Topical Bible: Natural Life is Compared to Grass

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The Bible frequently uses the imagery of grass to illustrate the transient and fleeting nature of human life. This metaphor is woven throughout Scripture, emphasizing the brevity and fragility of earthly existence in contrast to the eternal nature of God and His promises.

Old Testament References

One of the most poignant uses of this imagery is found in the Psalms. Psalm 103:15-16 states, "As for man, his days are like grass—he blooms like a flower of the field; when the wind passes over, it vanishes, and its place remembers it no more." Here, the psalmist reflects on the ephemeral nature of human life, likening it to grass that flourishes briefly before withering away. This serves as a reminder of human mortality and the importance of relying on God's eternal nature.

Similarly, Isaiah 40:6-8 declares, "A voice says, 'Cry out.' And I asked, 'What should I cry out?' 'All flesh is like grass, and all its glory like the flowers of the field. The grass withers and the flowers fall when the breath of the LORD blows on them; indeed, the people are grass. The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.'" This passage contrasts the fleeting glory of humanity with the enduring word of God, underscoring the reliability and permanence of divine truth.

New Testament References

The New Testament also echoes this theme. In 1 Peter 1:24-25 , the apostle Peter cites the passage from Isaiah, reinforcing the message to a new generation of believers: "For, 'All flesh is like grass, and all its glory like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord stands forever.' And this is the word that was proclaimed to you." Peter uses this metaphor to encourage believers to focus on the eternal word of God rather than the temporary nature of human achievements and life.

Theological Implications

The comparison of natural life to grass serves as a humbling reminder of human limitations and the need for dependence on God. It calls believers to recognize the temporal nature of earthly life and to prioritize spiritual growth and eternal values. This imagery also provides comfort, as it points to the enduring nature of God's promises and the hope of eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ.

Throughout Scripture, the metaphor of grass is a powerful tool used to convey the message of human mortality and the eternal nature of God's word. It invites believers to reflect on their lives, encouraging them to seek a deeper relationship with God and to invest in what is everlasting.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Peter 1:24
For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass wither, and the flower thereof falls away:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Growing up into Christ
... Again, it is compared to the germination of the good seed ... Isaiah 61:3. So from natural
life, illustrations are ... that which ministers to its life "air, sunshine ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/steps to christ/chapter 8 growing up into.htm

A Sketch of the Life of S. Gregory of Nyssa.
... far-seen with quivering leaves.' But the natural growth of ... of the latter years of
Gregory of Nyssa's life. ... of others then preached, are humbly compared to the ...
/.../gregory/gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/chapter i a sketch of the.htm

The New Nature
... hearers, it is as real as is the natural birth; for ... Your life may have been moral,
but it will not suffice ... compare it to grass in poetry, may be compared to it ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 7 1861/the new nature.htm

The Water of Life;
... it may be to intimate that they ran but low formerly, if compared to what ... and mire
will serve a sow; so things of this life suit best ... The natural man receiveth ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the water of life.htm

Aron, Brother of Moses, 486, 487.
... natural and spiritual, [116]231; natural, brings guilt ... 1012]186; accompanies us all
through life, [1013]361 ... Ungodly, compared to grass, [1025]174; flourish for ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/aron brother of moses 486.htm

Question of the Comparison Between the Active and the ...
... is destined for action, as man is compared to woman ... Some, on the contrary, have a
natural purity of ... which renders them fit for the contemplative life; if such ...
/.../on prayer and the contemplative life/question clxxxii of the comparison.htm

The Alchemy of Influence
... be more simple, more intelligible, more natural, more supernatural ... make the blessed
fabric of earthly life, yet, after all, what the summer is compared with all ...
/.../the alchemy of influence.htm

The Awakening of Zion
... and exhaustion"but slow and languid compared with the ... we say, Why should I ask for
natural life, I received ... Life thus touching all our being, life will flow ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/the awakening of zion.htm

The Germination of the Earth.
... heard and this command were as a natural and permanent ... luxury, and in the prime of
life, with complexion ... Therefore the Prophet has compared human glory to the ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/homily v the germination of.htm

Three Homilies. On Our Lord.
... us and is formed in us in its natural manner; and ... of Lazarus: but within, He raised
to life the mortality ... For our Lord compared the sins of the sinful woman to ...
/.../ephraim/hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/three homilies on our lord.htm