HONOR (Part 1): A Weighty Matter (Proverbs 3:9-10)

Proverbs 3:9-10 says, "Honor the Lord with your substance and with the first fruits of all your increase. So shall your barns be filled with plenty, and your presses shall burst out with new wine".

HONOR

"Honor" is a word that everyone is familiar with and no doubt conjures various images as diverse as the people contemplating it's definition. The Hebrew verb (kabed) or(kaved), depending on the transliteration, is rarely translated with the literal meaning of "heavy", other than when it is used as an adjective, referring to Eli as being heavy, because of his excessive weight (1Sam.4:18) and the weight of Absalom's hair (2Sam.14:26).

376 TIMES

In the 376 uses of the word and it's derivatives, every other function is figurative in nature, and 114 times the use is as a verb. Psalms(64); Isaiah(63); Exodus(33); Ezekiel(25); and Proverbs(24); have the most frequent use.

WEALTH

Foundational to it's meaning, is a strong association with wealth; abundance; or material possessions as a "measuring stick", to give definition to the use of the Hebrew word and it's derivatives:

- ABRAHAM is described as being very "heavy" in cattle; in silver; and in gold (Gen.13:2), [ "rich"(KJV) ], speaking of the abundance of his wealth.

- BALAK'S promise to "honor" Balaam (Num.22:7,17,18,37;24:11-13) was specifically in reference to silver and gold.

- In PROVERBS3:9-10, the word has a direct relationship with material goods or possessions, to be given to the Lord, as a means to "honor" Him.

- HONOR is equated as being the opposite of poverty and shame [i.e., wealth and distinction] (Prov.13:18)

- HONOR is associated with riches and life (Prov.22:4)

- The WEALTHY and financially prosperous are called "the honorable" (Is.23:8)

HEAVINESS

Most Hebrew Lexical aids have (kabed) defined figuratively, as some aspect of "heaviness", with varying applications, whether heavy with guilt [sinfulness] (Is.24:20, the Earth); heavy with goods, property, [wealthy] (Gen13:2, Abraham); a heavy yoke [oppression] (Neh.5:15, oppressive leaders); or an array of descriptive uses of the body to define what is "heavy" :

- heavy heart [sorrowful] (Job.6:2,3, Job)

- heavy/dull of hearing [insensitivity, inability to hear ] (Is.59:1, the Lord)

- hard/heavy heart [unrepentant, unmovable in purpose] (Ex.9:7, Pharaoh)

- heavy hand of judgment [powerful to afflict punishment] (1Sam.5:11, the Lord against the Philistines)

- heavy/dull eyes [losing sight, physically or spiritually] (Gen.48:10, Jacob)

THREE USES

There are generally three groupings of figurative uses of the word and its derivatives:

1) The first relates to parts of the body, as illustrated above, to describe slowness; stubbornness; severity; inability; or physical or emotional pain.

2) The second figurative use of the word group is specific to events or experiences that occur that are severe in some form, described as heaviness.

3) The third usage expresses size; number; quantity; or magnitude, using similar figurative language.

CARRIES a lot of WEIGHT

In over 50% of all uses, the word speaks of a "weighty/heavy" person in society. In these instances, the person, or the Lord, as the case may be, [to use an English colloquial expression], "carries a lot of weight" or has a "heavy" influence among people. Someone that is "weighty" is noteworthy or impressive, and the person of high social standing and wealth, is automatically honored.

BLESSING of GOD

Regarding individuals, it was understood, that a person of wealth and position obtained such stature by the blessing of God, and so to honor them was also to acknowledge and honor God. [In other words, God had honored them, with wealth and position, because of their spiritual standing before Him, and therefore they were deserving of similar recognition by their peers and society as a whole].

OUTWARD WEALTH

Proverbs makes it clear that the outward evidence of wealth and position are the result of an inward development of godly character:

"Exalt her [wisdom], and she shall promote you, she shall bring you to honor, when you do embrace her." (4:8)

"Poverty and shame (shall be to) him that refuses instruction: but he that regards reproof shall be honored" (13:18)

"He that follows after righteousness and mercy finds life, righteousness, and honor" (21:21)

"By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches, and honor, and life" (22:4)

"As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honor is not seemly for a fool" (26:1)

"Whoever keeps the fig tree shall eat the fruit of it: so whoever waits on their master shall be honored" (27:18)

Like the epitaph of David, honor was descriptive of the godly. [ "...he died in a good old age, full of days, riches, and honor..." (1 Chronicles 29:23)]

HONORED by GOD

To honor someone was to say that they were, because of godly character and position, honored by God, and therefore deserving of respect; attention; and obedience.

GLORY of GOD

In 45 instances, the most unique and distinctive use of (kabed) and its derivatives, describes the visible manifestation of God, translated as "the glory". The majority of these references relate to God's "glory" visibly manifest in the tabernacle, and ultimately, His "glory" filling the earth.

VISIBLY EVIDENT

It is evident that (kabed), in referring to God or people, speaks of a tangible manifestation or demonstration of showing distinction and high value towards those "honored". Honor is something visibly seen. It is also evident, that the action of "honoring" God, or someone, is first found in an inward attitude that is expressed by the extent of respect; preference; service; or giving that is shown.

HONOR GOD

When we honor God with our substance, and the first fruits of all our increase, it is because we have first submitted and bowed in recognition, internally, to His Lordship and deserving right, to receive such acts of reverence and worship.

You are God's Best and God's Best is Yours