KEEP THY FATHER’S COMMANDMENT – A PARENT’S DAY MESSAGE (PROVERBS 6:20, 21)

Dear Members in Christ,

Keep thy father’s commandment – A Parent’s Day message (Proverbs 6:20, 21)

Parents’ Day is a day we remember and celebrate for the important roles that mothers and fathers play in the lives of their children. Fathers and mothers are God-given for our care and well-being. The labour that parents invest in their children comes from a heart that can be described as an outpouring of love.  Parents try their best to give the best for their children, very often parents do such with utmost self-sacrifice. Why so? Because parents are given by God as an authority over us. Thus, the Word of God teach us to honour our parents in the commandment,  

“Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.” Exodus 20:12

The word in this verse that is translated as “honour” means to esteem as weighty, honourable, to respect and to love. It is a Christian virtue for a man or woman to be seen to be honouring and loving to their parents. This shows their obedience to God’s commandment, and it shows their submission to the earthly authority that God had placed over them.  

As we remember and celebrate this special day with our parents and grandparents, let us remember the blessings that comes with obeying God’s Word. Let the wisdom of God’s Word be on our minds and meditation for this day.

A. Obey your parents – for this is God’s will

The Bible commands us to honour our parents. The idea of honouring someone is rather vague in these days. In contemporary usage, when we say we honour someone, it is usually a remarkable event, often with reference to someone who has accomplished some great, noteworthy task. For example, an employee who won a lucrative contract for his company, or a statesman who has brought great benefit to his nation. However, the Bible teaches us that honouring our parents is a daily, constant and continuous practice. The book of Proverbs teaches us thus,

“My son, keep thy father's commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother: Bind them continually upon thine heart, and tie them about thy neck.” Proverbs 6:20, 21

Obedience is the hallmark of love and respect. Obeying your parents is the exhortation of the Bible to all Christians. Keep the commandment of your father and do not neglect the law of your mother. Godly parents will command and guide their children to obey God, and thus obeying godly parents will bring blessings to their children.

Children, we urge you all to love and obey your parents. With greater access to social media, youths and children often think themselves to be “smarter” than their parents. Dearly beloved, God’s wisdom is the best, “Honour your father and your mother”, obey your parents for this is pleasing to God.

B. Obey your parents for this is for your good

When God gave the commandment to His people to honour their parents, it is a commandment with a blessing.

“Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.” Ephesians 6:2, 3

The verse from the epistle to the Ephesians teaches that honouring parents comes with a promise that “thou mayest live long on the earth”. Does this mean that those who honour their parents will be assured of longevity? We must not interpret Bible passages in isolation, as this can lead to all kinds of misinterpretations. Scripture interprets Scripture. The verse from the epistle to the Ephesians refers to the second portion of the commandment given to the Israelites which says, “that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee” (Exodus 20:12b).

God had promised the Israelites that He will bestow His blessing upon them if they obey His commandments. On the contrary, if they rebel against God and refuse to obey Him, their continued existence in the Promised Land may be short-lived. Disobedience against God will attract punishment which may amount to expulsion from the land by wars and captivity. The history of the Israelites tells us that that really happened to them.

Brothers and sisters, let us obey God’s commandment, a commandment which will bring us blessings if we submit to it. As we celebrate this day to honour our parents and grandparents, let us remember God’s Word, to obey our parents, for this is pleasing before God. May God bless and keep us faithful to Him. Amen.   

In His Service,
Rev. Lim Seh Beng, Pastor