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The practical application of the Fifth Commandment to honor one’s mother and father (Ex. 20:12; Deut. 5:16) goes far beyond our parents. In the Torah passage שֹׁפְטִים Shoftim (“judges,” Deut. 16:18–21:9) and via the teachings of Yeshua the Messiah (Jesus the Christ), we learn that this instruction also applies in our we interact with and respect those who have power over us.
First, we need to clean up our own hearts, with most importantly involves letting God address our problems. As Yeshua said, take the plank out of your eye before you try to take the speck out of your neighbor’s eye (Matt. 7:3–5; Luke 6:41–42). When we humble ourselves and submit ourselves to God’s discernment and judgment, then we are ready and prepared to help God address the problems in our community.
Second, we need to respect our judges and our elders, even though we may vehemently disagree with their decisions. We are to follow their rulings without deviation, full stop. The New Testament is full of reminders that we are to respect their office, their position in the community.
We also must be wise to the fact that it’s human nature for rulers and kings to do whatever they can do to centralize their own power and authority. However, God tells us not to act as authoritarians over our own households. We also should push back when our leaders try to exercise undue control over the people. We must do this with utmost respect, but we have a duty to protect ourselves and those around us from overreaching abuses of government power.
When we honor our parents, our elders and our leaders, we are also honoring God.
Summary: Tammy