Dictionary of Bible Themes » 5000 Humanity » 5046 opportunities » 5047 opportunities, in life
Scripture views life as divinely ordained to include occasions when certain forms of behaviour are appropriate.
The need to discern opportune moments
Ecclesiastes 3:1
Every possible opportunity should be taken to do good
Galatians 6:10 See also Luke 10:33; John 9:4; Ephesians 5:16; Colossians 4:5; 2 Timothy 4:2
Examples of individuals who seized opportunities to serve God
Rahab saved the spies and her household:
Joshua 2:8-14; Joshua 6:23 2 Kings 5:1-3 Naaman's wife's maid helped Naaman by telling her mistress about Elisha; Nehemiah 2:2-5 Nehemiah gained permission to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.
Esther saved the Jews from Haman's plot:
Esther 4:14; Esther 7:3-6 Daniel 2:14-16 Daniel offered to interpret Nebuchadnezzar's dream; Acts 18:24-26 Priscilla and Aquila taught Apollos.
Some opportunities should be rejected
1 Samuel 24:3-4,10; Samuel 26:6-11
Opportunities to do evil may have appalling consequences
Genesis 4:8 Cain made an opportunity to murder Abel; Genesis 25:29-31 Jacob took the opportunity to “buy” Esau's birthright.
Joseph's brothers seized the opportunity to capture and sell him:
Genesis 37:18-20,27 Daniel 6:4-5 Daniel's enemies sought and found an opportunity to lay a charge against him.
Judas sought an opportunity to betray Jesus Christ:
Matthew 26:16 pp Mark 14:11 pp Luke 22:6
Giving others an opportunity to do wrong must be avoided
1 Timothy 5:14
See also
1355 providence 4903 time 4918 dawn 4921 day 4933 evening 4954 morning 4957 night 5299 door 5861 favour, human 8493 watchfulness, believers 8754 fear
