April 03: GATE OF THE ELDERS

The Gate of the Elders does not occur as a proper name in the Bible, although there are numerous references to this gate throughout Scripture. The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia identifies this gate with the Corner Gate of the Old City, locating it on the northwest corner of the wall. Some translators have identified this as the Old Gate. It is more properly understood as Gate of the Elders.

 

This gate is where the elders would congregate to do business, to hold court, to tell stories, and to spend time. By the time you get to be an elder, you have learned what is really important in life is people.

 

Respecting our elders is a mandate, not an option. We tend to act as if respect is only given when the person deserves it. Much like the following illustration, we change our position of respect based on the actions of the person in office.

Clark Clifford shares this reminiscence of his former boss, Harry S. Truman:  Every morning at 8:30 the President would have a staff meeting. One day the mail clerk brought in a lavender envelope with a regal wax seal and flowing purple ribbons. Opening it, the President found a letter from King Ibn Saud of Saudi Arabia, whose salutation began, "Your Magnificence." "Your Magnificence," Truman repeated, laughing. "I like that. I don't know what you guys call me when I'm not here, but it's okay if you refer to me from now on as 'His Magnificence.'"

 

Truman subsequently sent a message to the United Nations supporting the admission of 100,000 Jews into Palestine. Soon afterward he received a second letter from King Ibn Saud. This one began: "Dear Mr. President." —Source Unknown.

Sometimes, it is the position we respect, more than the person. In fact, there are leaders who give us no other reason to respect them than the office they hold. Showing honor to such individuals requires a lot of self-control and a huge amount of prayer.

Show respect for everyone. Love your Christian brothers and sisters. Fear God. Show respect for the king. (1 Peter 2:17 NLT)

THINK ABOUT IT.
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