=Honor thy father and thy mother, that it may be well with thee, and
thou mayest live long on the earth.=
_That is_,
We should fear and love God, and not despise or give offense to our
parents or superiors; but honor, serve, obey, love, and esteem them.
_62. Why must we honor father and mother?_
Because God has placed them over us to care for us.
=Lev. 19:3. Ye shall fear every man his mother and his father: I
am the Lord your God.=
_63. How are children to show that they honor father and mother?_
By respectful, loving, and willing obedience and by good behavior to
their parents, both in their presence and in their absence.
=Prov. 1:8. My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and
forsake not the law of thy mother.=
=Eph. 6:1. Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is
right.=
_64. Whom must we honor and obey besides our parents?_
All those whom God has placed over us, such as guardians, employers,
teachers, and the government.
_65. Must we obey parents and superiors when they ask us to do
what is sinful?_
No; we ought to obey God rather than men. Acts 5:29.
_66. What is the duty of parents toward their children?_
They must love them, pray for them, bring them up in the fear of the
Lord, and in everything seek their temporal and spiritual good.
=Prov. 13:24. He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that
loveth him chasteneth him betimes.=
=Eph. 6:4.=
_67. What is God's promise to those who honor father and mother?_
It shall be well with them, and they shall live long on the earth.
_68. Is this promise yet effective?_
Yes; in this sense, that special blessings rest upon obedient
children, and upon every nation honoring father and mother.
_69. Has God given us also a land?_
Yes; He has given us our native land, that we may love it and help it
to prosper.
_70. What does the fourth commandment forbid?_
To despise and give offense to father and mother.
=Prov. 17:25. A foolish son is a grief to his father, and
bitterness to her that bare him.=
_71. What does he bring upon himself who transgresses this
commandment?_
Condemnation and punishment from God.
=Deut. 27:16. Cursed be he that setteth light by his father or
his mother.=