Never really thought about retirement as a biblical principle, but here it is in black and white:
Numbers 8:23 The LORD said to Moses, 24 "This applies to the Levites: Men twenty-five years old or more shall come to take part in the work at the Tent of Meeting, 25 but at the age of fifty, they must retire from their regular service and work no longer. 26 They may assist their brothers in performing their duties at the Tent of Meeting, but they themselves must not do the work. This, then, is how you are to assign the responsibilities of the Levites."
I have never read any commentary about this before and must confess that seeing it so starkly took me by surprised. In the secular world, we all resist retirement, and are threatened by it. Yet here it God insisting that the Levites step aside when they reach 50 years of age. Isn't that a very unenlightened rule? Why should God enforce this retirement principle so strongly? What is the principle here?
But thinking about it I realize that it is actually a very sound principle, and a very spiritual one too. So often we trap ourselves into feeling that efficiency and proficiency matters most. Who else can get it done better than the experienced and and seasoned campaigner? As senior members we should be the ones to helm and provide leadership...blah, blah, blah.
But God says, "No. Please step aside at 50.". The young must be compelled to step into your shoes. No doubt mistakes will be made. Things may not run so smooth for a while. But as long as hearts are true, the young must be allowed to learn. They must be allowed to make mistakes. They must take up the mantle of responsibility of leading on behalf of God. Of listening and responding to His leading.
A common mistake we make is to think that our human ideas of what works well is all that matters, and that such 'success' results from our own 'competency', and our own 'wisdom', and in this fallacy forget too easily that it is not us but the Holy Spirit which empowers and enables. We are mere instruments for His glory. We profess such ideas, but do not truly believe.
Hence, the senior instruments must step aside at the appropriate time for the young. Only then can the vigour and vibrancy of the 'temple' be maintained.
It is strange that this lesson should come at a time when I have been thinking of stepping down as worship leader. I have struggled with this. We have scant resources and few who can 'do this job'. How can I step down now. ...? But perhaps, this should not be the concern. God will surely raise others to do this work. We shouldn't be so arrogant as to think that no one else can do the job. We should trust in the Holy Spirit to direct and provide as the need arises. Sadly, often the presence of a senior and season 'servant' may actually inhibit the development of new servants who may appear not so 'capable'.
So perhaps it is time.
2 comments:
Although there is the example of the Levites in regard to work related to the tabernacle from the age of fifty years they shall cease waiting upon the service thereof, and shall serve no more. But shall minister with their brethren in the tabernacle of the congregation, to keep the charge, and shall do no service.
Personally felt that this is not a general principle that a person should retire from his work when he reaches a certain age.
Reason being
(A) An example of two very old people in Luke 2:25-38 (Simeon and Anna) who continued to serve the Lord faithfully. In that passage you have an elderly widow who is spoken of as ministering to the Lord (it uses a word usually reserved for priestly service) in the temple daily with fastings and prayer. Indeed, Titus 2 states that the older men and women are to teach those younger than them how to behave by their example.
(B) Moses is still serving until his task is been accomplished & passed on at the age of 120.
(C) Levities are so called "full time" priest, even though retire but still assist their bros in performing their duties at the tent of meeting... Probably as a priest, tooo old may not have enough energy to carry out some of the works that required physical strength to do it...That's my guess... hehe.
Therefore, one can reach "retirement age" (whatever that is) but living one's life to serve the Lord does not change. And often it is these "senior saints" who, having a lifetime of walking with God, are able to relate the truths of God's Word in shoe leather by relating how God has worked in their lives.
BUT of course i agree that if the elders dont step down, how can the young people learn & take up the responsibility in future. :)))
Retirement & serving GOD is a separate issue???
Agreed.....It should be recognized that there are 2 kinds of 'service'. One is service in a personal capacity. This is a personal life of commitment and has no retirement plan.
The passage in Numbers refer to the second type of service....one that is centred upon duties performed within the temple and involving the official and ceremonial functions of the temple. These are duties undertaken by the Levites. For these, God mandates that there should be a strict observance of 'retirement' so that younger Levites can take their turn.
In the church, these could be all the functions associated with management of the worship service, hospitality, ushering...etc.
Some categories of service, which are associated with 'priestly functions' such as pastoral duties etc, are apparently not covered by the retirement plan. Aaron's work,as chief priest, for example, is not retireable.
The rest of us, perform retirable functions, but can continue to assist, though specifically instructed to 'do no service'.
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