5746 youth

Scripture characterises youth as a time of vigour and strength. It speaks, too, of the pressures and expectations of youth, warns about the temptations facing young people, and instructs the young about what is expected of them.

The vigour of youth

Pr 20:29 See also Job 33:25; Ps 103:5; Ps 144:12; SS 2:3; Ecc 11:9-10
Isa 40:30 Even youthful strength and vigour may fail. See also Job 20:11; Ps 78:31; Am 8:13

The duties of youth

To remember God Ecc 12:1 See also 1Ki 18:12; Ps 71:5; La 3:25-27
Ps 119:9 See also Ps 71:17; Eze 4:14

To respect the elderly Lev 19:32 See also Job 29:8; Job 32:6; 1Ti 5:1; 1Pe 5:5

To honour parents Ex 20:12 pp Dt 5:16 See also Eph 6:2-3; Lev 19:3; 1Ti 5:4

To obey parents Pr 1:8 See also Pr 6:20; Pr 23:22; Eph 6:1; Col 3:20

To remain faithful to one’s partner Pr 5:18 See also Pr 2:17; Mal 2:14-15

Examples of godly young people

Godly young men 1Sa 2:18 Samuel; 1Sa 17:33 David, fighting Goliath; 2Ch 24:1-2 pp 2Ki 12:1-2 Joash became king at the age of seven; 2Ch 34:1-2 pp 2Ki 22:1-2 Josiah became king at the age of eight; Lk 2:42-52 Jesus Christ at the age of twelve; 2Ti 1:5 Timothy

Godly young women Jdg 11:36 Jephthah’s daughter; Ru 1:16-17 Ruth; Est 4:15-16 Esther; Lk 1:38 the virgin Mary; Ac 21:9 Philip’s daughters

The promise of youth

Israel’s youthful devotion Jer 2:2 See also Jer 3:4; Eze 16:22,43
Hos 2:14-15 See also Isa 54:4; Isa 62:5; Eze 16:60

Dying young as a sign of judgment Ps 89:45 See also Job 36:14; Ps 78:63; Isa 13:12; Jer 9:21 The death of children and young people symbolises loss of hope for the future; Jer 11:22

Particular pressures of youth

The inexperience of youth 1Ki 3:7; 1Ch 22:5; 1Ch 29:1; 2Ch 13:7; Jer 1:6; 1Ti 4:12

Temptations facing the young 2Ti 2:22 See also Pr 7:7; Lk 15:13,30; Mt 19:22 pp Mk 10:22 pp Lk 18:23; Tit 2:6

Troubles faced from the time of one’s youth 2Sa 19:7; Ps 88:15; Ps 129:1-2

The sins of youth

Ps 25:7 See also Job 13:26

Disrespect for older people 2Ki 2:23-24; Job 30:1; Isa 3:5; La 5:12

Dishonouring parents Dt 21:18-20; Pr 15:20; Pr 30:11; 2Ti 3:2

Persistent sinfulness Jer 3:24-25; Jer 22:21; Jer 32:30

The sinfulness of Israel’s youth Eze 23:3,8,19-21; Hos 11:1-2

Examples of sinful young men

1Sa 2:17 the sons of Eli; 1Sa 8:2-3 the sons of Samuel; 2Sa 15:6 Absalom; 1Ki 12:8-14 pp 2Ch 10:8-11 Rehoboam; 2Ki 21:1-2 pp 2Ch 33:1-2 Manasseh

See also