I was re-reading the sixth book I have written and yet to be released. I came across this section and want to share it with you.
It is taken out of the chapter where I describe the six stages of manhood, and ‘Zaken’ is the sixth stage or the age of grey-haired men.
The title of this book is at the moment, ‘Stallion Riders’.A Stallion Rider is one who will ride with Jesus our King on His return with Royal Leaders. Those who have been a Gibbor – a warrior and now a Gibborim, a seasoned warrior and part of the Royal Guard of a King. The book is about this kind of leadership. Enjoy this section.
“Zaken”: sage, mentor or grey haired. Some think this is the solitary, confused, slow old man, seen in movies. Though, the biblical image is a man who is connected to all life and making his finest and most important contribution to the community and culture. He is the one who sits at political, civic, and religious centers of society as he sits at the gates, imparting wisdom. To sit in the circle of Sages indeed the lifelong pursuit of young men in the past.
Today the picture of the elderly has been changed to one who sits in retirement homes, separated from the younger men, watching television all day and waiting to die. Our sages of today have been scorned into hiding or they don’t exist. The grey hair is not something to be covered but something to be honored by all men.
Solomon apparently continued the practice of having the Royal Elite guard. The number of his Gibborim, grew to sixty. In the love sonnet attributed to him, he comments on their “Parade dress” appearance:
“Look! It is Solomon’s carriage, escorted by sixty (Gibborim), the noblest of Israel, all of them wearing the sword, all experienced in battle, each with his sword at his side, prepared for the terrors of the night.” Song of Solomon 3:7-8 NIV
A warrior/leader of men does not trust in his own abilities, although he does maintain a healthy perspective on them. His genuine commitment, allegiance, and trust is in God. This is good news to a man who has had no significant real male role model in his life. Our fatherless generation can learn much about being a man by studying Gods word and seeing God as the virile Warrior, and in so doing place his trust in God. Basically, the Stallion Warrior is the warrior who trusts and finds his refuge in God rather than in his own strength or material possessions. “Blessed is the Gibbor who has made the Lord his trust” Psalm 40:4