Elders

When I was a young man, I was taught ethics, morals and manners from a biblical worldview. One of the core-values of the family unit was to always “respect your elders”. Bloodlines and lineage is an important bond in any healthy and stable culture. It doesn’t take a village; it takes family. In the 1828 Webster’s dictionary “Eldership” is defined as seniority; superior age; priority of birth; the state of being older. Those who  have lived longer on this earth have experienced life longer and deserve honor and respect. The previous generation nurtured, taught and raised the next generation with love and care of kin. Kin or kinfolk is defined as a relation, properly by consanguinity [the relation of persons by blood; the relation or connection of persons descended from the same stock or common ancestor, in distinction from affinity or relation by marriage]. They are relatives; kindred.

 

Family Trees that followed the lineage of single families have been around and been the hobby of many people since early biblical times. Genesis, Numbers and 1 Chronicles give long genealogies of “who begot who”. Both the words “begot” and “begotten” mean procreated; generated by birth. The lineage of Jesus is found in both Matthew 1:1-17, father’s legal geology side [even through conceived by the Holy Spirit] & Luke 3:23-38, mother’s genealogy side. In the last few decades, Genealogy has become popularized with the advancement of technology to research family bloodlines back in time easier and accurately as records are digitized and references categorized for access by individuals. Genealogy websites, organizations, groups and even DNA Analysis are available to track down ancestors and build family trees along bloodlines. Everybody desires to find their roots, know who their elders are and learn more about them. They were real-life relatives living and bringing up families in their time in history. It’s important and those elders deserve recognition, honor and respect because family matters and they are your elders.

 

Oddly, we are in a society that is increasingly losing its historical identity and choosing an existential philosophy that views the past as old and insignificant, honoring that which is fresh and new as they live for the moment, not knowing that those who forget history are condemned to repeat it. Make the time and take the time to listen to your elders [parents, aunts, uncles, grandparents, and great-grandparents] because they have many miles traveled through this life and a wealth of experience, knowledge and wisdom to keep you from reinventing the wheel [so to speak] that can spice your life with the love of family, help straighten the curves and flatten the hills along your way. 

 

Blood is thicker than water is a proverb in English meaning that familial bonds will always be stronger than other relationships. Fight for family, honor and enjoy your ancestry heritage, and respect your elders; for in the long run, God made them for you, they love you and they make up who you are. 

 

In Christ, Brian