwell on the hurt.

Proverbs 17:9 Love prospers when a fault is forgiven, but dwelling on it separates close friends.

The thought is, “If you wish to have friends, forgive their wrongs” (UBS). This has been translated as “If you wish to have friends, forgive their wrongs” (UBS), “To forgive a wrong fosters friendship” (FRCL), or “Whoever wishes to keep a friendship forgives offenses” (GECL).

“The ability to practice forgiveness and discretion is essential for the survival of an atmosphere of friendship” (Garrett).

James 4:17 cautions us that knowing what’s right and not doing it is a sin.

Sadly, many of the children of the King feel like they’ve “heard it all before.” They feel like they’re just going through the motions despite their knowledge and faith. They feel disconnected, as if things aren’t working out for them. They drift away, and the gap widens. Darkness envelops them, and many feel like giving up.

Even so, there is light at the end of the tunnel!

Ephesians 5:14-17

14 “Awake, O sleeper, rise up from the dead, and Christ will give you light.”

15 So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise.

16 Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days.

17 Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do.

¯\_(ツ)_/¯ 7-20-1

Wanna Get Away?

Wanna Get Away?

I can never escape from your Spirit! I can never get away from your presence! –

Psalms 139:7

Psalms 55:2-7

2 Please listen and answer me, for I am overwhelmed by my troubles.

4 My heart pounds in my chest. The terror of death assaults me.

5 Fear and trembling overwhelm me, and I can’t stop shaking.

6 Oh, that I had wings like a dove; then I would fly away and rest!

7 I would fly far away to the quiet of the wilderness.

Southwest Airlines ran its unforgettable “Wanna Get Away” marketing campaign from 1998 to 2008. The campaign humorously highlighted awkward and cringe-worthy situations and quickly became an instant success after its debut. Characters in these ads yearned for an escape after experiencing some embarrassing mishap.

The clever campaign used a catchy tagline to highlight the low-cost, affordable fares offered by Southwest Airlines. One memorable commercial from this series portrayed a nosey guest while snooping around her host’s bathroom. She began to rummage through the medicine cabinet. Suddenly, without warning, the cabinet’s shelves collapsed, causing a loud, disorderly mess of medicine bottles and pills scattered everywhere. Another commercial spotlighted a museum curator meticulously explaining the art of “sand painting,” only to have a spectator sneeze and scatter sand everywhere, ruining the artwork.

Perhaps the most uncomfortable moment occurred when a law enforcement officer conducted a live interview with an informant in a dimly lit room. The informant, whose voice was disguised to protect his identity, was detailing his infiltration into a notorious criminal gang. Suddenly, an assistant entered the room with coffee, switched on the lights, and unintentionally exposed the informant’s identity.

Each ad ended with a shot of the mortified individual, followed by the question, “Wanna Get Away?” Subsequently, Southwest Airlines’ budget-friendly fares were showcased as the ideal way to escape.

Who among us hasn’t felt a strong desire to escape at some point? When we face trials and consider fleeing, it should not astonish us that even great faith leaders have experienced moments of intense struggle. Jeremiah yearned for a remote refuge to escape the chaos and turmoil of his times (Jeremiah 9:12). As did Elijah (1 Kings 19).

Jeremiah 9:2 Oh, that I could go away and forget my people and live in a travelers’ shack in the desert.

The prophet Elijah caved and succumbed to the urge to flee.

1 Kings 19:2-5

2 So Jezebel sent this message to Elijah: “May the gods strike me and even kill me if by this time tomorrow, I have not killed you just as you killed them.”

3 Elijah was afraid and fled for his life. He went to Beersheba, a town in Judah, and he left his servant there.

4 Then he went on alone into the wilderness, traveling all day. He sat down under a solitary broom tree and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, LORD,” he said. “Take my life, for I am no better than my ancestors who have already died.”

5 Then he lay down and slept under the broom tree.

It was a temporary lapse of faith and courage. The Father soon restored Elijah and returned him to service.

1 Kings 19:13-15

13 When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And a voice said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”

14 He replied again, “I have zealously served the LORD God Almighty. But the people of Israel have broken their covenant with you, torn down your altars, and killed every one of your prophets. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me, too.”

15 Then the LORD told him, “Go back the same way you came . . ..

REFLECT & PRAY

“When the walls close in and the floor gives way, we often wish we could be anywhere but where God has put us. Trusting God, however, means looking beyond what we can see to what God sees” (Stanley).

Father thank You that You are my safe place and my protector. I trust You will see me through even the most embarrassing and challenging times.

INSIGHT

When we find ourselves in the midst of trouble, our first thought is, “How can I get out of this?” But the dedicated believer needs to ask, “What can I get out of this?” (Wiersbe).

The Lord Jesus Christ became fully human. In His humanity, He underwent real struggles and temptations just as we do.

Hebrews 4:15 This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin.

Even the Lord Jesus Christ grappled with the desire to escape the impending suffering and agony of death by crucifixion.

Luke 22:42 Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.

The Lord Jesus Christ cautioned the children of the King to anticipate severe and daunting situations in the world. Yet, He offered a remarkable promise. During our bleakest, most frightening, or humiliating moments, we are to remember that He has already triumphed over the world.

John 16:33 Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.

Why a dove? Doves are creatures of gentleness and exhibit gentleness and harmless behavior. They are renowned for their beauty, vulnerability, and unwavering loyalty to their mates. A dove’s demeanor is gentle; it neither fights nor defends itself.

Despite being a target, doves seldom fall prey due to their remarkable speed and agility, allowing them to evade predators effectively.

Doves have mastered the art of evasion from threats and can cover substantial distances quickly. They find safety high up in the rock crevices, where they take refuge.

David voices his yearning for the tranquility and safety embodied by doves. Of course, David’s wish is not to transform into a dove but to possess their capabilities. He proclaims, “If only I had such abilities, I would fly away and find rest.”

But why simply escape? “But we don’t need wings like a dove so we can fly away from the storm. We need wings like an eagle so we can fly above the storm (Isaiah 40:30-31)” (Wiersbe).

Isaiah 40:31 Those who trust in the LORD will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.

Why fly away under the radar when you can soar high above it?

¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Buoyant joy or decline

Buoyant joy or decline

Unfailing love and truth have met together. Righteousness and peace have kissed! – Psalms 85:10

Psalms 32:1-5

1 Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sin is put out of sight!

2 Yes, what joy for those whose record the LORD has cleared of guilt, whose lives are lived in complete honesty!

3 When I refused to confess my sin, my body wasted away, and I groaned all day long.

4 Day and night your hand of discipline was heavy on me. My strength evaporated like water in the summer heat.

5 Finally, I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide my guilt. I said to myself, “I will confess my rebellion to the LORD.”

“An Affair to Remember” is a classic American romance film from 1957 starring Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr. According to the American Film Institute, this timeless movie is considered one of the most romantic films ever.

The story follows Nickie Ferrante (Cary Grant) and Terry McKay (Deborah Kerr), who meet aboard the transatlantic ocean liner SS Constitution en route from Europe to New York. They fall in love and agree to reunite at the top of the Empire State Building in six months.

However, tragedy strikes when Terry is hit by a car on her way to the rendezvous, leaving her gravely injured and unable to walk. Unaware of the accident, Nickie waits for her at the observation deck until midnight, believing she has rejected him.

Months later, they unexpectedly run into each other at the ballet. Nickie discovers Terry’s address and pays her a surprise visit on Christmas Eve. He mentions a painting he had been working on when they first met. He had since given it to a woman in a wheelchair who liked it but had no money. To his surprise, Nickie finds the painting hanging on Terry’s wall. The movie ends with the two in a tight embrace.

The Scriptures are replete with love affairs. One of the lesser-known ones is in Psalm 85. But this affair does not involve people. Instead, it is about the delightful qualities of unfailing love and truth and righteousness and peace.

Psalms 85:10 Unfailing love and truth have met together. Righteousness and peace have kissed!

These four qualities are attributes of the Father and are personified as delightful couples engaged in a love affair. Steadfast love and faithfulness are partners, just as righteousness and peace are. These pairs meet, embrace, and kiss each other. Can you imagine the beautiful sight of love and faithfulness embracing or righteousness and peace sharing a kiss?

“Four of the most significant words in Hebrew are combined in verses 10 and 11, like jewels in a crown. Their totality of meaning embraces in large measure the fullness of the Old Testament concept of the relationship between God and his people when harmony has been established” (Tesh and Zorn).

These terms encompass a continuum of meanings that a single English word cannot fully express. The Hebrew word hesed is translated as love. Hesed has the connotation of loyal love. It is also translated as steadfast love, mercy, kindness, lovingkindness, or loyalty. It connotes love, vital for balanced relationships between individuals, such as spouses, parents and children, or close friends.

Truth is often interpreted as faithfulness. Its core idea is being steadfast, reliable, and dependable. It involves the notions of loyalty, truth, trustworthiness, and reliability.

Righteousness is living in a morally right and just manner, per the Father’s standards. It is being fair and free from guilt.

Peace(shalom) denotes a state of tranquility or quietness, but it goes beyond the absence of conflict or war. Shalom refers to a complete, holistic sense of well-being and harmony within and among individuals. It’s a state where everything is as it should be – nothing is missing or broken. Shalom is characteristic a right relationship with God.

Shalom is realized when righteousness and peace meet and metaphorically embrace each other, akin to the warm embraces shared by people in the Middle East.

When in love, we are inspired to be our best and do our best for our beloved. Similarly, the Father’s love for us has given birth to redemption and the forgiveness of sins. These blessings are the offspring of the Father’s love for us, the children of the King.

REFLECT & PRAY

Psalms 85:10 highlights the profound importance of love, faithfulness, righteousness, and peace within the bond between God and the children of the King.

Father You have invited us into a love affair, a love affair with You! May we feel Your embrace and enjoy Your kiss.

INSIGHT

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs is a widely accepted concept in psychology, proposed by Abraham Maslow in his 1943 paper “A Theory of Human Motivation.” Maslow’s five-tier model of human needs is physiological (food and clothing), safety, love and belonging, esteem, and self-actualization.

What produces joy in your life? What puts a smile on your face? Everyone enjoys different things, from personal achievements to natural beauty. One of our basic needs is to feel loved and to have a sense of belonging and well-being.

For King David, however, his journey to discover love and joy took a different path. David found himself engulfed in despair and confusion. He was overwhelmed and lost after enduring humiliation, shame, and reproach due to his explicit, nefarious transgressions. This was new territory for David. He was uncertain how to proceed. How so? Heretofore, his life had been exemplary.

1 Kings 15:5 For David had done what was pleasing in the LORD’s sight and had obeyed the LORD’s commands throughout his life, except in the affair concerning Uriah the Hittite.

He turned to prayer to seek guidance and relief. He acknowledged his despondent and depleted condition. The Father acted immediately and took away his guilt and shame. He was magnificently and thoroughly forgiven.

Psalm 32:3-5

3 When I kept silent, my bones became brittle from groaning all day.

4 For day and night, Your hand was heavy on me; my strength was drained as in the summer’s heat.

5 Then I acknowledged my sin to You and did not conceal my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,” and You took away the guilt of my sin.

Romans 4:8 Yes, what joy for those whose record the LORD has cleared of sin.

The Father is always willing to forgive and cleanse us of our impurities. We need only to ask. David learned this when he stopped hiding and pretending and confessed his wrongdoing to God. His loving, devoted Father gently lifted the heavy burden from David’s shoulders, exchanging it for joy.

Psalm 32:1-2

1 How joyful is the one whose transgression is forgiven; whose sin is covered!

2 How joyful is the man the LORD does not charge with sin and in whose spirit is no deceit!

3 When I refused to confess my sin, my body wasted away, and I groaned all day long.

5 Finally, I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide my guilt. I said to myself, “I will confess my rebellion to the LORD.” And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone.

David’s emotional and physical unrest made him a physical and mental wreck. But now he experiences something unbelievably magnificent: all his torment has been exchanged for exuberant joy. His joy bursts forth into praise and worship. He wants everyone to hear and know what the Father has done for him. What a relief, what a release. It is senseless to attempt to hide and cover up our shortcomings, considering God is all-knowing. Such foolhardy efforts only hurt us.

David had played the fool by trying to hide and cover his sins. He had become physically and emotionally drained. “God does not permit his children to sin successfully” (Spurgeon). Sin leads to misery, while forgiveness and cleansing lead to joy.

Again, David shows the way and provides sagacious advice.

Psalms 32:9-11

9 Do not be like a senseless horse or mule that needs a bit and bridle to keep it under control.”

10 Many sorrows come to the wicked, but unfailing love surrounds those who trust the LORD.

11 So rejoice in the LORD and be glad, all you who obey him! Shout for joy, all of you whose hearts are pure!

Buoyant joy or decline, the choice is yours.

¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Looking beyond ∙

Looking beyond ∙

Elisha prayed, “O LORD, open his eyes and let him see!” The LORD opened the young man’s eyes, and when he looked up, he saw that the hillside around Elisha was filled with horses and chariots of fire. – 2 Kings 6:17

2 Kings 6:15-17

15 When the servant of the man of God got up early the next morning and went outside, troops, horses, and chariots were everywhere. “Oh, sir, what will we do now?” the young man cried to Elisha.

16 “Don’t be afraid!” Elisha told him. “For there are more on our side than on theirs!”

17 Then Elisha prayed, “O LORD, open his eyes and let him see!” The LORD opened the young man’s eyes, and when he looked up, he saw that the hillside around Elisha was filled with horses and chariots of fire.

Laurel and Hardy, iconic figures in the golden age of American cinema, became one of the most beloved comedy duos during the early Hollywood years. The lanky Stan Laurel and the more rotund Oliver Hardy were household names from the late 1920s to the mid-1940s, capturing hearts with their hilarious and captivating performances.

Their cinematic escapades often led them into a myriad of quirky predicaments with unforeseen outcomes. While Oliver was generally the more responsible of the two, he pointed a finger at Stan, exclaiming, “Well, here’s another nice mess you’ve gotten me into.” Accompanied by his signature disappointed and pouty expression, this catchphrase resonated with fans and made its way into over 15 of their films.

Children of the King often find themselves navigating challenging predicaments because of the choices they make. Life is filled with uncertainty. How do we make the best decisions? The Father gave us minds to observe, calculate, and use logic to think things through.

Yet, in the Father’s kingdom, there is much more.

Occasionally, clarity doesn’t spring from strenuous effort and perspiration but emerges through divine inspiration.

In the Father’s kingdom, the King’s children are guided more by faith, not by sight alone. Natural human sight is limited to the physical world that can be seen and observed. However, there are unseen realities that are not visible to the human eye.

Elisha and his servant found themselves in a tough place. They were surrounded by enemies intent on causing them harm. Humanly speaking, they were defenseless. They had no earthly means to resist. But Elisha was aware of something that his servant was not. He could see beyond the visible. Elisha could see the unseen. Elisha knew the Father had dispatched an army of angels to protect him and his servant. Heaven’s angelic army came in the power and authority of the Father, the commander of Heaven’s army. Before Heaven’s army, the Syrian forces were impotent.

Elisha, the prophet, was a seer. He could see the angels. Elisha was fearless because he saw with the eyes of faith. The angels were more than a match for the Syrian army. Elisha wanted his fearful servant to be able to see as he did. Elisha prayed that the eyes of his servant would be opened to see the unseen.

2 Kings 6:17 Elisha prayed, “O LORD, open his eyes, and him see!”

A whole new reality opened for his servant, one that can only be seen by the eyes of faith. The angelic armies had been there all along, yet they remained cloaked to the ordinary human eyes. Much remains invisible and thus hidden to those who do not look with eyes of faith.

“Trusting God means looking beyond what we can see to what God sees” (Stanley).

REFLECT & PRAY

The capabilities of our physical eyes limit our earthly natural vision. In contrast, our spiritual vision has no limitations. With it, the eyes of our hearts are opened and receptive. They allow us to see the unseen.

Father so often I do not know what to do. I am limited in my human resources. Let me learn to tap into Your resources and walk by faith, not sight alone.

INSIGHT

Elisha was a servant leader and a man of faith. He routinely saw the unseen, things that were hidden from others. This extraordinary ability had landed him in the precarious situation of being encircled by adversaries. Aram, the king of Syria, was at war with Israel. He had drawn up secret plans for attack. Time and again, his covert strategies were foiled. His plans were thwarted. He was furious and decided there must be a spy within his ranks that was betraying him.

There was a spy, all right. But that spy was Elisha.

2 Kings 6:12 “Elisha, the prophet in Israel, tells the king of Israel even the words you speak in the privacy of your bedroom!”

Elisha had prophetic insight; he could see the unseen. He could discern what was hidden from others. Geographical distance and palace walls were not obstacles to him.

A leader knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way (John C. Maxwell). A leader can translate vision into reality, faith into substance, and hope into conviction. While a boss issues orders. A true leader guides.

A boss – drives, a leader – leads. A leader is optimistic and upbeat. They radiate confidence and resilience. Challenges are not overlooked nor ignored; they are addressed and surmounted. Ultimately, a leader is defined by optimism, courage, foresight, planning, and implementation.

“The task of the leader is to get his people from where they are to where they have not been” (Henry Kissinger).

2 Corinthians 4:18 We look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

Paul’s unwavering trust and confidence in the Father’s promise and power rips away the veil of limited physical sight. The chasm between the visible and invisible, the temporary and the eternal, is seamlessly bridged by the lens of faith.

2 Corinthians 5:7 We walk by faith, not by sight

“If we think only of the things that are visible, we are bound to see life that way. But there is another way. The writer to the Hebrews said of Moses: ‘He persevered as though he saw him who is invisible (Hebrews 11:27)” (Barclay).

Supernatural sight, that is, seeing the invisible, comes through faith in the One who is Himself invisible. It is a paradox. It cannot be validated through scientific experimentation.

Ephesians 1:18 I pray that eyes of your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called.

What do you see, enemies or the angels of Heaven’s army?

¯\_(ツ)_/¯ 7-14-1

God has children, not grandchildren ∙∙

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

5 You must love the LORD your God with your whole mind, your whole being, and all your strength.

6 These words I am commanding you today must be kept in mind,

7 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.

I was pretty taken aback when I discovered during a graduate class on the History of American Higher Education that the primary purpose of America’s earliest colleges was to educate Christian ministers. Does this surprise you? There was no separation of church and state. The states directly supported the churches in their religious efforts.

Interestingly, the original cornerstone of Harvard College, America’s first college, states:

“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)”.

Congregationalist ministers founded Yale University on October 16, 1701, to fight growing liberalism at Harvard. It was eventually named in honor of Elihu Yale, a prosperous merchant and financial contributor. Their objective was that “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 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 a requirement. Furthermore, every student was instructed to “. . . consider the main end of his study to wit to know God in Jesus Christ” and “to lead a Godly, sober life.”

That generation’s unwavering faith and grand aspirations did not endure beyond their time. Faith, salvation, and spiritual growth are not inherited traits. A major responsibility of parents is to pass the Truth on to the next generation. Ultimately, every child must make their own choice regarding belief. However, fathers must guide them in understanding the Truth.

Ephesians 6:4 Fathers . . . bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord.

REFLECT & PRAY

How much truth were you exposed to growing up? How did you respond to it? When we enter this life, we are given the solemn opportunity to discover and accept the Truth. Life on Earth is temporal, and it lasts only for a short time. Eternity lasts forever.

Father may I faithfully pass on the Truth You have revealed in Your Word to those I love and care for.

INSIGHT

The book of 1 Samuel tells the tale of Eli, the high priest, and his two sons, Hophni and Phinehas. This narrative serves as a somber reminder of the severe repercussions that can arise from parental responsibility gone wrong, resulting in dreadful, lethal outcomes. The Aaronic priesthood was hereditary It was typically passed from father to son. Eli utterly failed to impart the core beliefs about the Father to his sons. Eli’s sons never entered into a personal relationship with the Father.

1 Samuel 2:12 The sons of Eli were worthless men; they did not know the LORD.

At the time of these events, Eli was 98 years old, and his eyesight was failing. His once authoritative figure had diminished considerably. Eli had become a pathetic figure. He was an absent father and, worse, an absent priest. As a father, he was far too permissive and overindulgent. He was negligent. He did not instill the values and the knowledge they needed for faith. Essentially, He more or less let his sons run the family business, the sacrificial system of the Tabernacle. Predictably, Hophni and Phinehas exploited their father’s lax oversight and absenteeism, leading to dire consequences.

The lives of Eli’s sons are an object lesson of the consequence of parental negligence. They were essentially thugs and acted like gangsters. Because they could, they used their positions of power and unjustly took from people sacrificial offerings. While the Law of Moses prescribed boiling, their personal taste ran toward barbecue. They demanded that the meat be roasted. If people resisted and dared object, they simply took what they wanted by force (1 Samuel 2:11-17). To make matters worse, they were emboldened to reach new depths of debauchery and wickedness. They sexually abused and seduced female workers who served alongside the priests and Levites (1 Samuel 2:22, Exodus 38:8).

In due course, Eli became aware of his sons’ misdeeds. It seems that even in ancient Israel, voices raised against injustice and abuse found a way to be heard, much like the #MeToo Movement of the 21st century, albeit without the aid of platforms like Twitter. Confronted with these unsettling tales about his sons’ wickedness, what did Eli do? He reached out to his strong-willed and rebellious boys. Eli was blunt and asked them, “Why do you keep sinning?” (1 Samuel 2:23). It was too little and too late.

Eli’s sons had no idea they were not merely mistreating people and sinning against them; they were also sinning against the Father, the Lord God Almighty. Eli told them to stop. He warned them, “If someone sins against another person, God can mediate for the guilty party. But if someone sins against the LORD, who can intercede?” (1 Samuel 2:25).

But Hophni and Phinehas simply blew Eli off and disregarded his warning. They felt invincible and were getting away with murder and saw no reason to quit. Who was going to stop them? They never thought for a moment what the Father, the living God, might intervene. They soon found out.

Hophni and Phinehas had pushed the Father too far. He had had enough. Judgment was coming. The Father sent a man of God to deliver His message. First, Eli’s house would no longer serve as priests before the Lord. His entire line would be cut off from this sacred privilege. Second, to prove that this prophecy would be fulfilled, Hophni and Phinehas would meet their end on the same day (1 Samuel 2:34).

The Father sent the Philistines to carry out His sentence. A battle ensued, and Hophni and Phinehas were both killed. But worse, the Ark of God was stolen and carried off by the Philistines. A messenger brought the horrific news to Eli. Eli was deeply anguished when he received news of his sons’ deaths. But the word of the Ark’s capture devastated him. Overwhelmed by sorrow, Eli fell backward from his chair, broke his neck, and met his own tragic end.

The removal of the Ark of God from Israel was tragic. It’s akin to someone carrying off the Statue of Liberty and shipping it back to their own country. The Statue of Liberty symbolizes the core values of America. It stands for much of what America is all about. The American identity is tied to it. It represents the American identity and serves as a beacon of unity.

But the Ark of God was more than a symbol; the Ark of God was the place where the Father’s glory dwelt. When the Ark was taken, the glory of God was removed as well. For the first time in living memory, the Father’s visible presence was missing from Israel. A child, a grandson of Eli, was born. The grief-stricken mother named her child Ichabod, meaning “no glory.” His name made a statement and asked a profound question: “Where is the glory?” The glory had departed!

This all transpired due to the negligence of a weak, passive, absent father. Eli had overly indulged his children. They had grown up without discipline. As a result, they became estranged from the Father. They knew not the God of the Bible.

Galatians 6:7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, he will also reap.

Hosea 8:7 For they sow the wind and they reap the whirlwind.

You reap what you sow,

More than you sow, and

Later than you sow (Charles Stanley).

¯\_(ツ)_/¯ 7-08-1

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this: