God of Life
Sometime back in one of our classes, we discussed the ritual purification laws under Moses. These laws were designed to show that God was a God of life, not of death. The ancient Egyptians worshipped several gods of death including Anubis, Ma’at, Thoth, and Osiris. Even Ra, the Sun god, was lord of the underworld. The culture of Egypt was a culture of death.
God, through Moses, wanted to show that He was not like these false gods, but that He was a God of life. The entire Law of Moses was designed to protect and encourage life. The fifth commandment sums this up when it says, “Honor thy father and thy mother, that thy days may be long in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee” (Exodus 20:12). God wanted His people to live and have a long life. This message is reflected in the New Testament also. Peter wrote, “For, He that would love life, And see good days, Let him refrain his tongue from evil, And his lips that they speak no guile” (1 Peter 3:10).
Some may get the mistaken impression that God want us die so that we can go to heaven and be with Him. That is not the case at all. The message of the gospel is designed to help people live their life without the problems of guilt, shame, and despair. Jesus died so that we may live for Him (1 Thessalonians 5:10)! He wants us to have lives of peace, love, grace, and joy. That was His original intention from the outset. The Devil is the one who brought death into the world. Thank God that Jesus took away his power (Hebrews 2:14).
God bless you, and I love you.
Kevin Cauley