Standing in the presence of the aged
Leviticus 19:32 - “Stand up in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly and revere your God. I am the Lord.” As I was reading the Book of Leviticus, this verse seemed to rise off the page. It feels almost foreign to modern ears. In many places today, even in orderly, developed societies like Singapore, it is common to see younger people absorbed in their phones, hesitant to greet, reluctant to give up their seats, or simply unaware of the elderly around them. Yet Scripture calls us to something higher. God does not present respect for the elderly as a cultural preference. He commands it, and connects it directly to reverence for Him . “Revere your God.” In other words, how we treat the aged reflects how we honour the Lord. To stand in the presence of the aged is more than polite behaviour. It is a visible acknowledgment of dignity. It quietly says: I see you. I value your life. Your years matter. When we honour age, we honour the...