TEVET 13
Esteem
“But he esteems those who fear יהוה …” (Ps 15:4)
I spent
several years in various schools in Europe while I was young, 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 be learned in any other format, and they are valuable, to
say the least. Both 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, many generations. It was fascinating to me to observe 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 Yahweh
as my Elohim, I recognize that this
courtesy is to be extended to each 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)
“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)
©2020
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