This is my desire to honor you Hillsong
On my Honor
On my honor, I will try: to serve God and my country. To help people at all times and to live by the Girl Scout Law. I said this pledge weekly for at least a dozen years both as a Girl Scout and as a leader of a troop. This organization was instrumental in reinforcing the values of my family and my faith. Sadly, today, the focus is not so strong. In fact, I withdrew from the organization with a broken heart because of the direction they were taking with young, impressionable girls.
Honor Given not Earned
When I married, I promised to honor the officer and gentleman. Honor was once given, not because it was earned, but because of the position held. It is an expectation as a member of a family, as a member of society, and as a member of the family of God. Honor is about leadership.
God’s commandment
Honor in Hebrew is kavod which means glory, weighed, heavy. God commanded honor of Himself, father and mother, and others. (Deut. 5:7-21; Ephesians 6:2-3) He stated as believers we were to honor our leaders, elders, (1 Tim 5:17a) employers, (1 Tim 6:1), and all people! (1 Peter 2:17; Rom 12:10; Heb 13:1) Boy, have we lost this concept. Honor is to be given. Period. It does not have to be earned. It is to be given because of position in the Father’s hierarchy of leadership and one’s humanity–being created in the image of God. The opposite of honor is dishonor: failing to honor as directed by holy God.
Time spent Valued
Honor in Greek is time’. This word means price, money paid, the value of assigned worth, and fixed price. This was the word used in the marriage contract regarding the bride’s price. In Biblical times in Galilee (not the rest of the Middle East) the father of the groom paid the father of the bride a great price. In the rest of the “arranged marriage” world, the bride’s family paid the groom’s family to take her: This was her dowry. Which arrangement would make you feel honored?
Marriage Honored
What about honor in marriage? You would think it would be understood. Hebrews 13:4a tells us, Let marriage be held in honor among all… Honor shows you hold another in high regard. Value is assigned. This is called the mohar or bride price. The assigned value is generally around fifty shekels. This was given to the Bride’s father for safe keeping in the event the husband divorced the bride and was also to compensate the bride’s family for the loss of her service to the family.
All this said, In the eyes of God’s chosen people, a woman was considered valuable in an era when women were often treated as property and of little value other than to bear children and keep the house. In I Cor 11:7-10 Paul describes a woman as the glory of man! Jesus our Bridegroom tells us, the church (His Bride), we are His glory. (Eph 1) This has a ring of great value does it not?
Bridegroom Returns, used with written permission
Easier when one is valued
Honoring a husband is much easier when you first feel valued yourself! Glory and value. This is a mutually healthy relationship. The Bride honors the Bridegroom as He has honored her.
Created in God’s Image
Honor is to be given because every man, woman, boy, and a girl is created in the image of God. When we fail to honor (respect) others, we treat them as less than. Our actions take others for granted and we lack appreciation for all that is given! Our words are unkind, and our attitudes are selfish.
The Lord our God is One
Deuteronomy 4:4-6 “Hear, Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord is one! 5 And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. 6 These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. 7 And you shall repeat them diligently to your sons and speak of them when you sit in your house, when you walk on the road, when you lie down, and when you get up. 8 You shall also tie them as a sign to your hand, and they shall be as frontlets on your forehead. 9 You shall also write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.
Deuteronomy 6:1-9 is the Shema. The LORD God of Israel, King of the Universe, Creator of all things, reminds His chosen people of the commandments just given and how vital they are for the well being of the individual, the family, the tribe, and the nation. This nation was to honor Yahweh first and foremost, then mother and father, and then every other living creature for they were created by God. Honor is a big deal to Almighty God.
No Questions Ask
The next time we hear someone say, “I don’t respect them. They have to earn my respect.” Maybe, just maybe we should remind them of the difference between honor and esteem. Honor is to be given no questions asked. Esteem can be earned.
Love, Honor, and Obey……… covenant promises.
Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies (value). The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her so that he shall have no need of spoil. She will doeth him good and not evil all the days of her life.(honor) Her husband is known in the gates when he sitteth among the elders of the land. She openeth her mouth with wisdom: and in her tongue is the law of kindness. (glory) Proverbs 31:10-12, 23, 26)
Yvonne Jones
