Prayer: Father, You determine the length of our days. Give me instructions today regarding my days upon the earth. Amen.
Reading: Isaiah 65 key: vs. 20 “No longer will there be in it an infant who lives but a few days, or an old man who does not fill out his days. For the youth will die at a hundred years, But one who misses the mark of a hundred must be accursed.” TLV
Attention: The Bible records the oldest living person to be Methuselah at 969 years (Genesis 5:27). His first son, Lamech was born to Methuselah when he was age 187. Moses, lived to the age of 950 (Genesis 9:29).
Why people lived to such an old age is not clear. However, prior to the Great Flood, Adonai declares this; “Then Adonai said, “My Spirit will not remain with humankind forever, since they are flesh. So their days will be 120 years.’ Because of the evil nature of man, God placed a limit on man’s longevity, 120 years. Moses was God’s instrument of replenishing the earth with mankind and animals. He was the last man to live over 900 years. His sons, however, lived to 500 years (Genesis 11). Genesis records Abraham’s death as being age 175 (Genesis 25:7). Isaac’s days were 180 (Genesis 35:28). We begin seeing age spans under 120 in the time of Joseph (Genesis 50:26).
So, Adonai declared a gradual rather than immediate decree of His age limitation imposed upon all mankind. Today we occasionally see people living over 100. My paternal grandmother and her siblings all lived to their mid-nineties. Friends of mine recently attended the memorial service for someone who succeeded 100 years of age.
What are we to make of Isaiah’s prophetical statement in today’s scripture emphasis. He declares that babies will no longer die soon after birth and old men will fulfill their days ordered by God. Youth will live to “a hundred years.”
Why would someone not live to a hundred years? His point is that someone who lives less than a hundred-years is “accursed” or cursed. What is the curse of all people? Sin. It was the fall of man found in Genesis 2-3. which brought the curse of death and later, the remedy found in Messiah who conquered death and paid the penalty for us. He is the only solution for all mankind back to the Father.
So, do you want to secure a longer time on earth? There is a little know scripture found in the Ten Commandments which is a promise of God (Adonai), “Honor your father and your mother, so that your days may be long upon the land which Adonai your God is giving you” (Exodus 20:12).
You may wonder, does the promise of Exodus 20:12 apply to us today? I ask you in return, “Are the Covenants of God eternal?” Obviously, you must believe that God is a rewarder of those who “diligently” seek Him.
Action: I choose to believe that God exists, and He rewards those who diligently seek Him.
Yield: I choose to submit to the Sovereignty of Adonai.
Engage: I choose to engage with God through His Holy Spirit.
Relationship: I choose to live in obedient holy relationship with God.
Prayer: Father, I thank You for ordering my days and filling them with good. Thank You for the favor with You shower upon my wife and me. Use us as instruments of Your grace. Amen.
Memory Verse: Hebrews 11:6 “Now without faith it is impossible to please God. For the one who comes to God must believe that He exists and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.” TLV
Music Video: Phil Wickham—Living Hope https://youtu.be/9f2FXxDVO6w?si=Eat9PYwBVCr3MFwY
Remember, “Abide in Yeshua, today!”