Respect your History and Elders…
Job 8:8 ¶ For enquire, I pray thee, of the former age, and prepare thyself to the search of their fathers:
9 (For we are but of yesterday, and know nothing, because our days upon earth are a shadow:)
10 Shall not they teach thee, and tell thee, and utter words out of their heart?
You know, as I study the Word, and am learning the ways and traditions of various North American Indian tribes, there is a simple tradition:
‘Respect the Elders!’
Seems many white folks have lost this. Instead of esteeming and celebrating with them the wisdom of the years of their lives, of our elderly, we often place them in ‘retirement homes’ or ‘assisted living’ facilities, safely tucked away from the mainstream of society.
Yet, in many cases, they are neglected, and at best not esteemed, or sought out for instruction, and wisdom.
I like the saying I heard in Africa: ‘When an old man dies, a library burns to the ground!’
I know that not every old person is wise, but they can be still honored, loved, and respected.
Job 32:7 I said, Days should speak, and multitude of years should teach wisdom.
Yet, if a person did not serve Jesus their whole life, or attend church or in some way learn, grow, or develop in the Word of God, then seems that the best we can offer, is to love, honor and respect them.
Want to get blessed by God?
Le 19:32 Thou shalt rise up before the hoary head, and honor the face of the old man, and fear thy God: I am the LORD.
Ex 20:12 Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.
Just a Native American tradition?
Nope, this is the eternal word of God, a principal eternally established in the heavens, for all time.
So we must respect elders, and our parents, whatever age they might be, even if they frustrate us, and in our eyes, are not honorable: .May our Elders obey God – Chris AOM Ministries
Even if they are wrong, in their counsel, or lifestyle, according to the Word of God, we can still disagree with them, without being disagreeable.
1Ti 5:1 Rebuke not an elder, but intreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren;
There is much to be said in the Scripture about our treatment of elders, but it all boils down to this:
Love, honor and respect them, no matter what they do….
Let’s pray:
‘Father, place in my heart, love, honor, and respect for all parents, and elders around me, no matter what they do, in Your name I pray Lord Jesus, Amen’
