Text: Leviticus 19:1-3
Memory verse:
“You shall rise before the gray headed and honor the presence of an old man, and fear your God: I am the Lord.”
‭‭Leviticus‬ ‭19‬:‭32‬ ‭

In the Yoruba language, when you say someone is heavy in your hands, it is an idiomatic expression to describe how highly you have esteemed or honoured the person. Interestingly, it shares the same idea with the Hebrew word for honour, which is ‘heavy’ or ‘weight’.
The first commandment in Exodus 20:12 and Deuteronomy 5:16 which Paul referred to in Ephesians 6:2 has no word about obedience but honour. However, obedience is implied throughout the scriptures where God commands children to obey their parents (Prov 23:22; Col 3:20). To obey is to submit to the will of a person who rightfully holds a position of authority, to comply with their demands or their requests. It carries the idea of absolute submission. Children honour their parents by obeying them. This is the insight that Paul brought out in his epistle. “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honour your father and mother,” …” (‭‭Eph‬ ‭6‬:‭1‬-‭2‬). This is the point. While the mandate to obey parents may expire, the commandment to honour them never expires or lapses. That is, honouring parents is basic and must last throughout life and in all conditions. The commandment to obey lapses when the child reaches responsible adulthood and begins to take his or her own decisions. Adult children who are no longer under the authority of parents are not required to continue to obey their parents but must continue to honour them. For example, a married daughter is now under the authority of her husband and not under obligation to obey her parents anymore (Gen 2:24). Conflicts always come when both parents and children don’t understand this transition. As a parent, don’t demand that your married son or daughter should continue to do your biddings nor should a husband or wife still take directives from his or her parents. Yet, marriage doesn’t wean a husband and wife from honouring their parents.

Prayer points
1. Father, help me never to grow weary in honouring my parents in Jesus name.
2. Father, give light to every family where there is conflict being ignorant of the change in obedience in Jesus name.

Today’s declarations
1. Obeying and submitting to my parents will eventually expire but honouring them lasts forever.
2. Parents who still enforce obedience for their married children and spouses who still take directives from their parents need knowledge.

Contact: pastor@thf.org.ng