Brothers and Sisters in the Lord,
The Fifth Commandment in the Decalogue, found in Exodus 20:12, is typically regarded as the first of six Commandments in the ‘Second Table’ of the Law. Commandments one to four, the ‘First Table,’ have to do with our relationship to God, while the remaining six treat our relationships with others. Of course, our Lord Jesus divided the Decalogue into two tables, the first revealing how we are to love God, and the second revealing how we are to love our neighbor (Luke 10:27). This Fifth Commandment, addressed to the children of the Covenant, requires that both “father” and “mother” receive the “honor” they are due as God’s representatives.
With this Commandment, the subject of ‘authority’ is introduced, and here we learn that God has established a command structure among His people. While ultimately ruled by His Word as delivered and mediated through Moses, the people of Israel were also to recognize the earthly authorities that God had appointed for them. And first among these are the parents.
Admittedly, the word ‘authority’ is not the most popular term these days. Indeed, we might even characterize our age as ‘anti-authority’ given the pervasive presupposition of personal autonomy that seems to rule our thinking. However, from the very start God’s Covenant people have always been a people under authority; first, under God’s Sovereign reign, and also under the authorities He has ordained in the ‘city of man’ (see Romans 13:1-7 for example).
But what exactly does this Fifth Commandment mean, and how is it applicable to us as the New Covenant people redeemed by Christ and made members of His body, the Church? Well, this will be our subject for the sermon this coming Lord’s Day as we continue our journey though the ‘Great Events In the History of Redemption.’
Along with Exodus 20:12, get familiar with these other passages from Scripture that we will also consider on Sunday: Ephesians 6:1-4 and Colossians 3:20-21.
I love you all, and you are always on my heart and in my prayers,
Mike