Family.

How often do we say, “the apple does not fall far from the tree”?  Or we call a child “a chip off the old block”?  Family friends are forever telling children “you’re just like your dad” or “you remind me of your mom.”

It’s more than physical features.  Children learn behavior from their parents.  They walk, talk, and laugh like them.  They eat, drink, party, and gamble like them.  Unhappy adults who destroy families by having adulterous affairs do not think long-term: they know they are burning down everything they built with their spouse, setting a match to their entire legacy.  But how many stop to consider that their children will one day be that much more likely to also have affairs and burn down a loving home?

God created the family, and it is of supreme importance.  We know the fifth commandment:  “Honor your father and mother so that you may live a long life in the land the Lord is giving you” Exodus 20:12.  As Paul points out, “this is the first commandment with a promise” Ephesians 6:1-3.  God ties a long life to having a proper relationship with your parents.  Why?  Can you think of a scientific reason good relationships with one’s parents might extend life?  I can: PEACE.  Just knowing you have parents to talk to and a support system to fall back on brings tremendous comfort. 

There’s more:

“Whoever curses his father or his mother must be put to death” Exodus 21:17.

So swearing at your parents is a capital offense?  That’s serious. Can you imagine a nation that executed people who offended their parents?  What would be the result?  One result would be a lot less rebellion.  And reducing rebellion creates a society where values and traditions are respected from one generation to the next. A nation that welcomes rebellion—as ours does—allows its culture and values to be reviewed and re-made by each generation, and such constant change creates instability and volatility. 

Dear God, teach us to honor our parents and protect our families.

ΑΩ