How does Ephesians 6:1-3 relate to Deuteronomy 27:16's command? The Foundational Call in Deuteronomy 27:16 “‘Cursed is he who dishonors his father or mother.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’” • Moses spells out covenant blessings and curses. • Dishonoring parents is treated as treason against God’s order, inviting a divine curse upon the offender. • The command highlights the seriousness of family authority: parents are God-given representatives for training the next generation. Paul’s Echo in Ephesians 6:1-3 “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. ‘Honor your father and mother’ (which is the first commandment with a promise), ‘that it may go well with you and that you may have a long life on the earth.’” • Paul quotes Exodus 20:12, then applies it directly to Christian households. • “In the Lord” roots obedience in union with Christ, not mere social custom. • The attached promise (“that it may go well…”) shows that honoring parents brings covenant blessing rather than covenant curse. Connecting the Two Passages Parallel Themes • Both texts treat parental honor as a covenant matter, not just etiquette. • Each offers a divine consequence: Deuteronomy warns of a curse, Ephesians highlights blessing. Progressive Revelation • Deuteronomy states the negative side—dishonoring parents incurs judgment. • Ephesians reveals the positive fulfillment—honoring parents unlocks the promise of well-being and longevity, reaffirmed under the new covenant. Continuity of God’s Moral Law • Jesus endorses the fifth commandment (Matthew 15:3-6). • Paul shows that the moral requirement transcends covenants; Christ’s work doesn’t cancel it but empowers believers to keep it (Romans 8:4). Practical Implications Today • Parental authority remains God-ordained; resisting it is resisting Him (Romans 13:1 applied in the household). • Honoring parents includes respect, care, and obedience while under their roof (Proverbs 1:8-9). • For adult children, honor shifts from obedience to supportive respect and provision (1 Timothy 5:4). Consequences Revisited • Choosing dishonor invites broken relationships and often societal decay—echoes of the Deuteronomy curse still manifest. • Choosing honor positions believers to experience God’s favor—healthier families, personal stability, and generational blessing. Summing Up Deuteronomy 27:16 lays down the gravity of dishonoring parents with a curse; Ephesians 6:1-3 picks up the same command, shows its enduring validity, and presents the other side of the coin—the covenant blessing promised to those who honor father and mother. The heart of God has not changed; through Christ, believers are now equipped to live out this timeless directive and enjoy its promised fruit. |
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