What does God want to impress upon us with this promise?

With this promise God wants to impress upon us that he considers obedience to our parents to be a very important matter that results in a great temporal blessing, so that we would gladly obey this Commandment.

Eph. 6:2,3: Honor 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.

What promise is added to the Fourth Commandment?

The follwing promise has been added to the Fourth Commandment: That it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.

When do we love and cherish our parents?

We love and cherich our parents when we desire that which is for their good, patiently endure their weaknesses, and pray for them.

Assignment: Read Gen. 45:3 and 50:1: Joseph´s love for his father and 1 Tim. 5:4. Discuss what we can do at home.

When are we not to obey our parents?

If our parents, our boss, the law of our country or anyone else commands us to do something that is contrary to God’s Word, which we cannot therefore with a good conscience do, we are to obey God rather than men.

Acts 5:29: We ought to obey God rather than men.

Assignment: Read Ex. 1:15-21: The Hebrew midwives did not kill the male infants even though the king commanded them to do so, and Esther 3:13-5:2: Esther defied the law in order to save her people. Consider: Could situations arise today, that would prevent us from obeying a law or a given command?

When are we properly obedient to our parents?

We are properly obedient to our parents, when we obey them in all matters in which God has given them authority over us.

Col. 3:20: Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is wellpleasing unto the Lord.

Assignment: Read Luke 2:51: The Lord Jesus was obedient to his parents.

When do we serve our parents in the right way?

We serve our parents in the right way when, even without being told to do so, we do all manner of good to them and show them our heartfelt gratitude.

Assignment: Read Gen. 47:11,12: Joseph took care of his father, and John 19:26,27: The Lord Jesus provided for the care of his mother.

When do we honor our parents?

We honor our parents and all those in authority, if in the true fear of God we give them the honor, that God demands, and at all time show that we honor them by our behavior.

Mal. 1:6: A son honoreth his father, and a servant his master.

Rom. 13:7: Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due, custom to whom custom, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor.

Lev. 19:32: Thou shalt rise up before the hoary head, and honor the face of the old man, and fear thy God. I am the Lord.

Assignment: Read 1 Kings 2:19: King Solomon respected his mother, and Gen. 46:29: Joseph’s warm-hearted and loving treatment of his father.

Luther says: “We must, therefore, impress it upon the young, that they should regard their parents as in God`s stead, and remember that however lowly, poor, frail, and odd they may be, nevertheless they are father and mother given them by God. They are not to be deprived of their honor because of their conduct or their failings... Furthermore, that also in our words we observe modesty toward them, do not accost them roughly, haughtily, and defiantly, but yield to them and be silent, even though they go too far.”

What kind of a sin is the despising of one’s parents?

Despising one’s parents is a very serious sin which brings on God’s severe punishment.

Prov. 30:17: The eye that mocketh at his father, and despiseth to obey his mother, the ravens of the valley shall pick it out, and the young eagles shall eat it.

Rom. 13:2: Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God; and they that resist shall receive to themsleves damnation.

Assignment: Read 1 Sam. 4:11: The death of Eli’s sons, 2 Sam.15: Absalom’s rebellion and death, and 2 Kings 2:23,24: The punishment of the youths of Bethel, who ridiculed Elisha.

When do we despise and anger our parents?

We despise and anger our parents and the governing authorities, when we do not give them the honor that God wants us to give them, but are disobedient, talk to them in a disrespectful manner or cause them grief in some other way. In this way we arouse them to rightful anger and force them to punish us.

Deut. 27: 16: Cursed be he that setteth light by his father or his mother. And all the people shall say: Amen.

Rom. 13:3,4: For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? Do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same. For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid, for he beareth not the sword in vain. For he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.

Assignment: Read Gen. 37:32-35: The evil deeds of Jacob’s sons caused their father grief.

Who is actually taking care of us through our parents?

God himself is taking care of us through our parents, pastors and the governing authorities.Therefore also for this reason we are to honor them in holy fear with humility and obedience. “It is a far higher thing to honor than to love one, inasmuch as it comprehends not only love, but also modesty, humility and deference as to a majesty there hidden.” (Luther).

Rom. 13:1,4: Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God. The powers that be are ordained of God...For he is the minister of God to thee for good.

Why are we to honor our parents?

God himself has instituted parenthood, the office of the ministry and earthly governments. He has also ordained that the young are to respect the elderly. Therefore we are to obey the Fourth Commandment for God’s sake. When we honor our parents, we honor God. If we despise our parents, we despise God.

Titus 2:5: To be obedient... that the word of God be not blasphemed.

What does the Fourth Commandment require of children and subordinates?

The Fourth Commandment requires that we honor, obey and love our own parents and all those whom God places over us. It also forbids us to despise them and hold them in contempt.

What does God require of parents in this Commandment?

God requires that parents care for their children with paternal and maternal love, provide for their needs and their safety, teach them God’s Word and instill in them a sincere fear of God. He also wants them to be good examples to their children in their faith, and life.The goal of a Christian upbringing is to enable children to grow into mature, responsible and independent adults, who believe God’s Word and live in accordance with it, who respect their country’s rightful laws, good order and good habits.

Eph. 6:4: Ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath, but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

Note: Discipline is the establishment of correct and safe limits within which a person is to live and act.

Assignment: Read Gen. 18:19, Deut. 6:6-9, Prov. 13:24; 22:15; 23:13,14 and Matt. 18:6,10. Discuss the topic: He who grows up without discipline, dies without honor.

Whom does God speak about in the Fourth Commandment?

Thou shalt honor thy father and thy mother, that it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth. What does this mean? We should fear and love God that we may not despise our parents and masters, nor provoke them to anger, but give them honor, serve and obey them, and hold them in love and esteem.

In the Fourth Commandment God speaks to us about those neighbors, whom He has placed over us to govern us and whom He especially wants us to honor. They are:

1. Father and mother and our guardians.
   

   
   Prov. 20:20: Whoso curseth his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in obscure darkness.
   
   John 19:26,27: When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple standing by whom He loved, He saith unto his mother: Woman, behold thy son. Then saith He to the disciple: Behold thy mother. And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.

   
   
   Assignment: Consider: Who substitute for parents at day-care centers, at school and at camp?



2. Pastors and other teachers of the church.
   
   

   2 Kings 2:12: Elisha saw this (Elijah being taken to heaven) and cried out, “My father! My father!”
   
   1 Cor. 4:15: In Christ Jesus I (Paul) have begotten you through the Gospel.




3. Earthly government, government officials, law and order.
   
   

   Rom. 13:1,6: Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God...They are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.
   
   1 Pet. 2:13,14: Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake, whether it be to the king, as supreme, or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishmentof evil-doers, and for the praise of them that do well.




4. Employers and directors.
   

   
   2 Kings 5:13: His (Naaman’s) servants came near, and spake unto him, and said: My father.
   
   1 Pet. 2:18: Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward.
   
   Matt. 8:8-10: The centurion answered and said: Lord I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof, but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed. For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me, and I say to this man: Go, and he goeth; and to another: Come, and he cometh; and to my servant: Do this, and he doeth it. When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed: Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.




5. The elderly.
   
   

   Acts 22:1: (Paul said to them): Men, brethren, and fathers, hear ye my defence.
   
   1 Tim. 5:1,2: Rebuke not an elder, but entreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren, the elder women as mothers, the younger as sisters, with all purity.