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 God who sustained that life through decades of joy and sorrow, faith and endurance. Disrespect is not merely a social weakness; it reveals something deeper in the heart.

 

In many villages in India, I have observed younger people bend to touch the feet of their elders, a nice gesture of humility and gratitude. The elderly are served first before the others. Though cultures express it differently, the principle is timeless: honour those who have walked the road before you.

 

We live in an age that celebrates youth, speed, and innovation. Technology can create the illusion that information equals wisdom. But information is not wisdom. The elderly carry stories of perseverance, lessons learned through failure, and testimonies of God’s faithfulness over time. When we ignore them, we lose access to treasure.


But is this relevant for those "under grace and not under the law" Certainly.

 

“Honor your father and mother” (which is the first commandment with a promise).- Ephesians 6:2

 

This echoes Exodus and shows that honouring older authority figures continues under the New Covenant. If honouring father and mother remains binding, then honouring age and seniority in general is certainly consistent with New Testament ethics.

Paul instructs Timothy: “Do not rebuke an older man harshly, but exhort him as if he were your father.” - 1 Timothy 5:1. 


And just a few verses later: “Give proper recognition to those widows who are really in need.” - 1 Timothy 5:3

 

The early church was instructed to:

  • Show gentleness toward older men
  • Treat older women as mothers
  • Financially support widows

That is deeply consistent with Leviticus 19:32.


It is easy to lament, “The younger generation has lost respect.” But perhaps the harder question is: Who taught them?

 

Children learn more from what we model than from what we say. If they see impatience, dismissal, or indifference in us, they will repeat it. Respect is not inherited automatically; it is cultivated intentionally.

 

In the home, values are absorbed through daily life. When children observe us greeting elders warmly, offering help readily, listening attentively, and speaking gently, they learn that age deserves honour. 

 

The command of Leviticus 19:32 is not addressed only to the young. It is given to all of God’s people.

 

We may not be able to reshape society overnight, but we can shape our homes. Small, consistent practices build culture. Teaching our children to greet elders, to offer their seats, to listen patiently,  these are simple acts with profound spiritual weight.

 

If we recognize that we have failed to model this well, that realization is not condemnation; it is invitation. God’s Word realigns us. It is never too late to say, “From today, we will do better.” A parent’s humility may be the most powerful lesson of all.

 

Perhaps the decline in visible respect is not just about manners, but about self-centeredness. We rush. We scroll. We prioritize convenience over courtesy. But this command slows us down:


  • Stand up
  • Notice
  • Acknowledge. 
  • Honour.

This is not old-fashioned. It is holy. 


Every elderly person was once young. Every young person, if blessed with years, will one day hope for the same respect. To honour the aged is to honour the journey of life itself — and the God who gives it.


Prayer

Lord, teach us to see the elderly as You see them. Forgive us where we have failed to model honour. Let respect begin in our own hearts and flow into our homes. May our reverence for You be reflected in how we treat those who have walked before us.

Amen.

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