Topical Encyclopedia Obstinacy, often synonymous with stubbornness or hard-heartedness, is a recurring theme in the Bible, illustrating the human tendency to resist God's will and guidance. This trait is frequently depicted as a negative characteristic, leading individuals away from divine wisdom and towards spiritual peril.Old Testament Context In the Old Testament, obstinacy is often associated with the Israelites' repeated disobedience to God. Despite witnessing God's miracles and receiving His laws, the Israelites frequently turned away from Him. In Exodus 32:9, God describes the Israelites as a "stiff-necked people," highlighting their stubborn refusal to follow His commands. This metaphor of being "stiff-necked" is used throughout the Old Testament to describe a people resistant to divine guidance (e.g., Deuteronomy 9:6, 2 Chronicles 30:8). The prophet Jeremiah also addresses the issue of obstinacy, warning the people of Judah about the consequences of their stubbornness. In Jeremiah 7:24 , it is written, "Yet they did not listen or incline their ear, but walked in the stubbornness of their own evil hearts. They went backward and not forward." This passage underscores the spiritual regression that results from obstinacy. New Testament Context In the New Testament, obstinacy is similarly condemned. Jesus often encountered resistance from the Pharisees and other religious leaders, who were obstinate in their adherence to tradition over the transformative message of the Gospel. In Mark 3:5 , Jesus is described as being "deeply grieved at their hardness of heart" when they refused to accept His authority and teachings. The Apostle Paul also addresses the issue of obstinacy in his epistles. In Romans 2:5 , he warns, "But because of your hard and unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of wrath, when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed." Here, Paul emphasizes the spiritual danger of an obstinate heart, which leads to divine judgment. Spiritual Implications Obstinacy is portrayed in the Bible as a barrier to spiritual growth and a relationship with God. It is often linked with pride and self-reliance, which prevent individuals from submitting to God's will. Proverbs 29:1 warns, "A man who remains stiff-necked after much reproof will suddenly be shattered beyond recovery." This proverb highlights the eventual downfall that comes from persistent stubbornness. The Bible encourages believers to cultivate a heart of humility and openness to God's guidance. In contrast to obstinacy, a receptive heart is one that seeks wisdom and correction. James 1:21 advises, "Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and every expression of evil, and humbly receive the word planted in you, which can save your souls." Conclusion While the Bible consistently warns against the dangers of obstinacy, it also offers hope for transformation through repentance and submission to God's will. By recognizing and overcoming stubbornness, believers can align themselves more closely with God's purposes and experience the fullness of His blessings. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (n.) Stubbornness; persistency; a fixedness in will, opinion, or resolution that can not be shaken at all, or only with great difficulty; firm and usually unreasonable adherence to an opinion, purpose, or system; unyielding disposition; contumacy.2. (n.) The quality or state of being difficult to remedy, relieve, or subdue; as, the obstinacy of a disease or evil. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia OBSTINACYob'-sti-na-si. Greek 543. apeitheia -- disobedience ... of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: apeitheia Phonetic Spelling: (ap-i'-thi-ah) Short Definition: willful unbelief, obstinacy, disobedience Definition ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/543.htm - 7k 4641. sklerokardia -- hardness of heart 4643. sklerotes -- hardness Strong's Hebrew 8519. tluwnah -- exalted, lofty... murmuring Or tlunnah {tel-oon-naw'}; from luwn in the sense of obstinacy; a grumbling -- murmuring. see HEBREW luwn. 8518, 8519. tluwnah. 8519a . ... /hebrew/8519.htm - 5k 7190. qeshi -- stubbornness 8307. sheriruth -- firmness, stubbornness Library The Answer that Obstinacy in this Decision is Unreasonable. He Complains of the Obstinacy of Trypho; He Answers his Objection ... Israel's Obstinacy and God's Patience Of the Obstinacy of those Individuals who Impugn the Resurrection ... Obstinacy Makes the Heretic. Oh Ungrateful and Impious Age, Prepared for Its Own Destruction by ... Whether the Daughters of Vainglory are Suitably Reckoned to be ... Of the Cause of Cain's Crime and his Obstinacy, which not Even the ... Whether it is Fitting to Distinguish Six Kinds of Sin against the ... Youthful Strength Thesaurus Obstinacy (1 Occurrence)... 2. (n.) The quality or state of being difficult to remedy, relieve, or subdue; as, the obstinacy of a disease or evil. Int. ...OBSTINACY. ob'-sti-na-si. ... /o/obstinacy.htm - 7k Self-will (2 Occurrences) Brass (168 Occurrences) Obstinate (12 Occurrences) Opinion (91 Occurrences) Obduracy (1 Occurrence) Obstacles (3 Occurrences) Later (89 Occurrences) Lust (42 Occurrences) Resources Who was Pliny the Younger? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is a seminary? | GotQuestions.org What is reprobation? What does it mean to be reprobate? | GotQuestions.org Obstinacy: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Obstinacy (1 Occurrence)Mark 16:14 Subtopics Related Terms |
    |