Back in the 1980’s and 1990’s, what began as an ad campaign, became, for many, a life’s goal. Freedom 55.

The idea was that with the right investments (and the right company to invest them with, of course) one could retire from working and be “free” from full-time jobs and pursue whatever would allow them to “live happily ever after.” And for many, retiring at 55 became their life’s objective.

As I read in Numbers this morning, it’s another retirement plan that captures my thoughts. Vigilant 50+.

And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, “This applies to the Levites: from twenty-five years old and upward they shall come to do duty in the service of the tent of meeting. And from the age of fifty years they shall withdraw from the duty of the service and serve no more. They minister to their brothers in the tent of meeting by keeping guard, but they shall do no service. Thus shall you do to the Levites in assigning their duties.”

(Numbers 8:23-26 ESV)

Keeping guard . . . being aware, taking heed, circumspect, attentive . . . literally, “to hedge about” . . . That’s what I’m chewing on this morning.

Twenty-five years. That was the career of a Levite. Twenty-five years, then forced retirement. Twenty-five years — “That’s a lot of slicing and dicing”, as an old buddy of mine would say. And not just butchering sacrifices, but setting-up and tearing-down the tabernacle. Loading it up and moving it with carts and oxen, and for some, carrying the “holy things” on their shoulders (Num. 7:9). Heavy labor over many miles while sojourning in the wilderness on their way to the promised land. Thus, twenty-five years and then . . . they shall do no service.

But at 50, they didn’t retire and were free to do whatever they wanted. While at 50 they would do no service, they were still expected to minister to their brothers and be found keeping guard. They may have retired from active service, but they were always enlisted for protective service. Still found around the tabernacle. Still helping out. And with a vigilance and a wisdom and awareness born from years of experience. Remaining engaged. Wanting the holy to remain holy. Wanting the next gen to rightly carry the baton. Always keeping guard.

Vigilant 50+. A “retirement program” instructive for us senior saints?

I’m thinkin’ . . .

Only by His grace. Forever for His glory.