Attitudes to old age
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· 19 viewsOld age is generally held in honour and the aged in society are to be respected. Because of the wisdom associated with their advancing years elders had an important role of authority and guidance in Israelite society and the NT speaks of the leadership of elders within the church.
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Old age is to be held in honour
Old age is to be held in honour
Respect for the aged
Respect for the aged
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Respect for parents
Respect for parents
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Old age is associated with wisdom
Old age is associated with wisdom
Deferring to the wisdom of the aged
Deferring to the wisdom of the aged
So Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite said:
“I am young in years,
and you are old;
that is why I was fearful,
not daring to tell you what I know.
I thought, ‘Age should speak;
advanced years should teach wisdom.’
See also Rehoboam rejected the advice of elders and rebellion ensued; ; ; Paul refers to his age to add authority to his words.
Learning from the previous generation
Learning from the previous generation
Even when I am old and gray,
do not forsake me, my God,
till I declare your power to the next generation,
your mighty acts to all who are to come.
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Old age does not necessarily bring superior wisdom
Old age does not necessarily bring superior wisdom
Better a poor but wise youth than an old but foolish king who no longer knows how to heed a warning.
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Showing disrespect for the elderly is a sign of evil days
Showing disrespect for the elderly is a sign of evil days
People will oppress each other—
man against man, neighbor against neighbor.
The young will rise up against the old,
the nobody against the honored.
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The role and status of elders
The role and status of elders
Elders of non-Israelite nations
Elders of non-Israelite nations
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Elders in Israel
Elders in Israel
Israel’s elders were probably the heads of families, qualified to lead by virtue of age and experience:
Israel’s elders were probably the heads of families, qualified to lead by virtue of age and experience:
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The number of elders is reduced to 70 who are anointed by the Spirit for leadership alongside Moses.
Town elders were responsible for apprehending murderers and settling matrimonial disputes:
Town elders were responsible for apprehending murderers and settling matrimonial disputes:
; ;
Israel’s elders accept David as king; Jewish elders were among those who tried Jesus Christ. By NT times they had become involved with religious as well as civil affairs and their title related more to their role than to age.
Elders in the church
Elders in the church
The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching.
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God as the “Ancient of Days”
God as the “Ancient of Days”
God as one “advanced in years”
God as one “advanced in years”
This description of God as the “Ancient of Days” implies that he possesses the respectability, authority and wisdom to judge that accompanies age. It also points to his eternity.
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The eternity of God
The eternity of God
The Lord reigns forever;
he has established his throne for judgment.
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