Your Children's Children

Your Children’s Children.  Not counting the biblical patriarchs (Adam to Moses), during other more normal ancient epochs as supported by the archeological record, the average life expectancy was a scant 26 years old. Reaching adulthood, let alone parenthood, was never a guarantee. In the Roman era (100 bc to 400 ad), if infant mortality were excluded, a person on average might see 40 years. An aristocrat in Medieval Europe, if he or she reached adulthood, might have 40 more years as an adult. In contrast to 1850, where less than half the people reached their 50th birthday, after 1900 with hospitals and a better understanding of hygiene, 97% of the people in England reached their 50th birthday.

More than ever, since health records became routine, grandparents are blessedly common. The Legacy Project estimates that 70% of all adults in America will become grandparents in their lifetimes, which compared to the ancient world is a truly staggering figure. Perhaps the scarcity of grandparenting references in the Scriptures corresponds to the rarity of grandparents in the general population during biblical times. Nonetheless, what little the Bible does say about grandparents, mostly in a few psalms and proverbs, is vaulted.

“O God, from my youth you have taught me, and I still proclaim your wondrous deeds. So even to old age and gray hairs, O God, do not forsake me, until I proclaim your might to another generation, your power to all those to come” (Psa. 71:17-18). “But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him, and his righteousness to children's children” (Psa. 103:17). “The Lord bless you from Zion! May you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life! May you see your children's children! Peace be upon Israel!” (Psa. 128:5-6). “A good man leaves an inheritance to his children's children, but the sinner's wealth is laid up for the righteous” (Pro. 13:22). “Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained in a righteous life” (Pro. 16:31). “Grandchildren are the crown of the aged, and the glory of children is their fathers” (Pro 17:6). “The glory of young men is their strength, but the splendor of old men is their gray hair” (Pro 20:29).

Promoting from adult to parent to grandparent status is an honor that not all of us will have. If we are fortunate enough to have grandchildren, then we are fortunate enough.