Honor Begets Honor

Honor Begets Honor
Words of Faith 3-31-25
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy © 2025
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
Faith Fellowship Church - Melbourne, FL
www.faithfellowshipweb.com
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><

2 Samuel 21:11-15
[11] When David was told what Aiah's daughter Rizpah, Saul's concubine, had done, [12] he went and took the bones of Saul and his son Jonathan from the citizens of Jabesh Gilead. (They had taken them secretly from the public square at Beth Shan, where the Philistines had hung them after they struck Saul down on Gilboa.) [13] David brought the bones of Saul and his son Jonathan from there, and the bones of those who had been killed and exposed were gathered up. [14] They buried the bones of Saul and his son Jonathan in the tomb of Saul's father Kish, at Zela in Benjamin, and did everything the king commanded. After that, God answered prayer in behalf of the land.

When David saw the devotion of Rizpah in protecting the bodies of her sons from the carnivorous birds and beasts, he was apparently reminded of the shameful exposure of the bodies of Saul and his son Jonathan on the walls of Beth Shean where the Philistines had displayed them after the battle of Gilboa.
David was moved to retrieve the bones of Saul and Jonathan. Though the people of Jabesh Gilead had brought the bodies away for burial, the remains were interred far from Gibeah, Saul's family home. David resolved to bring their bones back from Jabesh Gilead and bury them in the sepulcher of Saul's father Kish. They were presumably buried alongside the seven others of Saul's family who had just been killed. After this was done, God again answered prayer on behalf of the nation.
In the ancient world, having one's bones gathered and interred in a proper and honorable place was important. This was normally the duty of the eldest son. When the Israelites left captivity in Egypt, Moses gathered Joseph's bones with him because Joseph had made the sons of Israel swear an oath. He had said, "God will surely come to your aid, and then you must carry my bones up with you from this place" (Exodus 13:19). While David was not responsible as family to do this, it was a matter of honor that had been neglected. The honor and devotion of Rizpah had made this clear.
There is a principle here: Honor begets honor. Somewhere along the way, David had lost the sense of honor that he once had when he had so deeply grieved Saul's death. Watching Rizpah honor her sons and family members stirred his conscience and then his resolve to act. Her honor was, in effect, stirring up honor in another.
The same principle applies in daily life and modern situations. Honoring your parents is a testimony that others observe and may cause them to act more honorably in their care. Even in difficult times, honoring a national leader can beget honor among others. Honoring those who have sacrificed will build honor for those who serve. Honoring those who serve and teach among us will beget honor among others for the teaching of the Word.
The opposite is also true. Dishonor begets dishonor. Acting in a dishonorable way toward a family member or leader opens the door for others to walk in the same way. There are some who stir up dishonor against national leaders and church leaders. How much better to be known for stirring up honor rather than dishonor?
David was convicted that he had failed to honor the legacy and memory of Saul and Jonathan and he did something about it. Is there someone that you have neglected to honor? You may not need to go and gather bones, but is there someone you have failed to show gratitude to and for? Have you neglected a family relationship? A parent? Have you not spoken up for a leader or civil servant? Have you neglected to honor those who defend freedom in military forces?

Lord God, put the ones I have neglected to honor upon my heart. Let my honor toward family, leaders and servants of You be a testimony to others. May the honor I give to You and those who serve inspire honor in the lives of others. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
© Jeffrey D. Hoy 2025
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy - Faith Fellowship Church (EFCA)
2820 Business Center Blvd.
Melbourne, Florida 32940 (321)-259-7200
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
SUBSCRIPTIONS - To receive the Words of Faith devotion five days a week, send an e-mail message addressed to church.office@faithfellowshipweb.com. To stop receiving Words of Faith, send an e-mail message to the same address. The daily devotion and archive are posted at https://www.faithfellowshipweb.com/blog
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is quoted from the New International Version (R) of The Holy Bible. Copyright (c) 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved. Words of Faith (c) 1997, 2025 Jeffrey D. Hoy.