Question: Time For Everything

[mlepfitjw]

1For everything there is a season,
a time for every activity under heaven.
2 A time to be born and a time to die.
A time to plant and a time to harvest.
3 A time to kill and a time to heal.
A time to tear down and a time to build up.
4 A time to cry and a time to laugh.
A time to grieve and a time to dance.
5 A time to scatter stones and a time to gather stones.
A time to embrace and a time to turn away.
6 A time to search and a time to quit searching.
A time to keep and a time to throw away.
7 A time to tear and a time to mend.
A time to be quiet and a time to speak.
8 A time to love and a time to hate.
A time for war and a time for peace.

What does a time to kill mean? Would someone please help me with understanding that in verse 3?

 

[jacks]

I think it is a verse of opposites. I suppose verse 3 could have been "a time to let die, and a time to heal." Though that wouldn't quite be the opposite or as powerful a statement. Think if you had a pet that was suffering you may feel that it is a time to "kill" (euthanize) because they couldn't be healed.

BTW here is a great rendition of these verses in song.

 

[Carl Emerson]

Those called to bear the sword will use it, He speaks of respecting civil authorities which He says are armed for a reason...

Rom 13

3 For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Do you want to be unafraid of the one in authority? Then do what is right, and you will have his approval. 4 For he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not carry the sword in vain. He is God’s servant, an agent of retribution to the wrongdoer.

 

[Kenny'sID]

Unfortunately war would be that time.

Oh, and flying cockroaches.