In Old Testament times, the fields were plowed using cows or oxen attached to a plow. A yoke was put over the head and onto the cow's neck. Many times this yoke was a double yoke. It would fit over the neck of two cows. The farmer had lines attached to the yoke and could turn the animals in whatever direction he desired for them to go.

If a cow (heifer) was stubborn, it would refuse to go forward. It would at times attempt to go backwards. If the animal was very stubborn and tried very hard, it could actually back its head out of the yoke. The farmer had no control over such an animal. The animal would have to be disciplined to teach it not to act in such a way. This was known as a backsliding heifer.

In Hosea 4:16, God says Israel is like a backsliding heifer. Israel had refused to allow God to lead them. They had been very stubborn. God had even disciplined them but they would not learn. God vowed to bring terrible destruction on them for their disobedience.

Do not be a backsliding heifer. Learn to stay in the yoke of God. Allow him to guide you in what is right. Study his Word. Apply it to your life. And if any of this is hard to understand, ask an adult to help you.

No one should use bad or foul language. God does not want his children to have bad mouths. It is not even kind to others to use bad language around them. Such language is commonly called cursing.

Many people believe that cursing is taking someone's name in vain. That can be true. Unfortunately, we hear individuals use God's name wrongly every day. But that is not all that is involved with cursing in the Bible.

In Exodus 21:17, we read, "And he that curseth his father, or his mother, shall surely be put to death."  The word for 'curse' in the Hebrew language has a broad meaning. It can mean taking a name in a slanderous, profane way. But the word also includes 'esteeming lightly' and 'reviling.'

Thus, not giving a parent the respect that the parent is due is cursing. To purposely ignore a parent when the parent is trying to talk to you is cursing your parent. To tell your mother or father that they cannot tell you what to do is cursing your parent. To purposely disobey a rule that your parents have given you is to curse your parents. To throw a temper tantrum when disciplined is to curse your parents. To tell others that your parents are stupid and just do not understand you is cursing your parents.

God tells us we are to honor and obey our parents. We are to respect them. We must listen to them and do what they want as long as it does not break any of God's laws.

God is our Heavenly Father. He wants us to listen to and obey him. And he has told us to not curse our earthly parents.

Keep studying your Bible. Learn all you can from it. And if any of this is hard to understand, ask an adult to help you.