Seasons of life
February 15, 2019
Commentary
The Levites were gifts to Aaron and his sons to serve at the sacred tent (vv. 19-20). They were held responsible for what happened to anyone who got too close to the sacred tent. They were dedicated to the Lord and did just as He commanded (vv. 21-22). The LORD told Moses that the Levites who were between the ages of 25 and 50 could work at His sacred tent (vv. 23-24). But once they turned 50, they must retire (vv. 25-26). A question we might ask: Why were the Levites supposed to retire at age 50? The reasons were probably more practical than theological:
Moving the tabernacle and its furniture through the wilderness required strength. The younger men were more suited for the work of lifting the heavy articles.They were allowed to assist with various light duties. This helped the younger men assume more responsibilities and it allowed the older men to be in a position to advise and counsel them.The listing of the age limits for service as a Levite seems to teach a truth that active service for God demands the utmost and the best in strength and wisdom. The age span was given as twenty-five to fifty years. The twenty-fifth to thirtieth year probably was a term of internship or probation. Before beginning the formal years of service, the Levites underwent many years of training; after completing active duty, a term of lighter service was maintained. The service of God, whether in the training, probationary, active or semi-retired stage, was vital for the success of God’s people on their journey.
Application
I don’t believe there is any place in Scripture that suggests we should retire from doing the Lord’s work. However, there are definitely different seasons of life and we should prepare for the different changes that take place in this process. For us to quit altogether is bad, but to hang on to something that we are no longer able to do is also not good. Lord, help me to be active for You as long as my health will permit, but keep me from trying to do something that I am no longer capable of doing.
Numbers 8:19– 26 (NET)
19 I have given the Levites as a gift to Aaron and his sons from among the Israelites, to do the work for the Israelites in the tent of meeting, and to make atonement for the Israelites, so there will be no plague among the Israelites when the Israelites come near the sanctuary.”
20 So Moses and Aaron and the entire community of the Israelites did this with the Levites. According to all that the Lord commanded Moses concerning the Levites, this is what the Israelites did with them. 21 The Levites purified themselves and washed their clothing; then Aaron presented them like a wave offering before the Lord, and Aaron made atonement for them to purify them. 22 After this, the Levites went in to do their work in the tent of meeting before Aaron and before his sons. As the Lord had commanded Moses concerning the Levites, so they did.
23 Then the Lord spoke to Moses: 24 “This is what pertains to the Levites: At the age of twenty-five years and upward one may begin to join the company in the work of the tent of meeting, 25 and at the age of fifty years they must retire from performing the work and may no longer work. 26 They may assist their colleagues in the tent of meeting to attend to needs, but they must do no work. This is the way you must establish the Levites regarding their duties.”
Illustration: Retirement may decrease your life span
Dr. Charles H. Hennekens of Harvard Medical School says that retirement may increase a man’s risk of dying of heart attack. His statement – “We found an 80 percent higher rate of death from coronary disease among those in a study who had retired compared with those who had not.” (Source Unknown)