The term "ravaged" in the context of the Bible often refers to the act of violent destruction or desolation, typically as a result of divine judgment, warfare, or moral decay. This concept is woven throughout the biblical narrative, illustrating the consequences of sin and disobedience to God's commandments.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, the imagery of ravaging is frequently associated with the judgment of God upon nations and peoples who have turned away from His statutes. The prophets often used this language to describe the impending doom that would befall Israel and other nations due to their idolatry and injustice. For instance, in the book of Isaiah, the prophet warns of the devastation that will come upon the land as a result of the people's rebellion against God: "Your land is desolate, your cities are burned with fire; foreigners devour your fields before you, a desolation demolished by strangers" (Isaiah 1:7).

The theme of ravaging is also evident in the historical books, where the consequences of Israel's disobedience are recorded. The Babylonian conquest of Jerusalem is a prime example, where the city and the temple were destroyed, and the people were taken into exile. This event is seen as a fulfillment of prophetic warnings and serves as a somber reminder of the cost of forsaking the covenant with God.

New Testament Context

While the New Testament does not frequently use the term "ravaged," the concept is present in the broader theme of spiritual warfare and the consequences of sin. The destruction and desolation that sin brings into the life of an individual or community can be seen as a form of spiritual ravaging. The Apostle Paul speaks to the destructive nature of sin in Romans, emphasizing the need for redemption and transformation through Christ: "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 6:23).

Theological Implications

The notion of being ravaged serves as a powerful metaphor for the spiritual and physical consequences of turning away from God. It underscores the seriousness of sin and the reality of divine judgment. However, it also highlights the hope of restoration and redemption. Throughout Scripture, the message is clear that while sin leads to destruction, repentance and faith in God bring healing and renewal. The prophets not only warned of impending judgment but also spoke of a future restoration, where God would heal the land and restore His people.

Practical Application

For believers, the concept of being ravaged serves as a cautionary tale and a call to remain faithful to God's commandments. It is a reminder of the importance of living a life that honors God and seeks His righteousness. The Bible encourages believers to be vigilant against the forces of sin and to rely on the strength and guidance of the Holy Spirit to overcome the destructive tendencies of the flesh.

In summary, the biblical theme of ravaging is a multifaceted concept that illustrates the consequences of sin and the hope of redemption. It serves as a warning and a call to repentance, urging believers to seek God's grace and live in accordance with His will.(imp. & p. p.) of Ravage.7843. shachath -- perhaps to go to ruin
... destruction (2), devastate (1), felled (2), go to ruin (1), harm (2), jeopardize
(1), laid waste (1), polluted (1), raiders (2), ravage (1), ravaged (1), ruin ...
/hebrew/7843.htm - 6k

8074. shamem -- to be desolated or appalled
... 2), make their desolate (2), make them desolate (1), make your desolate (1),
make...appalled (1), make...desolate (1), makes desolate (2), ravaged (1), ruin ( ...
/hebrew/8074.htm - 6k

How the Britons, Being Ravaged by the Scots and Picts, Sought ...
... How the Britons, being ravaged by the Scots and Picts, sought succour from the Romans,
who coming a second time, built a wall across the island; but when this ...
/.../bede/bedes ecclesiastical history of england/chap xii how the britons.htm

To Gregory xi
... She shrewdly suggested that the mercenary troops who ravaged Italy, and were "the
very cause and nourishment of war," would gladly turn their arms against the ...
/.../benincasa/letters of catherine benincasa/to gregory xi 3.htm

How Haedde Succeeded Leutherius in the Bishopric of the West ...
... In the year of our Lord 676, when Ethelred, king of the Mercians, ravaged Kent with
a hostile army, and profaned churches and monasteries, without regard to ...
/.../bede/bedes ecclesiastical history of england/chap xii how haedde succeeded.htm

A Long Twilight. AD 900-1100.
... Thus on one occasion, early in this century, the whole of Germany between the Elbe
and the Oder was ravaged; the most horrible cruelties were practised ...
/.../winkworth/christian singers of germany/chapter ii a long twilight.htm

The Kingdom Op Judah.
... who rose against him, and set up a free kingdom according to the prophecy of Isaac;
next by an in-road of the Arabians and Philistines, who ravaged his very ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson vii the kingdom op.htm

What Manner of Man Ought not to Come to Rule.
... He also has impetigo in his body whosoever is ravaged in the mind by avarice; which,
if not restrained in small things, does indeed dilate itself without ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/chapter xi what manner of.htm

The Return of Xerxes to Persia.
... The Athenian cause was already ruined. Their capital had been burned, their country
ravaged, and their wives and children driven forth to exile and misery. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/xerxes/chapter xii the return of.htm

Severinus in Germany.
... The land had been much ravaged by locusts. ... But the next morning he found his field
ravaged by the locusts, whilst the other fields had been spared. ...
/.../neander/light in the dark places/severinus in germany.htm

Bede's Ecclesiastical History of England
... How the Britons, being ravaged by the Scots and Picts, sought succour from the Romans,
who coming a second time, built a wall across the island; but when this ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bede/bedes ecclesiastical history of england/

1879-1880. Experiences among Indians --Picnic in the Bush ...
... Indian reserve. Fire had in past years ravaged the district for miles, leaving
thousands of charred trunks of high trees. We enjoyed ...
/.../lowe/gods answers/chapter viii 1879-1880 experiences among.htm

Ravaged (11 Occurrences)
...Ravaged (11 Occurrences). Acts 8:3 But Saul ravaged the assembly, entering into
every house, and dragged both men and women off to prison. (WEB DBY). ...
/r/ravaged.htm - 9k

Treading (26 Occurrences)
... 18:2 that sendest ambassadors over the sea, and in vessels of papyrus upon the waters,
saying, Go, swift messengers, to a nation scattered and ravaged, to a ...
/t/treading.htm - 15k

Tidal (2 Occurrences)
... After referring to a ruler who did not maintain the temples, Durmah-ilani son of
Eri-Aku (Arioch) is referred to, appatently as one who ravaged the country ...
/t/tidal.htm - 11k

Thenceforth (11 Occurrences)
... 18:2 that sendest ambassadors over the sea, and in vessels of papyrus upon the waters,
saying, Go, swift messengers, to a nation scattered and ravaged, to a ...
/t/thenceforth.htm - 10k

Existence (35 Occurrences)
... 18:2 that sendest ambassadors over the sea, and in vessels of papyrus upon the waters,
saying, Go, swift messengers, to a nation scattered and ravaged, to a ...
/e/existence.htm - 17k

Armenia (2 Occurrences)
... great battle near Commagene in 743. Pul failed to capture Van in 737, but
he ravaged the country far and wide. Rusash I, at the head ...
/a/armenia.htm - 21k

Destroy (379 Occurrences)
... NIV). Acts 8:3 But Saul ravaged the assembly, entering into every house,
and dragged both men and women off to prison. (See NIV). ...
/d/destroy.htm - 37k

Ravage (9 Occurrences)

/r/ravage.htm - 9k

Assembly (371 Occurrences)
... (WEB DBY YLT). Acts 8:3 But Saul ravaged the assembly, entering into every house,
and dragged both men and women off to prison. (WEB DBY YLT). ...
/a/assembly.htm - 38k

Elam (24 Occurrences)
... monarchs made several campaigns against Elam, and finally Assur-bani-pal (about
BC 650) succeeded in conquering the country, which was ravaged with fire and ...
/e/elam.htm - 48k

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