Dictionary of Bible Themes Dictionary of Bible Themes » 5000 Humanity » 5650 Human relationships » 5716 middle age 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. Middle age defined Adulthood reckoned from age 20 Numbers 1:2-3 See also Exodus 30:14; Exodus 38:26; Numbers 26:2-4 1 Chronicles 23:24 See also 2 Chronicles 31:17; Ezra 3:8 Full maturity reckoned from age 30 Luke 3:23 See also Numbers 4:30,43 Characteristics of middle age Physical strength Leviticus 27:3-7 Strength is greatest between 20 and 60. See also Numbers 1:45 Men served in the army from age 20; Joshua 14:10 Caleb, in his prime at 40, is still strong at 85. Growth in wisdom and experience Ecclesiastes 1:16 See also 1 Samuel 17:33; 2 Samuel 17:8; 2 Chronicles 17:13 1 Chronicles 22:5 See also 1 Chronicles 29:1; Proverbs 7:7 Maturity and stability Ephesians 4:13-14 See also 1 Corinthians 2:6; Hebrews 5:11-14; James 1:4 The responsibilities of middle age The need to be prepared for these responsibilities Proverbs 22:6 See also Proverbs 4:1-4 Solomon passes on wisdom learned from his father. Luke 1:80 See also 1 Samuel 2:26; Luke 2:40 The need to train for service Numbers 8:24 The period from 25 to 30 (see Nu 4:3) may have been a period of apprenticeship. See also 1 Chronicles 23:27 In later years the apprenticeship may have started at 20; Numbers 11:28 The start of service in middle age Numbers 4:3 See also Acts 7:23 Moses showed concern for his fellow Israelites at age 40; Joshua 14:7 Caleb was 40 when he explored Canaan; 1 Samuel 7:3-4 Samuel became judge over Israel in his thirties; Luke 3:3 John the Baptist began his public ministry at about 30; John 8:57 Jesus Christ had not achieved the status of wisdom and authority associated with old age in Israel; 1 Timothy 3:1-13 The 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 Genesis 41:46 Joseph; 1 Samuel 13:1 Saul; 2 Samuel 5:4 David; 2 Samuel 2:10 Ish-Bosheth; 2 Chronicles 12:13 pp 1 Kings 14:21 Rehoboam; 2 Chronicles 20:31 Jehoshaphat Temptations of middle age Complacency 2 Samuel 11:1; Isaiah 32:9-11; Amos 6:1 Worldly distractions 2 Samuel 11:4; 1 Kings 11:3-4; Ecclesiastes 2:1-8; Luke 12:18-19 Turning from the commitment of youth Proverbs 2:16-17; Malachi 2:14 See also
4971 seasons of life |
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