Experience, of life

Experience of life comes with increasing age and through observation, reflection and the application of lessons learned. Experience in a craft or profession comes through training and practice.

Experience associated with advancing years

Job 12:12 See also Job 32:6–7; 1 Kings 12:6–7 parallel 2 Chronicles 10:6–7; Psalm 37:25; Proverbs 4:1–4

Wisdom is found with the elderly, and understanding comes with long life.

Dissatisfaction with life's experiences

Ecclesiastes 2:11 See also Ecclesiastes 3:11 People are made for eternity and cannot be fully satisfied with the things of this world; Ecclesiastes 1:13–17 application to study; Ecclesiastes 2:1–3 devotion to pleasure; Ecclesiastes 2:4–6 pursuit of great projects; Ecclesiastes 2:7–8 a life of materialismEcclesiastes 2:24–26 Human experiences find fulfilment only in relation to God.Ecclesiastes 3:12–14, Ecclesiastes 12:13–14

Yet when I considered all the works that my hands had accomplished and what I had toiled to achieve, I found everything to be futile, a pursuit of the wind; there was nothing to be gained under the sun.

Nothing is better for a man than to eat and drink and enjoy his work. I have also seen that this is from the hand of God. For apart from Him, who can eat and who can find enjoyment? To the man who is pleasing in His sight, He gives wisdom and knowledge and joy, but to the sinner He assigns the task of gathering and accumulating that which he will hand over to one who pleases God. This too is futile and a pursuit of the wind.

Learning from life's experiences

Proverbs 24:32 See also Job 4:8–9, Job 5:3; Psalm 107:43

I observed and took it to heart; I looked and received instruction:

Sympathy resulting from personal experience

Exodus 23:9 See also Exodus 22:21; Deuteronomy 15:12–15; 2 Corinthians 1:3–4; Hebrews 10:32–34

Do not oppress a foreign resident, since you yourselves know how it feels to be foreigners; for you were foreigners in the land of Egypt.

Growing through experiences

Romans 5:3–4 See also Hebrews 5:8; James 1:2–4

Not only that, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.

Learning from everyday experiences

Matthew 24:32 parallel Mark 13:28 See also Matthew 16:2–3; Luke 12:54–55; Matthew 6:28–31 parallel Luke 12:27–29

Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its branches become tender and sprout leaves, you know that summer is near.

Jesus Christ shared human experience

Hebrews 4:15 See also Hebrews 2:17–18; Philippians 2:8; Hebrews 2:9

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who was tempted in every way that we are, yet was without sin.

Experience in a craft or profession

Skilled craftsmen

2 Chronicles 2:7 See also 2 Chronicles 2:13–14; 1 Kings 7:13–14; Exodus 36:1–2; 1 Chronicles 22:15–16

Send me, therefore, a craftsman skilled in engraving to work with gold and silver, with bronze and iron, and with purple, crimson, and blue yarn. He will work with my craftsmen in Judah and Jerusalem, whom my father David provided.

Experienced soldiers

2 Chronicles 17:12–13 See also 1 Samuel 17:33; 2 Samuel 17:8; 1 Chronicles 12:33; Song of Solomon 3:7–8

Jehoshaphat grew stronger and stronger, and he built fortresses and store cities in Judah and kept vast supplies in the cities of Judah. He also had warriors in Jerusalem who were mighty men of valor.

Other competent people

1 Samuel 12:2 Samuel's experience in leadership; Esther 1:13 Xerxes consults experts in law and justice; Matthew 2:4 Herod consults teachers of the law; Acts 18:2–3 Paul and Aquila were experienced tent makers.