proclaiming the gospel to the Jew first and also to the Greek. Shalom and welcome to the Everlasting Nation, a radio ministry of International Board of Jewish Missions. This is Mark Oshman with the International Board of Jewish Missions, bringing you another radio Bible broadcast. We continue with our series about how to rear godly children, as mentioned in the Old Testament. After God, The family unit is the most basic form of authority that a child will encounter. Any failure by parents to train their children properly constitutes a major dereliction of parental duty. A breakdown in that area will result in dire consequences for any society. God deemed parental authority so highly that he included it in the Ten Commandments he gave the Jewish people. Jewish children needed to, quote, honor thy father and thy mother, unquote. This injunction came with a promise, quote, that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee, unquote. Now, the latter phrase might not refer to the compliant individual's lifespan, but rather alludes to the peaceful life such a person would enjoy as a consequence of honoring his father and mother. According to Ephesians chapter 6, Paul instructed the believers at Ephesus to, quote, obey your parents and the Lord, adding, for this is right, unquote. He alluded to the fourth commandment that is, quote, the first commandment with promise, unquote, reiterating that God would bless those who obeyed that admonition. The apostle likewise exhorted fathers to rear their progeny, quote, in the nurture and admonition of the Lord." Solomon understood the importance of teaching children to obey their parents. In the Book of Proverbs, he put forth two axioms which related to parental authority over their children. In the opening chapter of Proverbs, Solomon counseled his son to, quote, hear the instruction of thy father and forsake not the law of thy mother, unquote. If they did so, Solomon promised, quote, they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head and chains about thy neck, unquote. In other words, they would provide honor to the parents. According to Proverbs chapter six, Solomon exhorted his son to, quote, keep thy father's commandment and forsake not the law of thy mother. Bind them continually upon thine heart and tie them about thy neck, unquote. Moreover, Solomon added, quote, when thou goest it shall lead thee, when thou sleepest it shall keep thee, and when thou awakest it shall talk with thee, unquote. Training children to obey their fathers and their mothers comprises an integral element of parental discipline. God prays to Abraham for this, as noted in the 18th chapter of Genesis. God testifying that, quote, I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord, to do justice and judgment, unquote. The effects of Abraham's training manifested themselves in Genesis chapter 22, when Isaac willingly allowed his father to offer him as a burnt offering to God. Jesus Christ's function is the primary example of someone who submitted to parental authority, regarding God the Father in that light. In the second chapter of Luke's Gospel, that writer remarked that, quote, he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was subject unto them, unquote. A reference, of course, to Jesus Christ. The author continued by observing that, quote, Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man, unquote. During his life on earth, the Savior showed himself to be an obedient son, one who was blessed of his heavenly Father. This is Mark Oshman with the International Board of Jewish Missions, presenting another Radio Bible broadcast. You've been listening to The Everlasting Nation, a ministry of International Board of Jewish Missions. For more information, you can contact us at 423-876-8150 or go online to ibjm.org. Until next time, may God bless and shalom.