Life Phases

Key facts

• Abraham was 75 when he left Haran, 100 when Isaac was born, and died at 175.
• Joseph was 17 when he was sold and 30 when he stood before Pharaoh: thirteen years of slavery and prison.
• Moses was 80 when he spoke to Pharaoh; Stephen divides his life into three forties.
• David became king at 30 and reigned forty years; those are the only ages the text gives him.
• Every event is marked as age stated, age derived or age estimated, so you can see what rests on the text.
• In class: put two lives side by side and compare how long each one waited for God's promise.

Key verses

So Abram departed, as the LORD had spoken unto him; and Lot went with him: and Abram was seventy and five years old when he departed out of Haran.

Genesis 12:4 · King James Version

And Joseph was thirty years old when he stood before Pharaoh king of Egypt. And Joseph went out from the presence of Pharaoh, and went throughout all the land of Egypt.

Genesis 41:46 · King James Version

David was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years.

2 Samuel 5:4 · King James Version

Talk about it

1. Joseph waited thirteen years between the pit and the palace. What do you think those years did in him?
2. Moses began his great work at 80. What does that say about age and calling?
3. Which season are you in now: waiting, testing, calling or something else?

How sure can we be?