Obey the Voice
“If a man have a stubborn and rebellious son, which will not obey the voice of his father, or the voice of his mother, and that, when they have chastened him, will not hearken unto them” (Deut. 21:18). God equates a rebellious son with one who will not obey the voice of his father and mother. Even after there has been correction given, the son still will not hearken unto their voices. Why is this so serious?
Parents have a responsibility to teach their children about God (Deut. 6:4-7). This teaching was to be done throughout the day. Everyone should learn that they are “fear God and keep His commandments” (Ecc. 12:13). Every child should have the ability to be brought up in a godly home (Eph. 6:4). Have we as parents abdicated our role? Do our children only receive biblical teaching at the feet of others? Is it possible that we are in such a sad state spiritually because we have failed to do this?
Children have the responsibility to hearken (obey) to the teaching of their parents (Eph. 6:1-2). Parents are the authority within the home. It is not the other way around. Christians, as children of God, are to be obedient to His voice. The same principle applies in the home between children and their parents. Are you an obedient child?
What were the consequences under the OT law when a child was rebellious? If he did not hearken he was to be stoned. Under the NT the punishment may not come as swift but it is more severe. The “wages of sin” (Rom. 6:23) is death. Disobedience to parents is sin. Therefore, one will lose life eternally (Matt. 25:46) if it is not forgiven. As long as our parents are guiding us in the way of righteousness then we ought to honor them by hearing and hearkening to their voice. May God bless both parents and children in this great endeavor.
Terry Claunch