“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.”
Parents, you might want to put this one on the refrigerator or have your children memorize it while they are small. Ok, maybe it’s a little graphic for the very young but not a bad one to imprint on your children’s heart at some point before you turn them loose into the world. Seriously though, this is the second day in a row we are reminded of how to not only raise our children for a positive outcome for us (yesterdays verse) or to avoid a negative one for them. The best way to train a child in this truth is to model it. How we speak to and speak about our older parents has a direct impact on how they believe they should treat us one day. We need to see the caution in this verse in our lives. This verse is applicable to our treatment of any older person. It is easy to get frustrated with or even poke fun at those starting down the road of memory issues even dementia. It is also evil. One of the greatest gifts we can give our parents is love and respect always but especially when they are least able to earn it any more. After losing my wife my children have been amazing at showing up and giving me kind and considerate help, especially after a recent car accident. These were the actions the writer is encouraging. The writer is making it clear that the one who does not do this this will suffer a ‘grievous death’. By the way, the commandment to honor our parents does not tell us to do it only if they were kind or right. Today, if your parents are still around, take a moment and let them know they are loved and important. #BeTheEdge
“Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.” Exodus 20:12 NIV
