Daily Devotions
Respect for the Aged
Title: Respect for the Aged
Reading for March 17: Judges 11-13
Weekly reading for March 11-17: Colossians 1-4; Philemon
Accordingly, though I am bold enough in Christ to command you to do what is required, yet for love's sake I prefer to appeal to you-I, Paul, an old man and now a prisoner also for Christ Jesus.
Philemon 8-9
I read this verse and got to thinking whether Paul's appeal based on his age would still work today.
In biblical times, age meant something. God had commanded honor for the aged. "You shall stand up before the gray head and honor the face of an old man, and you shall fear your God: I am the Lord." (Leviticus 19:32) Respect for the elderly was connected with the fear of God.
The ancient world didn't see age as something to be ashamed of. "Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained in a righteous life." (Proverbs 16:31) Gray hair was a sign of wisdom. After years of righteous living, an aged man or woman would be respected and admired in the community of God's people. When they spoke the people of God would listen.
That's not to say that everyone honored age in that time. The wise man had to tell his son, "Listen to your father who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old." (Proverbs 23:22) The apostle Paul warned Timothy about youthful pride telling him, "Do not rebuke an older man but encourage him as you would a father... older women like mothers..." (1 Timothy 5:1-2)
I've been to places in the world where age is still generally respected. I've heard stories of how things used to be years ago.
Our desire, however, is not to imitate another culture or a by-gone age. We want to restore the community of God to the way it should be. We want to show the deference and respect for age that God is looking for in us.
Father, thank you for the hoary heads among us. May we not despise their shortcomings, but rather praise them for their years of love for you and service for the saints.
