Here the order commonly followed in Scripture is reversed. Some think this an accident, the words in some way transposed. But doubtless God intended it this way. This in no way detracts from the dignity and position of the father, but it does emphasize the fact that mothers are not forgotten by God, and should not be by man.

 In too many homes due honor is not given the mother. Perhaps she fails to occupy her rightful place and exert the positive, constructive influence that she should. She may lower her authority in the mind of the child by telling him that father will make him obey when he comes home, thus harming the child. A mother who habitually shirks her responsibility in this way would do well to study the situation, to seek the cause for her own failure, and then take steps to rectify matters. The commandment reads, “Honour thy father and thy mother” (Ex. 20:12).

The fourth and fifth commandments, here named, are the two positive commandments of the law. Both inculcate reverence and respect for authority.

 This statement is repeated many times in the chapter (vs. 4, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 25, 28, 30, 31, 32, 34, 36, 37).