I Samuel 2:22-24

“Now Eli was very old, and he kept hearing all that his sons were doing to all Israel, and how they lay with the women who were serving at the entrance to the tent of meeting. And he said to them, “Why do you do such things? For I hear of your evil dealings from all these people. No, my sons; it is not a good report that I hear the people of the Lord spreading abroad.”

Last time Eli was a ‘sad dad’ and today he is a ‘mad dad’ – and so he should be. His two adult sons were inappropriately taking the choice meats from the sacrifices being offered to the Lord and then were sleeping around with the women of their faith community. Eli is upset and embarrassed and mad at his foolish sons for doing what should not be done.

Proverbs 17:25

“A foolish son is a cause of anger to his father…”

Eli makes it very clear that he is not pleased AND especially that the Lord is not pleased. He tells them in I Samuel 2:25;

“If one person sins against another, God may mediate for the offender; but if anyone sins against the Lord, who will intercede for them?”

Eli, a father and the priest, is mad because his two sons have rebelled against both their earthly father and their Heavenly Father.

Prayer. Dear God, please give my three sons grace to honor both their Heavenly Father and their earthly father. In Jesus Name I pray, Amen.