Question 71: What is forbidden in the fifth commandment?

Answer: The fifth commandment forbids neglecting or offending the honor and duty which belongs to every one in their various places and relations.

Question 72: What is the reason added to the fifth commandment?

Answer: The reason added to the fifth commandment is a promise of long life and prosperity (as far as it shall serve God's glory and their own good), to all who keep this commandment.

DAY 1: Proverbs 30:17

We have taken a little time to see what the fifth commandment requires. Now we will begin to look at what the fifth commandment forbids. We have seen that the word honor came from a root word meaning “to pay”. We also saw that it should be understood as evaluating our parents, as well as all those in authority over us, and giving them proper respect and obedience. This evaluating is not done through the eyes of men, but as God has instructed, for all authority is ordained of God and we have seen that insubordination to authority is insubordination against God, unless that disobedience is justified by Scripture.

First, let’s take a look at Proverbs 30:17. Notice that the writer gives us two things in this context that he speaks of. First he speaks of one whose eyes mock his father. The word mocks is la‘ag (law-ag’). It means “to mock, deride, have in derision”. Have you ever seen your child cut their eyes at you with a look of “I hate you and whatever you just told me”? That is the outward expression of the mockery that is expressed here. It is that the child holds that parent with contempt in his heart. The Septuagint renders this as “the eye that laughs to scorn his father”. This would definitely be a time for the use of the rod. When children are young they should be dealt with in a manner that will instruct them to turn away from this so that they do not go the way of mockers and those who are disobedient (See Deut. 21:18-21).

The story of King David’s son Absalom is one that children should be taught and remember. Here was a son that was loved by his father. This young man had grown to be very handsome and smart. However, he was not a very wise man. He was very foolish. It is apparent that he held his father in derision. There may be some reason for this. Though David was a man after God’s own heart, he had committed terrible sins. Yes, he was forgiven, but I’m sure that word of his sins had gotten out. This may have been in the mind of Absalom, which may have caused him to look at God and His ways lightly. Also, it may have been that David did not correct the heart of a foolish child. We are not told. However, Absalom grew to lust after the throne of his father so much, that he was willing to kill his father and have sexual relations with the harem of his father to obtain it.

In 2 Samuel we see that Absalom has already killed his brother. In 13:1-22 we see the story of Amnon, Absalom’s brother. We see how he lusted after his own sister and turned on her and raped her. When Absalom heard of this verse 22 tells us that he hated Amnon. Later we see that Absalom planned and carried out a plan to kill his brother for what he had done (vss.28-29). We see later in chapter 15 that Absalom despised his father, because he was undermining the authority of his father and attempting and succeeding at stealing the hearts of the people away from David (15:6). As a matter of fact, it got to the point where Absalom’s conduct affected even some of the king’s men, including his counselor, Ahithophel (15:12; 16:15-23). Absalom was even driven to the point where he wanted the kingdom so bad and despised his father so much that he was willing to hear a plot to murder his own father (17:1-4), but the Lord intervened through Hushai the Archite in order that He might bring disaster on Absalom (17:14).

Later in chapter 18 we read of Absalom’s end. Though David had given an order not to deal gently with him (vs. 5), Joab felt it necessary to put an end to Absalom. He took three spears and thrust them through Absalom’s heart (vs. 14) and his soldiers struck and killed him (vs. 15). Thus Absalom came to his end violently and was thrown into a pit and covered with stones, which, as John MacArthur points out, was “perhaps symbolic of stoning, which was the legal penalty due to a rebel son (Deut. 21:20, 21)”. Yes, the sin of dishonoring and looking at your father contemptibly can and will result in very serious consequences. Again, though we don’t find the actual statement that Absalom mocked his father with his eyes, we see very clearly that the attitude he had within his heart was carried out in actions that in essence said more than his eyes could ever say.

The writer of Proverbs goes on to speak of one who scorns the obedience to his mother. The Hebrew word for scorns (buwz booz) here means “to despise, hold in contempt, hold as insignificant; to despise, show despite toward”. The Septuagint renders this phrase as, “dishonors the old age of a mother”. This speaks to the issue of a son who looks at his mother as “an old foolish woman”. He cares not for her wisdom, nor for the gracious gift of God that has been given to him in her. Rather there is a despising of her words and her ways. This child will not bless their mother (30:11). Rather he will forsake the law of his mother (1:8) and does not heed the warning to be wise regarding the honor that is due to his mother (23:22).

This child will find a terrible end. Look at the picture that Agur gives us of what will happen. He describes birds of prey: ravens and eagles. Birds of the air are mentioned all throughout the Scripture as feeding up the carcasses of those who have died in their rebellion. Specifically the Lord mentions them in Deuteronomy 28:25 as part of the curses on Israel if they do not walk in the ways of the Lord. At the close of the book of Revelation, an angel calls out to the birds of the air to come to the great supper of God. They will be participating in the eating of the flesh of all those who will be slain at the return of Jesus Christ to the earth (19:17-18). All in between birds are mentioned as those scavengers that feed upon those who are rebellious towards God (Matt. 24:27; 1 Sam. 17:44; 1 Kings 14:11; Jer. 16:4; Ezek. 29:5; 39:7). These are those mentioned in Proverbs 30:11 who are the wicked generation.

Therefore, we must warn our children of the danger of violating the fifth commandment. Our children must learn to honor and obey those in authority especially those whom God has entrusted them most intimately to. We must petition God to enable us by His grace to speak these truths to our children and help them learn the seriousness of the sin of breaking this commandment and understanding the benefits of keeping it.

DAY 2: Romans 13:7, 8

Since we did not have much time last week to cover the issue of government authority and submission to it, I thought it might be a good idea to include some brief discussion regarding the authority of government and specifically dealing with Romans 13:7. We have discussed the earlier and later parts of Romans in previous lessons. Therefore, we will try to engage the passage as Paul leads up to this chapter. If we look back into chapter 12 we will find that Paul is commanding the people to truly have one for another and not to be hypocritical in their love (12:9-10). He points out specifics of how their love is to be carried out among themselves as believers (10-13) and also how they are to love those who are against them (14, 17-21). I believe Paul says these things because of the persecution of the church by those who were in authority and because of the increasing nature of that persecution. He did not want the people to behave as though God were not in control and thus fail to show mercy towards those who likewise needed the knowledge of the gospel.

In the midst of writing to believers concerning their love for all men, Paul slips in submission issues regarding government. The primary thrust of what he says about government is that we should respond to those who are our leaders as ministers of God (13:4). The term minister in verse 4 diakonos (dee-ak’-on-osis), which means “one who executes the commands of another, esp. of a master, a servant, attendant, minister”. This is the same word that is translated as deacon in 1 Timothy 3. The one in authority does not exercise his authority on his own. Rather he is doing performing the tasks for which God has raised him up (cf. Rom. 9:17). Therefore, we do not have to fear that the authorities are somehow going to do something that God has not ordained that they will do. Rather we are to submit ourselves to them and be subject to them (13:1). The term subject is hupotasso (hoop-ot-as’-so). This is the same word we saw in Ephesians 5 concerning wives submitting themselves to their own husbands. Just to remind you, this word means “to arrange under, to subordinate; to subject, put in subjection; to subject one’s self, obey; to submit to one’s control; to yield to one’s admonition or advice; to obey, be subject”. There is a play on words in verse one. Paul says that the authorities that exist are appointed by God. This word appointed is tasso (tas’-so). It’s meaning is “to put in order, to station; to place in a certain order, to arrange, to assign a place, to appoint; to assign (appoint) a thing to one; to appoint, ordain, order”. In other words, God has designed that though all men are equals, there is a definite designation of authority and those who are subordinate to them. Remember, that though the Roman government was pagan and had many evil things within its authoritative ranks, it was still ordained of God and had a specific purpose to fulfill in His plan.

Here, I must confess that my heart desires to obey God in this matter, but I must confess that sometimes I despise some of our elected officials because of their ungodliness. However, it seems that this passage would point at me and declare that my heart attitude towards them is itself ungodly. Oh, how I wish to say with the Apostle Paul, “Who will deliver me from this body of death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 7:24-25).

Specifically, what is the purpose of government? Verse 3 and 4 tell us that government’s role is to punish evil doers. God has stated their boundaries as well. They are exercise wrath upon those who do evil (vs. 4). We will not take time to deal with specific cases, but we can see from each of the previous commandments and from the ones to come that there was capital punishment within the government that God established with Israel. Some may say, “But that was the Old Testament, under the Old Covenant”. However, notice that we are looking at the New Testament under the New Covenant. What does Paul say? He specifically says that government has been given the authority to exercise the use of “the sword”. This specifically has reference to the instrument of capital punishment. We might want to discuss this issue some this Lord’s Day.

The point of this passage is that if a man wants to resist the authority of his government, then in point of fact, he is resisting the ordinance of God and will bring judgment upon himself (vs. 2). We are quickly becoming a nation that cannot stand the thought of being under authority. Even those of us who should know better often find ourselves looking at the many elected officials with disgust and contempt. However, while there may be a time for pointing out sins and sinful attitudes of our leaders, we should always do it with a humble spirit knowing that we were once in darkness and understand the depravity of our own hearts. Notice that Paul says that our submission to government should not come only from a sense of wrath coming upon us, but because of conscience sake. Paul says that our submission should be because we now understand that God’s authority is the authority that we oppose when we oppose the authority of government. Therefore, we should keep clean and pure consciences before the One who has established all authorities.

Now he comes to verse 6 and many of us will not enjoy hearing these words, but let’s remember that they are the pure words of God. He says that because God has established these authorities, we pay taxes. Those are heavy words. Even high taxes? Yes, even high taxes. Now, don’t get me wrong. Leaders can and sometimes do abuse their power. However, God is in control and has a purpose for the abuse. Again, they have not been left without wisdom from the word of God and instruction from it also. They will give an account of how they have handled their position of power. We will give an account of our submission to them.

Therefore, Paul says we are to render (apodidomi ap-od-eed’-o-mee) to all their due. This word render means, “to pay off, discharge what is due”. This is not voluntary cheerful giving that is mentioned in 2 Corinthians 9:7. This is something that is owed. What is owed? First Paul uses the term taxes. The Greek word here is phoros (for’-os). It means “tribute, especially the annual tax levied upon houses, lands, and persons”. This would be property and incomes taxes in our modern vernacular. Since we are coming up on tax time, it is appropriate that we “render to Caesar what is Caesar’s” (Matt. 22:21). Jesus Himself gave us that principle in Matthew 22:17-21. He also made sure to pay the temple tax (Matt. 17:24-27). If the One who had authority over all authorities submitted to the taxes, can we do any less?

Second, Paul speaks of rendering customs. The Greek word here is telos (tel’-os). It speaks to tolls and customs (i.e. indirect tax on goods). This would speak to all other forms of taxation, whether it be sales tax, highway taxes, gasoline taxes and even temporary taxes on things we haven’t even thought of yet.

Lastly Paul brings our attitudes to attention. He says that we should fear and honor those who are in government. The term fear is the word phobos (fob’-os). We get our English word phobia from this word. It simply means “fear, dread, terror”. We need to have a healthy sense of fear of our leaders because of the office they have been empowered in. Just as we should have a healthy fear of God and our parents, we should fear our leaders also. We should also honor them. This word speaks again to seeing their value because God has placed them in such a position. Therefore, our response toward them should not be antagonistic, nor should it be disrespectful, but humble and acknowledging their authority.

In conclusion, I must say that we should be quick to pray for our leaders before we speak harshly of them. We must submit to taxes, knowing that God has ordained the use of them. Lastly we should honor our leaders in government, knowing that their authority is from God and that when we submit to them, we are submitting ourselves under the authority of God.

DAY 3: Exodus 20:20; Ephesians 6:2, 3

Today we will take a look at the promise of God. As Paul stated it in Ephesians 6:2, “Honor your father and mother, which is the first commandment with promise.” God first gave this commandment back in Exodus 20:12. At that point He made a promise to the people of Israel that their days would be long in the land which the LORD their God was giving them. The idea was that their days would be prolonged if they followed the commandment of the Lord. One aspect of that would be that they would escape the capital punishment that would be associated with a rebellious child or one who cursed his or her parents (Deut. 21:18-21; Ex. 21:17). The death sentence was also imposed upon those that would strike their parents (Ex. 21:15). Those seem to be the obvious things.

However, there is also the prolonging of life due to one’s enablement by God’s grace to submit to authority. Again, we are talking about attitudes of the heart that are reflected in expressions that come forth from the mouth and the body. Ultimately, the authority they were being trained to submit to was God Himself. In Exodus 20:20 for example, Moses spoke to the people and told them not to fear the things that accompanied the presence of God. For instance in verse 18 the people saw lightning and the mountain smoking and heard the thunderings and the sound of the trumpet. This made the people fearful so much that they trembled and stood afar off. They even wished to speak with Moses rather than God, because they thought they might die if they spoke with God.

Notice what Moses said to the people and notice how he directs their fear. They realize that God has manifested Himself to them in these things that they have seen. However, they are afraid of the “things” they have seen. Moses tells them clearly to not be afraid and the implication is that they are not to fear what they have seen. However, Moses does not let them off the hook and tell them everything is alright. Rather, he tells them to direct their fear towards the One behind the things they have seen and heard (20b). There he states that “His fear may be before you, so that you may not sin”. The idea is that if the people’s fear was directed towards God they would truly fear sinning against Him. We can understand that. We love God, but fear sinning against Him because He is such and awesome and powerful and holy God. Our desire is to be pleasing to Him and we can only be pleasing to Him through Christ alone.

Therefore sinners should tremble before the Lord. It is a good thing when they do. They understand His authority, if by the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Spirit of God would cause them to be willing to submit to Him, then they would understand the thrust of the fifth commandment. We learn the fear of God when we learn to fear our parents. Leviticus 19:3 calls us to fear our father and mother. Though they are no comparison with God, they are people of authority. You see the entire commandment is to be taught to the children (Deut. 6:6-9) so that in learning to submit to the authority of man, children will more easily understand submission to the Creator. From the passage in Deuteronomy we see that if the parents failed in their life’s mission, which is in the instruction and training of their children, then there would be people who grew up who did not know the Lord and would arouse His anger against them, which would destroy them (Deut. 6:10-15).

Proverbs 20:20 tells us that the one who curses his father or mother will have his lamp put out. The term “curses” in this passage means “to make despicable”. This is exactly what happens to those who do not honor their mother or father. They become despicable in their eyes. The same is true with God. The thing we should point out to our children is that there is no neutral ground when it comes to the fifth commandment. We are either those who honor or those who are despising. We are either esteeming highly or holding in contempt. Both have consequences. God calls us to honor and promises us long life.

In the New Covenant, the promise of the commandment is modified. We are not entering a land of promise here on the earth. However, the concept is the same: long life. If children will learn submission to mother and father, they will receive the many benefits of wisdom that come from that submission. I can testify that even heathen children that learn to submit to parents gain great a great wisdom in the area of authority. Our children would be wise to learn to obey this commandment. However, there is also the instruction to parents: bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord. Parents we must see the promise for our children and understand that the goal is not for them to have long life, but o learn to honor God. Our goal is not the honor of us as parents. Our goal should be to direct that attitude of honor that the child learns to have for us toward all those in authority and ultimately to the One who is worthy of honor (Rev. 4:9, 11; 5:12, 13; 7:12; 19:1, 7).

Scripture: Proverbs 30:17; Romans 13:7,8; Exodus 20:12; Ephesians 6:2,3.