Topical Encyclopedia The concept of "surprising" in the Bible often relates to the unexpected ways in which God interacts with His creation and the unforeseen events that unfold in the lives of His people. Throughout Scripture, God’s actions and the unfolding of His divine plan frequently defy human expectations, revealing His sovereignty and wisdom.Divine Intervention and Miracles One of the most prominent themes of surprise in the Bible is the occurrence of miracles, where God intervenes in the natural order. These acts often leave witnesses in awe and wonder. For instance, the parting of the Red Sea is a quintessential example of a surprising divine intervention. In Exodus 14:21-22 , it is recorded, "Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the LORD drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned it into dry land. So the waters were divided, and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with walls of water on their right and on their left." Unexpected Choices and Callings God’s choices often surprise human expectations, as seen in His selection of individuals for specific purposes. David, the youngest son of Jesse, was chosen to be king over Israel, a decision that surprised even the prophet Samuel. In 1 Samuel 16:7 , God tells Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not see as man does. For man sees the outward appearance, but the LORD sees the heart." Similarly, the calling of the Apostle Paul is another surprising turn of events. Once a fierce persecutor of Christians, Paul’s conversion on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:3-6) was unexpected and transformative, illustrating God’s power to change hearts and redirect lives for His purposes. Parables and Teachings of Jesus Jesus often used parables to convey truths that were surprising to His listeners, challenging their preconceived notions and societal norms. The Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:30-37) is a prime example, where a Samaritan, rather than a priest or Levite, is the one who shows compassion and mercy. This account would have been surprising to Jesus’ Jewish audience, who typically viewed Samaritans with disdain. The Resurrection of Jesus The resurrection of Jesus Christ is perhaps the most surprising and pivotal event in the New Testament. Despite Jesus’ predictions of His death and resurrection, His disciples were initially incredulous. In Luke 24:5-6 , the angels at the tomb declare, "Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; He has risen!" This event not only surprised Jesus’ followers but also transformed their understanding of His mission and the nature of God’s kingdom. God’s Unfathomable Wisdom The Apostle Paul reflects on the surprising and unfathomable wisdom of God in Romans 11:33 , "O, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable His judgments, and untraceable His ways!" This acknowledgment of God’s mysterious and surprising ways encourages believers to trust in His divine plan, even when it defies human logic or understanding. Conclusion The theme of surprise in the Bible serves to highlight God’s sovereignty, the unexpected nature of His grace, and the transformative power of His actions. Through surprising events, choices, and teachings, Scripture reveals a God who is both intimately involved in the world and beyond human comprehension. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Surprise.2. (a.) Exciting surprise; extraordinary; of a nature to excite wonder and astonishment; as, surprising bravery; a surprising escape from danger. Greek 3173. megas -- great ... time (1), loud (42), mighty (1), more important (2), older (1), one greater (1), perfectly (2), severe (2), stricter (1), strong (1), surprising (1), terribly ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3173.htm - 8k Library The Surprising Jew. Some Surprising Results of the Break. Psalm 126:1. LM Surprising Deliverance. Psalm 126 Surprising Deliverance. Now, when the People of Sepphoris Had, in So Surprising a Manner.. ... Letter Lxxi. Basil to Gregory. A Revival Sermon Quiet Talks about Jesus The Transfiguration An Essay on the Scriptural Doctrine of Immortality. Thesaurus Surprising (2 Occurrences)... 2. (a.) Exciting surprise; extraordinary; of a nature to excite wonder and astonishment; as, surprising bravery; a surprising escape from danger. ... /s/surprising.htm - 7k Surprised (46 Occurrences) Surrender (18 Occurrences) Resurrection (42 Occurrences) Levitical (19 Occurrences) Logia Library Water (4571 Occurrences) Wonder-working (4 Occurrences) Wondrous (41 Occurrences) Resources Who was the prophet Zechariah in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean that the Word of God will not return void? | GotQuestions.org Did Jesus really exist? Is there any historical evidence of Jesus Christ? | GotQuestions.org Surprising: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Surprising (2 Occurrences)2 Corinthians 11:15 1 Peter 4:12 Subtopics Related Terms Sanctification (13 Occurrences) |
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