Dying and Rising with Christ - St Johns Mar Thoma Church UK

Lenten Devotion

Share the Wisdom of the Elderly

When we use terms like “Senior Citizen,” “the elderly,” or “the aged,” several synonyms come to mind—some rather harsh: passed their prime, spent force, those past the “sell-by date,” surplus to requirement, one foot in the grave, burden on society. They are often marginalized and labeled as non-productive members of the community. But these are the people who have lived through various conditions and survived all that was thrown at them. Those who have reached their seventies or eighties have weathered wars, floods, droughts, and financial downturns, building up invaluable skills for survival.

What Does the Bible Say?

The Bible offers a radically different perspective on aging and the elderly. Far from being a burden, older people are portrayed as sources of wisdom, honor, and continued fruitfulness.

"They still bear fruit in old age; they are ever full of sap and green."

Psalm 92:14

"The glory of the young is their strength; the grey hair of experience is the splendour of the old."

Proverbs 20:29

"You shall stand up before the grey head and honour the face of an old man, and you shall fear your God: I am the Lord."

Leviticus 19:32

"Grey hair is a crown of splendour; it is attained in the way of righteousness."

Proverbs 16:31

If you have spent your years walking with God and learning from Him, then you have earned every grey hair on your head. They should be celebrated and worn like a crown, as a testament that you are the living, breathing child of a King.

God Does Not Operate an Age Bar

God does not operate an age bar or retirement age. Throughout Scripture, we see God choosing older individuals for His greatest works:

Noah

God chose Noah when he was 600 years old to build an ark to save the animals of His creation from the flood.

Abraham & Sarah

God chose Abraham to be the father of a great nation when he was 100 years old and Sarah when she was 90 years old.

Moses & Aaron

God chose Moses to lead the Israelites from slavery when he was 80 years old and Aaron when he was 83 years old.

Zechariah & Elizabeth

God chose them as parents of John the Baptist, the forerunner of Christ, when they were too old to have children.

A Promise for All Ages

“So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.” (2 Corinthians 4:16) Our body may appear older, but our insides are being renewed daily. Old age is a blessing from the Lord.

The Gift of Wisdom

Understanding Wisdom

When people think of wisdom, they immediately think of scholarly knowledge or extensive learning. But wisdom could be defined as having the knowledge of what is true and right. The Greek philosopher Socrates defined wisdom beautifully: “The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing.” The more you know, the more you realize how much you don’t know.

Knowledge is the accumulation of facts and data that you have learned about or experienced. It is being aware of something and having information gathered through study, research, investigation, observation, or experience.

Wisdom is the ability to discern and judge which aspects of that knowledge are true, right, lasting, and applicable to your life. It is the ability to apply that knowledge to the greater scheme of life—knowing the meaning or reason, understanding why something is and what it means to your existence.

Knowledge vs. Wisdom in Action

Knowledge knows when you are driving your car that the traffic light has turned red; wisdom applies the brakes. Knowledge sees a puddle of water; wisdom walks around it. Knowledge memorizes the Ten Commandments; wisdom obeys them. Knowledge learns of God; wisdom loves Him.

Biblical Wisdom

The biblical definition of wisdom is the fear of the Lord—that’s where it begins, and God is the source of that wisdom. Paul makes a clear distinction between worldly wisdom and God’s wisdom. The earthly wisdom is really no wisdom at all because “the wisdom of this world is folly with God” (1 Corinthians 3:19).

"The fear of the Lord is instruction in wisdom, and humility comes before honour."

Proverbs 15:33

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight."

Proverbs 9:10

The fear referred to here is not the fear of being struck down by lightning or being struck dead, but it is a deep, abiding, holy reverence and respect for the Lord and for His word. Where there is reverence, there tends to be obedience, and God has said He prefers obedience over sacrifice (1 Samuel 15:22; Hosea 6:6).

The Source of Wisdom

King Solomon was not born wise—perhaps he was not even a scholar—but he sought wisdom. He located the source of wisdom and found a way of getting it. He realized that wisdom was with God and that to get it, one must ask for it. He had to get close to God and have a conversation with Him. One should have one’s communication channels open with God.

"If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind."

James 1:5-6

Why Should We Listen to Old People?

There is ambivalence about the wisdom of older people if popular culture is any guide. We are provided with buffoonish images of old people in popular media. Despite these negative images, young people are open to the idea of older people as potential repositories of wisdom. Still, young people are right to ask: Why should I spend time listening to old people’s advice about how to live my life? Let me offer three compelling reasons:

Listening promotes well-being and even survival

For centuries, the accumulated wisdom of older people was key to human survival. Not only did the old improve the survival chances of their tribe, they were also the source of tried and tested experience—the true "elders" to whom group members would go in times of crisis.

Elders are a unique and extraordinary generation

People in their seventies and beyond have lived through experiences many of us today can only imagine. Their lives have often included "ultimate limit situations"—situations that cannot be undone and were nonetheless faced with consciousness and resolve. It is precisely these situations that lead to wisdom. This unique perspective is a valuable lens through which younger people can view their own lives.

Elders offer an alternative to conventional wisdom

Conventional wisdom is what members of a society learn while they are growing up. It ultimately becomes the basis of our identity and self-esteem. It's very hard to see beyond conventional wisdom, even if it makes us live smaller and less happy lives. But it is in the challenge to the conventional worldview that the true value of elder wisdom lies. The elders make us examine our assumptions and make more conscious decisions about our own scripts for happiness.

"Look for a moment at ancient wisdom and consider the truth our fathers learnt. Our life is short, we know nothing at all; we pass like shadows across the earth. But let the wise men teach you; Listen to what they had to say."

Job 8:8-10

"Remember the days of old; consider the generations long past. Ask your father and he will tell you, your elders, and they will explain to you."

Deuteronomy 32:7

The Consequences of Ignoring Elder Wisdom

After Solomon’s death, his son Rehoboam succeeded as king. He went to Shechem where all the people of northern Israel gathered to make him king. The people made a request: if he made their life easier than Solomon, who had put heavy burdens on them, they would be his loyal subjects.

Rehoboam consulted the older men who were the advisers of Solomon. They advised him to give a favorable answer to the people. But he refused their advice and took the counsel of his younger friends who were his new advisers—to be much tougher than Solomon.

The consequence? The nation was divided into two: Judea, where Rehoboam ruled as king, and Israel, where Jeroboam was appointed as king. This division marked a turning point in Israel’s history, all because a young king rejected the wisdom of experienced elders.

The Consequences of Ignoring Elder Wisdom

Old Christian men and women have a duty to help the younger generation.

"And now that I am old and grey, don't forsake me. Give me time to tell this new generation (and their children too) about all your mighty miracles."

Psalm 71:18

This should be the prayer of many, asking God to stay with them and to remember them throughout their lives. We live long enough to see God’s wonderful work and should ache at the thought of someone not getting that chance. We hope that we can help others to know Him as we have known Him.

Counsel for Senior Citizens

“Teach the older men to be serious and unruffled; they must be sensible, knowing and believing the truth and doing everything with love and patience. Teach the older women to be quiet and respectful in everything they do. They must not go around speaking evil of others and must not be heavy drinkers, but they should be teachers of goodness. These older women must train the younger women to live quietly, to love their husbands and their children, and to be sensible and clean minded, spending their time in their own homes, being kind and obedient to their husbands, so that the Christian faith can’t be spoken against by those who know them.” (Titus 2:2-5)

Key Takeaways to Remember

God does not operate an age bar—He uses people at any age for His purposes

Older people gain wisdom from their long life experience

Worldly wisdom is folly in the sight of God

God's wisdom is the true everlasting wisdom

God is the source of wisdom, which will be given to those who ask in faith

Old Christian men and women have the duty to pass on wisdom to the new generation

A Message of Hope

There is a common belief that we gradually become less useful as we grow older; that this world is made for the young. Yet Noah, Moses, and Abraham—some of our greatest biblical examples—all went on some of their greatest adventures at a time when most would be settling into retirement.

Should you find yourself feeling a little forgotten, overlooked, or unappreciated, take care to remember that God will use you at any age. There is no age limit to the way He works, and His is a love that never grows old.

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