By 
Would you stand by and watch everyone in your community stone your son to death? What if both parents were the ones who brought the child to town to be stoned? You may be asking yourself, or each other, but what could have led to this?
Many, many years ago, a group of people living in the Middle East were given guidelines for living by their King. If they did not abide by these rules, they were often stoned to death. Some of these guidelines or “laws” in relation to children and parents said: if a child is “stubborn” or “rebellious”, or disobeys his parents, he must be stoned by all the citizens of the city. As a reader, what are your thoughts? I would love to read your comments.
But that is not all! Sadly, the parents were the ones who took the child to the President of the District or the Mayor of the City and explained what that young man had done. Introducing the boy, they would explain how he refused to obey them. How he had been rebellious with them, how he refused to listen to them and likes to get his way, he is a “glutton” and a drunk. So we are not talking about a small child. This they explain has happened repeatedly. But how can parents do this?
Upon hearing the explanation of the parents about the behavior of the young man, the citizens of the town would stone him to death.
Have you ever wondered why children die before their parents? Sometimes these young people die so violently. But this should not be so. The way of life is reversed. Children should be the ones to bury their parents. But due to disobedience, the order of life has changed. Please do not hesitate to leave your comments, I will be happy to read them and respond when necessary.
Finally, these frequent acts of disobedience are not only to parents but also to the Word of God. According to Deuteronomy 21:18-21, disobedient youths must be stoned by the citizen of the town in which they live. This was done so that “all Israel” would find out and be afraid of disobeying his parents. They were used to set an example that other young people would fear to follow.
That was many, many years ago, over two thousand years. However, it was because of this practice of stoning young people to death that Ephesians 6:1-3 encourages children to “honor their parents”, so that they can “live long on earth” and not be stoned to death. In still another place (Colossians 3:20) children are again encouraged to “obey” their parents “in everything” because the Lord rejoices in such actions. The following verse balances this argument: “Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, lest they become discouraged”, Colossians 3:21.
So to recap, both parties, parent and child, have responsibilities in this. Children to be humble and obedient and honor their parents; parents to provide a home environment where children are motivated, where they are encouraged to “honor” their parents and do well in general. Then they will live, and will not die, because they obey both the Word of their fathers and the Word of God. Please share your thoughts on this topic by leaving your comments.