Eli was a judge of Israel. God had promised to bless Eli and his family. Eli was also a priest. God had chosen Aaron and his sons to serve as priests. Every son born into the Aaronic line was to be a priest.
It was the responsibility of each priest to train his sons in the priesthood. And just as every father was to do, the priest was expected to rear his children in the proper faith toward God. Each father was responsible for teaching the Word of God to his children. Each father was to properly discipline his children.
Eli had failed in rearing his children properly. In 1 Samuel 2:27-36, we read what a prophet came and told Eli. He tells Eli that he has not done well. He did not keep his sons properly disciplined. He had taken advantage of God’s blessings. He had allowed his sons to do some very bad things. In verse 30, the prophet speaking for God says, “I said indeed that thy house, and the house of thy father, should walk before me for ever: but now the Lord saith, Be it far from me; for them that honour me I will honour, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed.”
God had given a promise to Eli and his family. But that promise of blessing was dependent on obedience by Eli and his family. When Eli did not do what he was supposed to do, God was not required to continue the blessings. In fact, because of God’s justice, he would punish Eli and his family.
God gives us the promise of eternal life. He has promised us a reward in heaven. His promise is dependent on our obedience to what he wants us to do. In 1 John 2:3-6, we read:
And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.
In verse 25, we are told that the promise we are given is eternal life. In verse 28, John says to abide in him [Jesus], so that at Christ’s coming we will not be ashamed.
I know you want to go to heaven. I know you do not want to hear God say to you, “Be it far from me.” So, read your Bible. Study it often. And learn what you need to do to obey God. And if any of this is hard to understand, ask an adult to help you.
