Parental Responsibility In Christ (2)

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EXAMPLE OF SAMUEL

If the sons of Eli were bad, the sons of Samuel were as equally bad. Samuel, the prophet and judge in Israel became old. Consequently, he made his two sons, Joel and Abijah judges in Israel. But, because they had not been brought up properly in the dear if the Lord, the sons of Samuel started taking the bribes and perverting the course of justice. The situation deteriorated so much that the elders of Israel met and took the decision to reject them as future leaders of Israel. Thus, the leaders met Samuel at Raman and said to him: "Behold, you are old and your son's do not walk in your ways; now appoint for us a king to govern us like all the nations."

Thus, Samuel's lack of parental responsibility was a contributory factor for the decision of the Israelites to change from the rule of the judges to the monarchical form of government.

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF BAD PARENTAL RESPONSIBILITY WITH THE EXAMPLES OF ELI & SAMUEL.

Both Eli and Samuel failed as responsible parents. They had all the necessary spiritual and moral background to bring up their children in the dear of the Lord. This they failed to do. From this, we learn that the consequences of not bringing up our children in the proper way is not pleasing to God at all. It brought disgrace to the two men.

In the case of Eli, it went beyond mere disgrace. God, who is not indifferent to parental responsibility, inflicted heavy punishment not only on Eli and his family, but also on Israel. God caused Israel to be defeated in a battle with their enemies, the Philistines. The two sons of Eli died in the war as punishment for their crimes; the Ark of the Lord was captured. When Eli heard of the death of his sons and the capture of the Ark, he fell backwards, broke his neck and died.

Samuel also had his leadership terminated, when God sanctioned the people's demand for a king in place of his worthless sons. Thus, no matter the level of our position in society, when we grow up, we must not leave the spiritual and moral training of our children to their school teachers and others alone. As parents, we must be actively involved in our children's spiritual and moral upbringing in order to avoid the kind of consequences that Eli and Samuel experienced.

GOOD PARENTAL RESPONSIBILITY

The kingdom of David became divided as a result of the unwise policies of Solomon of Rehoboam. The north became the Northern Kingdom of Israel with Jeroboam, the son of Nebat, as its first king. The south became the State of Judah, and was ruled by Rehoboam. When Rehoboam died, he was succeeded by his son, Abijah. King Abijah was also succeeded by his son, Asa.

King Asa ruled Judah between 914-873 B.C. King Asa showed a good example of parental responsibility. This was because he was Godfearing and discipline ld, and he brought up his children in the dear of God. His first son Jehoshaphat, who succeeded him was also Godfearing and disciplined.

EXAMPLE OF ASA

King Asa is described in the Bible as having as having done what was right in the sight of the Lord; as David, his anxestor had done. This is another way of saying that king Asa was Godfearing, disciplined and fatherly. He maintained the pure worship of God in Judah by carrying out religious reforms. The pure worship of God had been adulterated by the pagan practices of Solomon, Rehoboam and Abijah. King Ada's mother, the Queen mother was also involved in this pagan worship. King Asa was not happy with this state of affairs. He carried out religious reforms which restored the pure worship of God. King Asa removed his own mother as Queen mother, in order to free himself of her pagan influence.

Thus, frees from his mother's control, ASA pursued the religious reforms with great zeal. He out away the male cult prostitute ms in Judah. He removed all the idols which his father had made. He banned the worship of Asherah, the Canaanite mother goddess, which his own mother had sponsored. He destroyed the goddess Asherah by fire at the brook of Kidron. He brough in mtonthe house if the Lord his votive gifts and those of his father. His heart was wholly true of the Lord throughout his reign. But, Asa did not remove the high places which were the Canaanite centres of worship, for the children of Israel still scarified and burned incense on the high places.

From the reign of Asa, it is apparent that he was a responsible king. He was firm in controlling his family as seen in the way he dealt with his mother and her paganistic influences. He was Godfearing and this he imparted into his children. His religious way of life, no doubt influenced his son Jehoshaphat, when he ascended the throne. Jehoshaphat did not deviate from his father's religious policies. He served God by doing what was right in the Lord's sight. He tolerated the worship of God on the high places as his father had done. King Jehoshaphat also made peace with king of the Northern of Israel.

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF GOOD PARENTAL RESPONSIBILITY WITH EXAMPLE OF ASA.

ASA was a good example of parental responsibility because he walked in the way of the Lord and maklde sure that his whole family, even including his mother, walked in the way of the Lord.

It was a matter of course that Ada's parental responsibility influenced his son, Jehoshaphat, for the better. He also served God faithfully by walking in His statutes. Christian parents have alot to learn from Ada's positive influence on his son. Christian parents have alot to learn from Ada's positive influence on his son. Christian parents are to lead exemplary and contented lives so that their children would follow their good example. Christian parents are to encourage their children to grow up to be responsible Christian citizens like king Asa did. Christian children on their part are to cooperate with their parents in order to ensure their proper spiritual and moral upbringing.