Bereavement, God’s comfort in (4)

God comforts the bereaved and the sorrowful

La 3:32–33; 2 Co 1:3–4

See also Ps 116:8; Mt 5:4; Re 7:17

Mourning turned into joy

Psalm 30:11 NRSV

You have turned my mourning into dancing; you have taken off my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,

Revelation 21:1–5 NRSV

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “See, the home of God is among mortals. He will dwell with them as their God; they will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them; he will wipe every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; mourning and crying and pain will be no more, for the first things have passed away.” And the one who was seated on the throne said, “See, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this, for these words are trustworthy and true.”

dwelling with humanity

Tears wiped from eyes

tabernacle of God

See also Is 61:1–3; Je 31:13; Jn 16:20

Despair turned into hope

1 Th 4:13–14 “Falling asleep” was a euphemistic way of talking about dying.

Fear turned into assurance

Ps 23:4; Is 25:8–9 In the OT, death was generally feared because it meant the loss of meaningful existence. However, like several references, this one looks beyond the grave and anticipates NT hope for all who trust in God; Ro 8:38–39 Paul’s conclusion after working through the implications of the gospel.

See also Jn 11:25–26; 1 Co 15:55–57; 2 Co 5:6–8; Php 1:21–24; Re 21:4

God’s care for widows and orphans

Dt 10:18; Ps 10:14

See also Ps 68:5; Ps 146:9; Je 49:11; Ho 14:3

Jesus Christ cared for the bereaved

Lk 7:11–13; Jn 11:33 At the grave of his friend, Lazarus.

See also Lk 8:49–56

Caring for the bereaved

Dt 24:19 Special provisions in the law for the bereaved; Ro 12:15

See also Dt 26:12; Je 22:3; Ac 6:1–3 The early church provided for widows in the fellowship with a special fund; 1 Ti 5:3; Jas 1:27