Lev 19:3 | KingComments | STEP | Both commandments mentioned in summarize the whole law. It is about the acknowledgment of the authority granted by God and the authority of God Himself. Reverence for God, Whom we do not see, is shown in the first place by reverence for father and mother whom we can see (cf. ). Father and mother are God’s first authority on earth that a human being has to deal with as soon as he is born. The honoring of father and mother applies as long as they live and not only when we live with them at home. The mother is first mentioned. Even when the father has died, the commandment remains to honor her. This commandment to reverence the first authority with which a person on earth is confronted is linked to the sabbath commandment. By observing God’s sabbaths, the Israelite shows his recognition of God. A certain usefulness can be assumed in all commands. This is not directly seen in the sabbath commandment. A person can rather see it as a day with a loss of productivity. He who keeps this commandment does it, because God has said it. In the spiritual application, the sabbath commandment lays the foundation for all relationships. If we rest in the rest of God, that is in the work of Christ, there will also be rest in the family relationships in the acknowledgment of the obligations God has given in them. Father and mother (family) and sabbath (rest after work) were instituted by God before the fall into sin. These institutions are the pillars of a peaceful world order and civil prosperity. All who belong to God’s people may restore these pillars in a spiritual sense. The commandment of honoring father and mother also applies to the church ( ). The sabbath commandment cannot be kept literally, because God’s rest with regard to creation is disturbed by sin ( ). For creation this rest is still future ( ). In a spiritual sense God rests in the work of His Son and we too may rest in it. The child who is taught to honor father and mother will also honor God and keep away from idols. Also the connection with one’s neighbor can only be good if the upwards connection, with God, is good. If God no longer stands before our attention, because other things have become more important – idols in any form –, the relationship with our immediate neighbors, our family members, will chill.

‏ Leviticus 19:3

Relationship to Parents, Sabbath and Idols

Both commandments mentioned in Lev 19:3 summarize the whole law. It is about the acknowledgment of the authority granted by God and the authority of God Himself.

Reverence for God, Whom we do not see, is shown in the first place by reverence for father and mother whom we can see (cf. Mal 1:6a). Father and mother are God’s first authority on earth that a human being has to deal with as soon as he is born. The honoring of father and mother applies as long as they live and not only when we live with them at home. The mother is first mentioned. Even when the father has died, the commandment remains to honor her.

This commandment to reverence the first authority with which a person on earth is confronted is linked to the sabbath commandment. By observing God’s sabbaths, the Israelite shows his recognition of God. A certain usefulness can be assumed in all commands. This is not directly seen in the sabbath commandment. A person can rather see it as a day with a loss of productivity. He who keeps this commandment does it, because God has said it.

In the spiritual application, the sabbath commandment lays the foundation for all relationships. If we rest in the rest of God, that is in the work of Christ, there will also be rest in the family relationships in the acknowledgment of the obligations God has given in them.

Father and mother (family) and sabbath (rest after work) were instituted by God before the fall into sin. These institutions are the pillars of a peaceful world order and civil prosperity. All who belong to God’s people may restore these pillars in a spiritual sense.

The commandment of honoring father and mother also applies to the church (Eph 6:2). The sabbath commandment cannot be kept literally, because God’s rest with regard to creation is disturbed by sin (Jn 5:16-17). For creation this rest is still future (Heb 4:9). In a spiritual sense God rests in the work of His Son and we too may rest in it.

The child who is taught to honor father and mother will also honor God and keep away from idols. Also the connection with one’s neighbor can only be good if the upwards connection, with God, is good. If God no longer stands before our attention, because other things have become more important – idols in any form –, the relationship with our immediate neighbors, our family members, will chill.