OLD AGE
OLD AGE
Now Barzillai was very old, eighty years of age. He had provided for the king during his stay in Mahanaim, for he was a very wealthy man. The king said to Barzillai, “Cross over with me and stay with me in Jerusalem, and I will provide for you.” But Barzillai answered the king, “How many more years will I live, that I should go up to Jerusalem with the king? I am now eighty years old. Can I tell the difference between what is enjoyable and what is not? Can your servant taste what he eats and drinks? Can I still hear the voices of male and female singers? Why should your servant be an added burden to my lord the king? —II Samuel 19:32-:35
Barzillai was a faithful supporter and servant of King David. He had provided for him when David was in exile. Now that the King was returning to Jerusalem He desired to repay Barzillai for his faithfulness and have him come to Jerusalem. The King would take care of him for the rest of his life.
Barzillai realistically acknowledge where he was in life. A sorrow of this fallen world is that we age and eventually cannot do and experience things we use to. In Barzillai’s case he knew his taste buds had changed along with his hearing. He knew he did not have many more years to live and wanted to die in his own town and be buried with his parents.
Yes, old age takes a toll, more on some than on others as healthy bodies become weaker and health issues are experience. Glasses, hearing aids, false teeth, synthetic body parts, canes, walkers and wheel chairs are well known among the elderly. Loss of independence follows in older age. No more motorcycle riding or driving a car. Even a walk outside during warm sunny weather becomes impossible for many who are aged.
Yes, this fallen world takeS a toll on the body, but the good news of trusting Jesus includes a new body that will not perish (I Corinthians 15). As we age as followers of Jesus, this is the hope that we have in Him—- “Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is” (I John 3:2). Praise God for our eternal body soon to be ours!
Dear Father, I am grateful to know Jesus now and to soon be with Him forever. I do look forward to my eternal body which will not feel the effects of the fall. Thank You for all that You are and all that You have done for me in Jesus. May I live out the rest of this life in the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Jesus. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TfiYWaeAcRw