“Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.”
Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. ”
O = This practical Christian-living passage has its roots in the 5th Commandment (Exodus 20:12, Leviticus 19:3; Deuteronomy 5:16, and quoted at least 5 times in the New Testament). Paul endorses family as an approved kingdom structure with his instruction to the Ephesian Christians to obey their parents. Obedience of parents who are “in the Lord [Jesus Christ]” is seen as good and right. The qualifier “in the Lord” would seem to negate any parental command that would be contrary to Scripture and may also extend the instruction to our spiritual parents. Paul would certainly be a spiritual father to the Ephesians. The consequences of obedience and disobedience are stated explicitly and implicitly. Obedience brings blessing and peace to the land leading to a long life. Disobedience is implied to lead to life being hard and short. Yet while exhorting them to obedience he also balances this with a prohibition against fathers exasperating or provoking their children to anger. Children are to honor and obey, parents are to lovingly instruct and consistently discipline without abusing the power and authority that has been entrusted to them by their Heavenly Father. God ends his message in the Old Testament with a command that fathers should turn their hearts towards their children and children’s hearts should be turned to their fathers (Malachi 4:5-6). It is into just such an environment that the Lord comes to us.
A = I have found that whatever begins in rebellion ends in rebellion. If I do what I do without an attitude of honoring and obeying my parents or my spiritual leaders then I find that those who follow me (family or fellow Christian) will treat me the same way…and it will not go well with me and I will not live long in the land. I must never act towards my parents, elders, and spiritual mentors in a dishonoring way. I do not have to do things that violate the “in the Lord” clause but I can stand up for Christian values without dishonoring others. This week we celebrated Fathers’ Day in the USA and have an opportunity to show honor and appreciation to those who have made a significant investment into our lives. I also am challenged to be the kind of man that in Christ is worthy of honor and obedience. I will not demand to operate from a position of power—commanding and provoking—but from a posture of humility sharing all the ways Lord, keeping the whole commandment (Deut. 11:8) not just the parts that I like!
P = O Lord, let me not be so willful as to rebel against those you have put in my life to train and disciple me. May I always show love, honor, and respect for those who have preceded me and invested in me. And in doing so, empower me to live as a healthy example, and to speak as a faithful witness to the world today…and tomorrow! Amen.
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