Topical Encyclopedia
The concept of retirement, as understood in contemporary society, is not explicitly addressed in the Bible. However, the Scriptures provide principles and examples that can be applied to the idea of retiring from one's vocation or active service.
Biblical Examples:1.
The Levites: The closest biblical reference to retirement is found in the instructions given to the Levites.
Numbers 8:24-26 states, "This applies to the Levites: Men twenty-five years old or more shall enter to perform the service in the work at the Tent of Meeting. But at the age of fifty, they must retire from performing the work and no longer serve. They may assist their brothers in performing their duties at the Tent of Meeting, but they themselves must not do the work." This passage indicates a form of retirement from active duty, allowing the Levites to transition to a supportive role.
2.
Moses and Joshua: Moses, who led the Israelites out of Egypt and through the wilderness, did not retire in the modern sense but was succeeded by Joshua as the leader of Israel.
Deuteronomy 31:2 records Moses saying, "I am now a hundred and twenty years old, and I am no longer able to lead you. The LORD has said to me, 'You shall not cross the Jordan.'" This transition of leadership can be seen as a form of retirement from his role.
3.
David and Solomon: King David, in his old age, prepared for the transition of kingship to his son Solomon.
1 Chronicles 23:1 states, "When David was old and full of years, he made his son Solomon king over Israel." David's preparation for Solomon's reign reflects a planned transition of responsibilities.
Principles for Retirement:1.
Work and Rest: The Bible emphasizes the importance of both work and rest.
Genesis 2:2-3 describes how God rested on the seventh day after creation, setting a pattern for the rhythm of work and rest. This principle can be applied to the concept of retirement as a time to rest from lifelong labor.
2.
Provision and Stewardship:Proverbs 6:6-8 advises, "Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it prepares its provisions in summer; it gathers its food at harvest." This passage highlights the importance of planning and preparing for the future, which can include retirement.
3.
Continued Service: While retirement may mean stepping back from formal employment, the Bible encourages continued service to God and others.
Titus 2:2-3 instructs older men and women to be examples and teachers of good things, indicating that one's role in the community and church does not cease with retirement.
4.
Trust in God's Provision:Philippians 4:19 assures believers, "And my God will supply all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus." This promise encourages trust in God's provision during all stages of life, including retirement.
Conclusion:While the Bible does not provide a direct mandate for retirement, it offers principles of rest, stewardship, and continued service that can guide believers in this stage of life. The examples of the Levites, Moses, and David illustrate transitions in roles and responsibilities, while biblical teachings on work, rest, and provision offer a framework for understanding retirement in a way that honors God.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
imp. & p. p.) of Retire.
2. (a.) Private; secluded; quiet; as, a retired life; a person of retired habits.
3. (a.) Withdrawn from active duty or business; as, a retired officer; a retired physician.
Library
To Music Bent is MyRetired Mind,
... The Treasury of Sacred Song. Book First XXIV To music bent is myretired
mind,. And fain would I some song of pleasure sing; But...
Ep. Clxxxii. Gregory after his Resignation of the Patriarchal See...
... Division III. Miscellaneous Letters. Ep. CLXXXII. Gregory after his resignation
of the Patriarchal See of Constantinople hadretired to Nazianzus?...
How Demetrius Eucerus Overcame Alexander and yet in a Little Time...
... How Demetrius Eucerus Overcame Alexander And Yet In A Little TimeRetired Out Of
The Country For Fear; As Also How Alexander Slew Many Of The Jews And Thereby...
How one of the Towers Erected by the Romans Fell Down of Its Own...
... So theyretired out of the reach of the darts, and did no longer endeavor to hinder
the impression of their rams, which, by continually beating upon the wall...
Concerning the Sons of Isaac, Esau and Jacob; of their Nativity...
... But Isaac, when he saw how envy had changed the temper of Abimelechretired to a
place called the Valley, not far from Gerar: and as he was digging a well, the...
The Sanhedrim in Session.
... The Savior once moreretired from Jerusalem to avoid the blow that was ready to
be struck andretired for a short time into a city called Ephraim....
The Siege and Taking of Gamala.
... and for a while indeed they drove away those that were bringing the machines; but
when those machines threw darts and stones at them, theyretired into the city...
Of Certain Sorts of Mortification which are More General. ...
... And on the contrary, some souls, even in the mostretired external solitude, do
wholly plunge their minds and affections in thoughts and solicitudes about...
When Hyrcanus who was Alexander's Heir, Receded from his Claim to...
... kind manner, while the people stood round about them; they also changed their houses,
while Aristobulus went to the royal palace, and Hyrcanusretired to the...
What Actions were done by Alexander Janneus, who Reigned Twenty...
... But when this Ptolemy was pursued by his mother Cleopatra, andretired into Egypt,
Alexander besieged Gadara, and took it; as also he did Amathus, which was...
Thesaurus
Retired (3 Occurrences)... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (imp. & pp) of Retire. 2. (a.) Private; secluded;
quiet; as, a
retired life; a person of
retired habits.
...Retire (6 Occurrences)
... 3. (vt) To cause to retire; specifically, to designate as no longer qualified for
active service; to place on theretired list; as, to retire a military or...
Nicanor (1 Occurrence)
... Nicanorretired to Jerusalem, insulted the priests and threatened the
destruction of the temple unless they delivered up Judas....
Antiochus
... Antiochus first captured Calchis; then succeeded in gaining a footing in Boeotia,
and later made an effort to get possession of Thessaly, butretired on the...
Gethsemane (2 Occurrences)
... oil press"): Mentioned (Matthew 26:36 Mark 14:32) as a place (chorion), margin
"enclosed piece of ground," to which Jesus and the disciplesretired after the...
Tirhakah (2 Occurrences)
... The Assyrian armies under Esarhaddon, and again under Assur-bani-pal, invaded Egypt
and defeated Tirhakah, who afterwardsretired into Ethiopia, where he died...
Tiberius (1 Occurrence)
... Dalmatia, Armenia and Germany. Heretired in disgust to voluntary exile
at Rhodes where he spent several years in study. In 2 AD...
Retirement (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) The act of retiring, or the state of beingretired;
withdrawal; seclusion; as, the retirement of an officer....
Mesha (4 Occurrences)
... This fearful spectacle filled the beholders with horror, and theyretired from before
the besieged city, and recrossed the Jordan laden with spoil (2 Kings 3:25...
Pension
... 1. (n.) A stated allowance to a person in consideration of past services; payment
made to oneretired from service, on account of age, disability, or other...
Resources
What is a Pastor Emeritus? | GotQuestions.orgWhat was the Great Disappointment? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Gregory the Great? | GotQuestions.orgRetired: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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