Listening to Our Parents

Ephesians 6:1-4

¹ Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. ² “Honor your father and mother” – which is the first commandment with a promise – ³ “that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.” ⁴ Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.

Recently I had a conversation with a young adult about what Scripture says about listening to or obeying our parents. We talked about the difference in Scripture – concerning young children obeying their parents and the passage that calls all of us to honor our parents – regardless of age.

Lets dig a little deeper into today’s passage.  After telling young children – possibly children still under their parent’s care and nurture – verse 2 reads – “Honor your father and mother” – which is the first commandment with a promise – “that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.”  Paul quotes one of the commandments here from Exodus 20:12 – Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.

Is this a passage your parents reminded you of in your youth?  Did they teach you to obey and honor them?  What does it mean to honor your father and your mother?  And there is actually a promise associated with this second command – Honor your father and mother-which is the first commandment with a promise.  The promise – so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you or as Paul puts it – that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.

The people of God are called to honor their parents – and by doing so they will be granted long life.  Sounds like a good bargain to me.

Remember what we said a few days ago – children (young and still at home under their parent’s care and nurture) are to obey their parents – while all of us are called to honor our parents.  Honoring them is not the same as obeying them.  Obedience is doing what they say.  Honoring is listening – and respecting their opinion – even if you might end up doing something different.

I have seen way too many people who seem way too anxious for their parents to be out-of-the-way – rather than a treasure to be honored.  My dad is with Jesus these pasty 3 years – and my mom is 87 and battling dementia.  Yet it is a blessing to be with mom and to share life with her – even in her physical and mental state.  Up until my dad died and my mom lost her memory – I would ask them for advice and seek their counsel – if at times – for no other reason than to honor him.  We are called to always honor our parents!

Just something to think about today as you go on your way.