MODELS OF IMPACT IN OLD AGE (2)

“Now Abraham was old, well advanced in age; and the Lord had blessed Abraham in all things” – Genesi 24:1

Abraham is notable among Biblical MODELS of IMPACT in OLD AGE: “Now Abraham was old, well advanced in age; and the Lord had blessed Abraham in all things” (Gen.24:1). Some beloved saints have lived to ripe old ages, and demonstrated how to enjoy life to the full until the very end. Abraham was one; and we also can be counted among such divinely privileged Believers. Abraham's life, from his call at 75 to his death at 175, is a narrative of faith and obedience. His willingness to trust God, even when faced with seemingly impossible situations (like having a son in his old age), sets a precedent for believers. 

In mapping the timelines of his life’s trajectory, it’s interesting that scriptures precisely defined Abraham’s age at certain times:

Abram left Haran at 75 years old after God’s Call and Promise: “…And Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran” (Gen.12:1-4). Ishmael was born to Abram and Hagar, Sarah’s maid at 86 years: “Abram was eighty-six years old when Hagar bore Ishmael to Abram” (Gen.16:16). God reiterated the covenant with Abram and changed his name to Abraham at age 99: “When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am Almighty God; walk before Me and be blameless. And I will make My covenant between Me and you, and will multiply you exceedingly” (Gen.17: 1-2). Isaac was born to Abraham and Sarah when he was 100 years old. Finally, Abraham lived up to 175 years of age.

The stage of life described as "old, well advanced in age" often carries the weight of legacy and the desire to see one's life work continue. Abraham’s actions in Genesis 24:1-9 signify his focus on the future and passion for God's covenant to continue with his descendants through his son Isaac's marriage. He was not just concerned with the present but with the long-term implications of the marriage. He instructed his most trusted servant to find a wife for Isaac, not from the Canaanites among whom they dwell, but from his kindred, showing his faith in God's promise and desire to see it fulfilled through Isaac's lineage. 

Abraham's concern for Isaac's marriage was not just about family matters but about the fulfillment of God's promise to make his descendants a great nation – Covenant Fulfilment. He understood the crucial role Isaac's wife would play in the unfolding narrative. Despite the distance and potential challenges, Abraham seemed confident that God would guide his servant to the right woman. This demonstrates Abraham's deep-seated faith in God's providence and his trust in divine guidance. Like Abraham, every true Believer in Christ can establish enduring and lasting legacies as Positive Models of Impact in old age.