A Solemn and Impressive Scene.
By James White
In Deut. xxvii, 16, are these words: “Cursed be he that setteth light by his father or his mother. And all the people shall say, Amen.” The Scriptures very often speak of the duty of children to obey and honor their parents; and one of God’s holy commandments, which he spake from Mt. Sinai and wrote on the tables of stone, is on this subject. Paul quotes it in the New Testament, and calls it the “first commandment with promise.” The Israelites, as a general thing, paid great regard to their parents, even unto old age, not considering themselves free from the authority of their parents at a certain “age,” as is common now. With so many strong expressions of the divine will on this subject, so much to show God’s great displeasure at the disregard of this duty, it would be strange indeed if they easily forgot it. But the most solemn and impressive lesson was given in connection with the above text. Mt. Ebal was a sharp-pointed, rocky mountain or hill in Judea, about eight hundred feet high; and this was set apart for cursing. Now, let the youthful reader imagine all the host of Israel gathered in the plain between this and Mt. Gerizim; the Levites, as speaking for God, with a loud voice say, “Cursed be he that setteth light by his father or his mother.” A moment’s silence, and all that vast assemblage with united voice respond, “Amen!” Do you think a child who had once been witness to this scene would ever forget it? But God’s “commandments stand fast forever,” the Psalmist says; and he is as much displeased to-day as he ever was at “disobedience to parents.” Reader; Do you “set light” by your father or your mother? Do you ever disregard their authority? Do you in any wise dishonor them by your actions? Are you not afraid of the curse? If you repent and come with humble faith through the Lord Jesus, you may be forgiven. But, “except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.”