A Survey Through The Heidelberg Catechism LORD’S DAY #39

Thou shalt not dishonor thy father and mother.

Honor  “Obedience” speaks of outward conformity.  “Honor” addresses the heart which controls faithfulness, loyalty as well as outward obedience/submission.  “Honor” builds a social structure – marriage, family, church, community, culture, society, nation.  Assumes a biblical worldview of fallen man.

thy father and mother  acknowledgement/advocacy of essential family structure to be passed down for generations.  duty/responsibility extends downward and then upward.  taking care of family is family business (rf. 1Tim. 5:8, etc.)  society is strengthened from within rather than from without.

It is a command because …  in our fallen state, we are prone to resist.  Children are prone to rebel and reject authority. They must be taught/instructed to honor parents/elderly in general.  Adults are prone to push aside grandparents and focus on the children.  in the fallen state of others, we are prone to resist giving honor to others.

The promise Exodus/Deuteronomy that your days may be long (and that it may go well with you) in the land that the L ORD your God is giving you. Ephesians/Colossians “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.” for this is right. for this pleases the Lord.

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