𝗦𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗱 𝗢𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗯𝘆 𝗔𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗻 𝗙𝗲𝗿𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗠. 𝗖𝗮𝗯𝗮𝗹𝘂

THE 10 Commandments are fundamental religious and ethical laws revealed by God to Moses on Mount Sinai… these commandments are God’s will for humans –all have meaning, all are orders of God to be obeyed by all those who believe in Him.

One particular commandment that struck me the most is the order of God to “obey your parents”. It specifically reads, “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother – so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on Earth.”

This commandment is the first to have a promise… the promise of God is it will go well with you and that you may enjoy a long life on Earth.

Honor thy father and thy mother is a core commandment from the Bible and it can be read in the book of Exodus 20:12 and Ephesians 6:2. It emphasizes respect, obedience and care for parents promising blessings to children who follow it.

But how can we honor our fathers and mothers? Does honoring our parents mean disrespecting them? Does honoring them mean abandoning them? Does honoring them mean not providing for them when they get old or does honoring them mean cursing them?

The answer is a reverberating no… honoring thy father and mother means respecting them, keeping them company, providing for them when they got older and dearly loving both of them whatever the circumstance is.

We all have to remember that without one of our parents, our very existence in this world will not be possible. The phrase “there is only one father and mother” emphasizes the irreplaceable, unique bond with biological parents, highlighting their singular role in creating and nurturing a child, though it may be complex in non-traditional families, acknowledging that love and family come in many forms but primarily biological connection is singular.

During the lifetime of my parents, I cannot recall of an incident where I cursed, disrespected or maligned them. I have to admit that I sometimes, raise my voice when we are having an argument… but that does not mean that I am disrespectful of them – rather, it was my way of reminding them that I care for them, that my point is always for their good.

We lost our father in 2007 while my mother left us in 2015.

When they were still alive, never did I experience having a grand time with my parents… we never had a vacation as a family. We never went to a beach to spend quality family time and we never went to a restaurant together. But I never took it against my parents especially with my father… I know that they were busy working so that they could provide for us… and after so many years, I still miss both of them.

So, God said that all of us must honor our parents. Many or most indeed honor their father and mother and I am sure that they will be rewarded by God.

On the other hand, how about those children who defy this fifth commandment? How about those sons and daughters who do not honor both their parents?

In religious text, severe punishments for disobedient children to parents include death, such as stoning for a persistently rebellious son (Deuteronomy 21:18-21) or striking/cursing parents (Exodus 21:15, 17). Modern interpretations and Christian teachings emphasize spiritual discipline, God’s judgment, potential earthly consequences like shame and shortened life (Proverbs).

We only have one father and one mother. God said both parents should be honored and that means the father and the mother. Whatever problem we have with regards to our parents, we have to remember that God sees everything and His commandment must be obeyed – and this fifth commandment pertains to all religious belief.

May God bless all His children especially those who honor their father and their mother.