The Virtues Enjoined of Subordinates

The virtues of subordinates to superiors are the following:

First, they must be honored. This includes:

(1)Having respect for superiors as having been placed over them by God. “Esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake” (1 Thess 5:13).

(2) Subjection to them as being subject to God. “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God (Rom 13:1).

(3) The obligation of paying homage to them in words and gestures, doing so either by bowing, the uncovering of one’s head, or in a different manner—all according to the custom of the land.

Secondly, they must be loved—not only as fellow men, but also relative to that relationship. Even if the person is not lovable and behaves himself unworthy of either love or esteem, he must nevertheless be loved in that relationship as having been placed over us. It is the ordinance of God to love them—it pleases God, and it is also very beneficial.

Thirdly, there must be faithfulness in maintaining the relationship to the superior in all that this relationship mandates.

(1) As much as possible, we as subordinates must preserve their belongings and give diligence that they be not wasted due to our carelessness.

(2) We must render every service which this relationship toward the superior requires. “Not purloining, but showing all good fidelity” (Titus 2:10).

(3) We must support our superiors according to our ability or as far as the relationship obligates us to do so. “But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to show piety at home, and to requite their parents” (1 Tim 5:4). David did this (1 Sam 22:3), as well as the Lord Jesus (John 19:26).

(4) We must promote the honor of our superiors, and not tolerate their being despised.

Fourthly, we must obey them; that is, comply with their orders and diligently execute them. “My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother” (Prov 1:8); “Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh” (Col 3:22). This is not only true when their government is gentle and good-natured (as it ought to be), but also when they are froward and cruel. If superiors commit evil, they are accountable. The subordinate must, however, be obedient—not only because this is right and desirable, but also because the superior demands this, his injunction being regulative for the subordinate. “Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward” (1 Pet 2:18). There is only the following exception: If they command what is contrary to God’s law, one may not obey them. Then the direction of Peter is in force: “Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye” (Acts 4:19).

Fifthly, we must have patience with their weaknesses. They are people, and for the most part are without grace. They give offense, live ungodly lives, and do not behave themselves well toward subordinates. We must pity them for this and pray for them. The latter is particularly true of those who fear the Lord. “Despise not thy mother when she is old” (Prov 23:22). To mock with them is the work of Ham (Gen 9:22, 25).

The Sins Prohibited

The sins against this commandment can easily be deduced from the commanded virtues by defining the contrary. We shall briefly add them here.

The sins of superiors to subordinates are the following:

First, they sin when they render despicable the station to which they have been appointed by means of evil and tyrannical conduct, by a careless neglect of duty, by an ungodly life, or by unrighteously taking advantage of subordinates.

Secondly, they sin when they hate their subordinates, have a hostile disposition toward them, treat them cruelly and as slaves, conduct themselves as if the subordinates merely exist for them, to do their bidding, and conduct themselves proudly and arrogantly toward them.

Thirdly, they sin when they give an evil example, are disobedient toward those who have been placed over them, speak evil of them, and despise them. This will cause their subordinates to follow in their footsteps and also deal likewise with them. They sin when they do not perform their duty toward others and yet strictly demand that others perform their duty toward them.

Fourthly, they sin when they do not seek the advantage of their subordinates, but rather their own, utilizing them in such a manner as if they but serve their superiors to help them to gain honor, money, and profit—getting as much out of them as they can in demanding: give, give.

Fifthly, they sin when they do not care about the welfare of their subordinates, allowing them to go on without any instruction, exhortation, and rebuke; when they allow them to grow up without restraint, and do not care for the physical and spiritual welfare of the children and servants.

Sixthly, they sin when they mete out severe and cruel punishments to their subordinates for their weaknesses—even the most insignificant weaknesses. They do so not for their benefit, but because they are of the opinion that their own dignity and respect have been violated—as if they were God and everyone must bow before them. If they are but injured in the least, their wrath arises in order to vindicate themselves.

The sins of subordinates toward their superiors are the following: Obedience, lack of causes problems

First, they sin when they have no esteem in their heart for their superiors, despising them, not willingly submitting to them, and are impolite, sullen, and conduct themselves contemptuously toward them. “How shall this man save us? And they despised him, and brought him no presents” (1 Sam 10:27).

Secondly, they sin when they are inwardly opposed to and have an aversion for their superiors. This can be the result of the superior being too insignificant in their eyes—as is true for some children who, having advanced somewhat in the world, are ashamed of their parents, do not want to see them, wishing that they were either far away or dead. This can also occur when a superior makes himself hateful by pride, miserliness, drunkenness, or other sins, and because subordinates desire to be the master themselves.

Thirdly, they sin when they are unfaithful; that is, when they do not take care of the belongings of their parents—such as when they foolishly waste or neglect money or clothing. They sin when they secretly rob them of something delightful, or deprive them of other things, as if they had more liberty to do this than when stealing from others. “Whoso robbeth his father or his mother, and saith, It is no transgression; the same is the companion of a destroyer” (Prov 28:24). They sin when they are lazy and lax in learning to read, write, or in learning a trade; or else when they make no effort to help their father and mother earn a living and keep the family solvent. To this also belongs involvement in fraudulent transactions—generally referred to as smuggling—whereby one, as much as possible, renders the government incapable of promoting the general good of the nation.

Fourthly, they sin when they are disobedient, not acknowledging the fact that God has given their superiors a position over them, but reject this. This is manifested by resisting this reality, not doing what the superiors command, doing what they forbid, grumbling, talking back, arguing, and wanting to withdraw from the duty of obedience. It can furthermore be manifested by wishing to compel superiors not to give certain orders, by wishing to dominate them, and by compelling the superior to do as it pleases the subordinate.

Fifthly, they sin when they mock with their superiors, or ridicule them when they see their weaknesses, are rancorous and chagrined, grumbling and snapping when they find fault in them—or, when they are of the opinion that their superior does not conduct himself correctly and wisely, imagining that it ought to be otherwise.

Consider all this together and observe all who are comprehended in the words “father and mother.” Consider in which subordinate and/or superior relationship you are to others. Consider furthermore the duties of superiors toward subordinates and of subordinates toward superiors, and then examine yourself as to how you have conducted yourself to any who are superior to you, and how you have conducted yourself toward those who are in a subordinate relationship to you. Consider your sins, humble yourself concerning them, and seek forgiveness. Be stirred up to order your way in the future in harmony with this commandment. To that end there needs to be a vivid reflection upon the incentive conjoined to this commandment.

The Incentive Conjoined to this Commandment

The incentive added to this commandment is as follows: “… that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee” (Exod 20:12). Death, which is unnatural, has come upon the human race, and even though for believers it is not a punishment for sin, they must nevertheless all die. Life itself is a blessing, and therefore a longer life is a further blessing. Life is desirable, and no one delights in death. The longer one lives, the longer he enjoys that which is delightful. “What man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days, that he may see good” (Ps 34:12).

Objection: Is it not better to be in heaven than upon earth? Is an early death therefore not better for the godly? How can the promise of a long life then be desirable?

Answer: First, there is no distinction here between an eternal, felicitous life and temporal life, but between death and life. Secondly, a believer can perform many things upon earth which are subservient to the glory of God and the welfare of both the church and other people. No one can do this in heaven and the saints were therefore very desirous to live, saying, “For in death there is no remembrance of Thee: in the grave who shall give Thee thanks” (Ps 6:5). From this perspective a long life is a blessing. Thirdly, one must not only apply the blessing of a long life to individual persons, but also to a family—that is, each in his tribe and the nation in general. Israel would thus remain long in Canaan, each nation in its own land, and every tribe would continue its lineal descent.

The lengthening of days is not only promised, but there is also added: in the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee. This refers to a long and peaceful life in one’s own land in contrast to exile and banishment outside of the homeland. For Israel, this land was Canaan—a fruitful and delightful piece of land which God had promised to Abraham and his seed. Israel had to occupy this land because the Messiah had to be born there. For every believer, however, it is that country which is his homeland or the country of his residence. This is according to Paul’s testimony: “That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth” (Eph 6:3). It is a blessing to live long and peacefully in one’s own country. “The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness” (Prov 16:31).

Exhortation to Superiors

You, therefore, who have been placed over others, be diligent to conduct yourself well, in harmony with this commandment.

(1) The names “father” and “mother” necessitate this, amiably and efficaciously obligating you to do so.

(2) Nature teaches that a superior ought to engage his entire person and ability for the benefit of his subordinates. Go to the animals and they will teach you; go to the heathen and they will convince you.

(3) God has given you an honorable position for that purpose and adorned you with this glory.

(4) You will have to give an account to God for your government, and if you have been unfaithful, the damnation of subordinates will certainly be required from your hands in the day of judgment.

(5) However, if you are faithful, a blessing will come upon your children and upon others who are in subordination to you. How sweet it will be to be able to say on the last day, “Behold, here am I and the children whom the Lord has given me!”

Exhortation to Children and Subordinates

And you children, and all who are in a subordinate position to others—see to it that you neither grieve nor cause your parents, and those who have been placed over you, to groan due to your disobedience and opposition, for:

First, it is a dreadful sin, a sin associated with the most ungodly times. “In thee have they set light by father and mother” (Ezek 22:7); “For the son dishonoureth the father, the daughter riseth up against her mother, the daughter in law against her mother in law; a man’s enemies are the men of his own house” (Mic 7:6); “… disobedient to parents” (Rom 1:30; cf. 2 Tim 3:2). It is an assault upon God, human society, and is contrary to nature—so that it is the most abominable of all abominations, even being repulsive in a natural sense.

Secondly, such persons will not escape the wrath of God. Hear the threatenings which God pronounces upon them. They do not only subject themselves to the curse pronounced upon all transgressors of the law, but these specific judgments will also come upon such: “Whoso curseth his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in obscure darkness” (Prov 20:20); “The eye that mocketh at his father, and despiseth to obey his mother, the ravens of the valley shall pick it out, and the young eagles shall eat it” (Prov 30:17). This means that they will come upon the gallows. “Cursed be he that setteth light by his father or his mother. And all the people shall say, Amen” (Deut 27:16). They will be cursed both here and forever.

Thirdly, consider the following examples: There is Ham, whose son Canaan and all his descendants were cursed by God (Gen 9:22, 25); there is Reuben, who was rejected from the right of the firstborn and whose tribe was the first to be eradicated (Gen 49:3-4); the sons of Eli, who perished miserably (1 Sam 4:11); Absalom, who was killed in a frightful manner in battle and was buried with contempt under a heap of stones (2 Sam 18:14, 17); and there are the forty-two children who mocked Elisha and were torn apart by bears (2 Kings 2:24).

Final Incentives Given for Obedience

Just as we must be deterred from these sins by prior judgments, we must, nevertheless, not be satisfied with refraining from evil. Rather, with our whole heart we must endeavor to honor and obey father and mother, and all who have been placed over us—each in their own rank. Consider to that end:

First, the express command of God—the majestic, glorious, sovereign, all-knowing, and righteous Lawgiver—who is able to save and destroy. You neither sin against men only, nor are disobedient to men only, but you do so against God Himself.

Secondly, take notice of the authority with which God has vested father, mother, and all superiors. Yes, consider it to be a reflection of God’s majesty, and let this motivate you to be respectful and willing to joyously honor and obey them.

Thirdly, consider the love, care, and labor which they expend, in order that all may be well with you. Consider the joy and delight which they experience when you conduct yourself well toward them, and their sorrow and grief if you despise them and are disobedient to them. If there is therefore a spark of natural love in you, you will be motivated to honor and obey them.

Fourthly, meditate much upon the blessings which the Lord bestows upon obedient children. Shem and Japheth were blessed by the Lord because they honored their father, and it was promised to them that the church and the means of grace would be among their children (Gen 9:26-27). The following remarkable text ought to be imprinted in the hearts of all children, and parents ought to make them memorize it in their youth: “And Jeremiah said unto the house of the Rechabites, Thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel; because ye have obeyed the commandment of Jonadab your father, and kept all his precepts, and done according unto all that he hath commanded you: therefore thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel; Jonadab the son of Rechab shall not want a man to stand before Me for ever” (Jer 35:18-19).