Expiration Date

(Proverbs 9:18 KJV)  But he knoweth not that the dead are there; and that her guests are in the depths of hell.

This last verse made me wonder if I was reading the wrong chapter for the day.  It seemed familiar.  I looked back at yesterday and saw that it also talked about death.

(Proverbs 8:36 KJV)  But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death.

What’s up?  Isn’t Proverbs supposed to be uplifting thoughts to help us live better lives?  Yes.  That is why it reminds us of death.  Two chapters.  Different words.  Different ways of expressing the idea.  The grave lies before us.  Here we are reminded, by choice of words, that the grave is not the end.  “Sheol” is the Hebrew word for the place that the unrighteous dead go.

It may not be pleasant but we need to be reminded of reality.  Think of it as one of those reminders you see on your milk carton, called an expiration date.  It only applies if you ignore it.

So?  Be ready.  The best, or in this case the worst, is yet to come.