Tammuz 14
Esteem
“But he esteems those who fear יהוה …” (Ps 15:4 ISR)
I spent several years in various schools in Europe while I was a young adult, and I am very
grateful for the experience that I went through. Spending time in a society and culture that
is different from what we have here in the United States leaves one with lessons
that cannot learned in any other format, and they are valuable, to say the least. Both of the countries that I attended school
in are ruled by a monarch; that is to say, these countries have been governed
by hereditary kings and queens for many generations. It was fascinating to me to observe firsthand
the protocol necessary when in the presence of royalty, and to witness the
love, honor, and esteem these monarchs receive from the general populous of
their countries.
Honor and esteem
seemed to have fallen by the wayside in recent years; it appears to be far more
popular to see how completely and thoroughly one can demean and ridicule
another individual. However, in the
kingdom of our Elohim, we are to cultivate the attitude of honor and esteem to
those who are like-minded, who are walking the Torah walk, and whose desire it is to please Him in every way. What exactly does it mean to esteem someone? Noah Webster defines it as “To prize; to set a
high value on; to regard with reverence, respect or friendship.”[1] And let us look further at the word ‘respect’:
“That estimation or
honor in which men hold the distinguished worth or substantial good qualities
of others. It expresses less than reverence and veneration, which regard elders
and superiors; whereas respect may regard juniors and inferiors.”[2]
There is a common
saying I am sure most of us have heard: “Respect must be earned before it can
be given”. While that is true to a
certain degree, it is not 100% correct.
As a child, I was taught to extend to others – even strangers – a common
courtesy, one of honor and respect, simply because they were fellow human
beings. Since I have acknowledged YHWH
as my Elohim, I recognize that this courtesy is to be extended to each and every one who is
made in the image of Elohim, as the Scriptures teach us (see Gen 1:26-27; Rom
13:7; Rom 2:10).
Our opening verse
informs us that we are to honor, esteem, and respect especially those whose focus is on the Elohim of Abraham, Isaac and
Jacob. These are those who guard the Words of our Creator, treasure
them, and attempt to live their lives in such a manner as is pleasing to Him.
After all, are we not all part of one body, and should we not respect each other as such?
“For as we have many
members in one body, but all members do not have the same function, so we, the
many, are one body in Messiah, and members each one of one another.” (Rom 12:4-5 ISR)
“Let love be without
hypocrisy. Shrink from what is wicked, cling to what is good. In brotherly
love, tenderly loving towards one another, in appreciation, giving preference
to each other.” (Rom 12:9-10 ISR)
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