ANCIENTS IN THE
LAND

INTRODUCTION

Ancients in the land (elderly) can contribute much towards identifiable traits of the past that have proven to be Biblical and morally correct; with those observations being beneficial to the future. Learned mean of God need not be cast aside as old-fashioned or obsolete, due to age, but relished for insight gained through experience and longevity.

Ancients in the Land
A New Generation

There is a failing to uphold standards of the past that have proven to be effective, Biblical-sound, and of extreme importance. There is a surfacing of a new generation of believers who have cast aside godly standards as old-fashioned, obsolete, with a new social gospel being breathed into existence and wholeheartedly endorsed.

The Apostle Paul wrote: I marvel that you are so soon removed (turning away) from him that called you into the grace of Christ, unto another (different) gospel; which is not another, but there be some that trouble you, and would (want to) pervert the gospel of Christ (Galatians 1:6-7).

There were false teachers who were attempting to distort the true message of the gospel; with Paul giving a stern warning to those who were proclaiming falsehoods: If any man preach any other gospel to you than that you have received, let him be accused (eternally condemned) (Galatians 1:9).

Responsibility to a
Younger Generation

Many ancients in the land; having the knowledge and strength of God’s Word and Spirit, are failing in their responsibility to a younger generation which is being persuaded towards the cultural drift of today, rather than adherence to God’s Unadulterated (Pure) Word.

Ancients in the land are not to be influenced by such trends, as others, nor less committed to God’s Word. We see the results of tolerance, acceptability, playing into the picture rather than upholding God’s Word! The intermixing of the world is not a desirable trait that should be upheld in God’s house.

The Apostle Paul, could have been considered in the category of ancients in the land, while speaking to a young evangelist named Timothy, giving wise counsel in his growth as a young evangelist, who would be ministering the Word of God. Paul told Timothy: Continue in the things which you have learned and have been assured of, knowing of whom you have learned them (2 Timothy 3:14).

Instructive Words

We are living in a vast world of influence, dominated by all kinds of advice (godly and ungodly) through social media and the Internet. Whatever the heart desires is at one’s finger tip to appease the fleshly desire of man; prompting one to push aside godly virtues and adhere to ungodly advances that would endanger the soul. As previously stated, Apostle Paul warned Timothy to continue in what he knew to be the truth and had been assured of.

Apostle Paul gave instructive words to Timothy in saying: Preach the Word; be instant (ready) in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine, for the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts (desires) shall heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and shall turn away their ears (hearing) from the truth, and shall be turned into fables (that which is fictitious) (2 Timothy 4:2-4).

It was noted that preaching is the God-ordained means to prevent defection from the truth. Teachers who appeal to itching ears tell people what they want to hear, not what they need to hear. A lost generation is being conceived as the fulfillment of those words increase at an alarming rate!

New Foundation
Being Laid

Scripture refers to ancient men (elderly) who did not rejoice in seeing the foundation of the new temple being laid; as did a younger generation who had not seen the former temple in its glory. Scripture reveals: Many of the priests and Levites and chief of the fathers, who were ancient men, that had seen the first house (temple), when the foundation of this house was laid before their eyes, wept with a loud voice; and many shouted aloud for joy; so that the people could not discern the noise of the shout of joy from the noise of the weeping of the people; for the people shouted with a loud shout, and the noise was heard far off (Ezra 3:12-13).

The prophet Ezra revealed that there was much joy; insomuch that it outweighed the weeping of the ancients of the land who witnessed the laying of the new foundation. It had been about 50 years since the first temple had been destroyed and many of the ancients of the land who had seen the earlier temple now wept because of the sorrowful contrast.

The prophet Haggai asked: Who is left among you who saw this house (temple) in her first glory and how do you see it now; is it not in your eyes in comparison as nothing (Haggai 2:3)? There is a new foundation being laid today that is in sorrowful contrast to what has been witnessed in the past!

Replacements Not of
the Same Caliber

Ancients in the land who formerly preached the Unadulterated (Pure) Word of God seem less committed towards the same today; or have gone on to receive their heavenly reward, with replacements not of the same caliber. The church, in many cases, has shifted to the culture drift of today. In the ancients of the land category it was not so with the prophet Jeremiah whose words challenged social and moral behavior. He held his ground and was not afraid to give unpopular criticism.

Scripture reveals that Jeremiah cried out: O Jerusalem, wash your heart from wickedness, that you may be saved, How long shall your vain (wicked) thoughts lodge with you (Jeremiah 4:14)? It was noted that such thinking today can arise from many sources: Absorbing immoral movies and television; carelessly surfing the Internet; listening to malicious talk; ignoring the Word of God; giving into a materialistic worldview.

Wisdom of the
Ancients

Scripture concerning the ancients of the land: With the ancient is wisdom; and in length of days (long life) understanding (Job 12:12). It was noted that the ancients in the land have lived long in the world, learning by observation and experience; having obtained a considerable share of wisdom and knowledge in things, natural, civil, and religious; something a younger generation had yet to obtain.

Scripture reveals: I have considered the days of old, the years of ancient times (Psalm 77:5). It was noted that such had considered the various occurrences of the past, seen deliverance out of troubles, been strengthened in the faith, and relief in stressful times. Those observations, if allowed to be conveyed, could be helpful to those who were just beginning in their pathway of knowledge!

Ancients
Used of God

Scripture reveals: Those that be planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall bring forth fruit in old age (ancients in the land category); they shall be fat (in growth) and flourishing (productivity) (Psalm 92:13-14).

It was noted that such are planted out of the world into Christ, not only bringing forth the fruit of righteousness but continuing in such, growing and abounding in grace, fruitful in every good work, having a place in the house of the Lord, thriving and flourishing even in old age; as ancients in the land.

Anarchy in the
Making

Scripture reveals: The people shall be oppressed, everyone by another; and every one by his neighbor; the child shall behave himself proudly (insolent) against the ancient (ancients of the land), and base (despised) the honorable (Isaiah 3:5). It was noted that no decorum was kept, or observed, but anarchy; with everyone doing as they pleased.

The young would show no respect for the ancients in the land (elders), nor honor them. We are seeing upheaval in lands due to lack of respect, lack of morality, that once prevailed. There is a flaunting of ungodliness, with many doing as they please, with no regard of consequences for having done so.

Morality and Religious
Sentiment

It was noted that our ancestors established their system of government on morality and religious sentiment. Moral habits, they believed, cannot safely be trusted on any other foundation than religious principle, nor any government be secure which is not supported by moral habits. If truth is not diffused (promulgated), error will be.

If the power of the Gospel is not felt throughout the length and breadth of the land, anarchy and misrule, degradation and misery, corruption and darkness will reign without mitigation or end (Daniel Webster). Ancients in the land, both past and present, who have sounded the alarm on such matters, need to be received with adherence to the truths being identified.

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ANCIENTS IN THE
LAND

INTRODUCTION