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FAITH TRANSFER IS HARD

[Scheduled Reading: 1 Samuel 1-7]

We’re about to wrap up the era of judges. Eli and Samuel are the final two judges before God institutes a new era of leadership – kings!  

Unlike the MMA fighter types, Eli and Samuel function more as priestly figures. 

There’s a disturbing observation of the lives of Eli and Samuel.

It has to do with this idea of faith-transfer: transferring faith to their children.  

Eli did not have proper command of his sons. As priest, Eli was a public spiritual figure and his sons were a dishonorable reflection on the priesthood

God appeared to the little boy Samuel one night to pass along a message to Eli.

The message was essentially this – “Eli, judgment is coming upon your household on account of your sons.”

Sure enough, judgment struck – Eli’s sons were killed. When Eli heard this, he himself fell over and died. 

You would think that Samuel would have been taking parenting notes. 

Samuel knew how important it was to transfer faith to the next generation. He was God’s chosen messenger to share this special truth with Eli. And Samuel had a front row seat to witness the eventual demise of Eli’s sons.

But stunningly, Samuel finds himself in a similar parenting predicament.

When Samuel was old, he made his sons judges. But the elders of Israel rejected them for Samuel’s sons did not walk in the ways of God as Samuel had done. (1 Samuel 8:1-5). 

Samuel was crushed. Like Eli, Samuel failed to transfer active faith to his sons. 

Faith transfer is hard. It is not automatic. That’s why Moses and Joshua were so adamant about teaching their children to know the word of God. 

This sad testimony of failed faith transfer serves as a warning for us today also. 

Sadly the era of judges ended because Samuel’s sons did not demonstrate the spiritual leadership desired by the people. 

Instead they wanted to be ruled by kings like the surrounding nations. 

God did not consider this a good idea – but as often is with God’s ways, He gave the Israelites what they wanted anyway.