| “Render therefore to all their dues … fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor” (Romans 13:7). |
| “Thou shalt rise up before the hoary [white haired] head, and honor the face of the old man, and fear thy God” (Leviticus 19:32). |
| In a previous meditation, we mentioned that perhaps more than anything else, young people want to be treated with respect. This is important, not only for young people, but those of all ages should be treated with respect. Just recently an author wrote that respect has been largely lost in our western culture, and desperately needs to be regained. In my observations over the past twenty or thirty years, I have found this to be true. But if you as young people want to be treated with respect, it should start with you. True respect involves our attitudes, speech, and behavior towards everything, and especially towards those who are older than you. |
| Our verses today emphasize respect and honor toward those who are in positions of authority, for that authority is given of God, and must be recognized as such. Parents, teachers at school, government officials, police officers — all are ordained of God, and should be respected. That is why, when the Israelites were told to “rise up before the hoary head,” the fear of God is connected with it. If we fear God, we will honor others too, for proper respect is intimately connected with the fear of God. This does not mean that we are actually afraid of God, but rather than we give Him the respect and honor due to Him, and to all whom He has placed around us in our lives. |
| The world has changed drastically in the last forty years, and it is true that some of us who are older are not in touch with much of the technology and up-to-date knowledge that is common among young people. But knowledge is not the same as wisdom, and wisdom comes only with experience and age; it should be respected. We can learn much from older ones, and if we respect them, we will find that they will respect us too. In my growing up years I learned a great deal from older brethren (and sisters too!), even though there was a “generation gap” back then as well. But their wisdom and experience was a big help to me, and as I have said, I found that when I was willing to learn from them, they respected me too. |
