4/29/2012
“Barzillai: Showing Respect
to the Elderly”
When you read and study your Bible, you often come upon people that you simply don’t hear much about. That is very true of the man I would like to introduce you to today. And I’d like to introduce by the meaning of his name, which is “Made of Iron.” Who is this? Was it:
A) Berachah
B) Amon
C) Barzillai
D) Jabez
A) Berachah = blessing
B) Amon = faithful and true
C) Barzillai = man of iron
D) Jabez = sorrow, trouble
The answer to today’s quiz is “C – Barzillai.” His name means “Man of iron.”
Please take your Bible in hand and open it to the Book of II Samuel chapter nineteen.
I’ve titled today’s sermon “Barzillai: Showing Respect to the Elderly.” Shall we pray?
Today’s topic is easily found in this man’s story in the Bible.
Did you know that approximately 44% of the US population in the year 2020 will be the “elderly”? As well, according to the US National Institute on Aging, by the year 2040, the life expectancy of a man will be 87?
Yet, it appears as if those of us who live here in the United States have lost the awareness of showing respect to the elderly.
Here is a word from Socrates. In the Republic he says this to Cephalus. "There is nothing I like better than conversing with aged men. For I regard them as travelers who have gone a journey which I too may have to go, and of whom it is right to learn the character of the way, whether it is rugged or difficult, or smooth and easy" (p.328 E.). [Found on www.christianbookshelf.org].
My hope today is to turn the spotlight on the elderly and our Biblical obligation to honor them.
But first, here’s a poem written about those to whom God has given maturity. It’s titled “Our Treasure.”
Our Treasure
(By Cara Marie Filipeli )
"Oh the value of the elderly! How could anyone not know.
They hold so many keys, so many things they can show.
We all will reach the other side this I firmly believe,
And the elderly are closest oh what clues we could retrieve.
For their characters are closest to how we’ll be on high.
They are the ones most developed, you can see it if you try.
They’ve let go of the frivolous and kept things that are dear.
The memories of so sweet, of loved ones that were near.
As a nation we are missing our greatest true resource,
To get to know our elders and let them guide our course."
[Found on www.prescottlife.org].
I found an article in the April 9, 2012 Washington Post by a gerontologist that I though might help us see just why we should have a greater respect for the elderly. The writer, Mr. Karl A. Pillemer, during the past six years, interviewed 1,500 people over the age of seventy and found some amazing results. He titled his article “Twelve Ways to Live a Better Life.” [Found on www.washingtonpost.com]. He noticed that despite more disabilities, more people with chronic disease, higher medical care costs, depression, and simply being older and slower, that many elderly people were happy. He wanted to find out why.
He asked one primary question. “Over the course of your life, what are the most important lessons you would like to pass on to younger people?”
Here’s just a bit of what he discovered.
“In general (and for the first time in human history), we no longer look to our society’s oldest members as a key source of wisdom for how to live happier, healthier, and more fulfilling lives.”
A) Berachah
B) Amon
C) Barzillai
D) Jabez
A) Berachah = blessing
B) Amon = faithful and true
C) Barzillai = man of iron
D) Jabez = sorrow, trouble
The answer to today’s quiz is “C – Barzillai.” His name means “Man of iron.”
Please take your Bible in hand and open it to the Book of II Samuel chapter nineteen.
I’ve titled today’s sermon “Barzillai: Showing Respect to the Elderly.” Shall we pray?
Today’s topic is easily found in this man’s story in the Bible.
Did you know that approximately 44% of the US population in the year 2020 will be the “elderly”? As well, according to the US National Institute on Aging, by the year 2040, the life expectancy of a man will be 87?
Yet, it appears as if those of us who live here in the United States have lost the awareness of showing respect to the elderly.
Here is a word from Socrates. In the Republic he says this to Cephalus. "There is nothing I like better than conversing with aged men. For I regard them as travelers who have gone a journey which I too may have to go, and of whom it is right to learn the character of the way, whether it is rugged or difficult, or smooth and easy" (p.328 E.). [Found on www.christianbookshelf.org].
My hope today is to turn the spotlight on the elderly and our Biblical obligation to honor them.
But first, here’s a poem written about those to whom God has given maturity. It’s titled “Our Treasure.”
Our Treasure
(By Cara Marie Filipeli )
"Oh the value of the elderly! How could anyone not know.
They hold so many keys, so many things they can show.
We all will reach the other side this I firmly believe,
And the elderly are closest oh what clues we could retrieve.
For their characters are closest to how we’ll be on high.
They are the ones most developed, you can see it if you try.
They’ve let go of the frivolous and kept things that are dear.
The memories of so sweet, of loved ones that were near.
As a nation we are missing our greatest true resource,
To get to know our elders and let them guide our course."
[Found on www.prescottlife.org].
I found an article in the April 9, 2012 Washington Post by a gerontologist that I though might help us see just why we should have a greater respect for the elderly. The writer, Mr. Karl A. Pillemer, during the past six years, interviewed 1,500 people over the age of seventy and found some amazing results. He titled his article “Twelve Ways to Live a Better Life.” [Found on www.washingtonpost.com]. He noticed that despite more disabilities, more people with chronic disease, higher medical care costs, depression, and simply being older and slower, that many elderly people were happy. He wanted to find out why.
He asked one primary question. “Over the course of your life, what are the most important lessons you would like to pass on to younger people?”
Here’s just a bit of what he discovered.
“In general (and for the first time in human history), we no longer look to our society’s oldest members as a key source of wisdom for how to live happier, healthier, and more fulfilling lives.”