The term "occupies" in the biblical context often refers to the act of taking possession, holding, or engaging in a particular role or task. This concept is woven throughout Scripture, illustrating both physical occupation of land and spiritual or vocational roles.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, the idea of occupying is frequently associated with the Israelites taking possession of the Promised Land. God commanded the Israelites to occupy the land He had given them, which involved both physical settlement and spiritual obedience. In Deuteronomy 1:8 , God instructs, "See, I have set the land before you. Enter and possess the land that the LORD swore to your fathers—to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—and to their descendants after them."

The occupation of the land was not merely a physical act but also a spiritual mandate. The Israelites were to live according to God's laws and maintain the land as a holy place dedicated to Him. This dual aspect of occupation—physical and spiritual—underscores the covenant relationship between God and His people.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the concept of occupying takes on a more spiritual dimension. Jesus uses the term in parables to describe the faithful stewardship of resources and responsibilities. In Luke 19:13 , Jesus tells the parable of the ten minas, instructing His servants, "Engage in business until I return." This directive emphasizes the importance of being diligent and productive in the tasks God has given, awaiting the return of Christ.

The Apostle Paul also speaks to the idea of occupying in terms of spiritual gifts and roles within the body of Christ. In Romans 12:6-8 , Paul encourages believers to use their gifts effectively: "We have different gifts according to the grace given to us. If one's gift is prophecy, let him use it in proportion to his faith; if it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is giving, let him give generously; if it is leading, let him lead with diligence; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully."

Theological Implications

Theologically, the concept of occupying is tied to the idea of stewardship. Believers are called to occupy the roles and responsibilities God has entrusted to them, whether in their personal lives, communities, or the broader mission of the Church. This involves a commitment to faithfulness, productivity, and readiness for Christ's return.

Occupying also implies a sense of readiness and vigilance. In Matthew 24:42-44 , Jesus warns His disciples to be watchful: "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day on which your Lord will come. But understand this: If the homeowner had known in which watch of the night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. For this reason, you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour you do not expect."

Practical Application

For believers today, occupying means actively engaging in the work God has set before them, whether in their personal spiritual growth, service to others, or participation in the life of the Church. It involves a commitment to live out one's faith in tangible ways, reflecting the kingdom of God in everyday life.

Occupying is not a passive state but an active, dynamic engagement with the world, guided by the principles of Scripture and empowered by the Holy Spirit. It calls for a balance of faithfulness in small things and readiness for the greater things God may call one to do.

The Resurrection Consistent with the Opinions of the Philosophers.
... For if, according to Plato, it is matter and God, both these are indestructible
and God; and God indeed occupies the position of an artificer, to wit, a potter ...
/.../chapter vi the resurrection consistent with.htm

Letter vii. Self-Denial.
... No individual has a right to attach to himself any more importance than properly
belongs to the station he occupies in the grand scale of being, of which God ...
/.../a practical directory for young christian females/letter vii self-denial.htm

The Unity of the Divine Essence in Three Persons Taught, in ...
... This occupies from sec.1-21, and may be divided into four heads; the first, treating
of the meaning of Person, including both the term and the thing meant by it ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 13 the unity of.htm

Argument. In the Former Books an Exposition Has Been Given of the ...
... II. Of the Sacraments. III. Of Civil Government. The first head occupies the first
thirteen chapters; but these may all be reduced to four"viz. ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/argument in the former books.htm

The Prophecy of Obadiah.
... By a thorough argumentation, Caspari has proved, that he occupies his right position
in the Canon, and hence belongs to the earliest age of written prophecy, ie ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/the prophecy of obadiah.htm

Letter xviii. (AD 390. )
... in every form), you cannot fail to distinguish, in this classification of natures,
which exists in the highest possible manner; and which occupies the lowest ...
/.../augustine/the confessions and letters of st/letter xviii a d 390.htm

Whether Consanguinity is Fittingly Distinguished by Degrees and ...
... Wherefore according to the canonical as well as the legal reckoning, the person
who occupies the first place, whether in the ascending or in the descending line ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether consanguinity is fittingly distinguished.htm

Man the Vehicle for Exhibiting God's Perfections.
... forever. He was made capable of holding communion with the Creator. He occupies
the relationship with God as child with parent. Being ...
/.../orr/how to live a holy life/man the vehicle for exhibiting.htm

On the Words of the Gospel, John i. 1, "In the Beginning was the ...
... Now everything which occupies a certain space, is less in its parts than in
its whole. ... And if the arm be less, it occupies a smaller space. ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon lxvii on the words.htm

Concerning Light, Fire, the Luminaries, Sun, Moon and Stars.
... and moisture. It occupies a place midway between autumn and spring, combining
the cold of autumn and the moisture of spring. In ...
/.../john/exposition of the orthodox faith/chapter vii concerning light fire the.htm

Occupies (1 Occurrence)
...Occupies (1 Occurrence). Ecclesiastes 5:20 For he shall not often reflect on the
days of his life; because God occupies him with the joy of his heart. (WEB). ...
/o/occupies.htm - 6k

Mizpah (42 Occurrences)
... Hebrew here has the article before it, "the Mizpeh," "the watch-tower." The modern
village of Metullah, meaning also "the look-out," probably occupies the site ...
/m/mizpah.htm - 31k

Lamb (124 Occurrences)
... of the Term: It is far more probable, however, that the true source of the expression
is to be found in the important place which the "lamb" occupies in the ...
/l/lamb.htm - 50k

Omnipotence (2 Occurrences)
... In the patriarchal religion the conception of "might" occupies a prominent place,
as is indicated by the name characteristic of this period, 'El Shadday ...
/o/omnipotence.htm - 24k

Targum
... If one compare the space occupied by the text of Canticles and Proverbs, it will
be found that the former occupies about one-sixth of the latter; if the ...
/t/targum.htm - 38k

Jordan (188 Occurrences)
... year. 3. Sea of Galilee: The Sea of Galilee occupies an expansion of the
Jordan valley 12 miles long and from 3 to 6 miles wide. The ...
/j/jordan.htm - 70k

Zanoah (5 Occurrences)
... It was re-occupied after the return from the Captivity (Nehemiah 11:30). Zanu'ah
in Wady Ismail, 10 miles west of Jerusalem, occupies probably the same site. ...
/z/zanoah.htm - 9k

Occupieth (2 Occurrences)

/o/occupieth.htm - 7k

Occupiers (1 Occurrence)

/o/occupiers.htm - 6k

Occupation (9 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) That which occupies or engages the time and attention; the principal
business of one's life; vocation; employment; calling; trade. ...
/o/occupation.htm - 9k

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