Mar 21
21
Baptist Catechism 70 & 71
Q. 70. What is forbidden in the fifth commandment?
A. The fifth commandment forbideth the neglecting of, or, doing anything against the honor and duty which belongeth to everyone in their several places and relations. (Prov. 30:17; Rom. 13:7,8)
Q. 71. What is the reason annexed to the fifth commandment?
A. The reason annexed to the fifth commandment is a promise of long life and prosperity (as far as it shall serve God’s glory and their own good), to all such as keep this commandment. (Eph. 6:2,3; Prov. 4:3-6; 6:20-22)
Scripture Reading: Proverbs 4
“Hear, O sons, a father’s instruction, and be attentive, that you may gain insight, for I give you good precepts; do not forsake my teaching. When I was a son with my father, tender, the only one in the sight of my mother, he taught me and said to me, “Let your heart hold fast my words; keep my commandments, and live. Get wisdom; get insight; do not forget, and do not turn away from the words of my mouth. Do not forsake her, and she will keep you; love her, and she will guard you. The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom, and whatever you get, get insight. Prize her highly, and she will exalt you; she will honor you if you embrace her. She will place on your head a graceful garland; she will bestow on you a beautiful crown.” Hear, my son, and accept my words, that the years of your life may be many. I have taught you the way of wisdom; I have led you in the paths of uprightness. When you walk, your step will not be hampered, and if you run, you will not stumble. Keep hold of instruction; do not let go; guard her, for she is your life. Do not enter the path of the wicked, and do not walk in the way of the evil. Avoid it; do not go on it; turn away from it and pass on. For they cannot sleep unless they have done wrong; they are robbed of sleep unless they have made someone stumble. For they eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence. But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter until full day. The way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know over what they stumble. My son, be attentive to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. Let them not escape from your sight; keep them within your heart. For they are life to those who find them, and healing to all their flesh. Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life. Put away from you crooked speech, and put devious talk far from you. Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you. Ponder the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure. Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your foot away from evil.” (Proverbs 4, ESV)
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Please excuse any typos and misspellings within this manuscript. It has been published online for the benefit of the saints of Emmaus Reformed Baptist Church but without the benefit of proofreading.
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Introduction
You know, the fifth commandment is really quite simple. “Honor thy father and thy mother”, the law says. This means that you children must not disrespect their parents, and it also means that children must show honor to their parents. And so you can see how this same law can be stated both positively and negatively. Negatively, children, do not dishonor your parents. Do not be disrespectful or disobedient. And if we were to state it positively we would say, do this instead! Show them honor. Give them love and respect.
Do you see the difference between the two ways of putting it? At first glance, the positive and negative perspectives seem to only be two sides of the same coin. But I think there is a great difference between keeping this commandment (and all the other) negatively and positively.
A child may keep the fifth commandment negatively by not talking back to her parents. She may keep the fifth commandment by not breaking the rules of the house. And that is all good. But more is required. The commandment also calls children to proactively and positively show honor to their parents. Do you see the difference? Perhaps you can imagine a child merely following the rules, but in a heartless and loveless way. God’s law calls us higher, friends. Not only are children to refrain from dishonor, they are also to actively show honor. This is what God’s law requires. God’s law is calling us to love!
And last week we also learned that the fifth commandment applies, not only to children but to everyone. Inferiors are to show a special kind of honor superiors, and superiors are to show a special kind of honor to inferiors, and equals are also to show honor to one another.
You know, I do hope that our children are paying attention to this teaching. How very important it is for our young people to honor their parents in the home! But I am also hoping that husbands and wives are paying close attention to the fifth commandment! That might still sound strange to you. You might still be thinking, but isn’t that commandment about children and parents? It is! But it applies to all. In fact, I have attempted to show you that what is said elsewhere in the scriptures by Paul and others regarding the marriage relationship is rooted in the fifth commandment. Wives are to honor their husbands in a particular way, for the husband is the head of the wife. And husbands are to honor their wives in a particular way, for the wife is vulnerable as she takes that position of submission. The fifth commandment certainly applies. But here I wish to press a little harder on what I have said before. Do not only refrain from dishonor. No, proactively and positively honor. There is a great difference between the two things. And I do think that our relationships would be much happier if we would understand the difference and learn to be proactive in showing honor.
Husband, it is good for you to not be rude and harsh towards your wife. That is good. And perhaps it is best to start there if this is a problem in your marriage. But you must very quickly replace that dishonor with honor. You must not only put off the old, but you must also quickly put on the new. Do not be harsh with her. That is good. But go ahead and take the next step. Be tender towards her. Be loving, gracious, patient, kind, and thoughtful. Do not tear her down with your words. Instead, build her up. This is the Christian way. This is what God’s law requires. Love her as Christ loves the church!
Now, I will not take the time to say the same thing to wives, children, siblings, fathers, mothers, pastors, congregants, bosses and employees, governors and citizens — you can easily see that the same principle applies to you in every sort of relationship. Do not merely not be rude, be kind! Do not merely refrain from harshness, love instead! Do not merely not dishonor. Instead, honor. I think you get it. “Love is patient and kind” (1 Corinthians 13:4, ESV).
Baptist Catechism 71
In the remainder of our time together I would like to briefly consider Baptist Catechism 71 which asks, “What is the reason annexed to the fifth commandment?” “Annexed” is simply an old-fashioned word for added or appended. “What is the reason [added or attached] to the fifth commandment?”
This is a question about the promise attached to the fifth commandment itself, which says, “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you.” (Exodus 20:12, ESV). So there is a blessing attached to the fifth commandment. In Ephesians 6:1 Paul says, “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. ‘Honor your father and mother’”, and then he adds, “this is the first commandment with a promise” (Ephesians 6:1–2, ESV).
So what is this promise all about? Our catechism gives this answer: “The reason annexed to the fifth commandment is a promise of long life and prosperity (as far as it shall serve God’s glory and their own good), to all such as keep this commandment.”
The little qualification, “as far as it shall serve God’s glory and their own good” is meant to keep us from assuming that this is a guarantee. In other words, we should not take this to mean that every child that honors his parents will live a very long and prosperous life. No, life doesn’t work that way. The righteous do sometimes die young.
Instead, we are to take this as a general rule. In fact, the Proverbs are filled with things like this. They are not promises, strictly speaking, but general principles. Those who obey God’s law and pursue wisdom will be blessed in life, generally speaking. And you know this to be true. Wise living does usually produce good things. But not always. As I said, sometimes the righteous do suffer. In fact, I think that is one reason we have the book of Job. That book shows us that the righteous do sometimes suffer. But what is the general principle in this promise attached to the fifth commandment?
Well, we should remember that the ten commandments were originally given to Israel as a nation. If Israel were to this law, they would be blessed in the land. But Paul does also apply this same law to New Covenant Christians who do not have a homeland. And to us he says, “‘Honor your father and mother’ (this is the first commandment with a promise), ‘that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land’” (Ephesians 6:2–3, ESV).
Here is the principle. Though it is true that God may have other plans and purposes, in general, it is true that keeping this commandment will be rewarded with good things in this life. Good things will come to you because the blessing of God is on you. And also good things will come to you because of the so-called natural consequences of your actions. Those who are rebellious will most often suffer difficulty, whereas those who honor God and their fellow man will most often enjoy the blessings that come with that way of life. You have witnessed this, I’m sure.
And indeed this is true when it comes to all of God’s commandments. There is a blessing in them. There is life in them. No, we do not keep them perfectly, so we need a Savior. But God’s law is good. God’s law is not burdensome.
Proverbs 4, which was read at the start of this sermon, speaks to this reality. It begins, “Hear, O sons, a father’s instruction, and be attentive, that you may gain insight, for I give you good precepts; do not forsake my teaching.” And then later it says, “Get wisdom, and whatever you get, get insight. Prize her highly, and she will exalt you; she will honor you if you embrace her. She will place on your head a graceful garland; she will bestow on you a beautiful crown. Hear, my son, and accept my words, that the years of your life may be many.”
And I would like to show you this same principle in Paul’s instructions to husbands. He says, among other things, “In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself” (Ephesians 5:28, ESV). Oh, how true that is. Brothers, do you want good? Then love your wives with the love of Christ. And sisters, do you want it good, then honor your husbands in the Lord. Children, do you want it good? Then honor your father and mother — indeed, give everyone the honor that is due to them.
As I have said, there are no guarantees, but generally, this principle is true. Keeping God’s law does bring about much that is good and pleasant. And certainly, it will produce good and pleasant things in the life to come where we will enjoy life eternal with our Maker and our Savior. And really, I think that is that point.
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Conclusion
Let us be found trusting in Christ and keeping his commandments, for his glory and our good.
