I 100% agree and that's what I was trying to convey. Faith does not need empirical proof to exist. In fact, faith without proof is real faith! Demanding proof leaves one no better than doubting Thomas... :) Proof eliminates the need for faith.
Trying to prove something from before written language is a folly. Trying to decipher exact numbers from a book meant to teach a religious and moral path of life is missing the whole point... If Adam lived to be 900, or only 90 - does that fundamentally change Judaism or Christianity? I would argue no!
And as science advances, it looks like we will be able to, in the next 10-40 years, extend human life to well beyond the fabled 120 year limit. Does that mean that the Bible is wrong about how old men can live? NO! It means that how long we live is at the will of God. If He chooses for us to live long, then we do. Otherwise - we don't. We live at HIS mercy, not ours.
Personally, I think that is the message about length of time people lived. God chooses to let those who love Him and follow His voice to live as long as needed, to accomplish what He wants them to accomplish. Turn away, though, and your life may be long - but will be empty, with no real accomplishment to be recorded. It's as if you lived but a day, not a thousand years...
WHAT "fabled 120 year limit"?
That's become the eventual spot on number. At least after the Great Flood and the aftermath of an entirely revamped earth, revamped climate, geography, revamped "laws of nature," and revamped Countdown till The End Days (already upon us.)
All genetics and energy devolve and degrade in quality and quantity over time. You're assuming quite a bit from Science in breaking down man's entire DNA code as though it's a matter of running a few more calculations before extending life or "hacking" a younger one. (there are a couple a great Twilight Zone episodes btw on the subject. Sort of. If you have Netflix you're in luck.)
His will is already stated. 120 years it is. And will be. At the optimum.
God chooses to let those who love Him and follow His voice to live as long as needed, to accomplish what He wants them to accomplish.
I agree. Though it doesn't account for the long lives of those who hate Him, or shorter lives of those who've loved Him. It is His Plan, but too many try to de-mystify "reason and purpose" when it comes to The Almighty. Especially as we endure the evil in this world. Fortunately some of us believe in a second *final* life for Eternity. Good news that there's a Heaven. Bad news is that there's a Hell.
Turn away, though, and your life may be long - but will be empty, with no real accomplishment to be recorded. It's as if you lived but a day, not a thousand years...
Sounds as if you may be a Moody Blues fan :-)
After this life is over, there will be no specific memory of accomplishment or regret. That occurs for most folks in the final phase of this life. "Accomplishment" may be just a moment for *His* reason and purpose during the course of mortal life. Though He's "programmed" us to find purpose, I'm not sure that our own personal "achievement" and fulfillment is what makes Him most proud.