Page Four: “Barzillai: Showing Respect to the Elderly” – 4/29/2012
He recommends his own servant, Chinham, go with David to live in Jerusalem and eat in David’s dining room; verse thirty-seven again.
(37) “Let thy servant, I pray thee, turn back again, that I may die in mine own city, and be buried by the grave of my father and of my mother. But behold thy servant Chimham; let him go over with my lord the king; and do to him what shall seem good unto thee.
(38) And the king answered, Chimham shall go over with me, and I will do to him that which shall seem good unto thee: and whatsoever thou shalt require of me, that will I do for thee.
(39) And all the people went over Jordan. And when the king was come over, the king kissed Barzillai, and blessed him; and he returned unto his own place.
(40) Then the king went on to Gilgal, and Chimham went on with him: and all the people of Judah conducted the king, and also half the people of Israel.”
Folks, there are plenty of reasons for us to abide in the LORD’s command to rise in the presence of the elderly and to show them honor. But keep this in mind. There’s always a place for the elderly in the home, in the Church, in the business, in the job and in society. Let’s make sure that we show them the respect God calls us to.
First, we see Barzillai looking on the things of others and finding a way to help.
Second, we see Barzillai loyal to a friend.
Third, we see Barzillai willing to give other people the place of honor.
Then fourth, we see Barzillai rewarded. Turn with me to the last days of King David. They are found in I Kings chapter two and verse seven. I Kings 2:7 “But show kindness unto the sons of Barzillai the Gileadite, and let them be of those that eat at thy table: for so they came to me when I fled because of Absalom thy brother.”
Here, on his deathbed, David rewards his friend Barzillai by commanding his son Solomon to show kindness unto Barzillai’s sons. “Let them be of those that eat at thy table.”
You see, the elderly are deserving of both attention and your blessings. David made sure that Barzillai was honored in his own children by giving then the joy of sitting with him at his table.
Folks, the elderly deserve your attention and honor, as per the LORD Himself. You see, when you honor them, you are, in essence, honoring the LORD.
What greater joy than to see the LORD like this. Revelation 1:12 “And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks;
(13) And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle. (14) His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire;…”
And what is Jesus Himself called in Isaiah? Isn’t it the “Ancient of Days?” Some have translated this “The Father of Eternity.”
In Jesus we have the joy and privilege of showing honor where honor it due.
And one more thing; read through the Gospels this week and watch how great honor Jesus constantly showed towards His Father. There is never a word except it is the highest respect for God, the Father. John 8:49 “… but I honour my Father, …”
Show your honor to those who are honorable, as per the words of God Himself. Will you do that this week? Will you do that today?
As you know, Jesus came into this world for at least two purposes. One, He came here to become the Substitute for your sin. And two, He came here to live His life through you.
So, He is here today, ready to save you from your sins. And this is the only adequate response to Him you could ever make: repentance and faith towards Christ.
Pray this prayer of trust and received Christ as your Savior today. “LORD, Thank you for the work of Jesus Your Son who fully paid the entire debt of my sin. I receive your forgiveness right now. Thank you for fully forgiving me.”
And, now, see Him as ready and willing to enable you to honor the elderly as He gave us commandment. And that obedience begins with our personal surrender. “LORD, right now I submit all that I am to you, my spirit, my soul, and my body. Do with me what is most pleasing to you. Work out Your blessed will upon me today. Amen”
So in light of the words of the Scripture, you need to answer this question, “What will you do with God’s word today? What will you do when you are slandered? Will you choose to surrender yourself to the LORD? Will you choose to humbly do His will?” If not, why not?
Shall we pray?
(37) “Let thy servant, I pray thee, turn back again, that I may die in mine own city, and be buried by the grave of my father and of my mother. But behold thy servant Chimham; let him go over with my lord the king; and do to him what shall seem good unto thee.
(38) And the king answered, Chimham shall go over with me, and I will do to him that which shall seem good unto thee: and whatsoever thou shalt require of me, that will I do for thee.
(39) And all the people went over Jordan. And when the king was come over, the king kissed Barzillai, and blessed him; and he returned unto his own place.
(40) Then the king went on to Gilgal, and Chimham went on with him: and all the people of Judah conducted the king, and also half the people of Israel.”
Folks, there are plenty of reasons for us to abide in the LORD’s command to rise in the presence of the elderly and to show them honor. But keep this in mind. There’s always a place for the elderly in the home, in the Church, in the business, in the job and in society. Let’s make sure that we show them the respect God calls us to.
First, we see Barzillai looking on the things of others and finding a way to help.
Second, we see Barzillai loyal to a friend.
Third, we see Barzillai willing to give other people the place of honor.
Then fourth, we see Barzillai rewarded. Turn with me to the last days of King David. They are found in I Kings chapter two and verse seven. I Kings 2:7 “But show kindness unto the sons of Barzillai the Gileadite, and let them be of those that eat at thy table: for so they came to me when I fled because of Absalom thy brother.”
Here, on his deathbed, David rewards his friend Barzillai by commanding his son Solomon to show kindness unto Barzillai’s sons. “Let them be of those that eat at thy table.”
You see, the elderly are deserving of both attention and your blessings. David made sure that Barzillai was honored in his own children by giving then the joy of sitting with him at his table.
Folks, the elderly deserve your attention and honor, as per the LORD Himself. You see, when you honor them, you are, in essence, honoring the LORD.
What greater joy than to see the LORD like this. Revelation 1:12 “And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks;
(13) And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle. (14) His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire;…”
And what is Jesus Himself called in Isaiah? Isn’t it the “Ancient of Days?” Some have translated this “The Father of Eternity.”
In Jesus we have the joy and privilege of showing honor where honor it due.
And one more thing; read through the Gospels this week and watch how great honor Jesus constantly showed towards His Father. There is never a word except it is the highest respect for God, the Father. John 8:49 “… but I honour my Father, …”
Show your honor to those who are honorable, as per the words of God Himself. Will you do that this week? Will you do that today?
As you know, Jesus came into this world for at least two purposes. One, He came here to become the Substitute for your sin. And two, He came here to live His life through you.
So, He is here today, ready to save you from your sins. And this is the only adequate response to Him you could ever make: repentance and faith towards Christ.
Pray this prayer of trust and received Christ as your Savior today. “LORD, Thank you for the work of Jesus Your Son who fully paid the entire debt of my sin. I receive your forgiveness right now. Thank you for fully forgiving me.”
And, now, see Him as ready and willing to enable you to honor the elderly as He gave us commandment. And that obedience begins with our personal surrender. “LORD, right now I submit all that I am to you, my spirit, my soul, and my body. Do with me what is most pleasing to you. Work out Your blessed will upon me today. Amen”
So in light of the words of the Scripture, you need to answer this question, “What will you do with God’s word today? What will you do when you are slandered? Will you choose to surrender yourself to the LORD? Will you choose to humbly do His will?” If not, why not?
Shall we pray?