Hi Mike,

While the actuary tables (I am a former financial planner by profession) for people in this country show a life expectancy of 70+ (74 for woman, 72 for men I believe), this has clearly NOT been the case in our nation’s history (it has increased quite a bit) and is not the case in the underdeveloped countries. Plus, I always questioned the strict physical, outward interpretation of this since Jesus didn’t live His 70 years, nor did Steven and many others in the Bible (let alone the extremely long lives prior to the Flood). I understand in the Bible 7 is symbolic for completeness or perfection so I can see in the multiples of 7 x 10 that 70 could symbolize our ‘complete life in the flesh’ regardless of the actual number of calendar years (or days) we live (… since it is but a vapor and… a light affliction compared to the next eon(s) and not significant). 80 if by reason of strength suggests ‘our’ strength in the flesh (being wise with our diet, lifestyle, etc.) means we can live longer than 70… until we are satisfied’ spiritually it could represent 8 x10 (new beginning after the disintegration of the flesh) or 40 x 2 (a witness to our time in the wilderness) or other multiple combinations.
That said, this passage according to the natural mind sure seems to say we are given 70 calendar years… yet this would contradict the fact that billions of people (believers and non believers) have not been given their 70 and would seem to contradict that outward interpretation. Naturally, I have not ever heard a scriptural answer for this seeming contradiction from those that teach ‘by faith you receive your three score and ten or if by strength 80’.
Anyway, not sure if you have ever taught or studied this particular scripture before, but if you have any insight to share, it would be greatly appreciated.

Psa 90:9 For all our days have passed away in Your wrath; We finish our years like a sigh.
Psa 90:10 The days of our lives are seventy years; And if by reason of strength they are eighty years, Yet their boast is only labor and sorrow; For it is soon cut off, and we fly away.
Psa 90:11 Who knows the power of Your anger? For as the fear of You, so is Your wrath

Be Blessed,
M____

Hi M____,

Thank you for your insights. Every word you say about the numbers mentioned in Psa 90 is spiritually applicable, because “the words that I speak to you are spirit,” if you are given eyes to see and ears to hear the “things of the spirit.”
Your observation that Christ and many others did not live to be 70 years old, in itself demonstrates that the number 70, like the rest of scripture, has a spiritual meaning that the natural man cannot receive. So too does the number 80 as well as any other number mentioned in scripture.
Lou Dobbs has just this week reported on the life expectancy of five European countries and Canada, comparing them to the life expectancy of us here in the U. S. According to Lou, the average life expectancy in the U. S Isa 77 plus and in Europe it is over 78 years with much less being spent to achieve that extra year or so. This all has to do with the present discussion concerning reforming the health care system here in the United States.
Reforming health care is not my concern. The point is that whether it Isa 70 or 80, it is not a literal statement but a spiritual statement. Christ lived to be “80 by reason of strength” even though He died at 33, because the “by reason of strength” has much more to do with “enduring [ perfecting trials] to the end” and becoming the “new man,” whereas 70 is simply the completion (7) of the work God is doing in the flesh (10). Spiritually speaking, there are “many” who live to be 70, but there are “few” who make it to 80.
What you say demonstrates that you have already been given eyes to see that this is not a physical statement. You said:

This passage according to the natural mind sure seems to say we are given 70 calendar years… yet this would contradict the fact that billions of people (believers & non believers) have not been given their 70 and would seem to contradict that outward interpretation.  Naturally, I have not ever heard a scriptural answer for this seeming contradiction from those that teach ‘by faith you receive your three score and twenty or if by strength 80’.

I hope these words help to confirm to you that “… the words I speak to you are spirit…”

Joh 6:63  It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.

Your brother in Christ,
Mike