Our children know this commandment well. Some would stop there but fathers are also not to provoke their children to wrath. There are TWO sides. These two sides are always a part of EVERY relationship. He also lays down the rules for BOTH husband and wife. We live in a world full of anarchy and it is very difficult to teach our children about discipline and those in authority and we must be very careful so that we teach our children and that the principals are always there. This stands at the beginning of the second table of the law which flows OUT of our love for God shown in the first table of the law. The world believes it is a social institution, but we know and believe it is GOD ORDAINED!

The Idea: You cannot talk about obedience without talking about authority. Impossible! Why would I respect a social institution that changes? Authority is the ability to legislate and enforce that which is legislated. Why are states and children obedient? It is NOT because of the power or might as in the world. Authority is a gift and it has its root in God! It is inherent in the offices God gives to us. He institutes them. God invests authority in those offices. God gives 1)the RIGHT to legislate and demand and also 2) the right to demand agreement and conformity to that which is legislated. He also 3) gives the right to punish those for non-conformity. ALL authority is DERIVATIVE, meaning from God! Our Lord Jesus Christ is THE AUTHORITY and has all power and authority and it is God given! These offices must exercise the authority on behalf of God.....

The Demand: This authority must be exercised according to the principals of God. We must obey those in authority for God's sake unless it strives with God's word. I must show love, honor, and fidelity to those over me. Not a filial love, but the love of God. These are spiritual things. We stop at a stop sign because God put it there where the world stops at the same sign because they understand the chaos that would result otherwise. We honor...recognizing those in authority are placed there in their position by God for our good! Love...the deep love that is rooted in Christ Jesus that understands that those in authority (or placed in authority I should say) make mistakes but nevertheless we see God behind them! Fidelity. Obedience must be faithful. Not with just eye service or cheating but faithfulness to obey in the love and honor so I may serve God! We must bear patiently with those in authority but we too must obey God rather than men. Children are not slaves to the parents but there to be incubated in the Lord! We do well to remember this as parents!

The Promise: Obedience does not mean you will receive red carpet treatment in the world or a guarantee of a long life. He was speaking of the land of Canaan and the reward is not of the here below but in that eternal Kingdom where we will have a very long life!