In the context of the Bible, "dispatches" refers to messages or reports sent with urgency, often by a messenger, to convey important information. The concept of dispatches is evident throughout the Scriptures, where communication plays a crucial role in the unfolding of God's plan and the governance of His people.

Old Testament Instances

In the Old Testament, dispatches are often associated with the communication between kings, prophets, and military leaders. One notable example is found in the book of Esther. After Haman's plot to annihilate the Jews was exposed, King Ahasuerus issued a decree allowing the Jews to defend themselves. This decree was sent out as dispatches to all the provinces of the kingdom. Esther 8:10 states, "Mordecai wrote in the name of King Ahasuerus, sealed it with the king’s signet ring, and sent the letters by mounted couriers, who rode fast horses, bred from the royal mares."

Another example is in 2 Samuel 11, where King David sends a dispatch through Joab to place Uriah the Hittite in the front lines of battle, ensuring his death. This tragic event highlights the power and consequence of dispatches in the hands of those in authority.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, dispatches are seen in the form of letters and epistles, which were crucial for the early Church's communication and doctrinal instruction. The Apostle Paul, for instance, frequently sent letters to various churches to address issues, provide guidance, and encourage believers. These letters, such as those to the Corinthians, Ephesians, and Philippians, were effectively dispatches that carried the weight of apostolic authority and divine inspiration.

The urgency and importance of these dispatches are evident in passages like Galatians 6:11 , where Paul writes, "See what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand." This personal touch underscores the significance of the message being conveyed.

Role of Messengers

Messengers played a vital role in the delivery of dispatches. In the ancient world, the reliability and speed of a messenger could determine the effectiveness of the communication. The Bible often highlights the role of messengers, both human and angelic, in delivering God's messages. For instance, angels are frequently dispatched by God to deliver divine messages, as seen in the announcement of Jesus' birth to the shepherds in Luke 2:10-11 : "But the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the City of David a Savior has been born to you. He is Christ the Lord!'"

Symbolic and Prophetic Dispatches

Beyond literal messages, the Bible also contains symbolic and prophetic dispatches. The prophets often acted as God's messengers, delivering His word to the people of Israel. These prophetic dispatches were not only warnings and calls to repentance but also messages of hope and future restoration. Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel, among others, served as conduits for these divine communications.

In Revelation, the Apostle John receives visions and messages that are to be dispatched to the seven churches in Asia Minor. These messages contain rebukes, encouragements, and prophetic insights, emphasizing the ongoing relevance and urgency of divine communication.

Conclusion

The concept of dispatches in the Bible underscores the importance of timely and accurate communication in the unfolding of God's purposes. Whether through royal decrees, apostolic letters, or prophetic messages, dispatches serve as vital instruments in the divine narrative, ensuring that God's will is communicated and accomplished among His people.

The Confession of the Waldenses. AD 1655.
... The dispatches were written by his foreign secretary, the great Puritan poet, in
classical Latin and in the lofty spirit of his immortal sonnet, composed at ...
/.../the confession of the waldenses.htm

Of the Information Given by Maximus the Tyrant to Valentinianus.
... time Maximus [866] was informed of the attacks which were being made upon the
loud-voiced herald of the truth, and he sent dispatches to Valentinianus charging ...
/.../chapter xiv of the information given.htm

Letter iii. To Candidianus.
... Gregory of Nazianzus. (cf. Greg., Ep. cxciv..). [1759] ie the staff or
baton used at Sparta for dispatches. The strip of leather ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/letter iii to candidianus.htm

Ephesians iv. 3-Jan
... to tell him; this indeed he did not, but being exasperated, and wholly carried away
by his passion, he equips horsemen, and soldiers, and dispatches them to ...
/.../homily ix ephesians iv 3-jan.htm

The Story of Histiaeus.
... He delivered his dispatches to the Persian general, commanding him to proceed
immediately to Paeonia, and there to take the whole community prisoners, and ...
//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/darius the great/chapter x the story of.htm

Smerdis the Magian.
... Besides, I can say that I have just arrived from Persia with important dispatches
for the king, and that I must be admitted immediately into his presence. ...
/.../abbott/darius the great/chapter iii smerdis the magian.htm

The Provinces.
... like to obey. After delivering his dispatches the bearer set out on his return,
and was never afterward heard of. Darius ascertained ...
//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/darius the great/chapter v the provinces.htm

The Fifth Book
... Frequently there come from the highest imperial officials new envoys, new bearers
of dispatches, sent under recommendation to a few men of note, for the ruin ...
//christianbookshelf.org/salvian/on the government of god/the fifth book.htm

Awake! Awake!
... his bayonet. There is the captain in his tent, with his pen in his hand,
and his dispatches before him, asleep at the table. There ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/awake awake.htm

Brooks -- the Pride of Life
... It is as if the bearer of dispatches sat down calmly and boasted of the well-made
box in which they had been given to him, and never bore them to their ...
/.../kleiser/the worlds great sermons volume 8/brooks the pride of.htm

Dispatches (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Dispatches (2 Occurrences). Esther 8:5 She said,
"If it pleases the king, and if I have found favor in ...
/d/dispatches.htm - 7k

Dispatch (5 Occurrences)
... an important official letter sent from one public officer to another; -- often used
in the plural; as, a messenger has arrived with dispatches for the American ...
/d/dispatch.htm - 9k

Transmit (2 Occurrences)
... 1. (vt) To send from one person or place to another; to pass on or down as by
inheritance; as, to transmit a memorial; to transmit dispatches; to transmit money ...
/t/transmit.htm - 7k

Dispatched (3 Occurrences)

/d/dispatched.htm - 7k

Dispels (1 Occurrence)

/d/dispels.htm - 6k

Post (26 Occurrences)
... From them were chosen the couriers who carried royal letters and dispatches throughout
the kingdom (2 Chronicles 30:6, 10 Esther 3:13, 15 Jeremiah 51:31). ...
/p/post.htm - 19k

Courier (2 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) A messenger sent with haste to convey
letters or dispatches, usually on public business. 2. (n ...
/c/courier.htm - 7k

Secretary (34 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) A person employed to write orders, letters, dispatches, public or private
papers, records, and the like; an official scribe, amanuensis, or writer; one ...
/s/secretary.htm - 18k

Joab (128 Occurrences)
... Although he is reminded of David's tender plea that Absalom be kindly dealt with,
he dispatches the rebel himself, and afterward calls for a general halt of ...
/j/joab.htm - 53k

Egypt (596 Occurrences)
... mentioned. The tablets consist of official dispatches and letters, dating
from BC 1480, addressed to the two Pharaohs, Amenophis III. ...
/e/egypt.htm - 101k

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