Death is Precious to the Lord

[darinhouston]

I just got back from my mother-in-law's memorial service and her pastor spoke on Psalm 116:15. (Precious in the sight of the LORD Is the death of His godly ones.)

I found his perspective a bit strange to my ears - he suggested that this meant that the Lord anticipated and enjoyed seeing the death of his saints because he got to be with them (and so forth). I find that a bit odd, considering how sad loss of life seemed to be to Jesus. I have always considered loss of life as a tragedy even to God and that, though there is joy in the afterlife and our hope is in the resurrection, that it would still be sad to the Lord.

Is this a translation issue?

Thoughts?

[Homer]

Darin,

Agree with your thoughts. All death is the result of the fall of man.

[dizerner]

Jesus was all about living for what happens in the afterlife.

But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. (1 Thess. 4:13 NKJ)

For I am hard pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. (Phil. 1:23 NKJ)

[dwight92070]

I spoke with our pastor on this. His thought was that the whole process of a godly person dying, which ultimately leads to the time of death itself is precious to the Lord, and that He is with them "through the valley of the shadow of death".

[steve]

I think the word "precious" (Heb. yaqar), in this context, means "costly" (see its use in 2 Sam.12:30; 1 Kg.10:2, 10, 12; Kg.10:2, 10, 11; Proverbs.3:15; Ezek.27:22; 28:13).

There are not enough righteous men and women on the planet, and the loss of even one (though inevitable) is nonetheless costly (or expensive) to God. It increases the existing deficit of saints on earth. I don't think the Old Testament had the afterlife in view, but saw death in terms of its impact upon God's purposes here on earth.

I could be wrong, but this makes the most sense to me.

[darinhouston]

I think the word "precious" (Heb. yaqar), in this context, means "costly" (see its use in 2 Sam.12:30; 1 Kg.10:2, 10, 12; Kg.10:2, 10, 11; Proverbs.3:15; Ezek.27:22; 28:13).

There are not enough righteous men and women on the planet, and the loss of even one (though inevitable) is nonetheless costly (or expensive) to God. It increases the existing deficit of saints on earth. I don't think the Old Testament had the afterlife in view, but saw death in terms of its impact upon God's purposes here on earth.

I could be wrong, but this makes the most sense to me.

That makes sense to me as well.