I'm taking a look at The Fifth Commandment to start us off in May! Having focused on Storge, familial love a couple of weeks ago as part of my "Fruit Of The Spirit" series, it seems a fitting continuation to look at God's commandment to honour our father and our mother.
Exodus 20:1-17
The Ten Commandments
“And God spoke all these words, saying:
“I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.
“You shall have no other gods before Me.
“You shall not make for yourself a carved image—any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.
“You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain.
“Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God. In it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates. For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it.
“Honour your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you.
“You shall not murder.
“You shall not commit adultery.
“You shall not steal.
“You shall not bear false witness against your neighbour.
“You shall not covet your neighbour’s house; you shall not covet your neighbour’s wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbour’s.””
The Fifth Commandment Exodus 20:1-17
The Ten Commandments
“And God spoke all these words, saying:
“I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.
“You shall have no other gods before Me.
“You shall not make for yourself a carved image—any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.
“You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain.
“Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God. In it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates. For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it.
“Honour your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you.
“You shall not murder.
“You shall not commit adultery.
“You shall not steal.
“You shall not bear false witness against your neighbour.
“You shall not covet your neighbour’s house; you shall not covet your neighbour’s wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbour’s.””
“Honour Your Father And Your Mother.”
"Behold, The Ten Commandments, recorded in God’s Word!
To think they don’t apply to us would really be absurd!
The wisdom found within these laws, we cannot take away,
So how can we apply these truths within our lives today?
“Honour your father and mother.” Commandment number five.
Respecting both our parents is good and very wise.
Essential for stability within society.
Disrespectful children bring a sorrow, clear to see.
“To honour” means to prize them, to show them care and love.
By honouring our parents, we honour God above.
Rebellion is costly so may we heed this law.
Help us act with reverence Lord and fill our hearts with awe."
Proverbs 19:26
“He who mistreats his father and chases away his mother
Is a son who causes shame and brings reproach.”
Ephesians 6:1-3
“Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honour your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with promise: “that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.””
Colossians 3:20
“Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord.”
Let’s Pray
Heavenly Father, thank You for the parents you have given to us. We know that they too are flawed and only You give us the example of a perfect Father but we give You praise for the blessing of earthly parents.
Whatever be the nature of our personal relationships with our parents, we pray that You would help us to show the respect and honour towards them that pleases You. We know that honouring our parents brings honour to You as we live in obedience to Your Word.
In a culture where youth is glorified and old age is dreaded, may we see how precious the older generation are.
Thank You for the stability and foundational strength that parents bring into our lives and we pray that our conduct towards them would bring Your Kingdom glory. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
