Bible Question:
Is God in control of all death whether it be from sickness, illness, accident, murder, overdose from drug addiction, etc.
Bible Answer:
The answer is illustrated in Genesis 6:5-8 where we are told that God informed Noah that because the people on the earth were corrupt and violent He would blot man out from the face of the earth with a flood.
Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great on the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. The LORD was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. The LORD said, “I will blot out man whom I have created from the face of the land, from man to animals to creeping things and to birds of the sky; for I am sorry that I have made them.” But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD. Genesis 6:5-8 (NBAS)
The Hebrew word that is translated as “blot out” in this passage is normally translated as “clean, wipe out.” That is, God planned to clean the earth of the wicked (Genesis 6:11-12). The rest of the chapter describes God’s plan to destroy every living creature with a worldwide flood, except for Noah and a set of animals.
God’s Credentials Are That He Both Gives and Takes Life
We just saw the example of Noah’s flood which illustrates that God does decide when people die. He also gives life! In Deuteronomy 32:39 God declares that He gives life, takes life, heals and no one is more powerful.
See now that I, I am He,
And there is no god besides Me;
It is I who put to death and give life.
I have wounded and it is I who heal,
And there is no one who can deliver from My hand.
Deuteronomy 32:39 (NASB)
Here are some more examples of God giving life and taking the lives of people.
The LORD kills and makes alive;
He brings down to Sheol and raises up.
1 Samuel 2:6 (NASB)
He said,
“Naked I came from my mother’s womb,
And naked I shall return there.
The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away.
Blessed be the name of the LORD.” Job 1:21 (NASB)
Since his days are determined,
The number of his months is with You;
And his limits You have set so that he cannot pass.
Job 14:5 (NASB)
These passages tell us that our Creator causes us to be born and at some point in our lives we die and are buried. In Job 14:5 we are told that our days are numbered. No person can live past that day and none will die before that day.
God’s Credentials Are That He Heals and Makes People Sick
In Exodus 4:11 God also declares that He makes people mute, deaf, blind or able to see.
The LORD said to him, “Who has made man’s mouth? Or who makes him mute or deaf, or seeing or blind? Is it not I, the LORD? Exodus 4:11 (NASB)
Exodus 4:11 is statement. The vast majority of people die because of aging and disease. God controls the aging process. Here are a few examples in Scripture of God causing people to be sick (Exodus 9:10; Deuteronomy 28:15-37; 2 Kings 6:18; Acts 9:8) and die (Numbers 12:1-12; 2 Kings 1:1-4).
Conclusion:
Is God in control of all death whether it be from sickness, illness, accident, murder and overdoses from drug addiction? The answer is yes. Life and death are in the hands of God. But we also need to remember from the example of Noah’s flood that people will die because they have sinned, including Christians (1 John 5:16-17).
We need to remember that our God is a God of love (1 John 4:8, 16), and this truth shows up in Scripture. The next verse reveals that God loves the righteous and wicked.
For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. John 3:16 (NASB)
Therefore, we read also God does not rejoice when the wicked die.
Say to them, “As I live!” declares the Lord GOD, “I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn back, turn back from your evil ways! Why then will you die, O house of Israel?” Ezekiel 33:11 (NASB)
But God does rejoice when the righteous die and come home to heaven.
Precious in the sight of the LORD
Is the death of His godly ones. Psalm 116:15 (NASB)
Our Creator has the right to determine the length of our days. If we disobey His laws, then we should not be surprised nor should be upset that we are sick and die. What we sow we will reap!
Suggested Links:
Has God appointed a time for us to die?Can the devil cause people to be sick and die?