In Numbers 35 we have outlined for us the process of handling someone that has brought death into the world, whether accidental or intentional.
I’d argue it is a termination of relationship. When someone dies, they no longer engage in relationship with others, the earth, themselves. Their presence is removed from the earth and there now exists a void in the space they once occupied.
This brings sadness to the doorstep of those that are close.
This is why Paul says that for those who believe, there is no need to grieve because you will see them again:
1 Thessalonians 4:13 Now, brothers, we want you to know the truth about those who have died; otherwise, you might become sad the way other people 14 do who have nothing to hope for. For since we believe that Yeshua died and rose again, we also believe that in the same way God, through Yeshua, will take with him those who have died.
So there is hope for those that believe.
But what about those relationships that no longer exist even though the people are still alive?
Does death still exist here? I think so.
Death is a separation.
A separation from family, friends, community, life.
Instead of looking at death as a whole, let’s focus on one slippery little problem creator: your tongue.
The Book of Proverbs tells us in verse 21 of the 18th chapter:
The tongue has power over life and death; those who indulge it must eat its fruit.
Think of the things you have said (and perhaps continue to say).
Have you brought death unintentionally?
What has your mouth said that has brought separation?
Have you allowed your mouth to run to the point of people fleeing?
Why do we let our mouth run in this way?
Because we love death. It makes sure other people know our judgments of them.
Have you brought death intentionally?
How many curses have you pronounced on others?
Note it does not say if you murder a brother. It’s if you kill anyone.
So that horrible, horrible person that is overly selfish and rude, and comes at you with everything they’ve got -- even they qualify as victims.
Why do we speak death when we know better?
Because we love death. It gives us power over others.
Knowing death is punishable by death, do you ensure there are no witnesses?
Do you like to gossip about and judge others privately?
Why do we continue to judge and speak poorly of others?
Because we love death. It makes our miserable lives a little better.
Have you enabled someone else to bring death?
Do you let others speak death over people without ever correcting them?
Do curses flow in your world and you silently watch them pass by?
What prevents you from saying something?
Are you trying to (ironically) preserve relationship by letting death have its way with you?
Are you worried about your own happiness and you find it easier to sit in silence and just deal with death in your life?
You do realize there is life in your tongue also? You have the ability to change the atmosphere around you and others, but that pull into the pit of waste is just too much to bear.
So why don’t we say anything?
Because we love death. In silence we can avoid conflict and remain at peace -- even though it is a false sense of peace.
What kind of witness are you?
Will you stand for the truth or will you pull back silently and pretend nothing has happened?
There is only shame for a lying or silent witness.
Death itself will begin to hunt them down.
You are loose with your tongue most of the time anyway, so why not sing the truth when called upon?
Because we love death. It lets us hide from boldness.
Do you try to pay a ransom to prevent facing judgment?
How many times have you tried to buy your way out of the trouble your mouth generated?
How many times have you tried to buy away your guilt?
How many times have you bailed out someone in order to cover up sin?
Are you financing death in relationships thinking you are in some way helping?
Are you financing murder thinking that you are in some way helping?
Why don’t we let a relationship killer stand trial and endure the consequences on their own?
Because we love death. It allows us to be the savior.
Death sits at your door right now. And you know it. You have a soft spot for it and may even cultivate some of it yourself.
A little death in our ears seems to bring some pleasure, does it not? Knowing others are worse than us or knowing we have the power to protect a killer and be their savior. Ok, that may sound extreme so let’s rephrase it: Knowing you have the power to save someone that speaks death with their mouth -- atoning (covering) their sin when there is no repentance.
There is opportunity after opportunity for relationship to be destroyed by loose tongues all around you.
Do you fall for it?
Do you participate in it?
Do you find joy in it?
Can you now see the severity of vows being made with no regard for life?
Husbands and fathers, do you now see how important your silence really is?
There is plenty of death out in the world right now so don’t feel like you’re doing your part by adding to it.
There is so little life in the world. It’s time to light your lamp and really do your part in illuminating your corner of the Garden. That is, of course, assuming you dwell in His Kingdom.
It is time to learn to speak life continually. It’s time to learn to silence death with your mouth when it appears in your presence.
Or else that enemy of old, will hunt you down and kill you.