Faithful Steward Ministries and FSM Women's Outreach

We must both, I’m afraid, recognize that, as we grow older, we become like old cars—more and more repairs and replacements are necessary. We must just look forward to the fine new machines (latest Resurrection model) which are waiting for us, we hope, in the Divine garage.

—C.S. Lewis (1898-1963), author, professor, Oxford University

Bible Truth Behind the Quote:
Our current bodies will wear out like tents, but our future resurrection bodies will be like sturdy buildings that won’t wear out (2 Corinthians 5:1-5).

Ron Rhodes, 1001 Unforgettable Quotes about God, Faith, & the Bible (Eugene, OR: Harvest House Publishers, 2011).

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Many of you may have heard the expression Getting old is not for sissies or some version of it. Many people are in dire fear of getting old and dying. For me, the most challenging thing is being unable to do the stuff I could 6 or 7 years ago. Our text above reminds us that this is God’s plan since Adam and Eve’s rebellion in the Garden. Paul, whose trade was as a tent maker, understood that even the best tents need repair and eventually get to the point where repair is impractical.

Let me briefly go off track and give you some recent examples. A gentleman in our church, Mr. Jimmy, in his 90s, was taken to the hospital for some illness. It came to the point where the doctors said he needed to be on a feeding tube (all worn out). Mr. Jimmy was alert enough to say no, and later that day, he was discharged and went home. The following evening, Mr. Jimmy went to his eternal home with the Lord.

The other example is that of a very good friend of mine, Big Dave. He is about 65, has had many health issues, and, like me, is stubborn like a 3-legged mule. Note in our text v.1 (AMP) begins For we know that if the earthly tent [our physical body] which is our house is torn down. There is an implication that until then, we should take care of our earthly tent (bodies) and make the necessary repairs. My friend had surgery 3 weeks ago, did not want to take it easy, and decided he could shovel his driveway. Well, he is with the Lord now from a massive heart attack.

I use this not to criticize but as a warning to us senior citizens that our mission on earth may not be over, so do not hurry it along. old age, attainment of

Attaining old age is regarded as a blessing from God, often as a reward for obedience. The physical weakness brought by old age is recognised; so too is God’s ability to strengthen and sustain the aged. Old age is often accompanied by a growth in wisdom and discernment.

Martin H. Manser, Dictionary of Bible Themes: The Accessible and Comprehensive Tool for Topical Studies (London: Martin Manser, 2009).

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Seek that your last days be your best days.

—Ralph Venning (1622-1674), author, clergyman

Bible Truth Behind the Quote:
An aging Paul, near death, said: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (2 Timothy 4:7). Paul served the Lord right up till the end.

Ron Rhodes, 1001 Unforgettable Quotes about God, Faith, & the Bible (Eugene, OR: Harvest House Publishers, 2011).

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STUDY

AGING – Natural process of human beings growing older and, according to the Bible, gaining respect.
Old Testament References to aging persons in the OT stress the physiological changes of aging (1 Kings 14:4; 2 Sam. 19:35; Eccles. 12:1–5; Zech. 8:4), the wisdom of the aging (Deut. 32:7; Job 12:12), the honor due the aging (Exod. 20:12; Lev. 19:32), and the continuing service of the aging (Gen. 12–50, the patriarchs; Josh. 13:1; 14:10; Ps. 92:14; Joel 2:28). Aging is presented as a normal part of the biblical view of the life cycle (Ps. 90:10; Isa. 46:4). See Elder.

New Testament References to aging persons in the NT focus on the responsibility of children or the family of faith to care for dependent or disabled aging persons (Mark 7:1–13; Matt. 15:1–6; 1 Tim. 5:4, 8; James 1:27). The young are urged to honor the aging (1 Tim. 5:1–2), and the aging are encouraged to be worthy examples (Titus 2:2–3). Christians are expected to care for widows (Acts 6:1–7), and the aging are expected to serve God as did Zechariah, Elizabeth, Simeon, and Anna in Luke 1–2. Such service by the aging can bring blessings to their families, as did Timothy’s grandmother and mother (2 Tim. 1:5).

Practical Concerns The biblical view of aging is unequivocally positive, though allowing for the possibility that an older person can be foolish (Eccles. 4:13). Generally, older persons have a reservoir of wisdom and understanding based on past experience (Deut. 32:7). They can experience new family joys, even after many previous sad experiences (Ruth 4:13–17). Both youth and age have their unique worth; they are not in competition (Prov. 20:29). While advancing age results in diminishing strength (Eccles. 12:1–8), God’s grace and help are available to persons in each stage of life (Isa. 46:4).

Douglas Anderson

Anderson Douglas, “Aging,” in Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary, ed. Chad Brand et al. (Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2003), 33–34.

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OLD, OLD AGE

Old age is seen in the Bible first of all as a time of human frailty. This frailty begins with the curse of Genesis 3 in which human beings are destined to the dust from which they were created. The outworking of this curse is seen especially in Genesis 5 with the constant repetition “and he died.” The frailty of the last phase of human existence is seen in the diminishing of physical abilities: sight (Gen 27:1; 48:10; 1 Sam 4:12–18; Eccles 12:2–3; see EYE, SIGHT); taste (2 Sam 19:31–39); hearing (2 Sam 19:31–39; see EAR, HEARING); reproduction (Gen 18:11; Lk 1:36); circulation (1 Sam 28:14); sleep (Eccles 12:4); strength (Ps 71:9); speech (Eccles 12:4). The body changes in appearance: weight gain (1 Sam 4:12–18); gray hair (Gen 42:38; Prov 20:29; Eccles 12:5); stooping posture (Eccles 12:3); absent teeth (Eccles 12:3). There are psychological changes as well, such as fear (Ps 71:9–10; Eccles 12:5) and lack of desire (Eccles 12:5).

Old age is communicated through powerful images. By far the most vivid is that found in Ecclesiastes 12:1–9, where the physiological symptoms of old age are portrayed in the vivid metaphors of the blossoming almond tree (gray hair), the grinders ceasing (absent teeth), windows growing dim (poor eyesight), the doors on the street being shut (loss of hearing) and the grasshopper dragging itself along (loss of sprightliness in walking). So also death is depicted with domestic images from everyday life, each one describing the moment of death as an irrevocable household crisis: a broken golden bowl, a shattered pitcher at the spring, a broken wheel at the well. Several biblical characters are exceptions to these transformations and become powerful images: Sarah, who is beautiful in her old age (Gen 12:11, 14); Moses and Caleb, who remain strong in old age (Deut 34:7; Josh 14:11). But these are exceptions, and the biblical norm is that one’s later years are marked by decline.

This image of frailty is the root of the sense of vulnerability that accompanies old age in the Bible. This is communicated powerfully through the figure of Isaac, whose frailty in old age leaves him vulnerable to deception at the hand of his wife and son Jacob (Gen 27). Such vulnerability is reflected in the transformed value of the elderly in the society at large. There is a considerable drop in the votive value of a human being once the age of sixty is attained (Lev 27:1–8). Levites over fifty are no longer allowed to work directly in the tent of meeting (Num 8:25–26). This vulnerability is reflected in the precariousness of one’s hold on power in old age (2 Sam 15, 20; 1 Kings 1) and of one’s ability to control his own destiny (Jn 21:18). It is also seen in the frustration of the final years on earth (Ps 90, esp. v. 9), of the possibility of ending life in sorrow (Gen 42:38; 44:31) and in the potential for foolishness (1 Kings 11:4; Eccles 4:13; 1 Tim 4:7). Because of such vulnerability the Bible condemns any preying on the elderly and encourages care of these legitimate members of the community (Prov 19:26; 30:17; Mk 7:5–13; Acts 6:1; 1 Tim 5:13–16; Jas 1:27).

Such frailty, however, is not the only image connected with old age in the Bible. In Daniel 7:9, 13 God is called the “Ancient of Days,” a figure who possesses great power and authority. So also with human beings, old age is a sign of authority. This authority is attested in the honor expected for the elderly (Lev 19:32; Deut 28:50; Prov 16:31; 20:29; 23:22; 1 Tim 5:1; Philem 9). This authority is linked to the wisdom that should accompany greater age and experience (1 Kings 12:6–20; Job 12:12; 15:10; Ps 37:25; 119:100) and is expressed through leadership in the community, especially in the role of dispensing justice and teaching and acting as representative for the people (Lev 4:13–15; Num 11:16–17; 16:25; Deut 21:2, 19; 22:15ff. 25:7ff. 27:1; Josh 20:4; Ruth 4; Acts 14:23; 15:2; Tit 1:5; James 5:14; 1 Pet 5:1–5).

Old age is sometimes seen as a sign of God’s blessing (Gen 15:15; 24:1; 25:7–8; 35:29; Judg 8:32; 1 Sam 25:6; 1 Chron 29:28; Job 42:17; Ps 91:16; 92:14), whereas an early death is seen as evidence of the curse of God (1 Sam 2:31–32; Is 65:20). Death is inevitable, but the greatest curses are premature death (Is 38:10, 12; Job 36:13–14; Prov 10:27) or sorrowful death (Gen 42:38; 44:29, 31; 1 Kings 2:9) as opposed to peaceful death (1 Kings 2:6). The patriarchal figures of Abraham and Isaac become images of the blessing of old age as they die “old and full of years” (Gen 25:8; 35:29).
Old age is also depicted as a time of transition in which blessing, name, inheritance and responsibility are passed on to a new generation (Gen 27:1; 1 Chron 23:1; Ps 71:18; Titus 2:3–5). This transition is accentuated through the contrast between old and young characters and is especially noticeable in the farewell discourse narratives in the OT, where blessing is passed on to the next generation (Gen 27:27–29; 48:15–16; 49:1–28). This contrast is used by Luke in the dedication of Jesus, as the older generation, represented by Simeon and Anna, are used as images of the hope of past ages finding their climax in the messianic baby. This final image explains the possibility of old age being both a negative and positive image in the Bible; for while such a transition can be a source of honor in passing on one’s heritage, it also signifies one’s own passing on. Thus it is in this transfer from generation to generation that we see both the frailty and the potential of old age.
See also DEATH, HONOR; YOUNG, YOUTH.

BIBLIOGRAPHY. J. G. Harris, Biblical Perspectives on Aging: God and the Elderly (Philadelphia: Fortress, 1987); R. P. Knierim, “Age and Aging in the Old Testament” in Ministry with the Aging, ed. W. M. Clements (San Francisco: Harper & Row, 1981) 21–36; J. Laporte, “The Elderly in the Life and Thought of the Early Church” in Ministry with the Aging, ed. W. M. Clements (San Francisco: Harper & Row, 1981) 37–55; S. Sapp, Full of Years: Aging and the Elderly in the Bible and Today (Nashville: Abingdon, 1987); F. Staff, The Bible Speaks on Aging (Nashville: Broadman, 1981).

Leland Ryken et al., Dictionary of Biblical Imagery (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2000), 605–606.

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SERMON

The Epitaph of a Faithful Preacher

2 Timothy 4:6–8 / Mar 9, 2003