Family
Honor your father and mother, which is the first commandment with praise: •that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth’ «(Ephesians 6:2, 3).
There are studies that prove that the general harmony of a family is linked to the health (physical and mental) and, consequently, to the longevity of its members. We understand that this positive family interaction includes the parents’ respect for their children, as well as the children’s duty to honor and obey their parents, which is consistent with the biblical promise of today’s verse.
The Scriptures contain so many verses about children respecting their parents. Honoring one’s parents is very important, that’s why it is included in the Decalogue (Exod. 20:12). The prophet Jeremiah points out significant blessings that are the result of children obeying their parents Jer. 35:18-19). The wise Solomon declares, «a wise son heeds his father’s instruction, but a scoffer does not listen to rebuke» (Prov. 13:1).
Jesus strongly condemned those who invoked legal tricks to avoid helping their parents (Matt. 15:3-9). The religious lawmakers of His time had made adjustments to avoid God’s commandment. They used the concept of korban as something dedicated to God or the temple. With this classification, they closed their assets tightly to avoid transferring them to any other beneficiary. So, any priest, scribe or Pharisee could declare his possessions and resources as korban. When a mother or father needed help, the son would explain, «I can’t help you because everything I have is korban.» It was a legal trick to avoid the moral obligation of taking care of their parents.
The apostle Paul includes those who are disobedient to their parents with the perverts of the last days: lovers of themselves, greedy, boasters, proud, blasphemers
unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, among others 2 Tim. 3:2).
When we think about the very difficult task of being a parent, as well as satisfying the different and changing needs of our children almost always without receiving any gratitude, we can only conclude that children must honor their parents through obedience and love. It is true that some parents do not love their children and may even harm or exploit them, but most parents use their authority appropriately and act according to the divine ordinances.
Today, let us honor our parents and follow the Lord’s command: «Children, Obey your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord» (Col. 3:20)
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Taken from: Daily Devotions for Junior 2020
“A Cheerful Heart Is Good Medicine”
From: Julian Melgoza-Laura Fidanza
Colaboradores:Ricardo Vela & Emmanuel Tapia
