God brought a scathing indictment against His people. “A man honors his father, and a servant his master. If then I am the father, where is My honor? And if I am a master, where is My reverence?” (Malachi 3:6).
Though not a religious holiday, our celebration of “Father’s Day” recognizes the Biblical mandate to honor fathers. Tragically, some fathers deserve no honor. But lumping all fathers together as deadbeat dads and child abusers is neither accurate nor fair.
God asked, “Where is My honor . . . Where is My reverence?” Unless they already knew that honoring one’s father is the norm, God’s illustration would make no sense. He didn’t want simply a holiday set aside to honor Him, but a continuous flow of honorable behaviors and attitudes from His beloved people. Likewise now we are not merely honoring fathers with a holiday, but with attitude and behaviors throughout the year.
How do children learn to honor fathers? They might begin by looking to their mothers. If Mom doesn’t demonstrate love and respect for Dad, should we be shocked when the children follow her lead? I’ve seen wives contemptuously roll their eyes and berate their husbands right in front of the children! Then there are the sarcastic remarks made in his absence. Such slander makes it even less likely that the children will honor him as they ought.
Collectively and individually we Christians must teach our children and our world the proper respect for fathers. If we expect the news media, entertainment industry, or educational system to do it for us, we will be sadly disappointed!
Scripture has plenty to say about children honoring their parents through cheerful obedience, loving family life, respectful words, and devoted care. May God help each of us to teach these precepts by both word and example.
–Joe Slater
