God Gives Life and Takes it Away

One of my recent podcasts asked the question: How are we living? Are we dying to live or living to die?

That really should cause us to consider whether our eating habits for example are healthy, are we avoiding stressful situations that could bring on sickness, are we getting enough exercise? 

On the other hand, it's a call for us to check our spiritual lives to know without the shadow of a doubt that when we die our souls are right with the Lord.

The subject of death is not a favourite dinner table topic or one that is freely discussed, I don”t believe. Some find it scary. In fact, when someone close to us dies, it is such a sad and reflective moment. 

But the Bible tells us death is a reality of life. Scriptures refer to death as a consequence of sin and the natural order of creation. 

Ecclesiastes 3:2 ESV “a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;” and verse 20 - “All go to one place. All are from the dust, and to dust all return.” 

Recently, I came across two scriptures that raised my eyebrows because they spoke to God taking life.

Deuteronomy 32:39 says ““‘See now that I, even I, am he, and there is no god beside me; I kill and I make alive; I wound and I heal; and there is none that can deliver out of my hand.”

As I understand it, this verse is part of the Song of Moses, where, under divine inspiration, he addressed the Israelites. 

We hear God speaking here, declaring His sovereignty and power over life, death, and salvation, emphasizing His unmatched authority and ability to execute both judgment and salvation. 

This was a warning to Israel not to depend on foreign gods or idols, as they have no power to save or protect. They were reminded, as we are today, that God is the only One that has the power to give life and determine who lives or dies.

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The second scripture is 1 Samuel 2:6 - “The Lord kills and brings to life; he brings down to Sheol and raises up.”

This scripture is part of Hannah’s prayer of thanksgiving, also known as Hannah’s Song. Hannah, was the mother of Samuel. 

We remember that she was barren and fervently prayed to God for a child. God granted her request and so here she was offering a poetic and prophetic prayer to God after dedicating Samuel to the Lord’s service at the tabernacle.

In this prayer, Hannah recognised God's absolute power,  authority and control over all aspects of existence.

In other instances, the Bible does describe God as directly causing or allowing death. 

The plagues in Egypt, where God struck down the firstborn. Exodus 12:29 - “At midnight the Lord struck down all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sat on his throne to the firstborn of the captive who was in the dungeon, and all the firstborn of the livestock.”

The destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. Genesis 19:24 “Then the Lord rained on Sodom and Gomorrah sulfur and fire from the Lord out of heaven.”

These passages affirm that death, like life, is within God’s control. God is sovereign. He has the power to give life and take it away. In some cases, God causes or allows death as part of His judgment, discipline, or divine plan.

However, thanks be to God, the Bible also teaches that we serve a just, merciful, and loving God. 

Psalm 86:15 “But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.”

2 Peter 3:9 “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.”

And John 3:16 ““For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”

So for believers, death is seen as an entry point to everlasting life through the hope of resurrection offered in Christ Jesus.

In that light, believers are reminded to stay on the straight and narrow path that leads to eternal life, and sinners are called to repentance, as we all recognize the seriousness of sin and divine justice.

aub - 18 Nov 24

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