Topical Encyclopedia The brevity of human life is a recurring theme throughout the Scriptures, emphasizing the transient nature of earthly existence and the urgency of living in accordance with God's will. The Bible frequently contrasts the eternal nature of God with the fleeting days of man, urging believers to live wisely and purposefully.Biblical References: 1. Psalm 39:4-5 : "O LORD, make me know my end and the measure of my days, let me know how fleeting my life is. Behold, You have made my days a few handbreadths, and my lifetime is as nothing before You. Truly, each man at his best exists as but a breath." This passage highlights the psalmist's plea for awareness of life's brevity, recognizing that even the best of human life is ephemeral. The imagery of "handbreadths" and "breath" underscores the shortness and insubstantiality of human existence compared to God's eternal nature. 2. James 4:14 : "You do not even know what will happen tomorrow! What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes." James uses the metaphor of a mist to describe the temporary nature of life, emphasizing the uncertainty of the future and the need for humility and dependence on God. This serves as a reminder to prioritize spiritual matters over temporal concerns. 3. Job 14:1-2 : "Man, who is born of woman, is short of days and full of trouble. Like a flower, he comes forth, then withers away; like a fleeting shadow, he does not endure." Job's lament reflects the universal human experience of life's brevity and the inevitability of suffering. The comparison to a flower and a shadow illustrates the transient beauty and insubstantiality of human life. 4. Psalm 90:10 : "The length of our days is seventy years—or eighty if we are strong—yet their pride is but labor and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away." This verse from the prayer of Moses acknowledges the typical span of human life, noting that even the longest lives are filled with toil and quickly pass away. It serves as a call to seek wisdom and divine guidance in the use of our limited time. 5. Ecclesiastes 12:1 : "Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of adversity come and the years approach of which you will say, 'I find no pleasure in them.'" The exhortation to remember God in one's youth underscores the importance of dedicating one's life to God early, recognizing that the vigor of youth is fleeting and that life's challenges increase with age. Theological Implications: The shortness of man's portion of time is a profound reminder of human mortality and the need for spiritual readiness. It calls believers to live with an eternal perspective, valuing the things of God above the temporal pleasures and pursuits of this world. The Scriptures encourage a life of wisdom, stewardship, and devotion, recognizing that each day is a gift from God and an opportunity to serve Him. The brevity of life also serves as a catalyst for evangelism and discipleship, urging believers to share the Gospel and make disciples while there is still time. The awareness of life's fleeting nature should inspire a sense of urgency in fulfilling the Great Commission and living out one's faith authentically and passionately. Torrey's Topical Textbook Psalm 89:47Remember how short my time is: why have you made all men in vain? Torrey's Topical Textbook Library Letter x. To Paul, an Old Man of Concordia. Marriage and Celibacy. A Prayer when one Begins to be Sick. Who Can Tell? Journey to Evora The Peculiar Sleep of the Beloved The Saybrook Platform and the Toleration Act Our Lord's Prayer for his People's Sanctification The Psalms of David Divine Grace. Resources What does it mean that there is a proper time for everything (Ecclesiastes 3:1 8)? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is God's relationship to time? | GotQuestions.org What does the Bible say about time management? | GotQuestions.org Time: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Time in Prophetic Language, Means a Prophetic Year, or 360 Natural Time: All Events of, Predetermined by God Time: All God's Purposes Fulfilled in Due Time Time: Computed by Hours, After the Captivity Time: Daniel's Reckoning of Time, and Times, and Half Times Time: Division of, Into Watches Time: Epochs of Before the Flood Time: Eras from Which, Computed: Accession of Kings Time: Eras from Which, Computed: Building of the Temple Time: Eras from Which, Computed: Nativity of the Patriarchs During the Patriarchal Age Time: Eras from Which, Computed: The Captivity Time: Eras from Which, Computed: The Exodus from Egypt Time: Eras from Which, Computed: The Jubilee Time: One Day is Like One-Thousand Years Time: Part of a Period of, Usually Counted As the Whole Time: Particular Periods of, Mentioned: The Accepted Time Time: Particular Periods of, Mentioned: The Ancient Time Time: Particular Periods of, Mentioned: The Evil Time Time: Particular Periods of, Mentioned: The Time of Healing Time: Particular Periods of, Mentioned: The Time of Need Time: Particular Periods of, Mentioned: The Time of Reformation Time: Particular Periods of, Mentioned: The Time of Refreshing Time: Particular Periods of, Mentioned: The Time of Restitution of all Things Time: Particular Periods of, Mentioned: The Time of Temptation Time: Particular Periods of, Mentioned: The Time of Trouble Time: Particular Periods of, Mentioned: The Time of Visitation Time: Shortness of Man's Portion of Time: should be Spent in Fear of God Time: The Duration of the World Time: The Heavenly Bodies, Appointed As a Means for Computing Time: The Measure of the Continuance of Anything Time: The Sun-Dial Early Invented for Pointing Out Related Terms |
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