Dictionary of Bible Themes 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. Genesis 5:5,8,11,27Life expectancy in the OT Before the flood Genesis 9:29Methuselah died in the year of the flood Genesis 6:3See also After the flood Genesis 11:10-25Genesis 25:7-8 Following the flood, the span of life gradually reduces Psalms 90:10Abraham's death at 175 is considered "a good old age". See also In later generations 2 Samuel 5:4-5; 19:34-35Deuteronomy 5:33 Attaining old age is a blessing from God See also Long life as a reward for obedience Exodus 20:12Deuteronomy 4:40 Proverbs 3:1-2; 16:31 pp Dt 5:16 Ecclesiastes 8:13Genesis 15:15 See also Reaching old age is a mark of God's favour Genesis 24:1; 35:29Judges 8:32 Isaac 1 Chronicles 29:28Gideon 2 Chronicles 24:15David, like Abraham and Gideon is described as dying at "a good old age" Job 42:17Jehoiada Zechariah 8:4Job See also People reaching old age indicates God's blessing on society Isaiah 65:20Proverbs 17:6 See also Seeing grandchildren is a sign of blessing Genesis 48:11; 50:22-23Ruth 4:15 Job 42:16 Psalms 128:5-6 Isaiah 53:10 1 Samuel 2:31-33 Failure to reach old age is a result of God's judgment Psalms 71:9The disabilities of old age See also Its frailties Genesis 27:1; 48:101 Kings 1:1; 15:23 Ecclesiastes 12:2-7 Genesis 18:11-13 an allegory portraying physical decline See also The progressive inability to have children Genesis 17:17; 37:32 Kings 4:14 Luke 1:18 Children born in old age were rare and therefore special Genesis 27:21 Kings 1:15 The approach of death 1 Chronicles 23:1Isaiah 46:4 God's provision for the aged See also God strengthens and sustains them Deuteronomy 34:7Joshua 14:10-11 Job 5:26 Psalms 92:14 Genesis 21:7 God gives them children 2 Kings 4:16-17Abraham and Sarah Luke 1:36the Shunammite woman Elizabeth Job 12:12Wisdom and self-control should accompany old age See also Job 15:10Proverbs 20:29 John 8:9 Titus 2:2 See also 1335 blessing4015 life 5297 disease 5446 poverty 5498 reward 5697 grandparents 5724 offspring 5795 bereavement 8357 weakness 8361 wisdom 8453 obedience 9020 death |
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