Topical Bible: Natural Life: Obedience to God, Tends to Prolong

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Topical Encyclopedia

The concept that obedience to God tends to prolong natural life is a recurring theme in the Bible, emphasizing the blessings and benefits of living in accordance with divine commandments. This principle is rooted in the understanding that God's laws are designed for the well-being and flourishing of His creation.

Biblical Foundations

1. The Promise of Longevity: One of the clearest expressions of this principle is found in the Ten Commandments. In Exodus 20:12 , it is written, "Honor your father and mother, so that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you." This commandment explicitly links obedience to parental authority with the promise of prolonged life.

2. Wisdom Literature: The Book of Proverbs frequently associates obedience to God's wisdom with life and health. Proverbs 3:1-2 states, "My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments; for they will add length to your days, years and peace to your life." Here, the adherence to divine instruction is directly connected to an increase in the quality and duration of life.

3. The Deuteronomic Principle: Deuteronomy 5:33 reinforces this idea: "Walk in all the way that the LORD your God has commanded you, so that you may live and prosper and prolong your days in the land that you will possess." The Deuteronomic code consistently ties obedience to God with the promise of a prosperous and extended life in the Promised Land.

Theological Implications

1. Covenant Relationship: The prolongation of life through obedience is often seen as part of the covenant relationship between God and His people. Obedience is not merely a legalistic requirement but a response to the love and faithfulness of God, who desires the well-being of His people.

2. Moral and Ethical Living: Obedience to God encompasses moral and ethical living, which naturally leads to healthier and more stable communities. The avoidance of sin and the pursuit of righteousness contribute to physical and spiritual well-being, reducing the destructive consequences of sinful behavior.

3. Divine Protection and Blessing: The Bible often portrays obedience as a means of securing divine protection and blessing. Psalm 91:14-16 illustrates this: "Because he loves Me, I will deliver him; because he knows My name, I will protect him. When he calls out to Me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble. I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him My salvation."

Practical Observations

1. Health and Well-being: Obedience to God's commandments often aligns with principles that promote health and well-being. For example, the dietary laws and Sabbath rest in the Old Testament can be seen as promoting physical health and mental rejuvenation.

2. Social Harmony: By fostering love, justice, and mercy, obedience to God contributes to social harmony and stability, which are conducive to a peaceful and prolonged life.

3. Spiritual Fulfillment: Ultimately, obedience to God leads to spiritual fulfillment and a sense of purpose, which can have positive effects on one's overall health and longevity.

In summary, the biblical narrative consistently affirms that obedience to God is intricately linked with the prolongation of natural life, offering both temporal and eternal benefits to those who walk in His ways.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Deuteronomy 30:20
That you may love the LORD your God, and that you may obey his voice, and that you may hold to him: for he is your life, and the length of your days: that you may dwell in the land which the LORD swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The First Stages. Ch. 9:51 to 13:21
... to Christ such a close human and natural relationship, but ... is indicated by faith
and by obedience to God ... the raiment," and therefore God who gave life and made ...
/.../erdman/the gospel of luke an exposition/a the first stages ch.htm

Youth and Age, and the Command for Both
... Some of you say, 'I indulge natural inclinations; I am ... and companions may leave them,
and life may become ... Then you may follow Him in obedience, and imitation ...
/.../expositions of holy scripture st john chaps xv to xxi/youth and age and the.htm

Perseverance of Saints.
... it upon his perseverance in faith and obedience to the ... Now, a natural possibility
always exists in respect to ... a certainty that they will fail of eternal life. ...
/.../finney/systematic theology/lecture l perseverance of saints.htm

Life and Works of Rufinus with Jerome's Apology Against Rufinus.
... for there is a natural bond which unites the sexes in ... at all events, if I fail in
obedience to the ... and Menites, men who are like brothers in life and character ...
/.../various/life and works of rufinus with jeromes apology against rufinus /

Examination of the Treatise
... were to be his descendants by natural propagation, all ... then, no predestination of
men unto life, and no ... freedom of his will, either accord obedience or refuse ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 3/examination of the treatise.htm

On the Death of his Father.
... dedicated to God ought to be natural and free ... being punished in different ways, and
learning obedience from the ... and free from disease all her life, was herself ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/oration xviii on the death.htm

The Reaction against Egypt
... of their towns, and the domestic life of their ... but the warrior chiefs to which each
band gave obedience. ... The delight of his subjects was but natural, since for ...
/.../chapter iithe reaction against egypt.htm

The Greatness of the Soul,
... garment, but since itself is made of the breath of God? ... Lord breathed into him the
breath of life"to wit ... the whole; or man, the spirit and natural power, by ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the greatness of the soul.htm

A Canticle of Love
... Thy perfumes, she cannot run alone; as a natural consequence of ... was the most consoling
dream of my life, I will ... this story of my soul, by an act of obedience. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/martin/the story of a soul/chapter xi a canticle of.htm