This commandment taught Israel to honor and respect their parents. Although it has been construed to be directed at younger children, it included children of all ages. There were no nursing homes in Israel’s time, but aged parents were provided for and cared for by their families. Although the Scriptures teach that young adults marry and separate from their parents, they are to continue to show honor to them throughout their lives in whatever ways are appropriate and necessary. Young children however, needed to be taught to respect their parents as God’s first line of authority. This instruction would instill in them a respect for all civil and religious authorities and for God. As with all of the commandments, it implied a very harsh punishment toward those whose rebellion and disobedience toward their parents was unbridled. However, it was also “the first commandment with promise.” When children are taught obedience in the home, it leads to order in their lives and in society as a whole. Discipline leads to self-discipline, which leads to moderation and self-control. All of these lead to long and peaceful lives in a peaceful and ordered society. All of God’s commands were given as a means whereby Israel would know peace and prosperity, because they all contained inherent blessings.

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

Gen 2:22 And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man.
23 And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.
24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.

Deut 21:18 If a man have a stubborn and rebellious son, which will not obey the voice of his father, or the voice of his mother, and that, when they have chastened him, will not hearken unto them:
19 Then shall his father and his mother lay hold on him, and bring him out unto the elders of his city, and unto the gate of his place;
20 And they shall say unto the elders of his city, This our son is stubborn and rebellious, he will not obey our voice; he is a glutton, and a drunkard.
21 And all the men of his city shall stone him with stones, that he die: so shalt thou put evil away from among you; and all Israel shall hear, and fear.

Eph 6:1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.
2 Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;)
3 That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.

Although this command, which is repeated in the New Testament, carries with it the same moral meaning for those in Christ, there is also a deeper spiritual meaning under grace. When we are born into this world, we have flesh and blood parents who conceived us, nurtured us, loved us, and taught us to become responsible adults. When we are born-again into God’s family we have the same needs in a spiritual sense because we are little children in Christ. Even though someone may be eighty-nine years old when they are converted, they are only a baby in Christ. Now, we understand that God is our Heavenly Father; and we understand that we are certainly to honor and respect Him. We also realize that He loves us and cares for us as His dear children. However, although we realize that it is God who causes the new birth, we also acknowledge that He uses men and women of God as midwives, nursemaids, nurturers, and teachers in the birth and growth of His children. Paul went so far as to say to the Corinthian believers that he was their spiritual father and had begotten them through the Gospel. These men and women of faith that God puts in our lives, who have been used of God to bring us to salvation, also deserve our honor and respect. Although there are some so-called ministers who are disreputable and bring shame to the name of Christ, God would not use them bring about His will and purpose concerning His children.

1 Pet 2:2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:

1 John 3:1 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.
2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

Rom 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. (Daddy, Father)
16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

1 Cor 4:14 I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you.
15 For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.
16 Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me.

Gal 4:19 My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you,

Heb 13:17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.

This honor that we give to our spiritual leaders also includes providing for their material needs. Just as we should care for an aged or impoverished parent, even so these men and women who labor full-time in the Gospel deserve our care also, and not just with money. Many times their needs may include maintenance on their house and car, or doing menial chores that free them to spend more time on their labor in the Gospel.

1 Tim 5:17 Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.
18 For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.

Acts 6:1 And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.
2 Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.
3 Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.
4 But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.

Rom 15:26 For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem.
27 It hath pleased them verily; and their debtors they are. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister unto them in carnal things.

The warning here to the children of God is not to be overcome with spiritual pride. The devil often tempts new believers into thinking that they no longer need their spiritual leaders. Just as a teenager, who now thinks he knows more than his parents, rebels against their authority and dishonors them, so many of God’s children fall to pride. One of the first steps toward falling from grace is self-sufficiency. However, no Christian, regardless of how long we have known the Lord, ever gets to the place where we do not need the gifts of other believers; no Christian is an island; no Christian is complete in themselves; each of us are only a part of the body of Christ and we all have different gifts. Even pastors need the mentoring of more mature saints. What we are, we are only by the grace of God; we will never be without the need of God’s mercy and grace; and we will never outgrow our need of those whom God has given to nurture and lead us. By continuing to honor our fathers and mothers in the faith, we will avoid the snares of the devil and having our spiritual life cut short by his devices.

Prov 11:2 When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.

Prov 16:18 Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.
19 Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.

2 Tim 2:24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,
25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;
26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.

1 Tim 3:6 Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.

1 Cor 15:10 But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

Phil 2:3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.

2 Cor 2:11 Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.

2 Pet 3:17 Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.
18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.