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
