During my adolescent and teenage years, this was perhaps the most overlooked commandment as I was bent on my quest for rebellion against my parents. At that time I failed to realize the importance and significance of what is undoubtedly the greatest earthly commandment given to mankind by God. In fact, it is the only commandment with a specific blessing for those that observe it, which is – “that you may live long and that it may go well with you in the land the LORD your God is giving you.“ Deuteronomy 5:16. My unwillingness to become accustomed to this commandment was indicative of a greater sin in my life, which was a sin of rebellion against none other than God himself. At the time, I sincerely believed that I was a child of God and that I had favor with Him; that it was my parents who were dissolute and in need of enlightenment. In my arrogance I failed to understand humility and was lost on a path of darkness, reluctant to remove the blindfold that kept me captive and bound with chains to sin. I did not partake in the blessings resulting from observance of this commandment and I questioned why my life was so broken and lacking fulfillment; yet the answer eluded me in its simplicity. It was not until I started honoring my parents that my life turned around. And this time the conviction came from my heart. I understood, from God’s perspective, the fulfillment and joys that this commandment brought forth and have never turned back.
The first four commandments pertain to our relationship with God and the remaining six concern our relationship with mankind. To honor thy parents is the fifth commandment and resides at the pivotal location as it is the transitional commandment which bridges our relationship with God to our humanistic commitment. I am not advocating that one commandment is more important than another; however, perhaps there is significance in the ordering of the commandments. One viewpoint to consider may be by the order of consequence or impact, with the commandments that produce the greatest impact or the greatest consequence for disobedience appearing first. Another significance of listing order could be based upon how the commandments should be prioritized. I lean towards the latter; regardless, it stands to testament how profound this commandment is as there is no other commandment apart from our love of God that greatly describes the extent to which we should love our neighbor. Our obedience to our parents is symbolic of our submission to God and is the physical manifestation of our spiritual relationship that we experience with God. In fact, it is said that “Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen.” 1 John 4:20-21. If we have difficulty honoring parents who ultimately wants only what is best for us, how will it be possible for us to love our enemies as God has commanded? Why do we often dismiss our parents’ ideas as wrong, when they have more years of experience on which to draw for deciphering which course of action is best for us? Sometimes it seems that honoring our parents requires of us a great deal of sacrifice. It means sacrificing our innermost desires at times to honor and please our parents. Obedience requires a broken and selfless heart that prioritizes the needs of others above our own desires. Such selfless action closely models what our relationship should be with God. It is much easier to love and serve fellow mankind once we establish an honoring and obedient relationship with our parents. From my experience I can deduce that those who honor their parents genuinely and lovingly develop into more caring, giving and sacrificial individuals. It stands to reason that God blesses those who follow His commandments, giving them a long and good life. After all, the adherence to His commandments requires a person to develop a virtuous character; much as gold is refined when passing through fire.