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A Spiritual Lesson In Toon Language: Lesson 59b (V-VI)

Topic: The Ten Commandments: V-VI

Series: The Simpsons, The Smurfs, DuckTales, Forensic Files

Episodes: Old Money, Homer And Ned's Hail Mary Pass (The Simpsons), Fuzzle Trouble (Smurfs), Hero for Hire (DuckTales), Out of Ashes (Forensic Files)

Lesson PDF links:
Honor Thy Father and Mother
Thou Shalt Not commit Murder

Commandment # 5: Honor Thy Father And Mother

This commandment is found in Exodus 20: 12

Exo 20:12 "Honor your father and your mother so that you may live long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you.

What does this commandment mean to you?

This sounds like it is open to interpretation, but it isn't.

Our parents are usually our best teachers and love us the most. They also are much older and might need help as they age from somewhere and a lot of times, their children are to be their greatest helpers.

Take a look though at this cartoon clip from 'Old Money' from The Simpsons.

Simpsons: Old Money, Direct link for video/webm

What do you see in this clip?

The Simpson family take Grampa (Homer's Dad) to the liquor store for a Sunday activity. This is very boring to him and complains rightfully (not much of a trip), then behind Grampa's back they start talking about his old man smell as people call it and Homer joins in.

What do you think of this way of talking about someone like a parent?

The opening of this episode is absolutely hilarious with them talking like that, however there is profound truth here. Old parents are sometimes thought of as burdensome if the heart of caregivers (like children) aren't right. Rightfully so, this is a shame and we have to learn to ask God's help with this or we can easily fall into breaking this seemingly seldom thought of commandment in these days. To remind us of what is right here, there are a few of scripture passages to look at.

These are found in Proverbs 19: 26, 20: 20, 23: 22

Pro 19:26 Whoever mistreats his father and alienates his mother is a son who brings both shame and disrespect.

Pro 20:20 Whoever curses his father or mother, his lamp will be extinguished in the deepest darkness.

Pro 23:22 Listen to the one who fathered you, and don't despise your mother in her old age.

I would think that neglect is hateful and yes, a kind of curse. These scriptures all talk about having good tight relations with a parent/child family. It's interesting that the last scripture talks only about listening to the father with the talk of hate of a parent in old age only centering around the mother. I think that this by default would cover both parents due to the context of the scriptures.

We are also going to talk about wanton disrespect as well.

If we look at the last part of the account of Noah, it's interesting. This scripture is found in Genesis 9: 18-29

Gen 9:18 Noah's sons who came out of the ark were Shem, Ham, and Japheth. (Ham later fathered Canaan.)

Gen 9:19 These three were Noah's sons, and from these men the whole earth was re-populated.

Gen 9:20 Noah, a man of the soil, was the first to plant and farm a vineyard.

Gen 9:21 He drank some of the wine, got drunk, and lay down naked right in the middle of his tent.

Gen 9:22 Ham, who fathered Canaan, saw his father's genitals and told his two brothers outside.

Gen 9:23 Then Shem and Japheth took their father's cloak, laid it across both their shoulders, and walking backwards, they both covered their father's genitals. Their faces were turned away, and they did not see their father's genitals.

Gen 9:24 When Noah sobered up and learned what his youngest son had done to him,

Gen 9:25 he said, "Canaan is cursed! He will be the lowest of slaves to his relatives."

Gen 9:26 He also said, "Blessed be the LORD God of Shem, and may Canaan be his slave.

Gen 9:27 May God make room for Japheth; may God live in Shem's tents, and may Canaan serve him."

Gen 9:28 Noah lived 350 years after the flood.

Gen 9:29 After Noah had lived a total of 950 years, he died.

At first, this doesn't appear to be that big of a deal that Ham saw his father like that, until you realize that in Jewish culture, it was really shameful to look.

A couple of friends of mine thought that the real shame was staring and possibly making fun and telling the brothers about it in the form of a joke. I don't know necessarily where the sin literally is except an educated guess, but I tend to agree. Because of committing a sin of disrespect, Ham's lineage was ruined which is the penalty for the sin of dishonoring his parent. Ham's bloodline would be tainted with enmity towards Israel and vice- versa. Canaan would found a land that would ultimately be taken away and given to God's chosen people and then become a slave to the other bloodlines' descendants.

Disrespecting parents can ultimately ruin the chance for an otherwise good inheritance and God's blessing of success.

What do you think of Marge's reaction?

Marge at first seems to brush Grampa off too, but then tries to gently correct the family by reminding Homer that they will be old some day and they may need to set a good example. I think this is wonderful and a good reminder of what should be done in reaction to this kind of a lack of respect.

The next thing we want to look at is obedience to a parent's teaching.

Let's look at 'Fuzzle Trouble' from The Smurfs.

Smurfs: Fuzzle Trouble, Direct link for video/webm

What do you see in this cartoon?

Clumsy doesn't obey Papa Smurf's sound teaching. Why?

You have to understand that these Fuzzles are adorable and cute and they seem to really love who they are with, but they can really eat; they leave the Smurfs with virtually nothing, not to mention it was only one Fuzzle. The reason Papa Smurf wanted obedience and understanding was clear after the fact; Fuzzles are born pregnant. They multiply like crazy just by eating enough. This is a disaster that could have been avoided if Clumsy would've trusted Papa Smurf. How could things have been better?

One of the things that parents don't do sometimes is give reasons for their orders which causes the kids to see what happens. If Papa Smurf would have just said why Fuzzles were big trouble, Clumsy possibly wouldn't have brought one home. Brainy didn't help with his usual double standards, so if he wasn't encouraging in a way after receiving affection and not stopping Clumsy bringing one home, then this may not have happened either. Brainy, of course wants to look good so he more than willingly talks about reminding the others about the orders, then plays the blame game by making a big deal about it instead of coming up with ideas.

This is of course, presuming that parents won't steer children wrong, but this is sadly not always the case. What happens then?

Watch this clip from DuckTales called 'Hero For Hire.'

DuckTales: Hero For Hire, Direct link for video/webm

Ma Beagle says she raised her kids to have good qualities, but to use all that intellect to steal; this makes those qualities bad ones as she raised her kids to steal and is proud of it. These kids are honoring their parent in the wrong way.

God doesn't want us to follow bad doctrine from anyone including parents (Including and especially from someone like Ma Beagle), obedience isn't good when it doesn't lead to God's kingdom.

A good scripture to remember is Ephesians 6: 1-4

Eph 6:1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is the right thing to do.

Eph 6:2 "Honor your father and mother..." (This is a very important commandment with a promise.)

Eph 6:3 "...so that it may go well for you, and that you may have a long life on the earth."

Eph 6:4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up by training and instructing them about the Lord.

Ma Beagle isn't righteous and therefore should never be followed, but sadly parents raise their children to actually do ungodly things all too often in real life (just like Ma Beagle).

What if a child has to make a choice between God and parents?

Mat 10:34 "Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword!

Mat 10:35 I came to turn 'a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in- law against her mother-in-law.

Mat 10:36 A person's enemies will include members of his own family.'

Mat 10:37 "The one who loves his father or mother more than me isn't worthy of me, and the one who loves a son or daughter more than me isn't worthy of me.

Mat 10:38 The one who doesn't take up his cross and follow me isn't worthy of me.

Mat 10:39 The one who finds his life will lose it, and the one who loses his life because of me will find it."

Following Jesus a lot of times will not bring family support but the cold reality of hatred towards your mission or the family trying to be a stumbling block towards it.

We should and must choose God's way, so if it comes time to do literal work for Him and a parent becomes needy, the first line of defense is prayer in faith that everything about the parent goes well. It is also likely wise to make sure the parent is taken care of by someone dependable so this work can be done effectively without much thought about other matters even if they are very important.

We are always marching closer to the "End Of Days" as the Bible puts it and we have to be ready to face another cold reality, that being disrespecting of parents and other sins like it will get much more frequent and grotesque.

Look at this scripture passage in Mark 13: 5-13; II Timothy 4: 1-5

Mar 13:3 As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives facing the Temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew were asking him privately,

Mar 13:4 "Tell us, when will these things happen, and what will be the sign when these things will be put into effect?"

Mar 13:5 Jesus began to say to them, "See to it that no one deceives you.

Mar 13:6 Many will come in my name and say, 'I AM,' and they will deceive many people.

Mar 13:7 But when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, stop being alarmed. These things must take place, but the end hasn't come yet,

Mar 13:8 because nation will rise up in arms against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes and famines in various places. These things are only the beginning of the birth pains."

Mar 13:9 "As for yourselves, be on your guard! People will hand you over to local councils, and you will be beaten in their synagogues. You will stand before governors and kings to testify to them because of me.

Mar 13:10 But first, the gospel must be proclaimed to all nations.

Mar 13:11 "When they take you away and hand you over for trial, don't worry ahead of time about what you will say. Instead, say whatever is given to you at that time, because it won't be you speaking, but the Holy Spirit.

Mar 13:12 Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child. Children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death.

Mar 13:13 You will be hated continuously by everyone because of my name. But the person who endures to the end will be saved."

2Ti 4:1 In the presence of God and the Messiah Jesus, who is going to judge those who are living and those who are dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I solemnly appeal to you

2Ti 4:2 to proclaim the message. Be ready to do this whether or not the time is convenient. Refute, warn, and encourage with the utmost patience when you teach.

2Ti 4:3 For the time will come when people will not tolerate healthy doctrine, but with itching ears will surround themselves with teachers who cater to their people's own desires.

2Ti 4:4 They will refuse to listen to the truth and will turn to myths.

2Ti 4:5 But you must be clear-headed about everything. Endure suffering. Do the work of an evangelist. Devote yourself completely to your ministry.

What if a parent(s) is/are abusive, what then?

A good scripture to look at here is Matthew 6: 14- 15

Mat 6:14

Because if you forgive people their offenses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.

Mat 6:15 But if you do not forgive people their offenses, your Father will not forgive your offenses."

It looks to me that forgiveness is necessary for the honor that we are talking about to happen. Kids may have to be the example to the parent instead of the other way around. This sounds tough and is indeed.

We also have to understand that the honor we are talking about is good practice for giving God the respect and honor that He deserves as well. If we do what we are supposed to do with a righteous heart, we will surely have God's promise of blessing on our lives and beyond--long life in the land that God is giving us. Remember, God's kingdom is eternal.

Commandment # 6: Murder

This commandment is found in Exodus 20: 13

Exo 20:13 "You are not to murder.

What is murder? This is the intentional or wanton killing of an individual. The person who commits such an act can be intending this or is involved in an activity that he/she knows better than to be involved in an activity that can be taken as "asking for it"--This includes driving drunk or not thinking about the consequences of shooting a gun when angry.

A lot of times, a murderer regardless of method (be it guns, poison, hands etc.) don't think of the consequences of killing including loss of life, prison etc.

The first murder biblically recorded was Abel; his murderer, named Cain was angry and envious. The combination of these two emotions a lot of times produce hate and then the physical murder.

In our cartoon study, we will see a couple of clips from The Simpsons episode "Homer And Ned's Hail Mary Pass."

Let's see the first clip.

Simpsons: Homer And Ned's Hail Mary Pass (clip #1), Direct link for video/webm

What do you see in this clip?

Ned instructs his kids to act out this epic account. Rod acts as Cain and Todd acts as Abel. Ned instructs Rod to "kill your brother" and then this evidently looks too real to Todd who is frightened. There is no sin here as this is an act for a movie, and thus doesn't break a commandment; but this does show that even an act can look like the real thing.

Let's see the next clip.

Simpsons: Homer And Ned's Hail Mary Pass (clip #2), Direct link for video/webm

What do you see in this clip?

This is a very realistic film for this account that Ned produced for all of his fellow church members. There is some unrelated newspaper things in there (Ned was probably trying subliminal messaging), but it was very well done for the most part-- murder does make the devil happy. There is, of course a lot of artistic license for Ned here as some of the movie shows discrepancies to scripture. For example, Cain's sacrifice was not dead and stinking cats and dogs or other animals (might as well have been), Ned (playing Adam no doubt) declared the sentence not a God character, Cain actually talked to God about the mark he was receiving which didn't happen in the film and the "Mark Of Evil" mentioned wasn't a detached eyeball (but was probably just as obvious and possibly just as ugly).

Now, we will talk about the scripture referenced here. The account of the murder is found in Genesis 4: 1-16

Gen 4:1 Later, Adam had sexual relations with his wife Eve. She became pregnant and gave birth to Cain. She said, "I have given birth to a male child with the LORD."

Gen 4:2 She also gave birth to his brother Abel. Abel shepherded flocks and Cain became a farmer.

Gen 4:3 Later, Cain brought an offering to the LORD from the fruit that he had harvested,

Gen 4:4 while Abel offered the best parts of some of the firstborn from his flock. The LORD looked favorably upon Abel and his offering,

Gen 4:5 but he did not look favorably upon Cain and his offering. When Cain became very upset and depressed,

Gen 4:6 the LORD asked Cain, "Why are you so upset? Why are you depressed?

Gen 4:7 If you do what is appropriate, you'll be accepted, won't you? But if you don't do what is appropriate, sin is crouching near your doorway, turning toward you. However, you must take dominion over it."

Gen 4:8 Instead, Cain told his brother Abel, "Let's go out to the wilderness." When they were outside in the fields, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him.

Gen 4:9 Later, the LORD asked Cain, "Where's your brother Abel?" "I don't know," he answered. "Am I my brother's guardian?"

Gen 4:10 "What did you do?" God asked. "Your brother's blood cries out to me from the ground.

Gen 4:11 Now you're more cursed than the ground, which has opened to receive your brother's blood from your hand.

Gen 4:12 Whenever you work the ground, it will no longer yield its produce to you, and you'll wander throughout the earth as a fugitive."

Gen 4:13 "My punishment is too great to bear," Cain told the LORD.

Gen 4:14 "You're driving me from the soil today. I'll be hidden from you, and I'll wander throughout the earth as a fugitive. In the future, whoever finds me will kill me."

Gen 4:15 The LORD told him, "This won't happen, because whoever kills you will suffer seven times the vengeance." Then the LORD placed a sign on Cain so that no one finding him would kill him.

Gen 4:16 After this, Cain left the presence of the LORD and settled in the land of Nod, east of Eden.

Ned plays the devil here (as a lot of times he does in this series) and says that the mark was "The Mark Of Evil", in actuality it probably says something like "This Is A Dead Man Walking-- Cursed Of God, Do Not Kill"

In our cartoon, we see that Cain is vilified and rightfully so, however, the account goes farther than the murder as God wasn't really done with Cain.

Let's look at Genesis 4: 17-26

Gen 4:17 Later, Cain had sexual relations with his wife. She became pregnant and gave birth to Enoch. Cain founded a city and named it after his son Enoch.

Gen 4:18 Irad was born to Enoch. Irad fathered Mehujael, and Mehujael fathered Methushael, and Methushael fathered Lamech.

Gen 4:19 Later, Lamech married two wives. One was named Adah and the other was named Zillah.

Gen 4:20 Adah gave birth to Jabal, who became the ancestor of those who live in tents and herd livestock.

Gen 4:21 His brother was named Jubal; he became the ancestor of all those who play the lyre and the flute.

Gen 4:22 Zillah gave birth to Tubal-cain, who became a forger of bronze and iron work. Tubal- cain's sister was Naamah.

Gen 4:23 Lamech told his wives, "Adah and Zillah, listen to what I have to say: You wives of Lamech, hear what I'm announcing! I've killed a man for wounding me, a young man for bruising me.

Gen 4:24 For if Cain is being avenged seven times, then Lamech will be avenged 77 times."

Gen 4:25 Later on, after Adam had sexual relations with his wife, she gave birth to a son and named him Seth, because "God granted me another offspring to replace Abel, since Cain murdered him."

Gen 4:26 Seth also fathered a son, whom he named Enosh. At that time, profaning the name of the LORD began.

This scripture passage mentions both Enoch and Lamech. These don't seem to be the same as Adam's bloodline mentioned in chapter 5 (not shown) that ends up producing Noah. I do want to say that Cain had a wife and kids; these kids produced ancestors that started the trades of shepherding and musicians (flute and lyre). This means that there probably wasn't a real curse on the kids at all--just Cain, who wouldn't succeed much more if any by a lot of standards. Cain was able to have success in making a family that would at least somewhat have the blessings he wouldn't. God was actually merciful to Cain.

We don't know what happened to Cain, as the scriptures say he roamed the earth as a fugitive from then on and the cartoon take on it says he lives forever roaming and being a fugitive. Personally, I believe Cain did die, the scriptures aren't clear except our 1 John 3 scripture passage, which is shortly later in this lesson, is written in past tense concerning Cain. One thing is clear though, Cain wasn't righteous.

God did prevent Cain from being killed himself for a purpose--to show judgment, but some mercy as well. We just have to pray that God teaches us by this account of Cain Vs. Abel that murder is not the way to go to solve anything.

We need to remember this scripture that is widely used to teach as well about this.

Let's look at 1 John 3: 11-15

1Jn 3:11 This is the message that you have heard from the beginning: We should love one another.

1Jn 3:12 Do not be like Cain, who was from the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because what he was doing was evil and his brother's actions were righteous.

1Jn 3:13 So do not be surprised, brothers, if the world hates you.

1Jn 3:14 We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love one another. The person who does not love remains spiritually dead.

1Jn 3:15 Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life present in him.

Watch out for any emotion that would be even close to an envious rage because it can produce many bad fruits including murder. It is better to talk about emotions to prevent hate from appearing or if absolutely necessary to avoid situations like this by walking away while your ahead. Hate also sometimes prevents repentance as well. Even after a murder happens and it's too late to do anything about it, sometimes the hate is so strong that the murderer actually enjoyed the experience and would do it again to anyone that would cross him/her wrong again. Sometimes people murder another literally for the "fun" of it. This feels to me like possible demon possession and is very serious if God doesn't break through somehow.

There is a series called Forensic Files and is one of my favorite crime shows on TV. I am going to show a couple of clips from an episode called "Out Of The Ashes" to show the point that I am making about remorse or lack thereof.

Forensic Files: Out Of The Ashes (clip #1), Direct link for video/webm

What do you see?

This shows the method and reasoning behind this kind of murder. Kehoe wanted what he wanted and was angry when he didn't get it.

Let's see the last clip together.

Forensic Files: Out Of The Ashes (clip #2), Direct link for video/webm

What do you see in this clip?

It looks like with the items bought at the store Kehoe would have killed Rose anyway regardless. This was a planned attack and murder.

The reenactment here is dramatic. This murder troubled the lesser party (Bill Brown). We don't know if he is sorry (repenting to God--as Bill says he is not religious), but he was scared and had every reason to be. I don't think it looks like Bill wanted the killing and appears to be remorseful of ever being around Kehoe. The drug trade that Brown shared with Kehoe (not shown in these clips) contributed to the environment that led up to this murder. Hopefully, Brown was scared straight enough to stay away from the drug trade and people like John Ortiz-Kehoe

As for John Kehoe, it doesn't look like he was remorseful at all as he was laughing about the verdict in a mocking way at the judge and jury.

As for the mother of Rose, she is biblically a murderer because we can see that she hates Kehoe and wants him to die a brutal death if someone kills him. Even if Kehoe died of natural causes she looks to be wanting him to die slowly and painfully. There is no forgiveness in her heart.

Look at Matthew 6: 14-15

Mat 6:14 Because if you forgive people their offenses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.

Mat 6:15 But if you do not forgive people their offenses, your Father will not forgive your offenses."

Look at Matthew 5: 21-22 (NIV)

21 'You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, "You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment."

22 But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, "Raca," is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, "You fool!" will be in danger of the fire of hell.

Hatred is a very strong emotion that needs to be given over to God fast in order to have a relationship with Him. Hopefully, everyone involved will be better people eventually and repent--this would reconcile everyone to God regardless of the physical consequence of the loss of life and in the case of Kehoe, life in prison.

Murder is as they say, "playing god"; we can't undo the loss of life that violating this commandment brings. We always need to remember this.