HELL and the Old Testament

Since launching this study on HELL, I have both learned - and been amazed. I have genuinely approached this study, not with an agenda in mind, but to learn - genuinely learn what does the Bible teach on this. This post will deal with the Old Testament.

Was-Is HELL something that was taught or even considered in Old Testament times? First, let me say that time and space here does not permit me to cover every aspect of this subject from this perspective. There are many arguments that are made, that I simply do not have opportunity to consider or just not worthy to consider. My goal here is to consider what the Bible teaches on the subject in the context of the matter at hand. One common comment that I have run across repeatedly in my research on the subject, especially on the Internet is the statement "..the Old Testament does not mention Hell at all..” Let me state here, that there is a sense in which this is right. The Old Testament does not come out and say, "thou shalt go to hell." Yet, many things which I have read across the Net-sphere assume this to be a diving platform on which to pontificate without much research into the matter from the scripture's perspective, or skewing biblical perspective to resemble their views. For example, making a claim that the sun does not exist, because ancient Egyptians considered the sun to be god, or because literature of the day does not specify the sun as a hot plasma ball is ludicrous. Arguments made by some authors on this subject fall into this same category. Which brings up to me a particular question, "What Bible are YOU reading?"

OK...enough talk. Let's delve into the scriptures themselves and see what the OLD TESTAMENT itself has to say about this subject. To say that people of the Old Testament did not have a concept of immortality is an incorrect assumption. As far back as the book of Genesis itself, people had two terms for death or burial and another for what they considered to be beyond death.

"qebûrâh" is the word that was used to state that a person had been buried or placed into a sepulcher or grave (Gen.35:20). In the passage cited, Jacob places a marker at the site of Rachel's grave - sepulcher.

"she'ôl" was a word that was used to refer to what they considered at the time lay beyond the grave or the world of the dead (Gen.37:35). In the passage cited, Jacob states that he will go into the world of the dead (notice the word is different than the one used in Gen.35:20) mourning his son. If he had meant that he would go down to the "DIRT" mourning his son "qebûrâh" would have been used. Jacob states plainly, that he will go down into "SHEOL" mourning his son - the world of the dead.

But someone will cry out, "THIS ISN'T HELL!" And...to this point you would be correct. It simply states a difference in concepts, that one - there is a place of burial and second that there is something beyond the grave. This is even more evident in the Psalms.

In particular, in Psa.16:7-10 "I bless the LORD who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me. I have set the LORD always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure. For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption." Notice in particular the last verse that the SOUL is not abandoned to SHEOL (the world of the dead) and the flesh would not see "corruption" (the decay of the grave). This passage, Peter says refers to Jesus (Acts 2:25-31). His body arose from the grave ("qebûrâh" - grk mnēma) Acts 2:32 and his Soul was not abandoned to SHEOL ("she'ôl" - grk hadēs) Acts 2:31 - because HE IS RISEN (Mt.28:6,7).

Psalm 30:3 - This Psalm was given at the dedication of the Temple. David states,"O LORD, you have brought up my soul from Sheol (world of the dead - JH); you restored me to life from among those who go down to the pit (cistern, dungeon, fountain, pit, well - JH).

Psalm 49:14,15 "Like sheep they are appointed for Sheol; death shall be their shepherd, and the upright shall rule over them in the morning. Their form shall be consumed in Sheol, with no place to dwell. But God will ransom my soul from the power of Sheol, for he will receive me."

• Notice in this passage, it speaks of those who live rebellious to God, in haughtiness and trust in their own selves, riches, etc. They are "appointed (destined)" for SHEOL (world of the dead - JH). DEATH is going to be their shepherd there to guide them to this place.They will be consumed with "no place to dwell" - there will be no comfort, no peace.
• Not so for the people of God whose soul will be ransomed (severed, released) from the power of SHEOL (world of the dead - JH) - to be received by God! If they are released from the world of the dead and received by God what does that tell you? Sounds to me like the people of God are taken to be with Him, while the people that were wicked are SEPARATED from Him, with "no place to dwell."

Isa.10:16-18 "Therefore the Lord GOD of hosts will send wasting sickness among his stout warriors, and under his glory a burning will be kindled, like the burning of fire. The light of Israel will become a fire, and his Holy One a flame, and it will burn and devour his thorns and briers in one day. The glory of his forest and of his fruitful land the LORD will destroy, both soul and body, and it will be as when a sick man wastes away."

• This is a prophesy of the captivity of Israel and of their return that would take place in the days of Cyrus and Ezra. While this particular passage doesn't have anything per se' to do with the world of the dead, there is a peculiar expression used here by Isaiah that is worth noting. Verse 18 contains what became a "proverbial" expression among the Jewish people, to be careful lest you invoke the wrath of God to "destroy (end) both body and soul."
• Notice that this is described "as when a sick man wastes away." Have you ever been around someone that lingers and lingers in throes of death? Humans ALWAYS associate this with pain, agony, hurtfulness, and suffering! Here, not only is the body gone (dead - in the GRAVE) but the soul continues in anguish - as one wasting away at a disease.

Isa. 66:24 "And they shall go out and look on the dead bodies of the men who have rebelled against me. For their worm shall not die, their fire shall not be quenched, and they shall be an abhorrence to all flesh."

• This is again Isaiah's prophesy of the capture and return of Israel in the days of Cyrus and Ezra. What is of peculiar note here is that God describes punishment for evil (vs.17)! They will face the fire of God's wrath. Those faithful are to be remembered, established, and to continue.
• Notice however, those who are evil have a familiar expression applied to them in vs.24. "For their worm shall not die, their fire shall not be quenched, and they shall be an abhorrence to all flesh."
• Notice again, as observed from last week in Mk.9:44-49 it speaks of "THEIR WORM." Notice - IT SHALL NOT DIE (sounds eternal to me - JH). THEIR FIRE is NOT QUENCHED (sounds eternal to me - JH). THEY SHALL BE AN ABHORRENCE - (God's words not mine - JH)

Jer.19:1-7 –This passage is where the valley of Hinnom became the physical symbol of what becomes known as "gehenna" in the New Testament or eternal HELL!

• Notice WHY it becomes that symbol. Because the people have forsaken me and have profaned this place by making offerings in it to other gods whom neither they nor their fathers nor the kings of Judah have known; and because they have filled this place with the blood of innocents, and have built the high places of Baal to burn their sons in the fire as burnt offerings to Baal, which I did not command or decree, nor did it come into my mind-- therefore, behold, days are coming, declares the LORD, when this place shall no more be called Topheth, or the Valley of the Son of Hinnom, but the Valley of Slaughter.
• Notice now vs.7-9 I will give their dead bodies for food to the birds of the air and to the beasts of the earth. I will make this city a horror, a thing to be hissed at. Everyone who passes by it will be horrified and will hiss because of all its wounds. I will make them eat the flesh of their sons and their daughters, and everyone shall eat the flesh of his neighbor in the siege and in the distress, with which their enemies and those who seek their life afflict them.'

As I write this, I have two almost overpowering feelings. First, tremendous thankfulness and appreciation for the grace of God, who is thoughtful of me to offer me the opportunity to be with Him. Second, pity and fear for those who do not hear, see, understand or want to accept this grace.

It is true, that things must be accepted by faith. You must believe in order to understand. Some may deem me mad, crazy, religious fanatic, what-have-you because I choose to believe. My question though is have you truly considered the scripture's warning if YOU DO NOT?

Jim