THE AGED 2
If Gray Hair is a Crown, Have You Treated It Like One?
If gray hair is a crown, have you truly treated it like one?
And if the way you treat the elderly today became the standard for how you will be treated tomorrow, would you be comfortable with that? In what other ways can you honour the elderly around you?
Speak to the Aged with Reverence, Not Harshness
Rebuke not an elder, but entreat him as a father; and the younger men as brothers; 1 Tim. 5:1 (KJ2000)
In Job 32, we see a good example of this. Elihu was the youngest among Job’s friends. Even though he believed the older men were wrong, he kept quiet and waited for them to finish speaking before he spoke.
Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job because they were older than he. (Job 32:4 NKJV)
And when he finally spoke, he explained why he waited:
“I am young, but you are elderly; that is why I was fearful, and afraid to explain to you what I know. I said to myself, ‘Age should speak, and length of years should make wisdom known. But it is a spirit in people, the breath of the Almighty, that makes them understand. It is not the aged who are wise, nor old men who understand what is right.” (Job 32:6-9 NET)
This teaches us that wisdom is not only about what you say, but also when and how you say it.
Honoring the Aged Is Sowing for Your Own Future
Do you know that you honour the aged for your own sake? When you honour the aged, you are planting seeds for your own future.
“Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.” Gal. 6:7 (NKJV)
If you dishonour the aged today, do not expect honour when your own strength wanes. But when you honor them, you are sowing mercy, dignity, and respect into the years ahead, should God grant you long life.
God Gives You Strength to Help the Weak
The Psalmist prayed:
“Do not cast me off in the time of old age; do not forsake me when my strength fails.” (Psa. 71:9)
God says:
“Even when you are old, I will take care of you, even when you have gray hair, I will carry you. I made you and I will support you; I will carry you and rescue you.” (Isa 46:4)
Guess who God uses to fulfil this promise to the elderly? So they should not be ignored or overlooked. God gives young people strength so they can serve and help, not to look down on older people. The strength of the young is meant to support the weakness of the aged, not to overshadow or disrespect them. If you are young and strong, it is because God wants you to use that strength to help others. Your glory is your strength; use it wisely.
“Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder… Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time.” (1 Pet.5:5-6 KJV)
Honouring Older People Is God’s Idea
Honouring older people is God’s idea, not something society made up. It shows respect for life, appreciation for wisdom, and obedience to God’s Word. When we show respect to elders, speak to them humbly, and use our strength to serve them, we are walking in God’s will, and we are also preparing a future of honour for ourselves.
READ NEXT: HONOUR (PART 22)
