What does Ellen White write about...
Adventistische Schriften über: "What do you write about Eli and the upbringing of his children; does this apply to all parents?"
Answer
The story of Eli illustrates that parents bear a sacred responsibility to raise their children with a mixture of love and decisive firmness. His failure lay in allowing his sons to go unchecked and neglecting necessary discipline out of love for his own comfort and peace, which ultimately led to the ruin of his family and harm to the entire people.
This report serves as an explicit warning for all parents of today; God holds them highly accountable for the mistakes and excesses of their children if they fail to curb their evil tendencies in a timely manner. Especially persons in responsible positions or in the service of God are called to manage their own household well, as their example exerts a far‑reaching influence on other families.
Eli's Example as a Warning for the Present Age
»Eli's neglect of duty in this regard was felt throughout the entire Hebrew nation. The sin of his sons spread like leprosy throughout the whole camp of Israel; but he lacked sufficient character strength to restrain them. Because he did not cultivate this, the Lord condemned him. ... He knew that his sons, by their behavior, profaned the house and the service of God; but he loved comfort, rest, and peace more than purity and righteousness. Eli should have gained control over his sons through gentle firmness; but when this failed, immediate and stricter measures should have been taken.«
Responsibility of Parents in the Last Days
»God condemns the negligence that flirts with sin and crime, and the callousness that only slowly perceives its harmful presence in the families of professing Christians. He holds parents highly accountable for the mistakes and follies of their offspring. God sought not only Eli's sons with His curse, but also Eli himself, and this dreadful example should be a warning for the parents of this time.«
Influence of Parental Example on Society
»Because of Eli's position, his influence was more far‑reaching than if he had been an ordinary man. His family life was imitated throughout Israel. ... If religious believers, instead of making serious, persistent, and conscientious efforts to maintain a well‑ordered household as a testimony to the benefits of faith in God, are negligent in their leadership and give in to the evil desires of their children, they act like Eli and bring shame upon the cause of Christ and ruin upon themselves and their households.«
Need for Restraint and Leadership
»I saw that a great responsibility rests upon parents. They must not be led by their children, but must lead them. ... All this evil resulted from Eli's neglect to curb his sons. I saw that God, when He paid such close attention to these matters in antiquity, will be no less precise in these last days. Parents must govern their children, correct their passions, and subdue them, or God will surely destroy the children on the day of His fierce wrath, and the parents who have not controlled their children will not be blameless.«
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Original Sources (English)
Stephan Krol
Founder of EGW Vision
Why I built EGW Vision
Hello, I am Stephan Krol. I started this Ellen White website to make the writings of Ellen G. White and the Adventist pioneers easier to access for everyone.
EGW Vision helps you find topics, statements, and quotes faster, especially when many original sources are not yet fully available in your language. The tool searches semantically, groups relevant content by topic, and presents matching results as clearly as possible in your language.
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