Ephesians 6.1-12 (1)
Pray Psalm 133.1, 3.
Behold, how good and how pleasant it is
For brethren to dwell together in unity…
For there the LORD commanded the blessing—
Life forevermore.
Sing Psalm 133.1, 3.
(Tryggare Kan Ingen Vara: Children of the Heavenly Father)
O behold, how sweet, how pleasant, when the brethren dwell together;
all in unity abiding find God’s blessing there presiding.
Read Ephesians 6.1-12; meditate on verses 1-3.
Preparation
1. Why should children obey their parents?
2. What promise does God hold out to children?
Meditation
The word “right” here can also be translated “just” and thus points to the Law of God, which follows. It is right and just for children to obey their parents. By extension, it is right and just for them to obey all the Law of God. Children need to know this from their earliest days. Parents are commanded to instruct their children in the Law of God, both formally and informally (Deut. 6.4-9, 20-25). Everything about the home should declare the Lord’s beauty, goodness, truth, orderliness, protection, and provision, all of which must be pointed out to children as part of their instruction in the Lord.
The promise that attends such obedience must be seen in the overall light of God’s covenant. He promises to provide grace to His faithful people, that they may know His Presence and blessing in all circumstances and be a blessing to the people around them. Thus, they glorify Him in all things, even in times of trouble and affliction. So they point beyond the miseries and disappointments and the rewards and benefits of this life to the greater life to come. Our source of righteousness, peace, joy, goodness, and truth in every situation is knowing the Lord Jesus Christ, that He is with us always and that we are seated with Him in heavenly places. If we know this, truly know it, and all the just and right Word of God, we will always know full and abundant life here on earth and eternal life with the Lord hereafter.
All depends on our learning and clinging to the Word of God, beginning with His Law. And this must begin in childhood. Children cannot learn God’s Law on their own. But they can obey what they are taught. As they do, they learn obedience to the Lord, which is the key to all happiness and the mark of sincere faith.
Treasure Old and New: Matthew 13.52; Psalm 119.162
To obey and to honor are both covered in these verses. They are not the same thing but work together for much benefit to both the doer and the recipient.
From the Dictionary of Word Origins we learn: “‘To hear is to obey’ carries more than a germ of etymological truth. For obey comes via Old French obeir from Latin obedire, which meant literally ‘listen to’”.
Then from the Merriam-Webster Dictionary we learn that to honor is “to regard or treat someone with admiration and respect: to regard or treat with honor, and to give special recognition to.”
“Children, obey [listen to] your parents in the Lord, for this is right.
‘Honor [admire, respect, acknowledge, appreciate] your father and mother,’ which is the first commandment with promise: ‘that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.’” (Eph. 6.1-3).
Four things, learned from my parents, have guided me into adulthood.
1. They instilled in me a sincere fear of them, and of God.
2. They showed me the importance of reading the Word of God daily.
3. They tithed faithfully.
4. They remembered the Sabbath day to keep it holy.
I will be forever grateful to them for their teaching on these matters.
Since God is our heavenly Father, we know that obedience doesn’t stop in childhood.
Obedience to Him continues throughout life.
It is a foregone conclusion if we are to be Kingdom dwellers (Matt. 5.18, 19).
If that is true, which it is, then Deuteronomy 6.6-9 is just as pertinent to us as to our children.
“Hear [listen up]: ‘The LORD our God, the LORD is one!”
You shall love [admire, respect, acknowledge, appreciate]
the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.
And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart.
You shall teach them diligently to your children,
and shall talk of them when you sit in your house,
when you walk by the way,
when you lie down,
and when you rise up.
You shall bind them as a sign on your hand,
and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes.
You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.”
“Blessed is the man who listens to Me,
watching daily at My gates,
waiting at the posts of My doors.
For whoever finds Me finds life,
and obtains favor from the LORD…” (Prov. 8.34, 35).
Obedience to, and honoring of parents, are meant to set the groundwork for
a fruitful life of Kingdom living and work.
“And this is eternal life,
that they may know You, the only true God,
and Jesus Christ Whom You have sent” (Jn. 17.3).
To know Him is the point, purpose, and promise—regarding obedience and honor—for children and adults.
Reflection
1. How does honoring our parents help in other spheres of life?
2. What are the best ways to teach this to children?
3. How can churches help parents in this important matter?
[T]he reward promised to the obedience of children is highly appropriate. Those who shew kindness to their parents from whom they derived life, are assured by God, that in this life it will be well with them. John Calvin (1509-1564), Commentary on Ephesians 6.3
Pray Psalm 133.2, 3.
Pray that unity, peace, love, and blessing will be on all the families in your church.
Sing Psalm 133.2, 3.
(Tryggare Kan Ingen Vara: Children of the Heavenly Father)
Like the precious oil of blessing flowing down on Aaron’s vestment,
God’s anointing rests forever where His people dwell together.
Like the dew of Hermon’s fountain falling down on Zion’s mountain,
so the blessing of the Savior dwells where unity finds favor.
T. M. and Susie Moore
If you have found this meditation helpful, take a moment to give thanks to God. Then share what you learned with a friend. This is how the grace of God spreads (2 Cor. 4.15).
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Except as indicated, all Scriptures are taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. For sources of all quotations, see the weekly PDF of this study. All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter.
