BIBLICAL PERSPECTIVE
What value does God place on the elderly? What part will the elderly play in the future, and what part should they play now? Are the oldest members of our society still a valuable resource? Can they still be contributors in our society?
The word of God gives understanding. Proverbs 16:31 teaches, “The silver-haired head is a crown of glory, if it is found in the way of righteousness.” The Bible clearly instructs people to have great respect for those blessed with many years: “You shall rise before the gray headed and honor the presence of an old man…” (Leviticus 19:32).
The Bible also teaches seniors to set good examples for the youth. The Apostle Paul told a minister under his instruction to teach “that the older men be sober, reverent, temperate, sound in faith, in love, in patience; the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things—that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children” (Titus 2:2–4). Seniors are to be respected, esteemed, and honoured, because the “multitude of years should teach wisdom” (Job 32:7).
God’s word also instructs that age brings great blessings to those who have striven to spend their years walking in His ways: “The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree, he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon. Those who are planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bear fruit in old age; they shall be fresh and flourishing” (Psalm 92:12–14).
What is often called the “generation gap” refers to differences in opinion and preferences that seem to exist between one generation and another, often involving facets of life such as clothing styles, music and entertainment, and the use of technology. The previous generation is seen as a group whose time has passed, to be supplanted by a newer and “improved” generation.
The good news of the Kingdom of God, however, is that Jesus Christ is returning to this world to establish God’s government and a truly just society on this earth—a message that speaks of a time when elders and youth will live together without such a “gap.”
Prophecy tells us there will come a time when the world will look to Jerusalem as an example in many ways—including concerning the relationship between the young and the aged: “Thus says the Lord of hosts:… ‘Old men and old women shall again sit in the streets of Jerusalem, each one with his staff in his hand because of great age. The streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in its streets’” (Zechariah 8:3–5).
God will bring all generations together in shared activities. At that time, the elderly in Canada—and of all nations—won’t fear mixing and mingling with the young, and the young will show honour to the “hoary head.”
In a Tomorrow’s World commentary written several years ago by the late Charles Knowlton, he speaks of a future where the “generation gap” will be no more: “Yes, old and young will mix together with mutual love and respect. Finally, the gulf will be bridged and there will be harmony among people of all ages” (“A Better World is Coming,” Tomorrow’s World, September–October 2011). That time is closer than when he first wrote.
There was a time when older people were highly regarded, respected, and consulted, but now they are too often neglected by a society that wishes to “move on.” However, the current state of affairs will be forever changed for the better when God Almighty establishes His government on this earth.
Article Appeared @https://www.tomorrowsworld.org/magazines/2017/july-august/ending-the-generation-gap