Honor and Authority

“Honor your father and Mother, that your days may be prolonged in the land which the Lord your God will gives you.” Exodus 20:12
“Render what is due to them: tax to whom tax, custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.” Romans 13:7
“Honor the Lord from your wealth, and from the first of all you produce; so your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine.” Proverbs 3:9-10

Looking up some definitions of honor, It appears that the word implies good faith in the uprightness of a person’s dealings. This throws the preceeding verses into a surreal light. Of the three, only the Lord is really worthy of honor, but we are told to honor our parents and governors as well. Parents would be the first to admit that they have little claim to honor. Politicians would claim it, but have far less purchase than parents. God claims and deserves honor always,but recieves perhaps as rarely as the former.

Perhaps though, they really do deserve honor after all. Our parents (although not spotless) are often more honest and fair than their children. Our rulers (although the ruled perhaps can not see it) are often motivated by noble intentions and achieve much more than we give them credit for (under difficult conditions which we do not percieve). I leave the praise of God’s honesty, fairness, nobility, and integrity as an excercise for the reader.

On the more practical side, honoring parents, presidents, and providence is only good sense. Really, what are you going to do? Pout? If we credit them with more than is deserved, we are kind (and enrich our relationships with those in power over us). If we credit them with less, we are ungrateful (and endanger our lives). Some day we will out grow our parents, but our honor of them will innure us to honoring rulers. Some day, the rulers will fall… all but One that is.The One ruler, TO RULE THEM ALL! 🙂

Prepare well, for honor does not come naturally to creatures such as we.

About Ziggy

I strive to be awesome for God. Support my efforts at: http://sub.tryop.com
This entry was posted in Articles. Bookmark the permalink.

One Response to Honor and Authority

  1. Leah and Charlette says:

    It starts with verses, and it’s just talking about honor at the end.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *