LIFE!

LIFE!

Monday, June 24, 2019

1Thessalonians [ESV] 5:18-19 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit.

  Probably due to recent observations mirror-wise and otherwise, I’ve been thinking about living. Another factor I think is that my longevity I’m seeing more deaths of those I know, especially notable is the number younger than me. Then this morning I received a phone call informing of the death of yet another acquaintance. I decided to check out what International Standard Bible Encyclopedia provides on the topic and discovered the magnitude of one point alone:

2. Complexity of the Idea:

The conception of life is very complex. Several meanings are clearly indicated: (1) Very frequently it refers to the vital principle itself, apart from its manifestations (Gen_2:7). Here it is the breath of life, or the breath from God which contained and communicated the vital principle to man and made him a nephesh or living being (see also Gen_1:30; Gen_6:17; Gen_7:22; Gen_45:5, etc.). (2) It is used to denote the period of one's actual existence, i.e. “lifetime” (Gen_23:1; Gen_25:7; Gen_47:9; Exo_6:16, Exo_6:18, Exo_6:20, etc.). (3) The life is represented as a direct gift from God, and dependent absolutely upon Him for its continuance (Gen 1:11-27; Gen_2:7; Num_16:22). (4) In a few cases it refers to the conception of children, denoting the time when conception was possible (Gen_18:10, Gen_18:14 margin; 2Ki_4:16, 2Ki_4:17 margin). (5) In many cases it refers to the totality of man's relationships and activities, all of which make up life (Deu_32:47; 1Sa_25:29; Job_10:1, etc.). (6) In a few instances it is used synonymously with the means of sustaining life (Deu_24:6; Pro_27:27). (7) Many times it is used synonymously with happiness or well-being (Deu_30:15, Deu_30:19; Ezr_6:10; Psa_16:11; Psa_30:5; Pro_2:19, and frequently). (8) It is always represented as a very precious gift, and offenses against life were to be severely punished (Gen_9:4, Gen_9:5; Lev_17:14; Lev_24:17).

Capital punishment is here specifically enjoined because of the value of the life that has been taken. The lexicon talionis required life for life (Exo_21:23; Deu_19:21); and this even applies to the beast (Lev_24:18). The life was represented as abiding in the blood and therefore the blood must not be eaten, or lightly shed upon the ground (Lev_17:15; Deu_12:23). The Decalogue forbids murder or the taking of human life wrongfully (Exo_20:13; Deu_5:17). Garments taken in pledge must not be kept over night, for thereby the owner's life might be endangered (Deu_24:6). That life was considered precious appears in 2Ki_10:24; Est_7:7; Job_2:4; Pro_4:23; Pro_6:26. The essence of sacrifice consisted in the fact that the life (the nephesh) resided in the blood; thus when blood was shed, life was lost (Deu_12:23; Lev_17:11). Oppression on the part of judges and rulers was severely condemned because oppression was detrimental to life.

(9) Long life was much desired and sought by the Israelites, and under certain conditions this was possible (Psa_91:16). The longevity of the ante-diluvian patriarchs is a problem by itself (see ANTEDILUVIANS). It was one of the greatest of calamities to be cut off in the midst of life (Isa_38:10-12; Isa_53:8); that a good old age was longed for is shown by Exo_20:12; Psa_21:4; Psa_34:12; Psa_61:6, etc. This long life was possible to the obedient to parents (Exo_20:12; Deu_5:16), and to those obedient to God (Deu_4:4; Pro_3:1, Pro_3:2; Pro_10:27); to the wise (Pro_3:16; Pro_9:11); to the pure in heart (Psa_34:12-14; Psa_91:1-10; Ecc_3:12, Ecc_3:13); to those who feared God (Pro_10:27; Isa_65:18-21; Isa_38:2-5, etc.). (10) The possibility of an immortal life is dimly hinted at in the earliest writing, and much more clearly taught in the later. The Tree of Life in the midst of the garden indicated a possible immortality for man upon earth (Gen_2:9; Gen_3:22, Gen_3:24) (see TREE OF LIFE).

Failing to partake of this and falling into sin by partaking of the “tree of the knowledge of good and evil,” they were driven forth from the garden lest they should eat of the tree of life and become immortal beings in their sinful condition. To deprive man of the possibility of making himself immortal while sinful was a blessing to the race; immortality without holiness is a curse rather than a blessing. The way to the tree of life was henceforth guarded by the cherubim and the flame of a sword, so that men could not partake of it in their condition of sin. This, however, did not exclude the possibility of a spiritual immortality in another sphere. Enoch's fellowship with God led to a bodily translation; so also Elijah, and several hundred years after their deaths, God called Himself the God of Abraham and Isaac and Jacob, implying that they were really alive then. In Isa_26:19 there is a clear prophecy of a resurrection, and an end of death. Dan_12:2 asserts a resurrection of many of the dead, some to everlasting life and some to shame and everlasting contempt. Some of the psalmists firmly believed in the continuity of the life in fellowship with God (Psa_16:10, Psa_16:11; Psa_17:15; Psa_23:6; Psa_49:15; Psa_73:24, Psa_73:25). The exact meaning of some of these statements is difficult to understand, yet this much is clear: there was a revolt against death in many pious minds, and a belief that the life of fellowship with God could not end or be broken even by death itself. See IMMORTALITY.

(11) The fundamental fact in the possession of life was vital relationship with God. Men first lived because God breathed into them the breath of life (Gen_2:7). Man's vital energies are the outflowing of the spirit or vital energies of God, and all activities are dependent upon the vitalizing power from God. When God sends forth His spirit, things are created, and live; when He withdraws that spirit they die (Psa_104:30). “In his favor is life” (Psa_30:5 the King James Version). He is the fountain of life (Psa_36:9; Psa_63:3). “All my fountains are in thee” (Psa_87:7). The secret of Job's success and happiness was that the Almighty was with him (Job_29:2). This fellowship brought him health, friends, prosperity and all other blessings. The consciousness of the fellowship with God led men to revolt against the idea of going to Sheol where this fellowship must cease. They felt that such a relationship could not cease, and God would take them out of Sheol.

  After review and a bit of reflection I decided that what I’m interested in was exemplified by dear Ann (incurable fatal leukemia) and is presently exemplified by Marsha (battling cancer); whilst here, their emphasis not being to desperately cling to life but to live worthwhile energetically, pleasing God, until departing. I thank God for His direction in this and the example of Ann, Marsha, and others of all ages that do not quench the Spirit.

EBB4