—C.
Rewards of filial piety.
We have an instance here. Literally, the promise annexed to the commandment, "Honour thy father," etc; was fulfilled; for their "days were long in the land which the Lord their God gave them." Now—
I. THERE ARE SUCH REWARDS.
1. Promised in God's Word (cf. passim).
2. Visible in happy home life.
3. Perpetuated in prosperous communities, nations, etc.
4. Sanctioned by the laws of nature, of man, and of God.
II. THEY ARE THE PRODUCTS AND PROOFS OF THE LOVE OF GOD TO MAN. Hence:
1. The heart of the parent is filled with love to his children.
2. This love leads to desire earnestly the child's well being.
3. To secure this, God has given
III. THE GREAT EXEMPLAR OF SUCH PIETY. Our Lord Jesus Christ. "I do always," he said, "those things which please my Father." As God is the realization of perfect fatherhood, so is the Lord Jesus Christ the embodiment of perfect sonship. That sonship was tested and tried as no human sonship ever can be, and it never failed, even under the pressure of the agony, the cross, the seeming abandonment. In him, therefore, we see our Model, and in his exaltation now our reward.—C.