In the context of the Bible, the term "defected" refers to the act of abandoning one's faith, allegiance, or loyalty to God, His commandments, or His people. This concept is often associated with apostasy, rebellion, or turning away from the truth. Throughout Scripture, instances of defection are met with warnings, consequences, and calls for repentance.

Old Testament Instances

1. Israel's Rebellion: The nation of Israel frequently defected from their covenant with God by turning to idolatry and adopting the practices of surrounding nations. In Judges 2:11-12 , it is recorded, "Then the Israelites did evil in the sight of the LORD and served the Baals. They forsook the LORD, the God of their fathers, who had brought them out of Egypt. They followed and worshiped various gods of the peoples around them."

2. King Saul: Saul, the first king of Israel, is a prominent example of defection. Initially chosen by God, Saul's disobedience and failure to fully carry out God's commands led to his rejection as king. In 1 Samuel 15:11 , God expresses His regret: "I regret that I have made Saul king, for he has turned away from following Me and has not carried out My instructions."

New Testament Warnings

1. Judas Iscariot: Perhaps the most infamous defector in the New Testament is Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve apostles, who betrayed Jesus for thirty pieces of silver. His defection is highlighted in Matthew 26:14-16 : "Then one of the Twelve, the one called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and asked, 'What are you willing to give me if I hand Him over to you?' And they set out for him thirty pieces of silver. So from that time on Judas looked for an opportunity to betray Jesus."

2. Warnings Against Apostasy: The New Testament contains numerous warnings against defection from the faith. In Hebrews 3:12 , believers are cautioned, "See to it, brothers, that none of you has a wicked heart of unbelief that turns away from the living God." Similarly, 2 Peter 2:20-21 warns of the dangers of returning to a sinful life after knowing Christ: "If indeed they have escaped the corruption of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ only to be entangled and overcome by it again, their final condition is worse than it was at first. It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness than to have known it and then to turn away from the holy commandment passed on to them."

Consequences and Calls for Repentance

Defection from God often results in severe consequences, both spiritually and physically. The Bible consistently calls defectors to repentance and restoration. In the Old Testament, prophets like Jeremiah and Hosea called Israel to return to the Lord. Jeremiah 3:22 pleads, "Return, O faithless children, and I will heal your faithlessness."

In the New Testament, the parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32) illustrates God's readiness to forgive and restore those who return to Him after defecting. The father's joyous reception of his wayward son symbolizes God's grace and mercy toward repentant sinners.

Conclusion

The concept of defection in the Bible serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of faithfulness and obedience to God. It underscores the need for vigilance in maintaining one's spiritual commitment and the ever-present opportunity for repentance and reconciliation with God.5307. naphal -- to fall, lie
... 1), bring down (1), burst (1), came down (1), cast (16), cast down (5), casts (1),
collapse (1), come (3), dash down (1), defect (1), defected (3), deserted (3 ...
/hebrew/5307.htm - 7k

5627. sarah -- turning aside, defection, apostasy, withdrawal
... Word Origin from sur Definition turning aside, defection, apostasy, withdrawal NASB
Word Usage defected (1), rebellion (4), revolt (1), unceasing* (1 ...
/hebrew/5627.htm - 6k

Jesus in the Garden of Olives.
... him; we are poor and the offscouring of the world, we gave ourselves up entirely
to his service, and now he is so sorrowful and so defected himself, that he ...
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Defected (5 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Defected (5 Occurrences). 1 Chronicles 12:8 Of the
Gadites there separated themselves to David to the stronghold ...
/d/defected.htm - 8k

Defective (2 Occurrences)

/d/defective.htm - 8k

Defect (62 Occurrences)

/d/defect.htm - 25k

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