Proclaim the gospel to the Jew first and also to the Greek. Shalom and welcome to the Everlasting Nation, a radio ministry of International Board of Jewish Missions. This is Mark Oshman with the International Board of Jewish Missions, presenting another radio Bible study. With this session, we conclude our series about rearing godly children. Advice is given by Solomon in the book of Proverbs. The Book of Proverbs indeed functioned as a source of advice for parents seeking to raise their children to serve as godly, functioning members of stable societies. Yet, the Book of Proverbs is more than just a series of guidelines. Those who read Solomon's aphorisms and put them into practice were thereby equipping their progeny to train their descendants to do likewise. Paul enunciated this principle in the second chapter of 2 Timothy. He wrote to his protégé, quote, Each generation had an obligation to train its successors to live by godly standards. A single broken link of that chain would lead to societal ruin. God commended individuals who engaged in this practice. In the 18th chapter of Genesis, he stated that Abraham would, quote, command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord to do justice and judgment, unquote. Note that it was Abraham, not Sarah, but Abraham, who God prays for imparting godly values to their children. Parents who do not engage in this process suffer adverse consequences. According to Proverbs chapter 29, quote, a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame, unquote. Thus Solomon admonished fathers and mothers to quote, chasten thy son while there is yet hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying. A statement recorded in Proverbs chapter 19. What can happen if a parent fails to train his or her child to follow godliness? Hophni and Phinehas were sons of the high priest Eli. They served as illustrations of ungodly children who, by their ungodly behavior, brought reproach upon themselves and upon their father. The writer of 1 Samuel Chapter 2 described Hophni and Phinehas as, quote, sons of Belial, unquote. They, quote, knew not the Lord, unquote. Hophni and Phinehas coerced those who brought offerings to the tabernacle to give them what they wanted first, lest they take these portions by force. Therefore, quote, the sin of the young men was very great before the Lord, for men abhorred the offering of the Lord, unquote. More than that, though. Hophni and Phinehas, quote, lay with the women that assembled at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, unquote. They thereby added sexual immorality to their list of transgressions. Their father Eli had several options for dealing with his immoral offspring. He could have, at the very least, relieved them of their priestly duties. Indeed, according to Deuteronomy chapter 21, Eli could have had his sons put to death. Instead, he rather lamely rebuked the sons for their misdeeds, but gave them no more chastisement or punishment than that. God judged Eli because he had, quote, honor us thy sons above me, unquote, as the writer 1 Samuel 2 put it. Hophni and Phinehas accompanied the Ark of the Covenant into battle against the Philistine armies at that time. They were killed and the Ark captured on the same day. When the father Eli heard about his sons and the Ark of the Covenant, he too died. Both Eli and his sons paid a terrible price for Eli's failure to raise his children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. This is Mark Oshman with the International Board of Jewish Missions. bringing you another radio Bible program. You've been listening to The Everlasting Nation, a ministry of International Board of Jewish Missions. For more information, you can contact us at 423-876-8150 or go online to ibjm.org. Until next time, may God bless and Shalom!