Old age in Genesis of the Old Testament

[Momoftwo]

Hi

Noah and few other people died when they were over 950 years old. But today most people died at around 75 years old. Why can't we live over 900 years old now? Is it because most people didn't believe in God so they didn't live much, much longer? Noah and few other people were godly people that they had a huge faith in God so is that why they lived over 900 years old? Maybe it's in God's eyes of the years? or maybe it's because they had huge faith in God?

I want to understand on this.

Momoftwo

 

[Rose Immortal]

Numbers didn't always have literal meaning in the Bible--sometimes they were symbols. Examples: seven and ten tend to represent completeness. Could these huge numbers have been a way of showing reverence for these people?

 

[kuifje75]

The way I understood it to be that back then, people were "pure" as not in committing many sins. But as time went by, people started being more sinful and so on, so their lives became shorter.

 

[Reba]

The ages of the people in the Old Testament are real. People did live a very long time in early generations on earth.

First, God created man (and woman ) perfect. They had no genetic diseases to inherit. They were created, not born, so they had no birth defects. There were no diseases on earth to catch. They ate the best pure food, drank unpolluted water, didn't touch alcohol, tobacco or drugs. The earth was surrounded by a protective "misty" canopy the prevented strong UV sun rays from burning their skin. There were no carcingens in the environment. God designed man and woman to have bodies that would last forever.

However, after Adam and Eve sinned, their bodies began to age, eventually to death. It still took a long time because they had such strong perfect bodies to begin with.

As each generation was born, each generation had more diseases, birth defects, etc. Each generation slowly got weaker, and lived shorter lives. After the Great Flood, the protective canopy above the earth was gone. The environment became harsher to live in.

Mankind is not evolving into better humans. Mankind is "devolving"--that is, becoming weaker and sicker with each generation.

Some people think that people are healthier today than they were hundreds of years ago. Not really. Society simply improved sanitation and medical services but the human body itself has not improved. Think about it. Does it seem that more people get cancer now? Doctors have better ways to treat cancer, and we can eliminate some of the risks (quit smoking, etc.) but the human body is not improving.

 

[Maria]

Very much true. It makes sense. And, yes it is the sin itself that cut the years short to age the body.

 

[Momoftwo]

Hi,

I prayed to God today about this. I heard my heart as I listened to God's message today.

God said to me today....

Do follow what God said like eat healthy food, everything in moderation, and have a huge faith in God then you will live much longer. It is a message for us to learn that the faithful have strong lives! God said to me that many people who died young because they were sinned, they were not supposed to smoke, etc. And many people did not have faith in Him or not enough to have a faith in Him so that's why they didn't live much longer.

Thank you very much for your posts!

Momoftwo

 

[Nancy]

The ages of the people in the Old Testament are real. People did live a very long time in early generations on earth.

First, God created man (and woman ) perfect. They had no genetic diseases to inherit. They were created, not born, so they had no birth defects. There were no diseases on earth to catch. They ate the best pure food, drank unpolluted water, didn't touch alcohol, tobacco or drugs. The earth was surrounded by a protective "misty" canopy the prevented strong UV sun rays from burning their skin. There were no carcingens in the environment. God designed man and woman to have bodies that would last forever.

However, after Adam and Eve sinned, their bodies began to age, eventually to death. It still took a long time because they had such strong perfect bodies to begin with.

As each generation was born, each generation had more diseases, birth defects, etc. Each generation slowly got weaker, and lived shorter lives. After the Great Flood, the protective canopy above the earth was gone. The environment became harsher to live in.

Mankind is not evolving into better humans. Mankind is "devolving"--that is, becoming weaker and sicker with each generation.

Some people think that people are healthier today than they were hundreds of years ago. Not really. Society simply improved sanitation and medical services but the human body itself has not improved. Think about it. Does it seem that more people get cancer now? Doctors have better ways to treat cancer, and we can eliminate some of the risks (quit smoking, etc.) but the human body is not improving.

 

[Rose Immortal]

But can we say that everyone who dies young ends up dying because they are particularly evil or negligent? I would be very hesitant before applying this to children with terminal illnesses, for instance. Check out the Book of Job for a fantastic discourse about the role of suffering in our lives. It's not always punishment. Sometimes it's to refine us.

Reba--I'm curious, is there any hard scientific evidence behind those ages? If there is, I'd be very interested because I've never seen a clear proof of that before.

Before I go on, I should explain that I am one of those who views science as the "what/how" part of the question, and religion as the "who/why" part, when it comes to life and this universe. In other words, in my worldview science reveals the physical mechanisms used in the Creation--but it is faith and Scripture that tell us WHO did it and WHY He cared enough to do so. I simply see no conflict whatsoever...it's a mindset much like that held by 17th-century scientists and mathematicians (Newton, Kepler, Déscartes) rather than those of the 21st. This does not mean I am any less faithful than those who take a more fundamentalist approach--the way I see it, God's nature is written into the very nature of the physical universe...the intricacy of its laws and every aspect of its design. He is quite the Master Artist.

 

[deafdyke]

Is it because most people didn't believe in God so they didn't live much, much longer

Um....Most people DO believe in God! America isn't filled with Godless Satan worshipping athiests....Censuses and polls clearly indicate that most people, even most people who don't attend church believe in God!

 

[Reba]

But can we say that everyone who dies young ends up dying because they are particularly evil or negligent?

I am not saying that each person who dies young is because that person committed a specific sin or didn't live in a healthy way. I am saying that mankind as a species gets more physically deteriated with each passing generation. The cumulative effects of sin, environment, behavior, and genetics over the centuries continue to break down the bodies of each generation. It is not a punishment for specific sins committed by the current population but the natural result of Adam and Eve's original sin. Of course, individuals' behavior and life choices can either magnify or reduce, speed up or slow down those influences but they cannot stop them.

Reba--I'm curious, is there any hard scientific evidence behind those ages? If there is, I'd be very interested because I've never seen a clear proof of that before.

I don't think there are any physical remains of the patriarchs left behind to autopsy, if that is what you mean. I guess there is no way to physically prove or disprove the ages of each deceased OT patriarch.

 

[Rose Immortal]

Thank you for clarifying.

As far as sin affects the way we treat the planet we were given dominion over, I could possibly accept that we would cause ourselves more kinds of diseases and genetic faults that we didn't have before. Still, it's rather strange that the average life expectancy is going up. Average QUALITY of that life--that I certainly believe is declining, especially if you figure in emotional and spiritual stability.

 

[Momoftwo]

Hi,

Rose Immortal said,

"it's rather strange that the average life expectancy is going up. "
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Yes!! I am SO GLAD because I really like to live on the earth for a very long time like over 100 years rather than 70 years old. I consider 70 yrs old is too young to die!! I know that there will be more people to live over 100 years old soon because right now, there are so many health informations on the internet, on tv, in the magazines, etc and many people learn how to take care of their bodies like eat more fruits, vegetables, red meats, white meats, etc, more exercises like jogging, fast walking, check their cholesterol level, blood pressure, etc and have a HUGE FAITH in God then they will live much longer than for those people who don't take care of their bodies, not enough to have faith in God then they die young.

Momoftwo

 

[Reba]

Thank you for clarifying.

Welcome.

... Still, it's rather strange that the average life expectancy is going up. ..

Ah, but is it? Average life expectancy appears to go up in areas where the residents have an "edge" on mortality. That is, people who live in safer, healthier areas, have access to good nutrition and medical care, in general, live longer. But what percentage of worldwide population is included in that group? Are people worldwide enjoying longer lives?

Also, as you mentioned quality of life, how many older people are enjoying their last 20 years or just "hanging on" thru the intervention of medical technology?

If it weren't for advanced medicine, surgery, transplants, replacement parts, and technological assistance, what would the average natural life expectancy be worldwide?

IMO, modern medicine, wonderful as it is, just helps the world's population "tread water" on the sea of life expectancy. Overall, IMO, Creation is on a downward slide until our Lord creates the new heaven and earth.

 

[Rose Immortal]

Ah, but is it? Average life expectancy appears to go up in areas where the residents have an "edge" on mortality. That is, people who live in safer, healthier areas, have access to good nutrition and medical care, in general, live longer. But what percentage of worldwide population is included in that group? Are people worldwide enjoying longer lives?

No idea, and I would be fascinated to see statistics. For instance, I know that the AIDS epidemic in Africa is causing life expectancies in those countries to plummet. But on the other hand, other countries are experiencing improvements. So I couldn't say without actually seeing numbers. Wonder where you get worldwide statistics...the WHO? The UN?

Also, as you mentioned quality of life, how many older people are enjoying their last 20 years or just "hanging on" thru the intervention of medical technology?

If it weren't for advanced medicine, surgery, transplants, replacement parts, and technological assistance, what would the average natural life expectancy be worldwide?

For some that is certainly true. I know someone who is like that in her early 70s. Her quality of life is miserable; part of it is physical and part of it is spiritual. Sometimes--even as scientific-minded as I am--I suspect a demon.

On the other hand, one of my grandmothers is over 85 years old, and I can tell you that the bypass surgery she had around almost 10 years ago has restored her to a fantastic quality of life.

So, I'd say that goes on a totally case-by-case basis.

Now, if something could be done about Alzheimer's, I bet quality of life would increase for a fairly large number of senior citizens... (what a sweet dream )

IMO, modern medicine, wonderful as it is, just helps the world's population "tread water" on the sea of life expectancy. Overall, IMO, Creation is on a downward slide until our Lord creates the new heaven and earth.

I think for me it's easiest to see that when it comes to culture, crime, and other social ills. Even in my short 22 years I've seen a decline in those. Now THAT is scary.

 

[Maria]

Numbers 32:23
"But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the LORD: and be sure your sin will find you out."

Psalms 140:11
"Let not an evil speaker be established in the earth: evil shall hunt the violent man to overthrow him."

Proverbs 13:21
"Evil pursueth sinners: ..."

Isaiah 3:11
"Woe unto the wicked! it shall be ill with him:..."

Romans 2:9
"Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile;..."

Sin is like a cancer/ or mold spreadin' real fast. I can imagine in Heaven, the true believers will never be agin'. It will always stay young forever with the healthy mind, heart and fragrance -- comparin' to Satan and his 1/3rd fallen angels -- unhealthy looks, ugly, and stench. *shudders*

 

[Momoftwo]

Hi

Smoking is a SIN. No wonder that smoking killed my parents!! My Dad was 59 and my Mom was 69. They KNEW that smoking is not good for the bodies but they addicted to it. So, yes, smoking is a SIN. I know it sounds really weird but this is what my brain and heart told me!!!!!! I knew it for a very long time!!!!!!!!! (like smoking is so evil...something like that) That's what I had thought of what I felt for a very long time. Somehow, this morning, I understood now that smoking is a SIN. Yes, I really dislike to hear it because I really love my parents so much but they did smoke. sigh.....

Momoftwo

 

[Rose Immortal]

I think that if you KNOW the risks and choose to do it anyway, then yeah, you are sinning.

But in the case of older people, who were outright lied to and told it was a good thing to do (look at WWII-era cigarette advertising to see what I mean), I think the main sin falls upon the tobacco companies. And they still ARE very sinful in my opinion, those companies, by continuing to produce a product like that.

 

[Momoftwo]

Rose Immortal,

Yeah, you are right!

What about drinking? (hard liquors, wine, beer) Is drinking a sin?

Momoftwo

 

[Tousi]

I think saying that smoking, drinking, etc is a sin is legalistic at best when one should be grace-based!

 

[Momoftwo]

Tousi said,

"I think saying that smoking, drinking, etc is a sin is legalistic at best when one should be grace-based!"
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Ok, I understood you about smoking, drinking, etc is a sin. But what do you mean by saying "legalistic at best when one should be grace-based"? Will you please to explain?

Thanks!

Momoftwo