BEYOND METHUSELAH—WHO IS OLD?
masculine and have no feminine counterpart. When the Bible speaks of familial authority and honor, however, that is provided for father and mother, both.® In evoking punishment for dishonoring parents, the mother, in fact, is named first; and the rebellious son is to be appropriately punished.
In the wisdom literature, despite its feminine cloak, the picture usually invoked is“My son” and“father,” so the image of family life and the passing of traditions is from the older to the younger male(Prov. 2:1, 4:1, 5:1). In Proverbs 31, however, the son receives his instruction from his mother.
HELP FOR THE AGED IN THE BIBLE
How does the Bible deal with the elderly when they become feeble or disabled? Even the feeble aged are not listed as objects of charity. They are not included with the widow, the orphan, and the stranger.” These three categories are frequently mentioned and become standard, but the aged are never added to them. Old age is not considered a disability, and the aged are not seen as needy.
When King Asa is pictured as old, his diseased feet, presumably caused by gout, are mentioned. He seeks the help of physicians rather than God and then dies(1 Kings 15:23-24; 2 Chron. 16:12). This is the only medical treatment of the aged the Bible mentions.
As we review the biblical period, we can state that age is honored, and the older generation, not necessarily aged, is often in a position of authority. Age is a sign of blessing, but death at a young age is not necessarily attributed to sin.