Bible Question: I am doing some research about women teaching scripture to men and the question came up what does the bible say about boys becoming of age and at what age do they do this. |
Bible Answer: Hello Melvie, I am certain there is a Biblical answer to your question, and I believe this also relates to what some refer to as the "age of accountability", I would define this as an age when boys become men and therefore accountable to God for their actions. This is according to my definition, if you define it differently I would be interested in your definition. Contrary to Jewish tradition, The scripture is clear, the age when a boy becomes a man. If you look in scripture, Ex 30:14 "Everyone who is numbered, from twenty years old and over, shall give the contribution to the LORD. Num 1:3 from twenty years old and upward, whoever is able to go out to war in Israel, you and Aaron shall number them by their armies. Num 1:18 and they assembled all the congregation together on the first of the second month. Then they registered by ancestry in their families, by their fathers' households, according to the number of names, from twenty years old and upward, head by head, These are listed for every tribe, But suffice it to say; Num 1:40 Of the sons of Asher, their genealogical registration by their families, by their fathers' households, according to the number of names, from twenty years old and upward, whoever was able to go out to war, Num 26:2 "Take a census of all the congregation of the sons of Israel from twenty years old and upward, by their fathers' households, whoever is able to go out to war in Israel." This scripture may be the hardest to see an age that people would be held accountable for their actions. Num 32:11 'None of the men who came up from Egypt, from twenty years old and upward, shall see the land which I swore to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob; for they did not follow Me fully, Ezra 3:8 Now in the second year of their coming to the house of God at Jerusalem in the second month, Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel and Jeshua the son of Jozadak and the rest of their brothers the priests and the Levites, and all who came from the captivity to Jerusalem, began the work and appointed the Levites from twenty years and older to oversee the work of the house of the LORD. Some say five, seven or when they (children) understand right from wrong, This would be a good place to arbitrarily put in an age, as some see fit, such as twelve or thirteen. Deut 1:34"Then the LORD heard the sound of your words, and He was angry and took an oath, saying, Deut 1:35'Not one of these men, this evil generation, shall see the good land which I swore to give your fathers, Deut 1:36 except Caleb the son of Jephunneh; he shall see it, and to him and to his sons I will give the land on which he has set foot, because he has followed the LORD fully.' Deut 1:37"The LORD was angry with me also on your account, saying, 'Not even you shall enter there. Deut 1:38'Joshua the son of Nun, who stands before you, he shall enter there; encourage him, for he will cause Israel to inherit it. Deut 1:39'Moreover, your little ones who you said would become a prey, and your sons, who this day have no knowledge of good or evil, shall enter there, and I will give it to them and they shall possess it. 2 Tim 3:16 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; I know there is opposition to this teaching, So please follow this standard of using scripture! Most states say eighteen or twenty one, however scripture says those numbered from twenty years and upward. In my state they are trying to hold accountable at this time an eighteen year old boy as an adult (time or age to be fully accountable for his actions) for a death that occurred when he was seventeen (the crime he committed would be considered involuntary manslaughter, a girl died in a car accident, in which he was driving). There are other aspects to this case, but I just say it just to show an age, which the state has decided they would be able to hold him fully accountable for his actions. So, it is left for you to decide, the scriptures I give you show God’s view on the subject, search the archives to see SCRIPTURE that others may show you. (emphasis mine) Children are accountable to their parents up to an age when God will hold them accountable. Even Jesus was under His parents as shown in Luke 2:51 And He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and He continued in subjection to them; and His mother treasured all these things in her heart. He could have told them “go on without me”, but He continued in subjection to them. (the scripture notes that He was 12 years old at that time). I would be interested to hear your comments on this, agreeable or not. I hope this is in line with your question, and has helped you. wordoer |