Why did people live so long in the Old Testament?
Here's the answer:
Things have changed a lot since the time of Genesis.
Adam and Noah are two well-known people from the Old Testament who each lived for over 900 years. There are many other characters also mentioned in the book of Genesis who for lived just as long. Methuselah was the oldest person recorded in the Bible—He lived for 969 years!
To find out why this happened, let’s go back to the beginning. Remember, God made everything to be perfect. In a perfect environment, there is no limit to how long a person might live. And when everything was perfect, there was no sickness, suffering, pain or tears.
But when Adam and Eve disobeyed God, sin entered God’s creation. Since then, we have been living in what is known as a "fallen" creation. That just means things were no longer perfect as the effects of sin spread. That affects Adam, Eve, you, me, and all our surroundings too. People began to have shorter and shorter lifetimes.
Thankfully, God put a rescue plan into place to save us from our sin—even way back then, He promised to send a Savior, Jesus Christ, who would restore all things and give forgiveness and eternal life to all those who believe in Him.
No matter what age we live to in these days, the important thing is that we enjoy the life we have and use our time wisely. We should prepare ourselves now for the great future God has promised to all those who believe and trust in His Son, Jesus Christ. Everyone who trusts in him will be in heaven with Him after they die, where there will be no more pain, sickness, or sadness. (Read more about the path to heaven here.)
Bible Truth
"He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or sadness. There will be no more crying or pain. Things are no longer the way they used to be" (Revelation 21:4).
"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God. Trust in me also. There are many rooms in my Father’s house. If this were not true, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. If I go and do that, I will come back. And I will take you to be with me. Then you will also be where I am" (John 14:1–3).
