The Old Testament priest Eli raised a child who was not his own (1 Sam. 1:24–2:21). For several years, Eli acted as a parent to a young boy named Samuel. But Samuel was only a trust placed in Eli’s care. In a sense, we have a similar relationship to our children. They are like everything else we have in our possession. In reality, they are not our own. Our children have been placed in our care temporarily by the Lord to be raised for Him.

In some ways, the thought that our children are not our own isn’t very comforting. We know what it feels like to be concerned about returning a borrowed car or lawnmower that is worse for the wear. On the other hand, realizing that our children are the Lord’s is a very liberating thought. It means that the child’s rightful owner will make sure that I have all the resources I need to care for the child in God’s behalf.

Parents are also like Eli in that they are like priests. In Hebrews 5:1-4 we are shown that a priest intercedes in behalf of his people, and that he does so in the awareness of his own weakness. Because he knows his own problems, he can be sympathetic and compassionate in dealing with those who come to him for help. The author of
Hebrews wrote this about the high priest:

He can have compassion on those who are ignorant and going astray, since he himself is also beset by weakness. Because of this he is required as for the people, so also for himself, to offer for sins (Heb. 5:2-3).

Since this was spoken about priests who served prior to the coming of Christ, our great High Priest, some might think it outdated. Yet, the same author also said of Christ:

We do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin (Heb. 4:15).

The New Testament now calls the children of God a kingdom of priests (1 Pet. 2:5,9).

Think of the implications for a parent. It doesn’t make sense for us to expect our children to be better than we were. We might long for them to make good choices. We might pray that they will be wiser than their years. But we haven’t always been wise and wonderful. We’ve been where our children now are. We’ve been just as foolish, just as shortsighted, just as naive. What we have to offer them is not a perfect example, but sympathetic, compassionate hearts that continually go out to them in love and to God their heavenly Father—and rightful owner—on their behalf.