HONOR TO WHOM HONOR IS DUE (5 OF 10)
Scripture: Exodus 20:12
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Honor to whom Honor is Due (5 of 10)
Series: 10 Commandments
Patrick Edwards
Exodus 20:12
Introduction
The overall structure of the Ten Commandments has historically been viewed in two ways. On one hand we all have this picture of Moses coming down the mountain carrying two stone tablets, one in each hand, with half of the words on one tablet and the rest on the other. Visually, when we see the ten words displayed they are arranged as five and five. Thus, we group the fifth commandment with the first four.
On the other hand, you may also at times hear from time to time the ten words described as having a vertical dimension, meaning commandments that pertain to our relationship with God, and a horizontal dimension, meaning commandments that pertain to our relationship with our fellow human beings. Thus, because the fifth word concerns human relationships it grouped with the five commandments to follow it.
So, which is it? Should the fifth commandment be read in light of the first four or in light of the second five? Is one's relationship with their parents an extension of one's relationship with God or is it the foundation of one's relationship with other human beings? Is the fifth commandment a part of one's vertical relationship or horizontal?
The answer is both! Essentially the fifth word is a transition in the Decalogue as we move from words about God to words about humanity, for, you see, the family is be seen in light of both spheres. On the one hand we see in the commandment itself an association between one's treatment of parents with one's overall worship and obedience to the Lord your God. In this way, the fifth word is the culminating word that ensures God's people will live well in the land. At the same time, living well in the land implies the flourishing of human society, in which case we see, then, how the family forms the center of all cultural life.
And so, this morning, as we explore the fifth word, we do so to see how this ...
Series: 10 Commandments
Patrick Edwards
Exodus 20:12
Introduction
The overall structure of the Ten Commandments has historically been viewed in two ways. On one hand we all have this picture of Moses coming down the mountain carrying two stone tablets, one in each hand, with half of the words on one tablet and the rest on the other. Visually, when we see the ten words displayed they are arranged as five and five. Thus, we group the fifth commandment with the first four.
On the other hand, you may also at times hear from time to time the ten words described as having a vertical dimension, meaning commandments that pertain to our relationship with God, and a horizontal dimension, meaning commandments that pertain to our relationship with our fellow human beings. Thus, because the fifth word concerns human relationships it grouped with the five commandments to follow it.
So, which is it? Should the fifth commandment be read in light of the first four or in light of the second five? Is one's relationship with their parents an extension of one's relationship with God or is it the foundation of one's relationship with other human beings? Is the fifth commandment a part of one's vertical relationship or horizontal?
The answer is both! Essentially the fifth word is a transition in the Decalogue as we move from words about God to words about humanity, for, you see, the family is be seen in light of both spheres. On the one hand we see in the commandment itself an association between one's treatment of parents with one's overall worship and obedience to the Lord your God. In this way, the fifth word is the culminating word that ensures God's people will live well in the land. At the same time, living well in the land implies the flourishing of human society, in which case we see, then, how the family forms the center of all cultural life.
And so, this morning, as we explore the fifth word, we do so to see how this ...
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