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 KJV
The Context and Charge:
Today's extract is an exact replica of one of the commandments that Moses received on Mount Sinai, as God was preparing His people for life in the land He had promised. God does not do things haphazardly; He is a methodical God, who plans ahead of time and works out His will as He pleases. It is no use trying to argue your way out of His commands; my path to success, favour and increase lies on the path of obedience to instructions. What steps do I need to take today, so that I can align with God's plan for me, and that my life will be all that God intends?
Today's instruction is about honouring parents. It is interesting to note that for children who are told and taught here to honour their parents, at some point in time in the future, will also become parents. Isn't it a bit funny that if you thought you can't honour your own parents for something they did to you in the past, your own children too can think the same way when you have them? The lesson then is to remember that you will definitely reap whatever you sow. If you sow the wind, you reap the whirlwind.
The Contention and Conclusion:
Each gives what s/he has, and gets whatever s/he gives. God has an amazing mix of fairness, justice and mercy. I note that the word used here is 'honour'; as hard as it may sound, I must be careful to know the place of God's instructions on my life and the place of parents too. Would I displease God if it means displeasing my parents? Would I commit sin because my parents asked me to? May the Lord give us understanding of His will and purpose for our lives. I must honour my parents, but I must also honour and obey God. This is the balance I must be careful to maintain.
And of all the many commandments given by God to Israel, this was the first with a promise attached which is long life and prosperity. 1 promise, many parts. You get all of God when you do all that He commands. Too many times, we are all about what God promises us, and we can pray long and hard about what we want, but we don't like to hear about what he demands from us. If I will access what is provided, I must align with what is demanded. He cannot lie; He can do all He promises. Can He count on me to do what He instructs? God's time of favour is here.
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