Definition and Usage:
The term "grieves" in the biblical context generally refers to a deep emotional pain or sorrow. It is often associated with the response to sin, loss, or the suffering of others. Grieving is a natural human response and is depicted in the Bible as an experience that even God shares in certain contexts.

Biblical Instances:

1. God's Grief Over Sin:
In Genesis 6:6, the Bible describes God's grief over humanity's wickedness: "The LORD regretted that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart" . This passage illustrates that God experiences grief in response to human sinfulness and rebellion.

2. Human Grief:
The Bible frequently records instances of human grief. For example, in 1 Samuel 1:10, Hannah is described as being "deeply distressed" and weeping bitterly because of her barrenness. This reflects the personal and profound nature of grief experienced by individuals in the face of personal trials and unfulfilled desires.

3. Grief in Lamentations:
The Book of Lamentations is a poetic expression of grief over the destruction of Jerusalem. Lamentations 1:12 captures the depth of this sorrow: "Is it nothing to you, all you who pass by? Look and see if there is any pain like my pain, which was inflicted on me, which the LORD brought on me in the day of His fierce anger" . This highlights the communal and national aspect of grief in response to calamity and divine judgment.

4. Jesus and Grief:
Jesus Himself experienced grief, as seen in John 11:35, where "Jesus wept" at the death of Lazarus. This moment underscores the empathy and compassion of Christ, who shares in human suffering and sorrow.

5. Grieving the Holy Spirit:
Ephesians 4:30 warns believers not to grieve the Holy Spirit: "And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, in whom you were sealed for the day of redemption" . This admonition suggests that believers' actions and attitudes can cause sorrow to the Spirit, emphasizing the relational aspect of the Christian life.

Theological Implications:

· God's Relational Nature:
The concept of God grieving indicates His relational nature and His deep concern for His creation. It reflects His holiness and righteousness, as well as His desire for humanity to live in accordance with His will.

· Human Experience of Grief:
Grief is portrayed as a legitimate and expected response to the brokenness of the world. The Bible provides numerous examples of individuals who grieve, offering a model for believers to express their sorrow while maintaining faith in God's ultimate plan.

· Hope Amidst Grief:
While grief is a reality, the Bible also offers hope and comfort. Revelation 21:4 promises a future where "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the former things have passed away" . This eschatological hope provides assurance that grief is temporary and will ultimately be overcome by God's redemptive work.

Practical Application:

· Empathy and Support:
Believers are called to empathize with those who grieve, offering support and comfort. Romans 12:15 encourages Christians to "Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep" , highlighting the importance of sharing in the emotional experiences of others.

· Healthy Expression of Grief:
The Bible encourages the healthy expression of grief, allowing individuals to process their emotions in the context of faith. Psalms, such as Psalm 42 and Psalm 43, provide language for lament and demonstrate how to bring one's sorrows before God.

· Trust in God's Sovereignty:
In times of grief, believers are reminded to trust in God's sovereignty and goodness. Proverbs 3:5-6 advises, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight" . This trust provides a foundation for navigating the complexities of grief with hope and assurance.

He Grieves that He was So Long Without God.
... Book X. Chapter XXVII."He Grieves that He Was So Long Without God. 38. Too
late did I love Thee, O Fairness, so ancient, and yet so new! ...
/.../the confessions and letters of st/chapter xxvii he grieves that he.htm

Whether Envy is a Mortal Sin?
... object both of charity and of envy is our neighbor's good, but by contrary movements,
since charity rejoices in our neighbor's good, while envy grieves over it ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether envy is a mortal.htm

Commandment Tenth. Of Grief, and not Grieving the Spirit of God ...
... When the doubting man attempts any deed, and fails in it on account of his doubt,
this grief enters into the man, and grieves the Holy Spirit, and crushes him ...
/.../pastor/the pastor books first second third/commandment tenth of grief and.htm

Whether the Reason for Taking Pity is a Defect in the Person who ...
... for another's distress, as stated above [2594](A[1]), from the very fact that a
person takes pity on anyone, it follows that another's distress grieves him. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the reason for taking.htm

Whether Envy is a Kind of Sorrow?
... in two ways: first, when a man is sorry about another's good, in so far as it threatens
to be an occasion of harm to himself, as when a man grieves for his ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether envy is a kind.htm

John Chapter i. 34-51
... But as a madman rejoices for the most part in his madness, and laughs, and grieves
over him who is in his senses, so let us, beloved, if we have received the ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate vii john chapter i.htm

Why is It, that Man Desires to be Made Sad...
... for the auditor is not called on to relieve, but only to grieve: and he applauds
the actor of these fictions the more, the more he grieves. ...
/.../augustine/the confessions of saint augustine/chapter ii why is it.htm

In this Matter we must Imitate David's Silence and Humility...
... He who despises wrongs is better off than he who grieves over them. For
he who despises them looks down on them, as though he feels ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter vi in this matter.htm

Whether Mercy is a virtue?
... They are contrary to one another on the part of their respective estimation of
another's evils, for which pity grieves, in so far as it esteems someone to ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether mercy is a virtue.htm

Whether the Spiritual Joy, which Results from Charity, is ...
... by anything contrary to it, wherefore, in this respect, the joy of charity is
compatible with an admixture of sorrow, in so far as a man grieves for that which ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the spiritual joy which.htm

Grieves (5 Occurrences)
...Grieves (5 Occurrences). ... No, my daughters, for it grieves me much for your sakes,
for the hand of Yahweh is gone forth against me." (WEB). ...
/g/grieves.htm - 8k

Unmarried (13 Occurrences)
... husbands? No, my daughters, for it grieves me much for your sakes, for the
hand of Yahweh is gone forth against me." (See NIV). Ezekiel ...
/u/unmarried.htm - 10k

Load (22 Occurrences)
... a cargo; lading. 3. (v.) That which burdens, oppresses, or grieves the
mind or spirits; as, a load of care. 4. (n.) A particular ...
/l/load.htm - 14k

Grievest (1 Occurrence)

/g/grievest.htm - 6k

Regret (17 Occurrences)
... 1 Samuel 15:11 "It grieves me that I have set up Saul to be king; for he is turned
back from following me, and has not performed my commandments." Samuel was ...
/r/regret.htm - 12k

Refrain (33 Occurrences)
... husbands? No, my daughters, for it grieves me much for your sakes, for the
hand of Yahweh is gone forth against me." (See NAS RSV). ...
/r/refrain.htm - 16k

Marrying (7 Occurrences)
... husbands? No, my daughters, for it grieves me much for your sakes, for the
hand of Yahweh is gone forth against me." (See NAS RSV). ...
/m/marrying.htm - 8k

Mourns (13 Occurrences)
... will look to me whom they have pierced; and they shall mourn for him, as one mourns
for his only son, and will grieve bitterly for him, as one grieves for his ...
/m/mourns.htm - 10k

Sakes (35 Occurrences)
... No, my daughters, for it grieves me much for your sakes, for the hand of
Yahweh is gone forth against me." (WEB KJV JPS ASV WBS). ...
/s/sakes.htm - 17k

Victory (71 Occurrences)
... 2 Samuel 19:2 The victory that day was turned into mourning to all the people; for
the people heard it said that day, "The king grieves for his son." (WEB KJV ...
/v/victory.htm - 27k

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