Reverent rebellion: Why children have the right to control adults from beneath

Many parents think they are top dog over their children, meaning in charge. Most parents in the United States want compliant children, meaning children that sit like a dog on command. The Bible is written to a context that encourages a certain type of family contention called reverent rebellion - parents are in charge of providing, but the reverent rebellion of children keeps the powers that be of parents in check, which are flawed greatly by mankind's depraved sin nature.

It says in Colossians 3:20-21 KJV:

Children, obey your parents in all things, as is well-pleasing unto the Lord. Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they become discouraged.

The Greek root word translated "obey" is υπακουο (Latin: hupakouo) and refers to providing custody of children, which allows for ample rebellion of children. Providing custody was a position of servant and caregiver to a child's lawful and binding demands. Children had every right to demand things from parents, no matter how emphatic or abrupt, in a way that struck fearful, reverent conviction in parents due to the the closeness of relationships. Biblical obedience is based on heeding not the fearful voice of parents, but the reassurance and familiarity of the gentle voice of parents. Children imprint on the voice of their father and mother, and in a secure attachment situation, are automatically called back from wandering away from parents. The Greek root word translated "provoke...to anger" is ερεθιζο (Latin: erethizo) and refers to the offenses in the Bible, namely the torts and damages under the Eighth Commandment, and is summed up as the slightest of offense perceived by a child about entitled behavior from adults, as denoted by the Greek root word πλεονέκτης (Latin: pleonektés) and refers to wanting things from children to the point of seeking to impose said want onto a child. Pro-social entitlement is the other way around, with children expressing righteous entitlement towards children as safe people.

Children in ancient Israel and adjoining cultures were not shoved aside, but were included in society. The accepted contention there was that parents provided for their children selflessly, and children rebelled reverently against parents from day one, with this being allowed to keep the role of parents in check. Jewish culture then was attachment parenting culture, meaning infants up to age 3 were swaddled next to their mother's bosom in skin-to-skin contact with mother, and breastfed constantly, in constant and complete closeness to parents, with closeness lasting late into childhood with co-sleeping and parents allowing children to say whatever they want, and advocate for a need in any way shape or form, no matter how polite or impolite, seeing parents and trusted adults as safe people, running to them for comfort and safety, even in the teen years.

It was understandable for a child to want to rebel against parents, and fathers in particular encouraged it, wanting children to think for themselves, even when studying the Law with fathers. Children knew to be quiet in public, as parents allowed children to get out all their energy beforehand, including by protesting parent denials of things that absolutely won't work. Benign deprivation was seen as too harsh, and in fact alone was a violation of the Law, meaning entitlement leading to theft. Striking a child definitely was. Laws against striking or rebelling against parents only applied, in practice, to adult children, meaning a 4-year-old that struck her mother was not put to death. A 44-year-old man would definitely have been, if he was caught in the act and rebuked about it beforehand. 

Parents were seen as physical outlets and even punching bags for child upset and frustration, being a safe deposit box for every emotional upset and fear, with parents listening safely. Children then were fully accepted by their parents, and when this happens, parents have reverence for their child, to the point of righteous terror in inadequate times, striving to please children righteously by providing for them, supplying their every demand.

The depraved and entitled parents who provoke children to anger through punishment or permissiveness will not inherit the Kingdom of God! Let the parents burn in the lake of fire and burning sulfur, which is the second death, prepared for Satan and his accomplices! Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!