1 Samuel 3:12-13 *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.
Eli the priest of God failed as a father. His sons, Hophni and Phineas were scoundrels, their sins went up to heaven and God decided to kill them both in one day and take the priesthood from their lineage. I believe you know their story from Sunday school class. Looking at their lives deeply, one would see that these boys were not properly trained by their father. The element of godly instruction and discipline in their training was lacking. God wasn't happy with their father because he failed in this regard: "I have warned him that judgment is coming upon his family forever, because his sons are blaspheming God and HE HASN'T DISCIPLINED THEM",1 Samuel 3:13 NLT. Eli failed here and his generation forfeited the priesthood.
In our world, androcentric stereotypes made us belief that godly training for the children is the duty of women only. Culture and tradition exclude men from being active in the training of their children except for making provision. We have proverbs to back up this unbiblical mentality. For example, the elders will say "a bad child is for the mother but a good one is for the father". Why is it like that? The intent is to let the world know that bad child is the product of poor training by the mother while the good is for the father but trained by the mother. So the father takes the glory when mothers train their children successfully. This is totally unbiblical. You'll notice that when God saw the atrocities of Eli's children, he didn't confront their mother, God sent a message to the father- Eli. Why is it so? Fathers are the principal trainers and instructors in the home, mothers are only helpers. Fathers determine to a large extent how their children will fulfill destiny that's why in the OT, the patriarchs prophetically spoke about the destinies of their children. Fathers are prophets in their home.
When fathers fail in their leadership, priestly and prophetic role, generations may forfeit a glorious destiny like Eli's generation did. If you're still in doubt about the role of fathers as Chief trainer in the home, hear what God said about Abraham, "FOR I KNOW HIM, THAT HE WILL COMMAND HIS CHILDREN and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him."( Genesis 18:19 KJV). God never said Sarah will command her children to walk in the ways of the Lord neither is there a place in the bible where God held women responsible for any failure in the home. Even though Eve lured Adam to sin yet when God called them out from hiding, Adam was the person God questioned and held accountable. We're not saying women shouldn't train their children but biblically, God expects men to take the lead while the women support. The reversal is what we have today and it is affecting children negatively. Area fathers produce area sons, negligent fathers produce delinquent sons&daughters. The only thing some men are good at is sex. They're studs but do not know how to play fatherly role. Fathers, your duty is not just to provide money for the home, you're to provide godly leadership, train the children in the way of the Lord and ensure they follow the path of righteousness. You will not fail in Jesus name.
Father, may I not fail in my role as a father in Jesus name.