Pulled from Death

Pulled from Death

Proverbs 13:14

In Luxor, an Egyptian city more than 400 miles south of Cairo, medical professionals pronounced Hamdi Hafez al-Nubi dead. He was only 28 years old, far too young to die of a heart attack. His family took his body home and (following Islamic burial rites) bathed Hamdi in order to prepare him for his funeral. The hospital sent a doctor to his family’s home to endorse the death certificate; but when the doctor arrived, she found the body warm. Hamdi was alive. His mother fainted, but the Associated Press reporter happily concluded that with “the doctor’s assistance, both al-Nubi and his mother were awakened and soon were celebrating with guests.”

It’s a happy story whenever death is robbed of power. It’s a happy story any time life wins. Proverbs speaks of one repeated way death loses power: Whenever wisdom speaks, death retreats. In Proverbs, wisdom is truth that comes from the ultimate source of truth—God. And God, Scripture tells us, is also the ultimate Source of life. So, as we hear and obey God’s truth (which is what Proverbs means by wise living), we move toward life. We move toward the “life-giving fountain” (Proverbs 13:14).

As we move toward life, we’re moving away from death. We discover that we’re automatically shunning those things that distract us from God’s provision and His care—from all of His good intentions for us. When we follow God’s wisdom, we’re pulled from “the snares of death” (Proverbs 13:14).

Proverbs repeats these ideas often, as does the rest of the Bible. “Evil people find death” (Proverbs 11:19), one proverb declares. Conversely, “the one who gets wisdom loves life” (Proverbs19:8 NIV). To follow God is to pursue wisdom. To follow God is to run from death. — Winn Collier 

(see scripture below)

 

 

Proverbs 13 14 The instruction of the wise is like a life-giving fountain;   those who accept it avoid the snares of death. 15 A person with good sense is respected;   a treacherous person is headed for destruction.* 16 Wise people think before they act;   fools don't—and even brag about their foolishness. 17 An unreliable messenger stumbles into trouble,   but a reliable messenger brings healing. 18 If you ignore criticism, you will end in poverty and disgrace;   if you accept correction, you will be honored. 19 It is pleasant to see dreams come true,   but fools refuse to turn from evil to attain them. 20 Walk with the wise and become wise;   associate with fools and get in trouble. 21 Trouble chases sinners,   while blessings reward the righteous. 22 Good people leave an inheritance to their grandchildren,   but the sinner's wealth passes to the godly. 23 A poor person's farm may produce much food,   but injustice sweeps it all away. 24 Those who spare the rod of discipline hate their children.   Those who love their children care enough to discipline them. 25 The godly eat to their hearts' content,   but the belly of the wicked goes hungry.

 

— Winn Collier