Their soul abhorreth all manner of meat; and they draw near unto the gates of death.
The verse belongs to the history of Israel that calls attention to God's goodness, mercy, and love. It shows that transgression and iniquity bring affliction. The loathing of all food describes how affliction takes away desire to eat, and the gates image describes being brought to the very edge of death when strength fails and life seems slipping away. That nearness to death comes through severe affliction, and the gates of death express extreme anguish and debility.
It depicts facing the prospect of resting in the grave with painful regret that life's appointed work is left unfinished. That helpless condition reveals human need for divine help and leads the sick to remember God.
God is a refuge in sickness as in health who, like a compassionate father, knows human frailty and never turns away the soul that sincerely seeks Him for help. When by providence He spares life and restores health once more, it calls for thankfulness for His mercy and loving-kindness.
The verse belongs to the history of Israel that calls attention to God's goodness, mercy, and love. It shows that transgression and iniquity bring affliction. The loathing of all food describes how affliction takes away desire to eat, and the gates image describes being brought to the very edge of death when strength fails and life seems slipping away. That nearness to death comes through severe affliction, and the gates of death express extreme anguish and debility.
It depicts facing the prospect of resting in the grave with painful regret that life's appointed work is left unfinished. That helpless condition reveals human need for divine help and leads the sick to remember God.
God is a refuge in sickness as in health who, like a compassionate father, knows human frailty and never turns away the soul that sincerely seeks Him for help. When by providence He spares life and restores health once more, it calls for thankfulness for His mercy and loving-kindness.