Responsibility Equals Accountability

I wonder how many Christian fathers have truly been overcome with fear and trembling while pondering the depth of responsibility God has given to them for their children? I can honestly say that in my life that has happened far less often than it should. My lack of sensing the seriousness of my responsibilities was brought to bear while reading the third chapter of I Samuel today.

We know this chapter because it describes the calling of young Samuel as a prophet by God. What should cause every man to step back and take notice is the ominous message that God gives to Samuel concerning Eli the priest. Here is God’s message concerning Eli and his family in verses 11-14:

Then the LORD said to Samuel, “I am about to do a shocking thing in Israel. I am going to carry out all my threats against Eli and his family, from beginning to end. I have warned him that judgment is coming upon his family forever, because his sons are blaspheming God and he hasn’t disciplined them. So I have vowed that the sins of Eli and his sons will never be forgiven by sacrifices or offerings.” NLT

These verses contain a horrific pronouncement of judgment. God said that He was about to do something to Eli and his wicked sons that would shock Israel. Several translations say that God’s judgment would make everyone’s “ears tingle.” Despite God’s warnings to reign in his blasphemous sons Hophni and Phinehas, Eli basically let them off with simple warnings.

It is very apparent that God holds Eli personally accountable for the sins of his sons. In chapter 2 verse 12 we read that Eli’s two sons “were scoundrels who had no respect for the LORD” even though they were priests in the temple.

Eli had failed to appropriately discipline (some translations say “restrain”) them from their evil ways. These were adult men who needed to be removed as priests and possibly even stoned according to the Law but Eli allowed them to continue in their greed and blasphemy. God took care of the matter by seeing to it that all three men died a violent death and then He refused to forgive their sins. They brought God to His “I’ve had it” point!

Here is the issue at hand, God held Eli accountable for his sons behavior. He had the right and the authority to restrain these two but chose rather to enable them to continue. Therefore, God will hold every Christian father accountable for neglecting the proper discipline of his children. Too often I think men have bought into the idea that their children need them to be their friends. That they need someone to have a good time with and to make sure they are properly entertained.

Listen, God has called fathers to train their children and to discipline them towards godliness not simply be their pals. We are to be to them as God, our heavenly Father, is to us. Yes, He is our friend but He is also our righteous God who disciplines us and does not overlook our sins.

I am challenging every father to be bold, to be the fair but firm disciplinarian that God has given you the responsibility to be. We will one day give an account of this before God and I pray that the sins of our children will not be brought as an accusation against us at our time of judgment!