January 03, 2023 – Tuesday
Proverbs 23:22 NIV
22 Listen to your father, who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old.
Proverbs 30:17 NIV
17 “The eye that mocks a father, that scorns an aged mother, will be pecked out by the ravens of the valley, will be eaten by the vultures.
Comments
Today has been full of activities associated with taking care of my bride Sharon’s Mother, Ruth, my mother-in-law. I have been her son-in-law for so long she gets upset if I call her Mrs. Anderson, saying “I am your Mom!” So, I sought to find a few verses directly applicable to mothers, especially mothers who are old. Ruth is 91 and will be 92 on February 11 this year.
Sadly, her health has been rapidly deteriorating to the point where she now needs care 24 hours a day seven days a week, beyond our capacity as caregivers. This afternoon she was evaluated by our doctor who confirmed our fears that she needs more care than we can physically provide.
I was reminded of the two verses above along with what Jesus had to say about a particular practice permitted and promoted by the Pharisees. In Mark 7:10-12 Jesus said, 10 For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and mother,’[and, ‘Anyone who curses their father or mother is to be put to death.’] 11 But you say that if anyone declares that what might have been used to help their father or mother is Corban (that is, devoted to God)— 12 then you no longer let them do anything for their father or mother. Jesus first quoted Exodus 20:12 and Deuteronomy 5:16 about the command to Honor your father and mother. Then He quoted Exodus 21:17 and Leviticus 20:9 about the penalty for cursing one’s father or mother. That was His preface to condemning the practice of Corban where a child could take money, wealth, possessions that would have enabled him or her to take care of his parent or parents by devoting some of it to the temple.
What a scam used to enrich the temple and the Pharisees while denying one’s parents or parent the care they would need when they would be elderly and likely infirm. Jesus condemned this practice as it did not Honor one’s father and mother and it effectively cursed them in their old age. Such a practice was deserving of death for those who partook in it and those who promoted it. Jesus added at the end of His above statement, 13 Thus you nullify the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And you do many things like that. Nothing man does can properly nullify the word of God. To attempt to do so, no matter how just you seek to make it sound, your tradition voids a law of God meaning it is a wicked and immoral tradition.
Bottom Line: Let us always honor our fathers and mothers and not seek ways to avoid doing so. Let us not put any tradition above God’s directions and commands.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, Help us to always be thankful for our parents no matter any disagreements we might have with them. Help us to find ways to honor them throughout their lives, especially when they most need help.. – In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
RileyD, nwJ
Riley D. Driver – Pastor
Calvary Chapel of Dayton
in Beavercreek