NOTE.-The word translated _gift_ in this text means a thing dedicated to G.o.d, and therefore not to be used for any other purpose. In this way the Jewish teachers, by their traditional law, taught children that by saying that their property was thus dedicated to the temple or to religious purposes, they were free from the obligation to honor and support their parents, thus making void one of the commandments of G.o.d. This Christ condemned.
12. In what other way do some dishonor their father and mother?
"There is a generation that _curseth their father_, and _doth not bless their mother_." Prov. 30:11.
13. What will be the fate of the one who curseth his father or his mother?
"Whoso curseth his father or his mother, _his lamp shall be put out in obscure darkness_." "The eye that mocketh at his father, and despiseth to obey his mother, _the ravens of the valley shall pick it out, and the young eagles shall eat it_." Prov. 20:20; 30:17.
14. What will be the reward of those who honor their parents?
"Honor thy father and thy mother: _that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy G.o.d giveth thee_." Ex. 20:12.
NOTE.-The fulness of this promise will be realized in the life to come, when the earth, restored to its Edenic beauty, will become the eternal home of all those who have truly honored their parents and kept all G.o.d"s commandments.
15. What comment has the apostle Paul made upon this commandment?
"Honor thy father and mother; _which is the first commandment with promise; that it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth_." Eph. 6:2, 3.
16. In what age of the world is disobedience to parents to be especially manifest?
"This know also, that _in the last days_ perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, _disobedient to parents_, unthankful, unholy." 2 Tim. 3:1, 2.
NOTE.-Disobedience to parents is a marked characteristic of the present generation. Never before was it so common or so wide-spread. The root of the evil, however, lies not so much in the children as in the parents. Many of the latter are disobedient to G.o.d, their Father in heaven, and so have failed to bring up their children in the fear of G.o.d and in the ways of righteousness. Bible instruction, lessons of faith, and prayer must not be neglected in the home if we would see obedient, G.o.d-fearing children growing up in the world.
Be kind to thy father, for when thou wert young, Who loved thee so fondly as he?
He caught the first accents that fell from thy tongue, And joined in thy innocent glee.
Be kind to thy mother, for lo! on her brow May traces of sorrow be seen; O well may"st thou cherish and comfort her now, For loving and kind hath she been.
Child Training
[Ill.u.s.tration.]
His First Teacher. "Bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord." Eph. 6:4.
1. How should parents train their children?
"Train up a child _in the way he should go_: and when he is old he will not depart from it." Prov. 22:6. "And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but _bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord_." Eph. 6:4.
2. How diligently should parents teach children G.o.d"s Word?
"These words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: and _thou shall teach them diligently unto thy children_." "Ye shall teach them your children, _speaking of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way when thou liest down, and when thou risest up_." Deut. 6:6, 7. 11:19.
3. What high ideal should be placed before the young?
"Let no man despise thy youth; but _be thou an example of the believers_, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity." 1 Tim. 4:12.
4. What duty does G.o.d require of children?
"Honor thy father and thy mother." Ex. 20:12.
5. What is to be one of the prominent sins of the last days?
"For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, _disobedient to parents_, unthankful, unholy." 2 Tim. 3:2.
6. Why did G.o.d reprove Eli?
"In that day I will perform against Eli all things which I have spoken concerning his house: when I begin, I will also make an end. For I have told him that I will judge his house forever for the iniquity which he knoweth; _because his sons made themselves vile, and he restrained them not_." 1 Sam. 3:12, 13.
7. How should the youth be taught to regard the aged?
"Thou shalt _rise up before the h.o.a.ry head_, and _honor the face of the old man_, and fear thy G.o.d: I am the Lord." Lev. 19:32.
8. What are some good fruits of proper child training?
"Correct thy son, and _he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall give delight unto thy soul_." Prov. 29:17.
9. What will result if correction is withheld?
"The rod and reproof give wisdom: but _a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame_." Verse 15. See Prov. 22:15.
10. Is there danger of delaying correction too long?
"_Chasten thy son while there is hope_, and let not thy soul spare for his crying." Prov. 19:18. See Prov. 23:13, 14.
11. Does proper correction evidence a want of parental love?
"He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but _he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes_." Prov. 13:24.
NOTE.-One Christian mother writes thus concerning the importance of child training: "Children who are allowed to come up to manhood or womanhood with the will undisciplined and the pa.s.sions uncontrolled, will generally in after-life pursue a course which G.o.d condemns. The neglect of parents to properly discipline their children has been a fruitful source of evil in many families. The youth have not been restrained as they should have been. Parents have neglected to follow the directions of the Word of G.o.d in this matter, and the children have taken the reins of government into their own hands. The consequence has been that they have generally succeeded in ruling their parents, instead of being under their authority. False ideas and a foolish, misdirected affection have nurtured traits which have made the children unlovely and unhappy, have embittered the lives of the parents, and have extended their baleful influence from generation to generation. Any child that is permitted to have his own way will dishonor G.o.d and bring his father and mother to shame."
12. Whom does the Lord chasten?