Dictionary of Bible Themes God intends human beings to live together in harmony and to value one another, but Scripture recognises many reasons for individuals to feel unwanted and isolated. Genesis 2:18Loneliness is not part of God's plan for human beings See also Psalms 68:5-6Isaiah 49:15 Isaiah 41:10 God is with his people at all times and in all circumstances See also Deuteronomy 31:8Joshua 1:9 Psalms 27:10 Isaiah 43:2 Matthew 28:20 John 14:18 Hebrews 13:5-6 Isaiah 59:2 Reasons why people may experience loneliness See also Sin Genesis 4:10-121 Samuel 28:5-6 Psalms 81:11-12 Isaiah 64:7 Hosea 5:6 Ephesians 4:18 Matthew 27:4-5 See also Remorse 1 Chronicles 21:17Matthew 26:75 Psalms 142:4 See also Lack of friends John 5:7; 14:18John 4:9 Social ostracism See also Luke 19:7A moral outcast (see Jn 4:18), she was collecting water at the hottest part of the day, when she could do so alone. John 8:3A Jew who worked for the Roman occupying power was considered a traitor. See also Public shame Mark 15:29-322 Timothy 4:16 See also Desertion Psalms 38:11; 88:18Luke 7:12 See also Loss of family Ruth 1:3-52 Samuel 18:33 2 Kings 4:1 Job 1:20-21 Psalms 27:10 Matthew 2:17-18 Jeremiah 31:15 1 Timothy 5:5 Luke 8:27 Loss of identity See also Luke 8:30pp Mk 5:2-3 Ecclesiastes 4:8pp Mk 5:9 See also Discontent Ecclesiastes 2:10-11,18Hebrews 13:5-6 Acts 3:2 See also Disability Leviticus 21:17-18Matthew 9:32; 12:22 Luke 17:12 Disease See also Leviticus 13:4Lepers were forbidden to mix with those not affected. Numbers 5:1-32 Kings 7:3 2 Chronicles 26:21 Psalms 102:7 See also Insomnia Job 7:4Daniel 6:18 1 Kings 19:4 See also Depression Deuteronomy 33:27Job 7:16 Psalms 43:5; 73:16-17 Jeremiah 15:10 Micah 7:1 Proverbs 19:7 See also Poverty 1 Kings 17:12Proverbs 19:4 Luke 15:14-16 Psalms 71:9 See also Old age 2 Samuel 19:34-35Psalms 23:4 See also Dying and the approach of death Psalms 18:4-6Romans 8:38-39 1 Kings 19:10 Loneliness experienced as a consequence of God's calling See also God's setting apart for service Judges 6:14-15Jeremiah 1:5; 4:18-19; 15:16-17 Mark 10:32 See also Leadership Exodus 24:1-2Joshua 1:6-7 Matthew 20:17-19 Numbers 11:14 See also Responsibility Exodus 18:17-182 Corinthians 11:28 Matthew 27:46 Jesus Christ experienced loneliness See also Psalms 22:1-2pp Mk 15:33-34 Matthew 4:1-2Matthew 14:23 Luke 4:28-30 pp Lk 4:1-2 John 6:67; 16:32Matthew 6:6 Positive aspects of loneliness See also Solitude provides an opportunity for communion with God Exodus 3:1-2; 33:92 Kings 4:32-33 Matthew 26:39 Mark 1:35; 6:45-46 Revelation 1:9 Genesis 32:24 Engaging in spiritual warfare Mark 9:2See also The opportunity for spiritual experiences away from the crowd Daniel 10:82 Corinthians 12:2-4 Mark 6:31-32 See also Solitude as rest from the turmoil of everyday life Matthew 11:28See also 1115 God, purpose of2530 Christ, death of 5056 rest 5690 friends 5690 friends 5735 sexuality 5771 abstinence 5795 bereavement 7921 fellowship 8341 separation 8482 spiritual warfare 8602 prayer |
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