Topical Encyclopedia Repentance, a central theme in the biblical narrative, often signifies a turning away from sin and a return to God. However, there are instances in Scripture where repentance is depicted as unavailing, particularly concerning the nation of Israel. This concept underscores the gravity of persistent disobedience and the consequences of failing to heed divine warnings.Hosea 7:14-16 In the book of Hosea, the prophet laments the superficial repentance of Israel. "They do not cry out to Me from their hearts; they wail upon their beds. They slash themselves for grain and new wine, but turn away from Me. I trained and strengthened their arms, but they plot evil against Me. They turn, but not to the Most High; they are like a faulty bow. Their leaders will fall by the sword because of their insolent tongues. For this they will be ridiculed in the land of Egypt." (Hosea 7:14-16). Here, the repentance of Israel is depicted as insincere and ineffective, as the people fail to genuinely return to God, instead engaging in empty rituals and continuing in their rebellion. Jeremiah 3:10 The prophet Jeremiah also addresses the issue of unavailing repentance. "In spite of all this, her unfaithful sister Judah did not return to Me with all her heart, but only in pretense," declares the LORD. (Jeremiah 3:10). Judah's repentance is described as merely superficial, lacking the wholehearted commitment required for true reconciliation with God. This pretense leads to further judgment and highlights the futility of half-hearted repentance. Isaiah 58:1-4 Isaiah confronts the people of Israel with their insincere fasting and repentance. "Cry aloud, do not hold back; raise your voice like a trumpet. Declare to My people their transgression and to the house of Jacob their sins. For day after day they seek Me and delight to know My ways, like a nation that does what is right and does not forsake the justice of their God. They ask Me for righteous judgments; they delight in the nearness of God. 'Why have we fasted, and You have not seen? Why have we humbled ourselves, and You have not noticed?' Behold, on the day of your fast, you do as you please and oppress all your workers. You fast with contention and strife to strike viciously with your fist. You cannot fast as you do today and have your voice be heard on high." (Isaiah 58:1-4). The prophet exposes the disconnect between the people's religious observances and their unjust actions, rendering their repentance ineffective. Ezekiel 33:31-32 Ezekiel also speaks to the issue of unavailing repentance among the Israelites. "My people come to you, as they usually do, and sit before you to hear your words, but they do not put them into practice. Although they express love with their mouths, their hearts pursue their own gain. Indeed, to them you are like a singer of love songs with a beautiful voice and skillful instrument. They hear your words, but they refuse to practice them." (Ezekiel 33:31-32). The prophet highlights the discrepancy between hearing God's word and living it out, rendering their repentance void. These passages collectively illustrate the theme of unavailing repentance in Israel's history. Despite outward expressions of remorse, the lack of genuine, heartfelt change and obedience to God's commands results in continued judgment and separation from the blessings of a restored relationship with the Lord. Nave's Topical Index Numbers 14:39-45And Moses told these sayings to all the children of Israel: and the people mourned greatly. Nave's Topical Index Library Balak's Inquiries Relative to the Service of God, and Balaam's ... The Sins of Communities Noted and Punished. Gifts no Certain Evidence of Grace. In the Fifteenth Year of Tiberius C??sar and under the Pontificate ... Everybody's Sermon What Messiah did the Jews Expect? The Lamb of God, the Great Atonement The Heavenly Workers and the Earthly Watchers Things that Accompany Salvation The Destruction of Jerusalem. Resources How to repent'what does the Bible say? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean that God is not willing for any to perish, but that all should come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9)? | GotQuestions.org What does it mean that today is the day of salvation? | GotQuestions.org Repentance: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Repentance by the Operation of the Holy Spirit Repentance by the Preaching of Haggai Repentance by the Preaching of Oded Repentance in Asking for a King Repentance in the Time of Asa, by the Preaching of Azariah Repentance of Their Idolatry, when Afflicted by the Philistines Repentance of Worshiping the Golden Calf Repentance: Achan, Because of his Theft Repentance: After Hearing the Law Expounded by Ezra Repentance: Ahab, when Reproved by Elijah for Ahab's Idolatry Repentance: At the Dedication of the Second Temple Repentance: Balaam, of his Spiritual Blindness Repentance: Because of Their Idolatrous Marriages Repentance: Because of Their Oppressive Usury Repentance: Called Repentance to Life Repentance: Called Repentance to Salvation Repentance: Christ Came to Call Sinners To Repentance: Christ Exalted to Give Repentance: Commanded by Christ Repentance: Commanded to all by God Repentance: Condition of God's Favor Repentance: Conviction of Sin Necessary To Repentance: Danger of Neglecting Repentance: David, at the Rebuke of Nathan, for his Sins of Adultery and Murder Repentance: Denied to Apostates Repentance: Hezekiah, at the Time of his Sickness Repentance: Illustrated: The Prodigal Son Repentance: Illustrated: The Repentant Son Repentance: Jonah, After his Punishment Repentance: Joseph's Brothers, of Their Maltreatment of Joseph Repentance: Josiah, when he Heard the Law of God Which had been Discovered in the Temple by Hilkiah Repentance: Manasseh, when he Was Carried Away Captive to Babylon by the King of Assyria Repentance: Ministers should Rejoice Over Their People on Their Repentance: Necessary to the Pardon of Sin Repentance: Neglect of, Followed by Swift Judgment Repentance: Not to be Repented of Repentance: Peter, Because of his Denial of Jesus Repentance: Pharaoh, of his Hardness of Heart Repentance: Preached by Christ Repentance: Preached by John the Baptist Repentance: Preached by the Apostles Repentance: Preached in the Name of Christ Repentance: Rehoboam, when his Kingdom Was Invaded, and Jerusalem Was Besieged Repentance: Repentance of Their Complaining Because of Lack of Bread and Water Repentance: Saul, at the Rebuke of Samuel for not Destroying the Amalekites Repentance: should be Accompanied by Confession Repentance: should be Accompanied by Conversion Repentance: should be Accompanied by Faith Repentance: should be Accompanied by Greater Zeal in the Path of Duty Repentance: should be Accompanied by Humility Repentance: should be Accompanied by Prayer Repentance: should be Accompanied by Self-Abhorrence Repentance: should be Accompanied by Shame and Confusion Repentance: should be Accompanied by Turning from Idolatry Repentance: should be Accompanied by Turning from Sin Repentance: should be Evidenced by Fruits Repentance: The Burden of the Preaching of Jesus Repentance: The Burden of the Preaching of John the Baptist Repentance: The Disobedient Son Repentance: The Ephesians, by the Preaching of Paul Repentance: The Jews, by the Preaching of John the Baptist Repentance: The Ninevites, by the Preaching of Jonah Repentance: The Present Time the Season For Repentance: The Wicked: Averse To Repentance: The Wicked: Condemned for Neglecting Repentance: The Wicked: Neglect the Time Given For Repentance: The Wicked: Not Led to by the Judgments of God Repentance: The Wicked: Not Led To, by Miraculous Interference Repentance: The Woman Who Anointed Jesus With Oil Repentance: There is Joy in Heaven Over One Sinner Brought To Repentance: True: Thief on the Cross Repentance: Unavailing: To Esau Repentance: Unavailing: To Israel Repentance: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Repentance: Under the Influence of Hezekiah Repentance: we should be Led To, by Godly Sorrow Works Repentance: we should be Led To, by The Chastisements of God Repentance: we should be Led To, by The Goodness of God Repentance: we should be Led To, by The Patience of God Repentance: when Rebuked by an Angel for not Expelling the Canaanites Repentance: when Reproved by the Prophet Micah Related Terms Long-suffering (23 Occurrences) |
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