In the context of biblical literature and theology, the concept of "pivots" can be understood as critical turning points or moments of significant change that alter the course of events or the direction of a narrative. These pivotal moments often reflect divine intervention, human decision-making, or a combination of both, and they play a crucial role in the unfolding of God's redemptive plan throughout Scripture.

Old Testament Pivots

1. The Fall of Man (Genesis 3): The disobedience of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden marks a pivotal moment in human history. This event introduces sin into the world, resulting in the fall of humanity and the need for redemption. Genesis 3:6 states, "When the woman saw that the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eyes, and that it was desirable for obtaining wisdom, she took the fruit and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it."

2. The Call of Abraham (Genesis 12): God's call to Abram (later Abraham) to leave his homeland and go to a land that God would show him is a significant pivot in the biblical narrative. This moment marks the beginning of God's covenant relationship with the people of Israel. Genesis 12:1-2 records, "Then the LORD said to Abram, 'Leave your country, your kindred, and your father's household, and go to the land I will show you. I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, so that you will be a blessing.'"

3. The Exodus (Exodus 12-14): The deliverance of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt is a foundational pivot in the history of Israel. This event demonstrates God's power and faithfulness and establishes the Israelites as His chosen people. Exodus 14:30-31 states, "That day the LORD saved Israel from the hand of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the shore. When Israel saw the great power that the LORD had exercised over the Egyptians, the people feared the LORD and believed in Him and in His servant Moses."

New Testament Pivots

1. The Incarnation of Christ (John 1:14): The coming of Jesus Christ into the world as God incarnate is a central pivot in the New Testament. This event signifies the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies and the initiation of the New Covenant. John 1:14 declares, "The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth."

2. The Crucifixion and Resurrection (Matthew 27-28): The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ are the most significant pivots in the Christian faith. These events accomplish the atonement for sin and the victory over death, providing the basis for salvation. Matthew 28:5-6 records, "The angel said to the women, 'Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; He has risen, just as He said! Come, see the place where He lay.'"

3. The Coming of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2): The outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost marks a pivotal moment in the life of the early church. This event empowers the apostles for ministry and signifies the birth of the church. Acts 2:4 states, "And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them."

Theological Significance

Pivotal moments in the Bible often highlight the sovereignty of God and His ability to bring about His purposes through both ordinary and extraordinary means. These events serve as reminders of God's faithfulness, the importance of obedience, and the transformative power of divine intervention. Throughout Scripture, pivots underscore the unfolding narrative of redemption and the ultimate fulfillment of God's promises through Jesus Christ.1550. galil -- a turning, folding
... 1549, 1550. galil. 1551 . a turning, folding. Transliteration: galil Phonetic
Spelling: (gaw-leel') Short Definition: pivots. Word ...
/hebrew/1550.htm - 6k

Thirst and Satisfaction
... The three clauses which I have read, and which are so strikingly identical in form,
constitute the three pivots on which the psalm revolves, the three bends in ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture j/thirst and satisfaction.htm

February 7. "Faithful in that which is Least" (Luke xvi. 10).
... worth millions. The little pivots on which the works of your watch turn
are so important that they are actually made of jewels. And ...
/.../simpson/days of heaven upon earth /february 7 faithful in that.htm

The Three Facts of Sin
... And for any one who wishes to become acquainted with the great pivots on which human
life turns, and on which his own life turns; for any one who wishes to ...
//christianbookshelf.org/drummond/the ideal life/the three facts of sin.htm

Revelation of Esdras.
... And they took me down lower many steps, which I could not measure. And I there saw
old men, and fiery pivots turning in their ears. And I:said: Who are these? ...
//christianbookshelf.org/unknown/revelation of esdras/revelation of esdras.htm

Friendship.
... It is, as H. Clay Trumbull says: "Love without compact or condition; it never
pivots on an equivalent return of service or of affection. ...
/.../judy/questionable amusements and worthy substitutes/viii friendship.htm

A Paradox
... "When I am weak, then am I strong." "When" and "then" are the two pivots of the
text"the hinges upon which it turns. "When I am weak." What does that mean? ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 34 1888/a paradox.htm

Pivots (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Pivots (1 Occurrence). 1 Kings 6:34 and two doors
of fir wood: the two leaves of the one door were folding ...
/p/pivots.htm - 6k

Hinge (1 Occurrence)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary (Hebrews tsir), that on which a door revolves. "Doors
in the East turn rather on pivots than on what we term hinges. ...
/h/hinge.htm - 9k

Guide (89 Occurrences)
... officer or soldier placed on the directing flank of each subdivision of a column
of troops, or at the end of a line, to mark the pivots, formations, marches ...
/g/guide.htm - 37k

Door (249 Occurrences)
... It turned on pivots (the "hinges" of Proverbs 26:14) working in sockets above and
below, and was provided with a bolt (2 Samuel 13:17) or with lock and key ...
/d/door.htm - 40k

Doors (149 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Moved on pivots of wood fastened in sockets above and
below (Proverbs 26:14). They were fastened by a lock (Judges 3:23, 25; Cant. ...
/d/doors.htm - 39k

Dwellings (54 Occurrences)
... Kings 17:19). The doors, sometimes of stone, swung on morticed pivots,
and were generally fastened by wooden bolts. The houses of ...
/d/dwellings.htm - 25k

Pitying (4 Occurrences)

/p/pitying.htm - 7k

Claudius (3 Occurrences)
... visits of Paul to Jerusalem. It has proved one of the chronological pivots
of the apostolic history. Whatever concessions to the ...
/c/claudius.htm - 15k

Place (9195 Occurrences)

/p/place.htm - 28k

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus