God’s Image Study • Commandment 5: Father and Mother
Honoring a relationship requires recognizing it. Our examination of Father and Mother therefore includes how we hear, what we see, and whether our expectations prevent us from receiving what God reveals.
Knowing someone’s outward circumstances does not necessarily mean we understand the work taking place through them.
Knowing the Family, Yet Missing the Source
In John 6, people question Jesus’ statement that he came down from heaven because they know him as Joseph’s son and know his father and mother.
Jesus responds by directing attention to the Father who draws people to him. He connects coming to him with hearing and learning from the Father. Read John 6:41–45.
Their familiarity with his family had become part of their objection. Jesus directs them toward a relationship their objection had not accounted for.
Recognition must remain open to what God makes known beyond what we assume we already understand.
Hearing Words of Life
Later in the chapter, Jesus identifies the Spirit as giving life and describes his words as spirit and life.
Many disciples leave. Peter responds by recognizing that Jesus has words of eternal life. The same teaching produces different responses among those who hear it. Read John 6:60–69.
Do we remain willing to listen when instruction challenges an established expectation?
Return to the Source: Moses Before Jehovah
Paul’s discussion of the veil draws upon Exodus:
“But when Moses went in before Jehovah to speak with him, he took the veil off”
— Exodus 34:34, ASV, excerpt
The name matters. Moses goes before Jehovah—YHWH (יהוה). He then returns to the people with the instruction he has received.
The account preserves the source, the bearer, and those who hear. Moses’ shining face follows his speaking with God. Read Exodus 34:29–35, ASV.
The Veil and the Heart
Paul carries that account into an examination of reading and understanding:
“but whenever a person turns to the LORD, the veil is taken away.”
— 2 Corinthians 3:16, LSB
The LSB prints LORD here and identifies the Old Testament reference as YHWH (יהוה), pointing to Exodus 34:34. Keeping that reference visible prevents the title from obscuring the name in the source passage.
Paul continues the same discussion in verses 17–18, connecting the Lord, the Spirit, freedom, unveiled faces, and transformation into the same image. Verse 14 also names Christ in connection with the veil being brought to an end.
We must read these relationships together: the Exodus foundation concerns (Jehovah) YHWH (יהוה), and Paul develops its significance through Christ and the Spirit. We should not silently replace every occurrence of “Lord” with “Jesus.” Read 2 Corinthians 3:12–18.
This remains part of our God’s Image Study: recognition and transformation involve God’s work within the hearer.
The Son Reveals the Father
Jesus speaks of things hidden from the wise and intelligent and revealed to infants. He identifies the Son’s role in revealing the Father. Read Matthew 11:25–27.
Our study therefore keeps recognition connected with humility and receiving. Knowledge must remain willing to be taught.
As we follow Father and Mother through Scripture, we will preserve the names, roles, voices, and relationships described, allowing the passages together to develop our understanding.
Threads to Follow
Honor with understanding: Gather the relationships examined throughout this commandment.
Names and sources: Follow Old Testament references when New Testament passages use titles.
Love expressed in conduct: Keep recognition connected with listening, nourishment, and care.
Orphans and Widows: Carry forward the questions of presence, protection, and restoration.
The books were opened…
🌿 By Maria Emilia
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