Comprehending Pink’s Commandments Part 30

Foreword:

The following exerpt is taken from The Ten Commandments  by Arthur W. Pink

(BAKER BOOK HOUSE, 1994 GRAND RAPIDS, MI)

In this blog series I will work through this very important article a paragraph at a time – asking my reader comprehension style questions at the end. I have been much convicted by the writings of Pink and I pray your walk will also be strengthened meditating on his teaching of scripture …

THE FIFTH COMMANDMENT PART II

First let us consider the duties of children to their parents. They are to love and reverence them, being fearful of offending due to the respect they bear them. A genuine filial veneration is to actuate children, so that they abstain from whatever would grieve or offend their parents. They are to be subject unto them: mark the blessed example which Christ has left (Luke 2:51). "Children obey your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing unto the Lord" (Col. 3:20). After David was anointed for the throne, he fulfilled his father's appointment by tending his sheep (1 Sam. 16:19). They are to hearken to their instructions and imitate their godly practices (Prov. 6:20). Their language must ever be respectful and their gestures betoken submission. Though Joseph was so highly exalted in Egypt, he "bowed himself with his face to the ground" before his father (Gen. 48:12). And note how king Solomon honored his mother (1 Kings 2:19). As far as they are able and their parents have need, they are to provide for them in old age (1 Tim. 5:16).

1) How can we as parents foster a “genuine filial veneration” in our children and what do we sometimes do that would inhibit it?

2) Do our children properly understand what “would grieve or offend” us and have we made such actions clear to them and are our demands resonable and biblical and do we ourselves live by them?

3) Can you think of how Jesus fulfilled this commandment in his youth to Joseph and Mary, in his ministry to his Father in Heaven and finally again to Mary when he was on the cross? Does his example convict you?