Throughout Israel’s existence as a nation, they have had numerous complex dealings with the nations around them. This is, at least in part, due to the closeness of their land geographically with so many bordering nations. As is true with many nations that have come and gone throughout history, some of Israel’s neighbours have gone from being foes to being allies or from being allies to being foes. As such, this complicates international deals brokered, whether in times of peace or war.
This life offers only a window of time to work for the Lord. Youth and old age both offer their own hindrances to service. In many ways, though not entirely, youth should be spent in learning, middle age in doing, and old age in teaching. Many of the greatest servants of the Lord found in scripture began their journey in youth by learning of the Lord and His ways (1 Kings 18:12; Psalm 71:5; 2 Chronicles 34:3; Job 29:4; Ecclesiastes 12:1). As they approached the prime of life, they put their learning to use by serving the Lord (Numbers 8:24-25). As they passed their prime, they would pass their knowledge on to the next generation in hopes the work of God would go on (2 Timothy 4:1-8).
