A nutshell of this past Sunday's Adult Bible Class.
"Honor your father and your mother."
In a way, the Fourth Commandment is the First Commandment, because it is the first commandment of the Second Table (commandments four through ten). Paul writes, "This is the first commandment with a promise, 'that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land'" (Eph. 6:2-3). And so to children I would say:
What does the Holy Bible say?
Your parents honor and obey;
This is the first command for you,
The most important thing to do;
Then safe and sound you'll always be!
God keeps His promise faithfully.
And to parents:
O father, mother, listen well,
And Scripture will the secret tell:
To keep them from a bitter heart,
Instruct your children from the start
In the Commandments and the Creed
And in the Prayer for ev'ry need.
Now according to the Small Catechism, the Fourth Commandment means this: "We should fear and love God so that we do not despise or anger our parents and other authorities, but honor them, serve and obey them, love and cherish them." The word "Honor" is used by God only here in the Ten Commandments. He applies it to parents, and not even to Himself! And its meaning is captured in four verbs: serve, obey, love, cherish. Ask yourself, Have I prized my parents as the most precious treasure on earth and revered them as second only to God?
The Catechism adds "other authorities." Who are these? Answers include my teacher, supervisor, pastor, those who represent the government, my elders, the aged, and I would also include veterans.
But most of all, parents (grandparents too, and guardians).
And a word to our youth. Do not buy the lie that your parents are against you. Because no one on earth loves you more, wants more for you, or would sacrifice more for you than your parents. It's true!
If you want to be cool, truly cool, and a true Christian, and safe and sound, Honor your father and your mother...all your days.
