“The patient is a 60-year-old male, who appears younger than his stated age.”

I was presenting a patient to my attending physician. This was over thirty years ago and a different time. Today, it would be considered politically incorrect to make such a statement yet, at that time, and I believe, to this day, it is still a helpful, descriptor of a patient’s appearance. It may provide secondary clues to the overall health of the patient. For example, heavy smokers are known to exhibit signs of premature aging in the face, valuable insight into potential other health issues.

The Bible records a fascinating interaction between the patriarch Abram and his wife Sarai when they traveled to Egypt.

Now there was a famine in the land, and Abram went down to Egypt to dwell there, for the famine was severe in the land. And it came to pass, when he was close to entering Egypt, that he said to Sarai his wife, “Indeed I know that you are a woman of beautiful countenance. Therefore it will happen, when the Egyptians see you, that they will say, ‘This is his wife’; and they will kill me, but they will let you live. Please say you are my sister, that it may be well with me for your sake, and that I may live because of you.” So it was, when Abram came into Egypt, that the Egyptians saw the woman, that she was very beautiful. The princes of Pharaoh also saw her and commended her to Pharaoh. And the woman was taken to Pharaoh’s house. 

Genesis 12:10-15 (NKJV)

At this time, Sarai was probably about 65 years of age. People of Abram’s time lived longer lives than we presently do and Sarai died at the age of 127 years. Even with this longer lifespan, the Bible states that Sarai was beyond the years of childbearing. Thus, she was physiologically older. Nonetheless, she surely appeared younger than her stated age!

Someday in Heaven, I will be able to see how beautiful Sarah appeared. I am sure it will be impressive but I suspect that my attention will be riveted by how beautiful my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ is. He will appear younger than His stated age. He is eternal, older than the universe, and altogether lovely.

His mouth is most sweet, Yes, he is altogether lovely. This is my beloved, And this is my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem!

Song of Solomon 5:16 (NKJV)

Praise God for His everlasting beauty and glory!

Love and trust in the Lord; seek His will in your life.