Musing – Are we called to exercise “Social Graces”?

Hebraic Musing – Are we called to exercise “Social Graces”?

Have you noticed a serious decline in the exercise of “Social Graces” or manners? (Especially those manners that reflect our attitude toward others)  I am struck by the number of acquaintances who are experiencing familial relationship challenges; and meanwhile I’m noticing that those people are lacking of what we used to simply called “manners”?  Examples –  Saying “Please”, saying “Thank you”, responding to RSVPs, arriving on time, calling elders by formal names (Mr. & Mrs. Etc.), respecting other peoples’ property and time, respectful behaviors, etc.  Does this growing disregard for “Social Graces” reflect a society moving away from Godliness?  Is this societal trend caused by impersonal techy communications?  Are manners scriptural?

Saying “Please” – the word is used 115X in the NIV; 20X in Genesis alone.  When Jacob wrestled with God, he pleaded “Please tell me your name." Gen 32:29  NIV

Saying “Thank you” – My wife enjoys gifting the g’kids; maybe because they ALWAYS respond with “Thank You” letters.  Remember the song? ♫ “Give thanks with a grateful heart…Give thanks…♫

Responding to RSVPs – When someone says “Respond please”, it is impolite to ignore them.  However, Jesus did not answer when the disciples asked when He would be returning.  But (with tongue in cheek) did they need to know so they could tell the caterer how many places to set at the Wedding Supper of the Lamb?

Arriving on time – Respects other peoples’ time.  Note that Moses did not arrive on time and that caused the people to became anxious and misbehave! “When the people saw that Moses was so long in coming down from the mountain, they gathered around Aaron and said, "Come, make us gods who will go before us. As for this fellow Moses …, we don't know what has happened to him." Ex 32:1 

Respect for elders – Some practical applications – not calling elders by first names and holding doors for elders, etc.  The Bible commands us to "'Rise in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly and revere your God. ….” Lev 19:32    And now we see Isaiah’s 3:5 prophecy played out – “People will oppress each other — man against man, neighbor against neighbor. The young will rise up against the old, …”

Rebellious Behavior -- "Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.” Ex 20:12  (You get to live longer because you won’t get whupped to death.)

Not listening – Have you had someone try to answer their phone, text message or read a book while you are trying to interact with them?  God’s word says “Listen” 352x; and “Hear” 379x.  Do we respect and pay attention to others as brothers & sisters, elders, God’s other children? 

CONCLUSION – None of this should surprise us; Timothy warned us.  “There will be terrible times in the last days.  People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, …lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God…” 2 Tim 3:1-4

Points to Ponder

Does the use of text messaging eliminate the need to say “please”?

What accounts for the hostile online comments, by otherwise polite people?

Are manners all about “Do to others as you would have them do to you.”?  Luke 6:31
If so, are we to “Love one another.  As I have loved you, … ”?  John 13:34-35

How can we instill manners or “Social Graces” back into our society?

Where should we be learning manners?

Love your neighbor as yourself.

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                                      August 14, 2018

Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith” 
“Biblical Marriage (by Yosef)”   Weekly “Hebraic Musings”