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Most people don't like to think about death, except possibly a mortician or others who profit from death. The young don't think about death because they often associate death with old age, and that seems far away. That is a a short-sighted attitude, since young people are not immortal, and a good many of them die from accidents, diseases, war, and their own rashness or stupidity. Besides, it is a much shorter trip from youth to old age than the young imagine. Older folks don't like to think about death because, for them, it doesn't seem far away - too close really, to be comfortable to consider. However, the wise at any age do think about death, so as to avoid it as long as possible. Wise people turn to the Scriptures to learn about death, which is both comforting and practical, since the wisdom of the Scriptures makes for the longest possible life - and the best possible life.

I'm thinking about death today because death is a sub-theme of Acts 12 which we will be considering at our meeting tonight. In this chapter we have the death of the Apostle James, brother of John. He was the first of the apostles to be martyred. Then we have the story of how Peter was delivered from what looked to be certain death. Finally, the horrible death of Herod is reported. Each of these cases gives us truth about different aspects of death. On realizing this, I went to the Davidic books of Scripture for more wisdom on each of these cases.

When considering death the first thing we must come to grips with is the fact that life and death are in the hands of our Creator. This should be a comfort to us, since He is perfectly righteous and good. Realize this:

For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die.. Ecclesiastes 3:1-2

Whether a believer or not, your life and death are ultimately in His hands, as He has ordained. Yet, the Scriptures seem to indicate that choices you make can still lengthen your life, or shorten it, to a point. I say to a point because we all must die eventually, so long as this age continues. We will get into the matter of choices in a minute, but my main point here is the fact that Elohim is in control of your life and death. For the righteous person, knowing this relieves the fear of death, as David wrote:

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me. Your rod and your staff, they comfort me. Psalms 23:4

This is the best state anyone can be in regarding ones attitude toward death. This freedom from fear of death can only come to those who are in a relationship of perfect faith and reliance upon the Lord. This is a love relationship in which the righteous person knows and trusts in the sterling character and unshakable faithfulness of YHWH, as expressed toward all of those keeping covenant with Him. In this case the righteous person realizes that if they die in a certain situation it is for the greater glory of God and for the benefit of His people. The best example of this, of course, is that of the very Son of Elohim, who came to earth as a human like us, but without sin, to die for sinners. He did far more than that with His life. Yet, He knew how His life here must end, and He made peace with that prospect, realizing it was required according to the perfect will of the Father. This was true, because only His death could save us, and more importantly, could reveal the perfect love of the Father. According to the best information available, all of the Apostles of Yeshua, except for John, were martyred, as their Master had been. James had the honor of being the first of those, no doubt inspiring the rest by his faithfulness unto death. When one of the Lords own dies in faithfulness it always accomplishes some higher purpose, and is never in vain. Such a death in faithfulness is a love offering unto the Father that is of great value to Him, as the Scripture says:

Precious in the sight of YHWH is the death of his holy ones. Psalms 116:15

The alternative to trusting in YHWH in ones approach to the prospect of death is to trust in yourself, in riches, or in influence and power. This is a bad idea, as these verses point out:

Whoever despises instruction will pay for it, but he who respects a command will be rewarded. The teaching of the wise is a spring of life, to turn from the snares of death. Proverbs 13:13-14

There is a way which seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death. Proverbs 14:12

There is a way which seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death. Proverbs 16:25

There is no king saved by the multitude of an army. A mighty man is not delivered by great strength. A horse is a vain thing for safety, neither does he deliver any by his great power. Behold, YHWH’s eye is on those who fear him, on those who hope in his loving kindness; to deliver their soul from death, to keep them alive in famine. Our soul has waited for YHWH! He is our help and our shield. For our heart rejoices in him, because we have trusted in his holy name. Let your loving kindness be on us, YHWH, since we have hoped in you. Psalms 33:16-22

Getting treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor for those who seek death. The violence of the wicked will drive them away, because they refuse to do what is right. The way of the guilty is devious, but the conduct of the innocent is upright. Proverbs 21:6-8

A wise son makes a glad father; but a foolish son brings grief to his mother. Treasures of wickedness profit nothing, but righteousness delivers from death. Proverbs 10:1-2

So often it is those who make riches, power and fame their god who end up making themselves the enemies of YHWH and His people. Such was Herod, who murdered the innocent James, and persecuted the holy ones of Israel. His ugly and untimely end is typical of such enemies of Elohim, as these verses point out:

Blessed be Adonai, who daily bears our burdens, even the EL who is our salvation. Selah. Elohim is to us an Elohim of deliverance. To YHWH Adonai, belongs escape from death. But Elohim will strike through the head of his enemies, the hairy scalp of such a one as still continues in his guiltiness. Bless Elohim in the congregations, even Adonai in the assembly of Israel!  Psalms 68:19-21, 26

Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death. The righteousness of the blameless will direct his way, but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness. The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them, but the unfaithful will be trapped by evil desires. Proverbs 11:4-6

The wicked is brought down in his calamity, but in death, the righteous has a refuge. Proverbs 14:32

All of these passages bring us to the conclusion that the best thing we can do to cope with the eventual prospect of death is to trust in Messiah and to receive and follow His Word, and to walk in His ways. This requires us to have the humility to realize His wisdom and will are superior to our own, so that we should seek out His counsel and ways - and - persist in that throughout our lives. As Scripture says:

He who robs his father and drives away his mother, is a son who causes shame and brings reproach. If you stop listening to instruction, my son, you will stray from the words of knowledge. Proverbs 19:26-27

Listen to counsel and receive instruction, that you may be wise in your latter end. There are many plans in a mans heart, but YHWHs counsel will prevail. Proverbs 19:20-21

Hopefully this newsletter will provide a good background for the life and death events that are the focus of tonight's meeting. Please join us tonight, at tsiyon.net, at 8 pm cst, for an uplifting look at the death of both the righteous and the wicked, and at the awesome power of the Living God to save!