Missionary Pat Bates - "PARENTS"

Parents: How Should Children Treat Them??

Let’s look at Genesis 9:20-25. This passage is unique because it deals exclusively with the relationship between parents and children. It begins shortly after the flood and deals with the beginnings of a new life for Noah and his family.

Noah plants a vineyard and then he drank of the wine and becomes drunk. His adult son, Ham, comes into his father’s tent and sees him naked and drunk on his bed. He immediately runs out to tell his brothers about the shame of his father. His brothers are concerned about the situation (for their father’s sake) and go into the tent backwards so their eyes will not see their father’s nakedness, and dropped a blanket over him to cover his shame.

Two very different attitudes are seen in regard to the love and respect these children had for their father. Have you ever spoken carelessly to others about your parents? If so, you have shamed them. Have you made fun of the way they do things? If so, you have shamed them. Do you mock them as you grow older because you think “I am an adult now, I don’t need them to interfere in my life!” If so, you have shamed them. You must be very cautious, as the last verse deals with this disrespect. Ham’s yet unborn child, Canaan, was cursed to be a servant to other servants because of his father’s disrespect. I think God takes the relationship of children to their parents very seriously. Let’s look.

Exodus 21:15 He who hits his father, or his mother, shall surely be put to death.

Leviticus 20:9 Everyone that curses his father or his mother shall surely be put to death; he has cursed his father or mother; his bloodguilt is upon him.

Exodus 20:12 Regard (treat with honor, due obedience, and courtesy) your father and mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God gives you.

Proverbs 1:8-9 My son, hear the instruction of your father and do not forsake the law of your mother; for they shall be an ornament of grace to your head and chains about your neck.

Proverbs 4:1-4 Listen children, to some fatherly advice; sit up and take notice so you’ll know how to live. I’m giving you good counsel; don’t let it go in one ear and out the other. When I was a boy at my father’s knee, the pride and joy of my mother, he would sit me down and drill me; “Take this to heart. Do what I tell you – Live!”

Proverbs 6:20 My son, keep your father’s commandment and do not forsake the law of your mother.

Proverbs 10:1 A wise son makes a glad father; but a foolish son is the heaviness of his mother. OR Wise son, glad father; stupid son, sad mother.

Proverbs 11:29 He that troubles (exploits or abuses) his own house (family) shall inherit the wind; and the fool shall be servant to the wise of heart.

Proverbs 13:1 Intelligent children listen to their parents, but foolish children do their own thing.

Proverbs 15:5 A fool (moral drop-outs) despises his father’s instruction, but he that regards (welcomes) correction is wise.

Proverbs 16:31 Grey hair is a crown or glory if it is found in the way of righteousness.

Proverbs 17:25 A foolish son is a grief to his father and bitterness to her that bore him.

Proverbs 19:26-27 He that wastes (lashes out against) his father and chases away his mother is a son that causes shame and brings reproach. If you quit listening, dear child, and strike out on your own, you’ll soon be out of your depth.

Proverbs 20:20 Whoever curses his father or his mother, his lamp will be put out in obscure darkness.

Proverbs 23:22 Listen (with respect) to the father who begat you and do not despise your mother when she is old, don’t neglect her.

Proverbs 23:24 The father of a righteous son rejoices and she that bore a wise child shall have joy of him. Your father and mother shall be glad, and she that bore you shall rejoice.

Proverbs 27:11 Become wise, dear child, and make me happy; then nothing the world throws my way will upset me.

Proverbs 28:7 Whoever keeps the law is a wise son, but he that is a companion of riotous men brings shame to his parents.

Proverbs 29:15 The rod and correction give wisdom, but a child left to himself brings shame to his mother.

Proverbs 29:17 Correct your son and he will give you rest, yes he will be a delight to your soul.

Proverbs 30:11 There is a generation that will curse their father and will not bless their mother.

Proverbs 31:28 Her children will rise up and call her blessed.

I Timothy 5:4 If any widow has children or nephews, let them learn first to show piety at home and to honor their parents; for that is good and acceptable before God.

I Timothy 5:8 If any man does not provide for his own (parents), and especially for those of his own house (wife and children), he has denied the faith and is worse than an infidel.

I Timothy 5:16 If any man or woman who is a believer has a widow (in his family), let him relieve (care for) them so that the church will not be charged (with this responsibility), so the church may relieve (care for) them who are widows indeed (without family).

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The Bible was written as an instruction for those who believe, so the above scriptures are written for Christian families.

Also, the term “fool” in the Greek means a rebel or one who rebels for the sake of rebelling (for no good reason).

A question . . . do you see an age mentioned in the above passages that says you can reject or disrespect your parents when you become that age? Did the scriptures mention you may disregard or disrespect your parents when they are wrong? NO! You are to honor and respect your parents at all times because God gave them that place in your life . . . He gave them you!

I did not address all of the scriptures regarding this topic, there are many more. But I believe God wrote so many because it was an important issue with Him.

Please regard and honor your Mother highly this May . . . it is a day, and an opportunity to fulfill the commandments of your Lord!

Your sister,

Rev. Pat Bates

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