The Ten Commandments - The Fifth Commandment

@just4him (303392)
Green Bay, Wisconsin
March 2, 2016 1:11am CST
Fifth Commandment We now enter into those commandments often found in the various laws governing our countries and also carry a penalty with them for disobedience to the law. This first one carries a promise from God for a long life if we respect our parents. Exodus 20:12 Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee. You will find this same commandment in other places in the Bible. Deuteronomy 5:16 Honour thy father and thy mother, as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee; that thy days may be prolonged, and that it may go well with thee, in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee. (KJV) In this verse you see not only the promise for a long life, but you will have a good life as well, meaning you will live at peace with your neighbors. Jesus gave us another perspective on this commandment. Matthew 15:4 For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death. (KJV) We are to respect and give honor to our parents, to do otherwise carries a death sentence. In the US we have laws protecting the rights of parents from abusive children. They are elder abuse laws. When an adult child is found to abuse their elders in particular their parents, the law can step in and take the adult child to court, and if found guilty will be penalized a heavy fine. From the time I was a small child I was taught to respect my parents. Did I? Not always, that’s why the board of education was applied to the seat of learning. As a parent myself, I have tried to instill the same values in my children. With so many laws today protecting children from parents and parents from children, there is little respect for one’s elders, and I know I have fallen short of that respect from my children. There is another aspect of this commandment parents need to be mindful of. Ephesians 6:2 Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) 3 That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth. 4 And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. (KJV) Just as children are to respect their parents, parents are to nurture their children to know the love of our Father God and Jesus our Savior. Solomon gave this assurance to parents. Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. (KJV) And just in case you believe it’s against God’s law to spank disobedient children: Proverbs 22:15 Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him. (KJV) There is one more law regarding respect and obedience not many people are familiar with, and because of this particular law, Israel had no trouble with their children. At least the penalty was never carried out. Deuteronomy 21:18 If a man have a stubborn and rebellious son, which will not obey the voice of his father, or the voice of his mother, and that, when they have chastened him, will not hearken unto them: 19 Then shall his father and his mother lay hold on him, and bring him out unto the elders of his city, and unto the gate of his place; 20 And they shall say unto the elders of his city, This our son is stubborn and rebellious, he will not obey our voice; he is a glutton, and a drunkard. 21 And all the men of his city shall stone him with stones, that he die: so shalt thou put evil away from among you; and all Israel shall hear, and fear. (KJV) God expects us to honor our parents. It is a big thing with him and if we disobey God in this, he will sentence us himself. We might escape man’s laws, but we will never escape God’s laws if we disrespect our parents. Image courtesy of Pixabay
5 people like this
2 responses
@Drosophila (16573)
• Ireland
3 Mar 16
I truly enjoyed reading this, honor and obey are not easy to do for sure
2 people like this
@just4him (303392)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
3 Mar 16
No they're not, but the consequences for doing so are enormous.
2 people like this
@mythociate (21438)
• Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
21 Mar 17
I look at it as 'the corporate hierarchy' of God. Not 'the hierarchy of the church' (alterboys, ushers, deacons, priests, bishops, archbishops, pope), but the Real hierarchy---God, Parents, Children (with complications in between, I'm sure; but that's basically it). The child aligns his purpose with the will of God through the will of his parents. The child doesn't aim for the will of God without considering his parents; if he does ...well, the parents can't "fire" the child; but he'll be going without God's strength if he tries it!
1 person likes this
@just4him (303392)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
24 Mar 17
I agree.
1 person likes this