I am going to blog based on the Daily Lectionary. I think it will be more responsive to God's word and hopefully more helpful for fellow pilgrims on the journey.
1 Samuel 8:1-22
When Samuel was old, he made his sons judges over Israel. The boys were named Joel and Abijah, but they did not walk in his path and were dishonest. Israel demands a king, which makes Samuel mad, but God said, 'they reject Me not you.' Samuel then warns Israel that a king will 'tax and spend' and bring misery to the land.
There is no guarantee that your kids will turn out the way you want them to. The tensions present in so many parent-(adult) child relationships is a reminder that genetic connections do not insure healthy relationships. I wonder what it was like being a son of Samuel. Your dad was feared as a man of great power. Your dad had heard the voice of God call to him. One wonders how much time Samuel spent away from the boys, busy with the work of being Israel's Prophet-Judge. Was he a stern or distant father, a connected and loving father? We are not told.
The Bible does not seem interested in psychological struggles or the inner feelings of its characters. We do not know what heartache, if any, Samuel experienced as he saw his wayward sons. The way contemporary American men father their children is very different from other cultures and other times. Certainly, we can assume that Samuel had some feelings for his sons. The text does not supply us any insight.
Raising children, one hopes that they will embrace the faith and carry on in a way that is pleasing to the Lord. Samuel's dismal failure in that regard serves as a stern warning and, perhaps, a consolation. No one is exempt from failure as a parent. No matter how great our accomplishments, we are always at risk of losing those closest to us. The demands of our vocations may cost us those nearest and dearest to us.
It is also true that no child can be totally shaped and formed by a parent. Each child grows into a man (woman) and at some point must choose for him (her) self. Even if we commune with God, serve Him faithfully and strive to lead all to Him, we may fail. We will fail because we are not in control. Our children are free to choose. At some pont we need to let go of them and let them choose. We cannot blame ourselves for every choice they make. We can not take credit for all the good they do.
Why did Joel and Abijah choose to abuse their role of trust? There are lots of reasonable theories. But one component which must be included in any theory is that they chose. They had the chance and they blew it. It could have turned out different. That is the mystery of life. Each day God gives us the chance to choose. We can use our chance to love and serve Him and others, or we can abuse our position. It is a very old story, yet as contemporary as the morning news. How will we respond to that chance today?
[for those who pray the daily lectionary I posted on last Thursday's reading! I just found out at MP. O well]
Thank you so much for this very timely post. I have many Christian friends whose grown children seem not to want the connection to family unless it's convenient for their needs.
ReplyDeleteToday is the birthday of my child like that......one whom I adored, loved, supported and cared for from the moment he was born desiring nothing more than to be a great mom to him and my other child, but for now he and his wife want nothing to do with us or the rest of our family. In other days I praised the Lord for the love and closeness in our family and hopefully will be able to do that again one day soon.
People who know ask what happened and I have to say, I really don't know. It's been this way before and is this way now. If he needs something, I feel sure he will be back.
So, thank you for reminding me that it is his choice even though it still makes me sad.