What does it mean to be holy? God commanded his people to be holy, but how to apply that to their lives might be difficult. So he gave them, and us, some very specific examples as a foundation of the holiness that should be displayed in their lives. I think it is interesting that the very first example of living a holy life is honor of parents. Though we may be tempted to think that he is speaking to children I think we need to remember that the focus of his messages is almost always the leaders of the people. The adult men who were leading their families were to display their holiness by speaking and displaying honor to their parents; both the living and the dead. When the youth witnessed the household’s leader speaking well of his parents and showing them respect they would seek to replicate the same words, and practices. Eventually honor of parents would be the standard behavior in their lives. If we can’t honor those who raised us, whom we have seen, how can we honor the one who freed us from slavery, whom we cannot see?
It took me about 17 minutes to read this passage.
Stuart
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