The Fifth Commandment

Let us take a glimpse at the fifth commandment: “Honour your father and mother, so that you may live long in the land your God is giving you” (Ex20:12 NIV). Thus this is a commandment with promise. The intention of the commandment is love. Brother Paul sent the exhortation to the people of Corinth, with the words: “Love is patient, love is kind, it does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud, it is not rude, not self-seeking, not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs …” (1 Cor 13:4,5). This is a chapter of love.

The Pharisees tried to disobey the fifth commandment by using commandment number one. Our Lord Jesus Christ rebuked them as told in Matt 15:3-9. It is worthwhile reading these verses.

We have an example in how the harlot Rahab and the spies in Joshua 2. She collaborated with the spies, a dangerous thing to do, because it could have been regarded as treason. She pleaded with the spies that her family, including her father and mother, be spared when the Israelite army came to destroy the city. Joshua 6:25 tells us that her family were spared. Her wishes were granted and Joshua 2:13 makes it clear that her mother and father were included. This is an example of love towards mother and father.

So here you are, brothers and sisters: do you show love to your Mum and Dad by just saying the words, ‘I love you, Mum and Dad’? Or does your behaviour and disrespectful behaviour make your parents sick and tired of you? Do you cause stress to them, putting up their blood pressure and causing heart problems? Remember that the commandment carries a promise: God does not lie. Obey His commandments.

Our Lord Jesus Christ loved and respected his Father, God, so much that he did not sin. He was a good child during his youth. When Mary and Joseph were looking for him when he remained behind at the temple in Jerusalem, he did not shout at them with harsh words but he told them what he was doing in his Father’s house. The last words of Luke 2:51 are remarkable. He was obedient to them, Joseph and Mary, and he grew in wisdom and stature.

Jesus knew that he was going to be absent for three days after his crucifixion. He arranged that the disciple whom he loved, to be with Mary at their home. Mary was told to take that disciple as her son (John 19:26,27). From that time, the disciple took Mary to his house as his mother. Jesus showed love to his mother even though he was hanging on the cross. What great love!

So, honour your father and mother so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you. Praise God.

Bro Benjamin Makuti (Chinhoyi, Zimbabwe)