Daily Jewel

by {Pastor Carnell, McAlester, OK

“Respect for Authority”
"Listen, my son, to your father's instruction and do not forsake your mother's teaching." – Proverbs 1:8 (New International Version)

God has placed over us many who are to be our life's "teachers." By their examples and by their words we learn about the purpose of life and how to best live it. In this particular verse, Solomon's "teaching" is for us to pay attention to those who are placed on this earth to show how to live!
The top two of course, as Solomon sees it, are our father and mother. The Father is one who is a vital source of the child's instruction. He is to be the example of the strength of God in decision, the protection of God in trial. Yet, he is still the weakness of man in need of a faith in God. What better lesson is there than for a father to lead his child in developing faith in God?
The mother is the tenderness and compassion of God, and the stability of life. More often than not when the child needs comfort and stability during times of duress and pain to whom do they turn to? Where do they go? Mom! I remember an episode of the 60’s television show, “Leave it to Beaver.” The “Beaver” had a bit of a falling out with his mother and for most of the episode would not talk to her. Toward the end of the show Beaver injured his finger and when given the choice as to who he would go to – he chose his mother knowing she was the one who could soothe his hurt! God knew what He was doing when he put the family unit together!
Solomon tells us to not "forsake" that teaching and to keep it before us in all that we do! This all goes back to the fifth commandment that reminds us that when we honor our parents (or authority in general) then there is a reward to follow. (Exodus 20:12)
Why is that I wonder? Could it be that God knows what happens when authority is not present? He knows the chaos that would ensue when there is nothing to curb or curtail the human appetite for mischief? A good example of that was how the Hebrew people “partied” when Moses was receiving the Ten Commandments. Even though he was the brother of Moses, Aaron did not have the same command or respect of the people and could not contain them. Without an authority figure over them they created their own only to realize how futile that would be.
How do we react to those with authority over us? Are we threatened by their presence or do we allow them to challenge us to become stronger individuals? Do we still consider ourselves to be "teachable?" Even with the cloud of death hovering over Him, Jesus did not respond harshly or angrily toward the Chief Priest or to Pilate. Even though He knew they were wrong in their assessment and actions He still respected the authority they held. Later, we see the same example of honor and respect out of the apostle Paul.
I must at this point share this—I did not receive religious or spiritual instruction in my home. My father died when I was only 8 years old, and to be perfectly honest, my mother was not exactly “spiritually-minded.” She did, however, instruct me on how to be honest and responsible. But thanks to a number of others who became spiritual leaders, my life today has balance.
As a human being I realize that I do not have all the answers to life’s questions (and puzzles) and I will (and on many occasions) made mistakes–but I would hope that I continue to have my children’s respect and that they will always honor my authority. It should never end.
Pastor J. T. Carnell.