Topical Bible: Death: Miscellaneous Subjects: Being Cut Down

◄ Death: Miscellaneous Subjects: Being Cut Down ►

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In the Bible, the imagery of being "cut down" is frequently used to describe the suddenness and finality of death, often in the context of divine judgment or the consequences of sin. This metaphor is rooted in the agrarian culture of the biblical world, where cutting down trees or crops was a common practice, symbolizing the end of life or productivity.

One of the most poignant uses of this imagery is found in the book of Job. Job, in his lament, compares the brevity of human life to a tree that is cut down: "For there is hope for a tree: If it is cut down, it will sprout again, and its tender shoots will not fail" (Job 14:7). Here, Job contrasts the hope of renewal for a tree with the finality of human death, underscoring the fragility of life.

The prophets frequently employed the metaphor of being cut down to convey the impending judgment of God upon nations and individuals. In Isaiah, the prophet warns of the downfall of the proud: "The LORD of Hosts has planned it, to defile the pride of all glory and to humble all the honored of the earth. The LORD of Hosts has purposed it, and who can thwart Him? His hand is stretched out, and who can turn it back?" (Isaiah 23:9). The imagery of being cut down serves as a powerful reminder of God's sovereignty and the inevitable consequences of pride and disobedience.

In the New Testament, John the Baptist uses similar language to warn of the coming judgment: "The ax lies ready at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire" (Matthew 3:10). This metaphor emphasizes the urgency of repentance and the necessity of bearing fruit in keeping with righteousness.

The theme of being cut down also appears in the parables of Jesus. In the Parable of the Barren Fig Tree, the owner of the vineyard orders the fig tree to be cut down because it has not borne fruit for three years: "So he said to the keeper of the vineyard, ‘Look, for three years I have come to search for fruit on this fig tree and haven’t found any. Therefore, cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?’" (Luke 13:7). This parable illustrates the patience and mercy of God, as well as the eventual judgment that comes to those who fail to produce spiritual fruit.

The metaphor of being cut down serves as a sobering reminder of the reality of death and the importance of living a life that is pleasing to God. It calls believers to examine their lives, repent of sin, and strive to bear fruit in accordance with God's will.

Nave's Topical Index

Job 14:2
He comes forth like a flower, and is cut down: he flees also as a shadow, and continues not.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Miscellaneous.
... MISCELLANEOUS. ... thoughts, while they secretly long after and desire their death, that
the ... to the great disturbance and distraction of the good subjects of this ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bunyan/the riches of bunyan/xxix miscellaneous.htm

The Preacher as an Apostle.
... For these four discourses subjects have to be found ... mass of work of an exceedingly
miscellaneous character which ... his back and ride him to death with engagements ...
/.../stalker/the preacher and his models/lecture viii the preacher as.htm

Homiletical.
... Twenty-four homilies on miscellaneous subjects, published under St ... except in the
case of the death of the ... limited number of subjects to many analogous subjects. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/basil/basil letters and select works/iv homiletical.htm

Introduction.
... so that the sequence of the subjects shall coincide ... Lord should predict his own death
and resurrection ... turn to good account your miscellaneous observation of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/arnot/the parables of our lord/introduction.htm

The Old Catholics.
... him as a Catholic bishop, and exhibited him to all his subjects as one who is ... He
also edited the miscellaneous writings of M??hler, after whose death he was ...
/.../ 36 the old catholics.htm

Life of Bunyan
... draw the world's delighted attention to the subjects of supreme ... sighing behest,
"Let me die the death of the ... which it still imparts to his miscellaneous works. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/hamilton/life of bunyan/life of bunyan.htm

The Transformation of Rome from a Pagan into a Christian City.
... by Pontius Pilatus of the passion and death of our ... latest addition to this class
of subjects is to ... nine hundred and thirty-one miscellaneous inscriptions; and ...
/.../lanciani/pagan and christian rome/chapter i the transformation of.htm

Explanatory and Biographical
... denial, and success: published much; mostly on religious subjects. ... on the day of
his death, 'I know ... 372]CCCXXI-CCCXXX, from the Miscellaneous Poems, written at ...
/.../palgrave/the treasury of sacred song/explanatory and biographical.htm

The Deists.
... Lord Shaftesbury's 'Miscellaneous Essays,' which were ultimately ... great man towards
contemporary subjects of stirring ... After his death, it was soon discovered ...
/.../abbey/the english church in the eighteenth century/chapter iii the deists.htm

Pagan Shrines and Temples.
... thousand seven hundred and eighty-five miscellaneous bronze statues. ... Political events
and the death of this noble ... and Salmace, and other subjects engraved by ...
/.../lanciani/pagan and christian rome/chapter ii pagan shrines and.htm