How to Die

ByPastor Wynn

The following article is one written by Dr. J. Don Jennings, an excellent expositor of the Word of God.  Dr. Jennings shared these thoughts as he recently meditated on Hebrews 11:21.  They are truly challenging thoughts.

How to Die

“By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff.”  (Hebrews 11:21)

Jacob may not be the best example in the Hall of Faith as to how to live the perfect life of faith. However, he shows us the strength of faith at the time of death.

“By faith Jacob”
In mentioning Jacob the Holy Spirit selects a small fragment of this man’s life with which to illustrate his faith in God.   As with all the heroes of faith in Hebrews 11, not all that transpired in their lives is recorded. We could say that Hebrews eleven is the chapter of “Honorable Mentions.” Just to be mentioned is an honor!

Although Jacob was in many ways the most illustrious of the Patriarchs, and the one who received from God the name “Israel”, he was, in some respects, the least attractive representative of one of God’s heroes of faith. Jacob was inconsistent in his walk with God, and perhaps, more than the other Patriarchs, shows that God is a God of grace.

Jacob was an up and down individual. Sometimes he walked by faith and sometimes he walked by sight – just like us. In spite of Jacob’s failings the principle of faith was constantly at work in His life. Faith is essential to our salvation and spiritual progress even if it be but a ”mustard” seed” faith. (Matthew 17:20) At no time in Jacob’s life was this more evident than at the end of his life.

“When he was a dying”
The threat of death has a powerful way of clarifying the mind. To the sensitive soul the incidental fades into insignificance, the essential looms large; the temporal is less important, the eternal all important.

The valley of death is a crucible that tests faith. The process of dying brings an awareness that only truth matters unless the dying one has been greatly deluded. In the face of death self-deception is forced to face the stark reality of eternity; false faith is shorn of its hypocrisy; self-righteousness will not suffice; good deeds seem so puny; self-confidence fades; the biggest, the boldest, the brightest fade as a leaf and only divine certainties bring peace.

Jacob shows us how to die. “When he was dying” he was not in a panic; “When he was dying”  he was prepared; “when he was dying”  his was the posture of peacefulness. Why? His trust was in the living God.

“blessed both the sons of Joseph”
Perhaps, the finest thing in Jacob’s life was the way he ended it. This old man of one hundred and forty-seven years had one last blessing to give and he gave it to his grandsons. His son Joseph, prime minister of Egypt, needed nothing.

The young generation needed the faith of their grandfather to carry them out of Egypt and back to the land of promise. Ephraim and Manasseh’s inheritance was not along the banks of the Nile in Egypt but along the Jordan in Canaan.

Never would the sons of Joseph forget the day when their half-blind, aged grandfather Jacob embraced them, kissed them, placed his gnarled hands upon their young heads and uttered the patriarchal blessing. (Genesis 48:10,20)

Faith leads believers to bless their children by the words of their mouths, the witness of their lives and the works of their hands. Truly blessed are children who have such a faith heritage.

“and worshipped”
How was he spending the last days of his life? In worship! What a way to pass into the presence of Him whom we shall worship throughout all eternity. However, worshipping when dying is usually the activity of those who have made it a practice to worship while living!

Evidently Jacob knew that his days were at an end. Although weak in body he was strong in faith for he died worshipping. If we would be among that great company who see Him face to face and worship Him in Heaven, we must learn to do it right here and now.

At the end he bowed before Him into Whose presence he was shortly to pass, and bowing he worshipped.  How beautiful to die while enjoying perfect blissful communion with the Lord! How great to die like Moody and to be able to say in the full confidence of faith: “Earth recedes. Heaven opens before me. If this is death it is sweet. There is no valley here. God is calling me, and I must go. This is my triumph day, my coronation day!”

“leaning upon the top of his staff.”
What a serene scene it is – visualize this old man Jacob in the evening of life, silhouetted against a setting sun while leaning on his staff. Do not miss this pen-portrait of the patriarch: “leaning upon the top of his staff.”

This is suggestive of human frailty. Weak but walking, bent in body but upright in soul. There is something so natural yet supernatural here; something so earthy yet so heavenly; something so sad yet joyous, for although his sun is about to set it will rise upon yonder shore where there is no night and the Lamb is the light!

I have a favorite walking stick. When I lived outside Atlanta, Georgia, I often walked among trees. In doing so one day I saw a vine entwined around a dogwood tree. The vine had been there for years and had left its imprint deep in the wood of the tree. It was a serpentine indention and went from the ground up the tree for about four feet. I cut down the tree, removed the vine, pealed off the bark and I have had that walking stick with its natural cork-screw design for over 30 years. I often lean upon my “staff” when walking here in the mountains of Southern California.

Jacob had a favorite staff.  In Genesis 32:10 Jacob said, “With my staff I passed over this Jordan.”  This was the staff he used as he crossed the literal Jordan years past and now he is leaning upon the same staff in preparation to cross the spiritual Jordan of death. This was the staff he used on his first journey and now he is leaning upon it just before he makes his last journey.

That old staff was now scarred, weathered, battered. It was a museum piece. It had been Jacob’s constant companion supporting him as he limped through life as a result of the touch of God. (Genesis 32:25, 31)  It had steadied him as he walked the rocky barrens and precipitous paths. It had been a tangible helper ready at hand through many dangers, toils and snares.

Now he was about to step into a land free from dangerous terrain for “a highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The Way of Holiness” (Isaiah 35:8). He has gone the last mile of the way. Earthly cares will vex no more nor trials lay him low.  Earth is now fading, faith is turning to sight and what a sight! His wooden staff has been laid down for it will not be needed now – he limps no more!

If the Lord Jesus does not come for us in our lifetimes, let us go to Him in similar fashion as did Jacob, confidently leaning, by faith, upon Him Who is the Shepherd with staff Who comforts us (Psalm 23:4); blessing those who are nearest and dearest to us and worshipping the singularly worthy One. (Rev. 4:11) That is the way to die!

Dr. J. Don Jennings – 3-26-09

Similar Posts

35 Comments

  2. It’s great to hear from you again. Yes, there are more resources, sermons and articles coming from Dr. Don Jennings. It is our privilege to be assisting him in getting his many years of preaching and study on the internet. All of his studies, outlines and articles will be available for free download. His website is currently under construction. You may take a look at the beginnings of it at http://www.drdonjennings.com. A few of the studies are already available. Check back over the upcoming weeks as it develops. Dr. Jennings is a great teacher and expositor of God’s Word.

  3. As a born again Christian, I want to be with my Jesus forever. I pray daily that God takes me in my sleep. I am suffering from a very long illness. I have had about 20 people who have gone to be with Jesus in the 38 years that I have given my life to Christ. Please pray for me.

  6. If you’re looking for a reliable link to VN88, linkvn88 is the place to go. Always up-to-date and easy to access. Make sure this is your starting point! Check it out here: linkvn88

  10. Alright, alright, alright! Heard about Lounge777 and figured I’d check it out. Seems like a chill spot to kick back. If you’re looking for a new online experience check it out lounge777.

  14. Hey everyone, I spent some time on z777game recently. It’s got a good mix of stuff, so there’s likely something you’ll enjoy. The design isn’t too shabby either. Might be worth bookmarking! Give z777game a peek, could be your next obsession

  24. Hey, if you’re on Telegram and into Sahabet, you gotta check out sahabettelegram.com. It’s like the ultimate resource for everything Sahabet on Telegram. Get all the latest news, promotions, and community vibes there. Trust me, it’s worth a look! Join up: sahabettelegram

  25. Yo, if you’re serious about affiliate marketing in the iGaming space, especially with free spins, fairspinaffiliate.com is your new best friend. They have got everything you need to promote fair spin offers effectively. Give them a look see and get started! Sign up: fairspinaffiliate

  26. Hey everyone, trying to get into Betup777? Well, betup777login.com is the place to go! Easy logins and information, all in one place. It saved me a bunch of time figuring things out. Go get your game on! Login here: betup777login

  27. Heard some good things about mc88club and decided to check it out. Pleasantly surprised by the vibe. Smooth experience overall. You just might find your new place to play at mc88club.

  28. BBJLLogin is where it’s at! Quick logins and a smooth experience. Been using it for a while now, and haven’t had any problems. If you need something reliable, this is it. Log in and win! bbjllogin

  29. Downloaded the Baji999app and it’s a total game changer. Everything works perfectly on my phone, and I can play whenever I want. So convenient and fun. Download now for easy play! baji999app

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *