Topical Bible: Children and Death

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The topic of children and death is a profound and sensitive subject within the biblical narrative, touching on themes of innocence, divine justice, and hope. The Bible addresses the death of children in various contexts, offering insights into the nature of God, the fallen world, and the hope of eternal life.

Biblical Instances of Children and Death

1. The Death of the Firstborn in Egypt: One of the most notable instances of children and death in the Bible is the tenth plague in Egypt, where the firstborn of the Egyptians were struck down. This event is recorded in Exodus 12:29-30: "Now at midnight the LORD struck down every firstborn male in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sat on his throne to the firstborn of the captive who was in the dungeon, as well as all the firstborn of the livestock. During the night, Pharaoh got up, he and all his officials and all the Egyptians, and there was loud wailing in Egypt, for there was no house without someone dead." This passage highlights the severity of God's judgment against Egypt and the deliverance of the Israelites.

2. David’s Son: The death of King David's infant son, born to Bathsheba, is another poignant account. After David's sin with Bathsheba, the prophet Nathan conveyed God's judgment, and the child became ill. Despite David's fasting and prayer, the child died on the seventh day. David's response is recorded in 2 Samuel 12:22-23: "He answered, 'While the child was alive, I fasted and wept, for I said, "Who knows? The LORD may be gracious to me and let the child live." But now that he is dead, why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I will go to him, but he will not return to me.'" This passage is often interpreted as an indication of David's belief in the afterlife and the hope of reunion.

3. The Massacre of the Innocents: In the New Testament, the massacre of the innocents by King Herod is a tragic event where young boys in Bethlehem were killed in an attempt to eliminate the newborn Jesus. Matthew 2:16-18 recounts this event: "When Herod saw that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was filled with rage. Sending orders, he put to death all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, according to the time he had learned from the Magi. Then what was spoken through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled: 'A voice is heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more.'"

Theological Reflections

1. Innocence and Sin: The Bible often portrays children as symbols of innocence. In Matthew 18:3, Jesus emphasizes the purity and humility of children, saying, "Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." This innocence is juxtaposed with the reality of sin and death in the world, a consequence of the Fall.

2. Divine Sovereignty and Justice: The death of children in the Bible is sometimes depicted as part of God's sovereign plan, serving as a reminder of His ultimate authority and justice. While these events can be difficult to comprehend, they underscore the belief in God's righteous judgment and the hope of redemption.

3. Hope of Resurrection and Eternal Life: The Christian faith holds a promise of resurrection and eternal life, offering comfort in the face of death. Jesus' words in John 11:25-26 provide assurance: "Jesus said to her, 'I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Me will live, even though he dies. And everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?'" This promise extends to all believers, including children, affirming the hope of eternal life with God.

Pastoral Care and Comfort

In times of grief, the Bible offers comfort and hope. Psalm 34:18 assures, "The LORD is near to the brokenhearted; He saves the contrite in spirit." The Christian community is called to support those mourning the loss of a child, providing compassion and the hope found in Christ.

Topical Bible Verses

Romans 8:1
There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
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Exodus 21:22-25
If men strive, and hurt a woman with child, so that her fruit depart from her, and yet no mischief follow: he shall be surely punished, according as the woman's husband will lay on him; and he shall pay as the judges determine.
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Hosea 13:16
Samaria shall become desolate; for she has rebelled against her God: they shall fall by the sword: their infants shall be dashed in pieces, and their women with child shall be ripped up.
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Library

Submission to Divine Providence in the Death of Children
Submission to Divine Providence in the Death of Children. <. Submission
to Divine Providence in the Death of Children Phillip Doddridge. ...
/.../doddridge/submission to divine providence in the death of children/

The Souls of Children Ransomed by the Death of Christ.
... ORIGINAL HYMNS HYMN CCCXV. The Souls of Children ransomed by the Death of Christ. ...
James Montgomery. The Souls of Children ransomed by the Death of Christ. ...
/.../montgomery/sacred poems and hymns/hymn cccxv the souls of.htm

The Removal of Our Children by Such Awful Strokes May Warn us of ...
Submission to Divine Providence in the Death of Children. ... 2. THE Removal of our Children
by such awful Strokes may warn us of the Approach of our own Death. ...
/.../2 the removal of our.htm

Submission to Divine Providence in the Death of Children
Submission to Divine Providence in the Death of Children. <. ... Submission to
Divine Providence in the Death of Children, recommended and inforced,. ...
/.../submission to divine providence in the death of children/title page.htm

The Children's Bible
... PAUL'S NARROW ESCAPE FROM DEATH. A PRISONER WHO PREACHED TO HIS JUDGES. PAUL'S
SHIPWRECK. ... [ Prev] [Top] [Next ]. The Children's Bible Christian Bookshelf. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/

The Providence Before us May be Farther Improved to Quicken us in ...
Submission to Divine Providence in the Death of Children. <. ...
/.../3 the providence before us.htm

When God Takes Away Our Children from Us, it is a Very Affecting ...
Submission to Divine Providence in the Death of Children. <. ...
/.../1 when god takes away.htm

The Faith of Little Children.
... At last, the head of the family, unable to endure the agony of beholding his wife
and children starving to death before his face, and he not able to render the ...
/.../various/the wonders of prayer/the faith of little children.htm

The Mission of Little Children
... IV. I might speak of other offices discharged by little children; of the influence
upon us of their purity and their ... The little child performs it by its death. ...
/.../chapin/the crown of thorns/the mission of little children.htm

Death to Self is the Way Out into a Life of Sacrifice.
... The promise to Christ was that because He poured forth His soul unto death, He should
see His seed: and He leads His children in their little measure by the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/trotter/parables of the cross/death to self is the.htm