TEVET 12
Honor
“but honors those who fear Adonai …” (Ps 15:4 TLV)
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 learn of 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 ‘honor’ someone? Noah Webster defines it as “A testimony of esteem; any expression of respect or of high estimation by words or actions; as the honors of war; military honors; funeral honors; civil honor; True nobleness of mind; magnanimity; dignified respect for character, springing from probity, principle or moral rectitude; a distinguishing trait in the character of good men.”[1] And let us look further at the word ‘esteem’: “To prize; to set a high value on; to regard with reverence, respect or friendship.”[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 the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob 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 our Elohim. 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 show respect to 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)
©2021
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