DIGNITY

Reuben, you are my firstborn, my might and the beginning of my strength, the excellency of DIGNITY and the excellency of power – Genesis 49:3

One of the most significant manifestations of Integrity is DIGNITY. There are two sides to dignity: treating everyone you encounter in life with dignity; and living a life of dignity. Scripture instructs on how we should treat each other: “Treat everyone you meet with DIGNITY. Love your spiritual family. Revere God. Respect the government” (1Pet.2:17, MSG).

On both sides, Reuben modelled the opposite of Dignity. As was to be expected, Jacob’s patriarchal benediction began with Reuben, who was characterized by a threefold designation, namely: (1) by his position in the family, as Jacob’s firstborn; (2) by his relation to Jacob, as his “might” and “beginning of his strength”; (3) by the natural prominence and elevated status which as the eldest son belonged to him, the excellency of dignity. Yet the natural privileges enjoyed by Reuben as firstborn were to be taken from him! His life was a sorry case of wasted Virtue and lost potential. His destiny was designed to display “the excellency of dignity” (representative of the priesthood), and “the excellency of power” that signified the kingly office, but he lost out on both counts by “playing pranks” with sin, while unfortunately damaging even the destinies of generations after him. As a matter of history no king, judge, or prophet was ever recorded as having sprung from the tribe of Reuben.

Reuben defiled and desecrated what ought to have been considered by him as sacred – his father’s bed. He paid dearly for this gross sin, by forfeiting the birth-right (Gen.35:22; 1Chr.5:1). To Reuben of right belonged excellent dignity, power, and authority in the family, a pre-eminence over his brethren, a double portion of goods, succession in government, and the exercise of the priesthood. Had he not sinned, he should have taken three portions above his brethren: the birth-right, priesthood, and kingdom. Jacob reminded him of this, that he might know what he had lost by sinning, and from what excellency, dignity, grandeur and power, he was fallen. His vice was that he was unstable as water; and his sin left a lasting infamy upon his family.

There are many people in today’s world who are falsely laying claim to medals of valor they never earned. Fabrication of records and results and bogus claims of bravery and courage are more widespread than imagined. Yet, there are still true and authentic heroes – people of Dignity, whose testimonies are marked by an unselfish risking of life for the benefit of another or others. Paul, writing to the Philippians, commended two of his colleagues as true heroes of the faith. First, Timothy’s unselfishness and proven character gained Paul’s praise as a true son who had served with him in the gospel (Phil.2:22). Second, Paul described Epaphroditus as “my brother, fellow worker, and fellow soldier” (Phil.2:25). Paul told the Philippians to “hold such men in high esteem” (v.29). Honoring fellow believers, as it was in Philippi, for their unselfish service to God is a biblical mandate. It is not hero worship, but an attitude of respect for a life well lived.

Although living a Life of Dignity anticipates high moral standards, it remains in the ambit of grace, not legalism. Dignity is not by human works of righteousness but by Grace alone. Faith in Christ makes extraordinary heroes out of ordinary people. If flawed personalities in the Old Testament such as Gideon, Barak, and Jephthah could be named in the New Testament book of Hebrews, along with Noah, Abraham, Moses, and other notables, there is hardly anyone whose life God cannot dignify (Heb.11:32)! The Bible honors those individuals for their faith and for responding to God’s call during times of pervading spiritual darkness; not for their perfection. They were recipients of His grace as surely as we are. In every era, God calls and dignifies people who are true to Him and His Word. The measure of their lives and of ours is not the absolute absence of failure but the presence of God’s grace and the faith to obey His call. You can be a Vessel of Honor and Dignity!