With each passing year, an individual generally gains in wisdom and experience. They usually do not make the same mistakes of their youth. They have become wiser. There is something to be said about having white hair. We that have them, have earned them. This is what Proverbs 16:31 says in this regard, "The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness." The white haired are wearing a crown of glory of wisdom, if they are using it in a right way. It is thus, a blessing. Some of us older ones would not trade places with the younger. They will make too many mistakes. They have much to learn yet. The Lord Jesus Christ as pictured in Revelation has the head of wisdom in as Revelation 1:14 says, "His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire." The white hair is symbolic of wisdom. This is the same of God the Father in Daniel 7:9. "I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire." Those who have followed the Lord for many years become like their Father, wise.
Application
To properly understand the Bible, we need to use what is known as applied theology.
Leviticus 19:32 reads, "Thou shalt rise up before the hoary head, and honour the face of the old man, and fear thy God: I am the LORD." Plainly stated, we are to show respect to our elders and to fear God. Eldership is an important Biblical doctrine. Notice one of the qualifications for an elder in 1 Timothy 3:6, "Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil." This is one who has not paid his dues. He has not attained to a level of wisdom or common sense. He is new at being a Christian and to put him in a position of authority, can and often leads to his downfall. Better to give the position to someone who is older and of less ability than one who has a lot of capability, but not much wisdom.
Paul restated Leviticus 19:32 in 1 Timothy 5:1-2, "Rebuke not an elder, but entreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren; 2The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity." Paul was instructing the young minister Timothy how to treat those who would be under his charge. Even though he had real authority, he was still required to do so with much deference. The older man may have more practical experience than the younger man. In other words, the younger man could learn a thing or two from the more experienced man. He was to treat the older women as if they were his own mother. Clearly, the fifth commandment is in view here. We are to revere our elders.
The book of Proverbs gives us this wisdom in Proverbs 23:22, "Hearken unto thy father that begat thee, and despise not thy mother when she is old." We are to show the proper respect for our father and mother, especially when they are older. Sometimes older people are set in their ways and can be difficult to deal with. This does not give us an excuse to treat them in an ill manner.
In our day and age, the old people are considered to be square and not worth listening to. We have generation gaps. Young people listen to their peers rather than the wise counsel of the ancients. An example is found in 1 Kings 12:4-14, "Thy father made our yoke grievous: now therefore make thou the grievous service of thy father, and his heavy yoke which he put upon us, lighter, and we will serve thee. 5And he said unto them, Depart yet for three days, then come again to me. And the people departed. 6And king Rehoboam consulted with the old men, that stood before Solomon his father while he yet lived, and said, How do ye advise that I may answer this people? 7And they spake unto him, saying, If thou wilt be a servant unto this people this day, and wilt serve them, and answer them, and speak good words to them, then they will be thy servants for ever. 8But he forsook the counsel of the old men, which they had given him, and consulted with the young men that were grown up with him, and which stood before him: 9And he said unto them, What counsel give ye that we may answer this people, who have spoken to me, saying, Make the yoke which thy father did put upon us lighter? 10And the young men that were grown up with him spake unto him, saying, Thus shalt thou speak unto this people that spake unto thee, saying, Thy father made our yoke heavy, but make thou it lighter unto us; thus shalt thou say unto them, My little finger shall be thicker than my father’s loins. 11And now whereas my father did lade you with a heavy yoke, I will add to your yoke: my father hath chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions. 12So Jeroboam and all the people came to Rehoboam the third day, as the king had appointed, saying, Come to me again the third day. 13And the king answered the people roughly, and forsook the old men’s counsel that they gave him; 14And spake to them after the counsel of the young men, saying, My father made your yoke heavy, and I will add to your yoke: my father also chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions." Here it is right out in the open. This is a clear violation of God’s law and the king suffered appropriately for listening to the advice of these novices.
Conclusion
God expects us to esteem those with hoary heads. They have attained unto a place of special honor. Paul said in 1 Timothy 5:3, "Honour widows that are widows indeed." Generally, widows are older women. They need to be supported now that their husband has passed away. Honor your elders.
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