Our Responsibility as Children

"Honor your father and your mother." (Ephesians 6:2; Exodus  20:12) With this simple yet profound quotation from the Hebrew Scriptures, the apostle Paul reminded  children of the responsibility they have toward their parents.  But how do these word apply to caring for the elderly?  A heartwarming example from pre-Christian times will help us answer this question.

For more than 20 years, Joseph had not contact with his elderly father, the patriarch Jacob. However, Joseph had evidently not lost his final love for Jacob. In fact, when Joseph revealed his true identity to his brothers, he asked:  "Is my father still alive?" (Genesis 43:7, 27; 45:3)  At that time, the land of Canaan was in the grip of famine. Thus Joseph sent word to his father, saying:   "Come down to me. Do not delay. And you must dwell in the land of Goshen, and you must continue near me . . . And I will supply you  with food there." (Genesis 45:9-11; 47:12)  Yes, honoring aged parents includes protecting them and providing  for them materially when they are not in a position to care for themselves.  (1 Samuel 22:1-4; John 19:25-27)  Joseph gladly accepted the responsibility.

With Jehovah's blessing, Joseph had become one of Egypt's richest and most powerful men.  (Genesis 41:40)  But he did not consider himself too important or too busy to honor the 130-year-old father. On learning that Jacob or (Israel) was approaching, "Joseph had his chariot made ready and went up to meet Israel his father at Goshen.  When he appeared to him he at once fell upon his neck and gave way to tears  upon his neck again and again." (Genesis 46:18, 29)  This welcome was much more than a formal show of respect. Joseph dearly loved his elderly father and was not ashamed   to demonstrate his lvoe. If we have aging parents, are we similarly unstinting in our expressions of affection for them?  

Jacob's devotion to Jehovah remained strong to the end of his life.  (Hebrews 11:21) Because of his faith in divine promises, Jacob asked that his remains be buried in Canaan. Joseph honored his father by complying with this request, despite the considerable cost and effort involved. -Genesis 47:29-31; 50:7-14.

What motivated Joseph to care for his father? While love and a sense of indebtedness to the one who had given him life and who had nurtured him were factors, Joseph no doubt also felt a keen desire to please Jehovah. So should we. Paul wrote:  "If an widow has children or grandchildren, let these learn first to practice godly devotion in their own household and to keep paying a due compensation to their parents and grandparents, for this is acceptable  in God's sight." (1 Timothy 5:4) Indeed, love for Jehovah and reverential fear of him will move us to care for aging parents, no matter what challenges  doing so may involve? 

Next time: How Elders Show That They Care

From the Watchtower magazine, 2004