Dictionary of Bible Themes The period between youth and old age. Middle age is marked by physical strength and experience and should bring maturity and stability. Many of God's servants began ministry in middle age, often after having been prepared in their youth. Middle age may also bring complacency and the temptation to leave the devotion and commitments of youth. Numbers 1:2-3Middle age defined See also Adulthood reckoned from age 20 Exodus 30:14; 38:26Numbers 26:2-4 1 Chronicles 23:24 See also 2 Chronicles 31:17Ezra 3:8 Luke 3:23 See also Full maturity reckoned from age 30 Numbers 4:30,43Leviticus 27:3-7 Characteristics of middle age Physical strength See also Numbers 1:45Strength is greatest between 20 and 60. Joshua 14:10Men served in the army from age 20 Ecclesiastes 1:16Caleb, in his prime at 40, is still strong at 85. See also Growth in wisdom and experience 1 Samuel 17:332 Samuel 17:8 2 Chronicles 17:13 1 Chronicles 22:5 See also 1 Chronicles 29:1Proverbs 7:7 Ephesians 4:13-14 See also Maturity and stability 1 Corinthians 2:6Hebrews 5:11-14 James 1:4 Proverbs 22:6 The responsibilities of middle age See also The need to be prepared for these responsibilities Proverbs 4:1-4Luke 1:80 See also Solomon passes on wisdom learned from his father. 1 Samuel 2:26Luke 2:40 Numbers 8:24 The need to train for service See also 1 Chronicles 23:27The period from 25 to 30 (see Nu 4:3) may have been a period of apprenticeship. Numbers 11:28In later years the apprenticeship may have started at 20 Numbers 4:3See also The start of service in middle age Acts 7:23Joshua 14:7 Moses showed concern for his fellow Israelites at age 40 1 Samuel 7:3-4Caleb was 40 when he explored Canaan Luke 3:3Samuel became judge over Israel in his thirties John 8:57John the Baptist began his public ministry at about 30 1 Timothy 3:1-13Jesus Christ had not achieved the status of wisdom and authority associated with old age in Israel Genesis 41:46The mention of families in the instructions to elders and deacons suggests that these leaders were of middle age. Rulers coming to office in middle age 1 Samuel 13:1Joseph 2 Samuel 5:4Saul 2 Samuel 2:10David 2 Chronicles 12:13Ish-Bosheth 2 Chronicles 20:31pp 1Ki 14:21 Rehoboam Jehoshaphat 2 Samuel 11:1Temptations of middle age Isaiah 32:9-11Complacency Amos 6:12 Samuel 11:4 1 Kings 11:3-4 Worldly distractions Ecclesiastes 2:1-8Luke 12:18-19 Proverbs 2:16-17 Malachi 2:14 Turning from the commitment of youth See also 4971 seasons of life5051 responsibility 5205 alliance 5810 complacency 5853 experience of life 5902 maturity 5956 strength, human 6248 temptation 8203 character 8207 commitment 8345 servanthood & worship 8370 zeal |
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