HOW TO HONOR THE ELDERLY AND IN DOING SO SHOW RESPECT TO THE LORD.
“Stand up in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly and revere your God. I am the LORD.” – {Lev 19:32}
SHOWING WORSHIP, REVERENCE TO GOD, comes in many various ways, in the Scriptures. In the book of Leviticus, it was revealed in a very practical way in v 32 of chapter 19. The simplicity of it, the tenderness of the heart of God is revealed. What could it be, perhaps undertake some great fight against the enemies of God and give one’s life? Perhaps some great and grand thing that would exert much youthful energy as “proof” you had reverence for God? “But God…” is so wonderful in making it simple and indeed something that could be daily done that involved the elderly. The elderly? Are you kidding!
In today’s western culture, the elderly are seen often by some as an inconvenience, an irritation, something to be shuttled off somewhere so not as to interfere with one’s life. They are seen as babbling old fools, who have nothing to contribute to life. Or are spoken down to or as though they are a child. They are not considered “cool,” according to some of the young, or arrogant. “But God…”
Lev 19:32. – Reverence for the old is equated with showing reverential respect to the LORD who has made not only them but you!
One day you will be old too, if God allows you to live that long. It is to be an inborn attitude adopted, motivated out of the greater honor to express worship to the LORD. Philippians 2:3-5 teaches we are to “Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus,” Note it begins with the “mind.” We are told to love the Lord our God with all our heart , soul and MIND…”-{Luke 10;27}. Loving God is to see things His way from His Word and submit to Him to do things His way out of reverence for Him. His way is to Honor the elderly!
Solomon wrote at the conclusion of Ecclesiastes, “let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man’s all.” (Ecclesiastics 12:13)
The Amplified Bible reads, “All has been heard. The end of the matter is, Fear God – know that He is, revere and worship Him – and keep His commandments; for this is the whole of man [the full original purpose of His creation], the object of God’s providence, the root of character, the foundation of all happiness, the adjustment to all in harmonious circumstances and conditions under the sun, and the whole duty for every man” (Ecclesiastics 12:13).
The fruit of “Fearing” God is worship, trust, OBEDIENCE motivated by reverence for Him and to His Word.
Older people who have known the Lord and lived long enough, created in His image are to be honored and also to avail of their “wisdom.”
1. – WISDOM – IS AN ATTRIBUTE OF THE AGED WHO DEPEND, TRUST IN THE LORD.
“Happy is a man who finds wisdom and who acquires understanding… She is more precious than jewels; nothing you desire compares with her. Long life is in her right hand; in her left, riches and honor” (Proverbs 3:13, 15-16).
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. For by Wisdom your days will be many, and years will be added to your life” (Proverbs 9:10-11).
2. – WISDOM GOES BACK TO RECALL THE FAITHFULNESS OF GOD.
“I remember the days of old; I meditate on all thy works; I muse on the work of thy hands.”- {Psalms 143:5}
3. – WISE COUNSEL TO THE YOUNGER IS A RESPONSIBILITY OF THE AGED TO IMPART AND THE YOUNG TO SEEK OUT.
“Hear this, you elders; listen, all you inhabitants of the land. Has anything like this ever happened in your days or in the days of your ancestors? Tell your children about it, and let your children tell their children, and their children the next generation” (Joel 1:2-3).
4. – THE YOUNGER – ARE TO BE TEACHABLE; “Remember the days of old; consider the years long past. Ask your father, and he will tell you, your elders, and they will teach you” (Deuteronomy 32:7).
A refusal to honor older people is an evidence of a lack of reverence for God! Period!
Elderly people are to be Honored, shown respect. GOD SAYS SO! They have lived longer and have wisdom to impart, which the younger, inexperienced and at times ignorant, would do well to listen to.
Older people are vulnerable, frail and need the strength, respect of the younger strong ones to show them respect. Why? Because it is God’s Will! Each can mutually benefit the other. Honoring, respecting the aged shows that a person obeys, respect, reveres the LORD.
Older people are your opportunity to reveal what you really think about God. Don’t forget that!
Respecting the Godly wisdom that comes from years of experience is equating to honoring God. See how practical God makes it for you. Today’s society fails to stand and offer an elderly person a seat on a crowded bus, lack of love respect, EXPOSES a lack of love and respect for God. Jehovah, The Scriptures reveal Him as God {Gen 2:4-5}; Provider {Gen 22}; Self Existent One {Ex 3:13-15}; Promise keeping One {Deut 7:9}; Unchanging One {Mal 3:6}; Sovereign {Isaiah 45}.
Jehovah did not see that the aged were dispensable, or should be neglected, mocked, or disrespected. He saw that all their years of living, their relationship with Him, gave them knowledge, wisdom that was to be followed. They were a reservoir of wisdom. They had seen God work most, answer most prayers and were reservoirs for the younger people to learn from.
So when seen by them the younger out of respect were to stand up in their presence. How many times do you see that around the dinner table? Or when they walk into YOUR presence. God does not discriminate with age, have you fallen into that trap?
How do you view older people, now that you see God’s verse on the subject?
Are you respectful, motivated by God’s design for you towards them.
Do you make adjustments to show honor to the elderly?
Now is a good time to remember what God says
Repent
Return to doing the Loving thing. Love God. Love others and that includes the elderly.
Return to God’s ways for attitudes and actions you’re to adopt, display, practice, for the LORD’S Sake!
Many an elderly person when set down and listened to have experiences in light of Scripture and truth to help the young to learn. They are not some “sweet,” inadequate, dispensable person. They are made in the image of God, who have alot to answer to a people who do not have the experiences of life or the answers to prayers or heavenly wisdom. The arrogant miss the blessing God has placed on front of them, and so the disdain that often revoltingly exhibited!
Let’s honor the LORD and show the elderly respect, for the LORD’S sake!
“You must rise up at the face of a gray head, and you shall honor the face of an aged one, and you shall fear your God. I am Jehovah.”
WHAT TO CHOOSE TO PRACTICE AND WHY.
HIDE THIS VERSE IN YOUR HEART. Write on a 3 by 5 card and meditate, apply.
1. – “Stand up in the presence of the aged,
2. – Show respect for the elderly
3. – And revere your God.
4. – I am the LORD.” {Lev 19:32}