Jacob replied,”I have traveled this earth for 130 hard years. But my life has been short compared to the lives of my ancestors “. Gen. 47:9.
In old Testament times, long life was considered of God’s favour and was linked very definitely, to obedience. When Pharaoh met Jacob, his only recorded question was “How old are you? Gen. 47:8.Pharaoh’s query may have been prompted by appropriate awe in the presence of such an aged man. Jacob answered Pharaoh’s question saying that he was not nearly as old as many of his ancestors.
In the end it was not a question only of how many years God gives us but of how we live them. A long life may not necessarily mean a good life or a happy life, even if we enjoy God’s favour. For Jacob it meant a hard life, but he did not allow his later years to be bitter ones. When Jacob was 130 years old, he blessed Pharaoh. Seventeen years later, as he lay dying, Jacob gathered his twelve sons around him and blessed them.
The point is that Jacob’s old age was crowned with blessing and worship. Jacob used His Borrowed years for God. He was a blessing to those around him.
So how do you and I live out our lives, whatever the years bring? Do we seek to live them as Jacob did?
Growing our souls upward toward the light in the fertile soil of adversity? Do we strive to be obedient, enriching other people’s lives? Jacob was a blessing, we should be too. May we aspire to be used by God as souls winners. Amen.