Deuteronomy 5:16
“Honor your father and your mother, as the LORD your God has commanded you, that your days may be prolonged and that it may go well with you on the land which the LORD your God gives you.”
This is one of the Ten Commandments. I’m surprised, but encouraged by this. I knew it was mentioned plenty of times, but had forgotten that it was one of the ten.
Part of my surprise is that most commandments are negative; things we can’t do. Negative commands are good in that we are given much lee way. For example, in the garden eating of all food was permisable, except one. That is great freedom.
The only two positive commands are today’s choice and to remember the sabbath day. Basically this boils down to honor God and honor your parents.
Obeying one’s parents is a recognition of authority. This is obedience at it’s lowest level. A higher level would be teachers and the government. The highest level is God. If one has trouble obeying parents, then there will be difficulty obeying all authority. It might not be as overt, but the struggle will be there.
Parents have a big part on teaching a child obedience. Respect and discipline are to be given well. Ephesians 6:4 says, “And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.” We aren’t to provoke or frustrate our children. We need to be understanding and be reasonable. We need to model talking about issues and being the parent that can be approached. This is part of the “nurture” of The Lord. There is also the discipline. Proverbs speaks of the rod driving out foolishness from the child. This isn’t so much corporal punishment as it is teaching them accountability. It may mean that on extreme occasions.
The end of today’s verse promises long life to those who obey their parents. Much of this is that those young people that listen to their parents will avoid much of the pitfalls that tend to be dangerous or unhealthy. I also thing God will honor that young person for the obedience.
Lord, thank You for this command. Thank You for my parents that instilled much good and yearning for You within me. Help us to model good parenting to our children that it will be easier for them to obey.