Vraag
Wat sê die Bybel oor veroudering/oud word?
Antwoord
Die Bybel sien veroudering as ‘n normale, natuurlike deel van die lewe in hierdie wêreld. Daar is eer betrokke om oud te word, aangesien om oud te word gaan normaalweg saam met vermeerderde wysheid en ervaring. “Ouderdom is ‘n sierlike kroon; dit word bereik deur dié wat reg lewe” (Spreuke 16:31; sien ook Speuke 20:29). God wil ons daaraan herinner dat die lewe kort is (Jak 4:14) en dat die skoonheid van die jeug gou vergaan (Spreuke 31:30; 1 Pet 1:24).
Uiteindelik kan die vraag oor oud word nie geskei word van die vraag oor die betekenis van die lewe en die konsep van die nalatenskap wat ons los nie. In die boek van Prediker, gee Salomo ‘n skerpsinnige kykie in die ouderdom en die kwessies daaraan verbonde.
Ons word gebore met ‘n natuurlike neiging om “vir die oomblik te lewe,” maar die uiteindelike sinloosheid van daardie benadering is die onderwerp van Prediker 1-7. Soos mense ouer word en die toenemende impak van hul verganklikheid begin te voel, gebin hulle tipies om hul afnemende bronne te belê in projekte wat volgens hulle meer belofte inhou van standhoudende betekenis in die lewe, veral die hoop om hul “naam” in ‘n blywende nalatenskap te laat voortbestaan (Prediker 2). Ongelukkig kan niemand voorspel watter projekte ewigheidswaarde en betekenis dra nie (Prediker 3:1-15) end it lei normaalweg na verskeie vlakke van ontnugtering en selfs wanhoop oor die lewe se kortstondigheid en skynbare onregverdigheid “onder die son” (Prediker 3:16-7:29).
Met die groeiende besef dat tevredenheid in sulke aktiwiteite sonder uitsondering snel verbygaan, is Salomo se hoop dat mense wiser sal raak in die gebruik van hul Godgegewe “deel” of toedeling voordat hulle sterwe (Prediker 8-12); sien ook Ps 90:12). Hierdie wysheid groei in verhouding tot ons bewustheid van “tyd en oordeel” – ons benodig ‘n goddelike perspektief in die oё van die wêreld se kortstondigheid en skynbare onregverdigheid (Prediker 3:15c-
3:15c–17; 8:5b–8, 12b–15; 9:11–12; 11:9; 12:14). The Hebrew notion of time in these passages combines the concepts of opportunity (the right time to act expediently when the occasion arises) and limited lifespan (only so much time before all opportunity is gone). The Hebrew notion of judgment in these same texts presupposes complete freedom in the use of our God-given “portion” in life as our desires lead us, yet with a concomitant accountability to the One who distributed our allotted portions. The New Testament counterpart to these concepts can be found portrayed vividly in Jesus’ parables of the ten virgins and the talents (Matthew 25), the two sons (Matthew 21:28–32), and the unjust steward (Luke 16:1–13).
Among the most disturbing aspects of growing old—especially in cultures that set a high value on rugged individualism—is the increasing frequency of senile dementia as human lifespan increases. It seems eminently unfair that people so afflicted should be robbed of their intellectual, emotional, and social vitality while their physical bodies continue to survive. Alzheimer’s disease is a particularly difficult pill to swallow because the cause is unknown and it does not seem to be related to any particularly bad health habits. While progression of Alzheimer’s can be stalled, in part, by continued active involvement in mind-stimulating and physical activity, progression of the disease is nevertheless inexorable.
The author of Ecclesiastes acknowledges this vexing unfairness from a human perspective (Ecclesiastes 7:15-18; 8:14–9:3), yet he offers wisdom to help us deal with it from God’s perspective, entailing the notions of “time and judgment.” With our inevitable disillusionment over the human condition—our universal depravity, uncertainty, and mortality—it is wise to remember that “for all the living there is hope, for a living dog is better than a dead lion. For the living know that they will die; but the dead know nothing, and they have no more reward, for the memory of them is forgotten. Also their love, their hatred, and their envy have now perished; nevermore will they have a share in anything done under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 9:4-6, NKJV). Knowing that they are accountable for their God-given “portion,” people should take joyful advantage of all their gifts, talents, wisdom, and opportunities in life sooner rather than later—before all opportunity to do so has ceased, before inevitable debilitation forecloses all opportunity (9:7-10; 11:9-12:7).
The thrust of this reflection from Ecclesiastes on growing old is that meaning in life is fulfilled in our God-given purpose, and our purpose is only fulfilled when we take advantage of our God-given portion in Christ, God’s promised Savior. While this portion may seem less fair for some than for others, life’s meaning will be consummated only at the final judgment when we receive our inheritance (Ecclesiastes 7:11) for the way we invest our portion, be it good or bad (Ecclesiastes 12:14; cp. 2 Corinthians 5:10). On that day, we will see God as eminently fair in His rewards, regardless of how unfair or unevenly distributed our portion may seem in this present life.
English
Wat sê die Bybel oor veroudering/oud word?
