1 Samuel selections - reign of kings - Come Follow Me with Sam

Welcome! 

Why Can't Israel pass on righteousness to even one generation!?

Israel really struggled during this entire time, and it seems virtually every time, with transmitting the true teaching, or the righteous way of living to the next generation. Even the very best, whom you would think would be the top of Israel in doing this, all failed out. Eli was some sort of elevated priest. He failed out. Samuel was the prophet that ended apostasy in Israel. He failed out. Saul was the one chosen out of all Israel to be king and even prophesied by the gift of God. He failed out. 

What's up with that? What was going on? Why did this keep happening? What institutions (ideas to emulate, not the organizational sense) keep us from doing this today and are they really what we think they are?

Compare and Contrast Samuel vs. Eli

I was sent an interesting article recently about a church leader who was wrestling with the apostasy of half his family or more. He obviously did not like the oh-so-rosy-picture of his family fallen apart for eternity (who would) and was trying to psychologically and spiritually tackle the degoupillement of his dreams.

Understanding Samuel's sons' apostasies and Eli's sons' apostasies may help to unravel what is going on in a way that is not condemning, nor filled with lying vanities.

Eli seemed pretty dedicated and righteous. And yet he did not correct his sons' actions, and they (the family) suffered terrible consequences for it. His sons were slain and his head fell off, and worst of all, the blessing of God was removed from the house.

With Samuel's sons, it seems this was more on them. We really don't have a lot of detail, but Samuel was obviously still the recognized prophet by God and man throughout his life.

The blog post below had some other worthy thoughts on the matter, and is written in a little more detail. I disagree somewhat with the way the end thoughts are structured.

https://owlcation.com/humanities/The-Sons-of-Eli-and-Samuel-Children-of-Priest-Prophet-and-Judge

So we obviously have situations where the sin is on the parents and then we have situations where it looks like the children, despite the best nourishment man could offer, still turn away.

So what do we do? Should we be always asking ourselves if the sin is with us or with the children? If it is our fault or their fault?

Usually this line of thinking isn't very helpful because it will either make you feel guilty without change of heart, or judgmental of your kids, whatever they actually deserve. It's also a tad pharisaical. 

It is important to remember that there is a judgement on us, but we are not the judges. So we don't need to make that judgement, we just need to go to the Judge (think biblical type judge or ruler rather than western type judge or judicial position) and figure out what we need to do and what we need to change.

We all need to repent, and we all have certain stewardships. So instead of worrying where the sin lies, talk with your Heavenly Father about where you need to repent and what your stewardship is. He can help you know the next steps. Remember, from the gospel of Thomas, that he who seeks should not stop seeking until he finds, and when he finds he will be filled with dismay, and when he is dismayed, he will be amazed and astonished, and rule over all, and then he shall rest.

So the answers you get may (probably won't be) filled with the peace of the world. It will probably be there to teach you what you need to change and who you should be, and that can be difficult sometimes. But this is the whole point of The Plan. We put everything on the altar. We deliver ourselves completely to Christ and the gospel, and we have faith that whatever He has in store for us will create the most possible good for us and our families.

That will lead you to very different conclusions than falling into a binary 'who's fault is it'.

Consider these words of Christ from Matthew

Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?

^aConsider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:

Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, ^ashall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little ^bfaith?

 ^aBut ^bseek ye first the ^ckingdom of God, and his ^drighteousness; and all these ^ethings shall be ^fadded unto you.

Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take ^athought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

Also enjoy this Akira the Don production analyzing the same passage