How Old Are You? # 1

How Old Are You? # 1

Birthdays are solemn days, they remind us of our entrance into the world, and direct our thoughts forward to the period when we shall leave it. Like milestones on the road of life, they inform us how far we have traveled - but say not one word about how far we have to go! Every mile sensibly lessens the distance between us and our journey's end. Today I am reminded of a passage in Old Testament history, "And Pharaoh said unto Jacob: How old are you?" (Genesis 47:8). What a touching question! How calculated to awaken solemn thoughts, and to call up interesting reminiscences! Let us glance at,

The Two PARTIES.

A sovereign - and a subject.

The greatest monarch of his day - and a plain unsophisticated shepherd.

One accustomed to rule in courts - and one in the habit of dwelling in tents.

A citizen of the world - and an old pilgrim to mount Zion.

One who was of the world, and at home in the world - and one who was only passing through the world, to take possession of a better country.

An idolatrous sinner - and a saint of the Most High God.

One who had no clear or correct conception of the divine natue and character - and one who knew God, and walked in daily fellowship with Him.

A greater contrast could not be, than between the patriarch Jacob - and the monarch Pharaoh.

Pharaoh appears to have had some excellent qualities, and in many points to have been a fine character - but he was a stranger to God, a worshiper of dumb idols, and was led captive y the devil at his will.

Jacob had many faults, and some striking defects - but he was a friend of God, walking with Him in peace and righteousness.

The pilgrim was introduced to the king, who perhaps to make him feel at ease during his interview, or from some other good motive, proposed the question, "How old are you?"

Let us look at the INQUIRY.

Questions may be meddlesome - and should not be answered.

Questions may be offensive - and should not be noticed.

Questions may be mischievous - and should call forth a serious reply.

This sincere question by Pharaoh may have been called forth by the patriarch's venerable looks. What a beautiful sight is a fine old man! His locks are silver. His brow is wrinkled. His cheeks have fallen in. His voice is tremulous. His form stoops. All unite to excite veneration, and may therefore well prompt the question, "How old are you?"

It may have been curiosity on the part of the king, or even qa benevolent feeling, which led him to make the inquiry - but whatever it was, it may be turned to very good account. Let us take it home, and examine ourselves by it.

How old am I NATURALLY? I was once a babe, and then a youth - but I am such no longer.

This should awaken REFLECTION - and lead us to remember all the way which the Lord our God has led us in the wilderness.

It should produce GRATITUDE. How many have been cut down younger, and cut down unprepared. How many are in hell now - who were born since we were! How many have sunk in poverty, been crushed by troubles, or been hurried out of time into eternity - by disease.

It should lead us to REPENTANCE. This is always the design of God's goodness. This is also its tendency to a gracious heart. Upon how many points, we have seen reason to change our minds. For how much that we have done, we have reason to weep bitter tears. How necessary it is on some points, to change our course. Can we attend to this question, and not reflect on the past? Can we reflect on the past - and not be grateful? Can we reflect, and be grateful, and not repent, and turn again unto the Lord?

~James Smith~

(continued with # 2)