Exodus 20:12 is one of the Ten Commandments, a set of divine laws given by God to the Israelites through Moses on Mount Sinai. These commandments are found in Exodus 20 and Deuteronomy 5 and are central to the moral and ethical teachings in the Judeo-Christian tradition.
The commandment to “Honor your father and your mother” is unique in several ways. It is the first commandment with a promise attached: “that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you.” This suggests that honoring one’s parents is not only a moral duty but also brings blessings, particularly the blessing of longevity and stability in the Promised Land.
In the context of ancient Israel, honoring parents went beyond mere respect or obedience. It included caring for them in their old age, upholding family traditions, and maintaining the family lineage. The family unit was the cornerstone of Israelite society, and respecting parental authority was essential for maintaining social order and continuity.
This commandment also reflects the broader principle of respecting authority, which is a recurring theme in the Bible. By honoring one’s parents, individuals learn to respect other forms of authority, including God’s authority, which is the foundation of the covenant relationship between God and Israel.
The promise of long life in the land also ties this commandment to the covenant between God and the Israelites. The land was a gift from God, and the people’s continued enjoyment of it was contingent upon their obedience to His laws. By honoring their parents, the Israelites were, in a sense, honoring God and ensuring their continued blessing and prosperity in the land He had promised them.
This commandment remains significant in Christian teachings as well, emphasizing the importance of family and the respect for parents as a key aspect of living a life that is pleasing to God.
SO…
The commandment to “Honor your father and your mother” offers timeless lessons that can be applied to our lives today, transcending cultural and historical contexts. Here are some key takeaways:
1. **Respect for Authority and Elders**: Honoring our parents teaches us the importance of respecting authority, not just within the family but in all areas of life. In a world where authority is often questioned, this commandment reminds us to value the wisdom and experience of those who came before us.
2. **Gratitude and Appreciation**: Honoring our parents involves recognizing the sacrifices they made and the love they provided. It’s a call to show gratitude and appreciation, acknowledging that we are who we are, in part, because of their influence.
3. **Caring for Our Family**: This commandment encourages us to take responsibility for the well-being of our parents as they age. In a society where elderly care can sometimes be neglected, it reminds us of the importance of being there for our family, just as they were there for us.
4. **Building Strong Family Bonds**: By honoring our parents, we strengthen the family unit, which is the foundation of a stable society. A strong family provides emotional support, guidance, and a sense of belonging, all of which are crucial for our overall well-being.
5. **Reflecting God’s Love**: Honoring our parents is a reflection of our respect for God’s authority. Just as we are called to honor God as our Heavenly Father, we are also called to honor our earthly parents, recognizing the role they play in God’s plan for our lives.
6. **Promoting Longevity and Blessing**: The promise attached to this commandment suggests that honoring our parents can lead to a long and fulfilling life. While this may not always be understood literally, it implies that living in harmony with God’s commandments brings peace, stability, and blessings.
7. **Teaching the Next Generation**: By modeling respect and care for our parents, we teach the next generation the importance of these values. This helps to ensure that these principles are passed down, contributing to the continuity of strong family and societal values.
In our daily lives, applying this commandment means actively showing love, respect, and care for our parents, being grateful for their role in our lives, and recognizing the broader impact of these actions on our relationship with God and with others. It’s a reminder that the way we treat our parents can reflect our overall approach to relationships and life, making it a foundational aspect of living out our faith.
Our scripture today is Ecclesiastes 5:verse 20.
“For a man seldom considers the days of his life, because God keeps him occupied with the joy of his heart.”
Imagine if we were fully aware of the tragedies that might await us tomorrow. The weight of that knowledge would make it nearly impossible to enjoy the simple pleasures of today. Instead, God focuses our hearts on the joys of the present moment, sparing us from the paralyzing anxiety of what could happen next.
One author captured this idea, “The hand that veils the future is the hand of mercy.” Indeed, we often believe we want to see what tomorrow holds. We look forward to joyous occasions—a birthday, a family reunion, or a weekend with friends. In His loving-kindness, God keeps us occupied with today’s blessings, sparing us the burden of foreseeing all our tomorrows.
As you consider this verse, add to it, Psalm 118: verse 24, which declares, “This is the day that the LORD has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” Each day is a gift, a creation of God, and we are invited to find joy in it without the overshadowing fear of what might come.
I’m Lonnie Davis and these are thoughts worth thinking.
October 28, 2016
Teaching: 5 Things Every Father Should Do
1. Be a Provider
Paul put it plainly, “If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” (1 Tim 5:8).
Certainly a good father does not simply supply material support, but also supports his family in every other way. However, this verse calls every father to financially support his family. There may be unique circumstances where this is not possible, but normally it is a father’s duty.
One of my favorite dads in the Bible was the father of the prodigal son. His son ran away and lived in rebellion, but the father is seen as waiting, longing, and looking for a chance to support his son. As soon as the son turned toward home, the father ran to him and put a ring on his finger, shoes on his feet, and killed the fatted calf. He was joyful for the opportunity to provide for his son.
2. Pray FOR your Children and WITH your Children
The Bible tells us about a man named Job who modeled this for us.
“Early in the morning he [Job] would sacrifice a burnt offering for each of them[his children], thinking, ‘Perhaps my children have sinned and cursed God in their hearts.’ This was Job’s regular custom.” (Job 1:5)
Jesus’ disciples came to him and asked him to teach them to pray. (Luke 11:1). Our children don’t see Jesus in the flesh, but they do see their father. A father should teach his children to pray, to pray for them, and to pray with them.
Perhaps you are a shy person and do not like to pray before anyone, but when it comes to our children, we must grow past this. Make sure your children hear you pray. From your prayers your children will learn: (1) How to pray, (2) The importance of Prayer, and that (3) God can be trusted with your cares.
3. Surround Your Children with Spiritual People
“Do not be misled: ‘Bad company corrupts good character.’” (1 Corinthians 15:33).
Left to their own devices, kids may not pick the friends who are good for them. When kids observe parents surrounding their family with spiritual people, they may learn to do the same.
One more thing: Fathers must learn to be careful who their heroes are. My heroes are not drug abusing athletes or foul-mouthed actors. Your kids will be inclined to admire the same people you admire.
4. Model the Spiritual Life to Your Children to Live
One thing that helped King Jehoshaphat be a good king was having a father who was a good king. 1 Kings 22:43 tells us, “In everything he walked in the ways of his father Asa and did not stray from them; he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord.”
When my kids were young and did anything wrong, I would always ask myself, “Did he (or she) learn that from me?” If I know I will leave a good legacy behind for my kids to follow, I don’t mind growing old and even dying someday..
5. Look for life’s Teachable Moments
God tells fathers (and mothers) “These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the door frames of your houses and on your gates.” (Deu 6:6-9)
Jesus was always ready for the teachable moments. Many of his lessons happened during the impromptu moments. Your lessons to your children also happen in the odd moments. You teach your children when you are riding in the car, shopping in a store, fishing in a river, or any of the other thousands of natural moments in life.
Look for those teachable moments and make the most of them. Sometimes when my family and I would be riding in a car and hear an ambulance come blazing by with sirens screaming, I would say, “Kids we are not having a bad day.” Look for the teachable moments.
Quote
“He who knows enough is enough, will always have enough.”
– – Lao Tzu
Scripture: John 16:32c
“I am not alone, for my Father is with me.”
Quiz
1. Who were the first twins in the Bible?
2. On what special Jewish day did the church begin?
3. Who was the first Christian to die for his faith?
Resource: Wunderlist
Wunderlist is a free app that will work on all your devices (computer, smartphone, and tablet). Liz and I share one free account (you create it online). When we need something from the store, you can just put the item on Wunderlist. As long as you have your phone, you have your list. When one of us goes to the store, we open the phone and look at the list. Pick up the item. Touch the item on the list and it goes away. Very, very handy!
Funny
Me a procrastinator? I’ll prove you wrong someday. Just you wait and see.
Fact
Do you know what Jesus ate? He ate bread (Mat 26:26), lamb (Luke 22:15), fish (Mat 14:19), broiled fish (Luke 24:42-43), The Old Testament says he would eat curds (butter) and honey (Isaiah 7:15).
Quiz answers:
1. The first twins mentioned in the Bible were Jacob and Esau (Gen 25:24)
2. The church began on the day of Pentecost. (Acts 2).
3. The first Christian to die for his faith was Stephen (Acts 7:59-60).