Today is Mothers’ Day, a time we set aside to honor those ladies who brought us into the world, disciplined us, sacrificed for us, trained us to be productive adults, and then freed us to become what God intended for us to be.
Today, I want for us to reflect upon what scripture says about our responsibility toward our parents in general and our mother in particular.
Survey of Scriptures
Commandments
Exodus 20:14
Honor your Father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.
Leviticus 19:3
Each of you must respect his mother and father, and you must observe my Sabbaths. I am the Lord your God.
Deuteronomy 5:16
Honor your Father and your mother, as the Lord your God has commanded you, so that may you live long and that it may go well with you in the land the Lord your God is giving you.
Proverbs 23:22
Listen to your father who gave you life,
and do not despise your mother when she is old.
Ephesians 6:1-3
Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “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.”
Sanctions
Exodus 21:15
Anyone who attacks his father or his mother must be put to death.
Exodus 21:17
Anyone who curses his father or his mother must be put to death.
Leviticus 20:9
If anyone curses his father or mother, he must be put to death. He has cursed his father or his mother, and his blood will be on his own head.
Leviticus 21:18-21
If a man has a stubborn and rebellious son who does not obey his father and mother and will not listen to them when they discipline him, his father and mother shall take hold of him and bring him to the elders at the gate of his town. They shall say to the elders, “This son of ours is stubborn and rebellious. He will not obey us. He is profligate and a drunkard.” Then all the men of the town shall stone him to death. You must purge the evil from among you. All Israel will hear of it and be afraid.
Wisdom – Effects on the parents when honored or dishonored
Proverbs 10:1
A wise son brings joy to his father,
but a foolish son grief to his mother.
Proverbs 15:20
A wise son brings joy to his father,
but a foolish son despises his mother.
Wisdom – Benefits of honoring parents
Proverbs 1:8
Listen, my son to your father’s instruction
and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.
They will be a garland to grace your head
and a chain to adorn your neck.
Proverbs 6:20-23
My son, keep your father’s commands
and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.
Bind them upon your heart forever;
fasten them around your neck.
When you walk, they will guide you;
when you sleep they will watch over you;
when you awake; they will speak to you.
For these commands are a lamp,
this teaching is a light,
the corrections of discipline
are the way to life.
Wisdom – Consequences of dishonoring parents
Proverbs 19:26
He who robs his father and drives out his mother
is a son who brings shame and disgrace.
Proverbs 20:20
If a man curses his father or his mother,
his lamp will be snuffed out in pitch darkness.
Proverbs 28:24
He who robs his father or mother
and says, “It is not wrong” –
he is partner to him who destroys.
Proverbs 30:17
The eye that mocks a father,
that scorns obedience to a mother,
will be pecked our by the ravens of the valley,
will be eaten by vultures
Exposition of the text
To honor is greater than to love
The word “honor” comes from the Hebrew word kabed which means “to make weighty.” The idea is that these people are to carry weight with us. We would use the term “respect.”
To honor is more than to love. We are instructed by Christ to love our neighbor and even our enemies, but we are to honor our parents.
The fifth commandment is the first commandment with a promise:
That you may live long.
That it may go well with you.
The Fifth Commandment is the only command that deals with our relationship to those in authority over us.
You show me someone who does not respect their mother and I will show you someone who has no respect for authority.
The rapid pace of technological advancement has resulted in the reversal of superior knowledge. Undermining the natural relationship of parent as teacher.
Do not mistake knowledge for wisdom.
Because the rapid advance of technology children often have greater knowledge of tools and machines than their parents.
Our culture promotes dishonoring our parents; tempting us to dishonor our mothers.
Sets up a false dichotomy between faith and science, teaching that science is superior to faith, labeling it superstition.
Mocks Christian faith, morality, and wisdom.
How can we honor our mother?
Obey them.
Ephesians 6:1-3, “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “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.”
Speak to them respectfully.
Parents can become exasperating, especially as they grow older. Handle your exasperation with respect.
Disagree with them respectfully.
When you are offended by them go to them in an attitude of respect.
Seek their counsel.
Listen to them and heed their advice even if it is unsolicited and unwanted.
Do not take advantage of their love and concern for your well-being.
Repay any money you borrow; return item you borrow.
Honor them in their old age
With the advances in medical science people are living longer, but it comes with the price of caring for chronically ill parents.
Proverbs 23:22, “Do not despise your mother when she is old.”
Mark 7:9-13 Jesus criticized the Jewish people for making offerings to the temple and not taking care of their aged parents.
Some have not had honorable parents. They often have trouble loving them, much less honoring them.
The first way to honor them is to forgive them.
The best way to honor your mother is to be a good person.
Conclusion
Happy Mother’s Day
Proverbs 20
May your father and mother be glad;
may she who gave you birth rejoice!
