Scripture often personifies the grave as exceedingly greedy; here is an all devouring foe with a ravenous appetite... Proverbs 30:15-16 declares that just as the "leach as two daughters" who constantly cry "Give," so Sheol is never content; it never cries, "Enough."
But Jesus defeats this all-consuming foe by way of gift, that is, by pouring out his soul into death (Isa. 53:12). By sending his Son to die, God fills to overflowing even the depths of death itself with the uncontainable fullness of his own infinite life. Only God could do this. The gift of God alone satisfies that which is "never satisfied." Withinin the miracle of Jesus' deep descent, the grave is forced to cry out "Enough!" It cannot hold God.
Here we notice the extreme irony of this picture: the grave itself becomes a giver, yielding before Jesus' infinite life. After the three days, the gave spews forth the life-giving One, the Son, just as teh great fist "vomited Jonah out upon the dry land" (Jonah 2:10; cf. Matt. 12:38-42; Luke 11:29-32)
(pp. 177-178, Kelly M. Kapic, with Justin L. Borger, God So Loved, He Gave: Entering the Movement of Divine Generosity)
After spewing forth bucket loads of quotations from this book, you will be pleased to know I have finished it so there will be no more. I think it is an excellent book though. Highly recommended!
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