Father's Day

As a father, I appreciate the honor given by my children. Each year it is the custom across the length and breadth of our land, to honor mothers and fathers on "their day." Mothers are honored on "Mother's day," and fathers are honored on "Father's day."

Do we appreciate that the basis for honoring our fathers and mothers stems from an ancient teaching which was given to our fore-fathers almost three thousand five hundred years ago?

Do we understand, today, that there is a commandment which is the under-girding of this modern custom? In the fifteenth century before the birth of Christ, our fore-fathers were liberated from harsh bondage. At the time of their liberation, Almighty God gave them His law as a guide for each citizen and for the nation at large. That law contained the basis for the "Judeo-Christian" culture which we have inherited.

Contained in that law was a commandment:

Exo. 20:12 Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.

The commandment contained an implicit promise to the obedient — long days on the land given by God.

Some today have forgotten to teach this fundamental truth, or to observe it, in a false sense of "righteousness." Their error is a repetition of the folly of the Scribes and Pharisees, in the days of Jesus Christ.

Jesus was constantly opposed by the religious leaders of His day. In Mark's Gospel we read:

Mark 7:1 Then came together unto him the Pharisees, and certain of the scribes, which came from Jerusalem.

2 And when they saw some of his disciples eat bread with defiled, that is to say, with unwashen, hands, they found fault.

3 For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash their hands oft, eat not, holding the tradition of the elders.

4 And when they come from the market, except they wash, they eat not. And many other things there be, which they have received to hold, as the washing of cups, and pots, brasen vessels, and of tables.

5 Then the Pharisees and scribes asked him, Why walk not thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashen hands?

6 He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.

7 Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

8 For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do.

9 And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.

10 For Moses said, Honour thy father and thy mother; and, Whoso curseth father or mother, let him die the death:

11 But ye say, If a man shall say to his father or mother, It is Corban, that is to say, a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; he shall be free.

12 And ye suffer him no more to do ought for his father or his mother;

13 Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye.

Are you a now a parent? The greatest gift you can give your son or daughter is INSTRUCTION from the Word of God — His law.

Are you a young man or woman? The greatest gift you can give your father or mother is the Honor which the Word of God has declared is due them.

And in so doing, we honor the Eternal God, Father of all — and receive the promise of long life on the land which He has given you.

I'm Carl McNair, and that's commentary for the Living Church of God.