Having given us instructions on our relationship with Him, God then proceeds to give instructions on relating to one another in Exodus 20:
12 “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.
Why this command first? Because it naturally flows from what God had just mentioned about the Sabbath: Creation. God made it this way. God told Adam and Eve to fill the earth with family; family is foundational for God's plan. If love and respect are broken in the family line, there will be a breakdown in society. If a man doesn't care for his mother, he's not likely to treat his wife properly, which will in turn have a negative effect on his kids, which is exactly what has happened throughout history. Paul refers to this command as "the first command with promise", emphasizing not so much that it guarantees a long life or riches for the individual, but it does affect clans, nations and humanity as a whole. The key point is this: "Am I respecting, loving, and honoring my parents? Can I improve the line by improving my own attitudes and behavior? If your parents have passed, what are you doing to strengthen relationships between your generation and the next?
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