Let my life, and the life of these fifty thy servants be precious in thy sight.
The preciousness of life
Question naturally arises, Is life precious? How does God value it? And how should His servants regard it?
I. This question seems to be answered in the negative.
1. By the general tenor of the Old Testament. Sinai thundered and lightened. The sight thereof was terrible. The voice was death. The Flood. Destruction of Sodom. Overthrows in the wilderness. Death of the two captains with their fifties.
2. By God’s continued judgments on the impenitent. The Galileans in our Lord’s day. “Except ye repent” (Luk_13:1-5). Many instances of this in the New Testament: Ananias and Sapphira; Herod Agrippa, in Act_12:1-25.
II. But for two reasons the reply is in the affirmative.
1. Because many lives were spared in the Old Testament.
(1) Through entreaty, as in the case of this captain. So Abraham entreated for Sodom. Moses and Aaron for the children of Israel (Num_14:15-20; Num_16:22).
(2) Through God’s sovereign mercy. People of Nineveh.
2. Because the greatest life of all has been given for all the children of men. Herein the Mosaic law fulfilled, which said, A life for a life. Nothing so highly esteemed of God as “the precious blood of Christ.” It was the full price of our salvation, and its efficacy is eternal (Psa_49:8; Heb_9:12).
Application.
1. There is no need that you should doubt whether God will receive you. You need not even retreat, “Let my life be precious in Thy sight.” It is precious. The best proof of this has been given.
2. Do not manifest an un-Christlike spirit. “Vengeance is mine.” Our duty is plain, to be like Christ in valuing the lives of our brethren. He came not to destroy life, but to save. (J. G. Tanner, M. A.)
