“Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you.” (Exodus 20:12)
Why is honoring our parents so important? Because it is the foundation of a healthy and thriving society. When we honor our parents, we are not only pleasing God, but we are also setting an example for the next generation. Sadly, in our modern world, we often see a breakdown in this foundational principle, leading to dire consequences.
Learning from Examples of Honoring Parents
The Bible provides us with powerful examples of individuals who honored their parents, even in the face of challenging circumstances. Let’s take a look at two such examples:
Jonathan’s Dilemma: Honoring His Father or Saving His Friend
In the book of 1 Samuel, we encounter the story of Jonathan, the son of King Saul. Jonathan had a deep friendship with David, but his father, the king, wanted to kill David. What would Jonathan do? Would he honor his father’s command and allow his friend to be killed, or would he disobey his father to save David’s life?
“Jonathan spoke well of David to Saul his father and said to him, ‘Let not the king sin against his servant David, because he has not sinned against you, and because his deeds have brought good to you.'” (1 Samuel 19:4)
Jonathan chose to honor his father by pleading for David’s life, and as a result, David’s life was spared. This is a powerful example of how we can honor our parents while also doing what is right in the eyes of God.
Gideon’s Dilemma: Honoring His Father or Obeying God
Another example can be found in the book of Judges, where we meet Gideon. God called Gideon to tear down the altar of Baal, which his own father had built. What would Gideon do? Would he honor his father by refusing to obey God, or would he choose to follow God’s command, even if it meant dishonoring his father?
“Then the men of the town said to Joash, ‘Bring out your son, that he may die, for he has broken down the altar of Baal and cut down the Asherah beside it.'” (Judges 6:30)
Gideon chose to honor God, even if it meant going against his father’s wishes. In the end, Gideon’s father stood up for him, and Gideon was able to obey God without dishonouring his father.
These examples teach us that honoring our parents is not always easy, but it is always the right thing to do. We must be willing to make difficult decisions, balancing our duty to honor our parents with our duty to obey God.
What Does It Mean to Honor Our Parents?
Honoring our parents can take many forms, and the Bible provides us with a wide range of examples. Here are some of the ways we can honor our parents:
Learning from Their Wisdom
The book of Proverbs encourages us to “hear your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching” (Proverbs 1:8). As we grow and mature, we can honor our parents by learning from their experiences and the lessons they have to share.
Obeying Their Guidance
While we may not always agree with our parents’ decisions, the Bible calls us to “obey your father and mother” (Ephesians 6:1). By submitting to their authority, we are honoring the position they hold in our lives.
Providing for Them in Their Old Age
The Bible also speaks of honoring our parents through “supporting the widows” (1 Timothy 5:3). This principle can be applied to caring for our aging parents, ensuring that their needs are met as they grow older.
Treating Them with Respect
Finally, the Bible reminds us to “not despise your mother when she is old” (Proverbs 23:22). Honoring our parents means treating them with the respect and dignity they deserve, even as they grow older and experience the challenges of aging.
The Blessing and the Consequence
When we honor our parents, God promises that “your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you” (Exodus 20:12). This is a powerful promise of blessing, but the Bible also warns of the consequences of disobedience.
“If a man has a stubborn and rebellious son who will not obey the voice of his father or the voice of his mother, and, though they discipline him, will not listen to them, then his father and his mother shall take hold of him and bring him out to the elders of his city at the gate of the place where he lives, and they shall say, ‘This our son is stubborn and rebellious; he will not obey our voice; he is a glutton and a drunkard.’ Then all the men of the city shall stone him to death with stones. So you shall purge the evil from your midst, and all Israel shall hear, and fear.” (Deuteronomy 21:18-21)
This is a sobering reminder of the importance of honoring our parents. When we choose to disobey and dishonor them, we are not only hurting our relationship with them, but we are also incurring the wrath of God.
The Ultimate Example: Jesus
As Christians, we are called to follow the example of Jesus Christ, who perfectly fulfilled the commandment to honor his earthly parents. Throughout his life, Jesus demonstrated his submission to the authority of his parents, Mary and Joseph, even in the final moments of his life on the cross.
“When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, ‘Woman, behold, your son!’ Then he said to the disciple, ‘Behold, your mother!’ And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home.” (John 19:26-27)
As we strive to honor our own parents, let us be inspired by the example of Jesus, who showed us the way.
A Challenge and a Call to Action
My dear brothers and sisters, I challenge you to reflect on the state of your relationship with your parents. Are you honoring them in the way that God has commanded? If not, I encourage you to take immediate action to repair any broken relationships and to actively seek ways to honor your parents, whether they are still with us or have passed on.
Remember, honoring our parents is not just a matter of obedience, but a pathway to a life of blessing and a legacy that will impact generations to come. Let us be a people who honor our parents, just as our Lord Jesus did, and in doing so, bring glory to the name of God.