Topical Encyclopedia In biblical terms, the concept of "reduction" can be understood in various contexts, including spiritual, material, and numerical diminishment. The Bible often addresses themes of reduction as a means of divine discipline, humility, and reliance on God.Spiritual Reduction Spiritual reduction often involves the humbling of individuals or nations to bring them closer to God. This is seen in the account of Gideon, where God reduces the number of Israelite soldiers to ensure that victory is attributed to divine intervention rather than human strength. Judges 7:2-7 recounts how God instructs Gideon to reduce his army from 32,000 to 300 men, saying, "The people with you are too many for Me to give the Midianites into their hands, lest Israel boast against Me, saying, ‘My own hand has saved me.’" Material Reduction Material reduction is frequently depicted as a test of faith and dependence on God. The account of Job is a profound example, where Job experiences the loss of wealth, health, and family. Despite these reductions, Job's faith remains steadfast, and he ultimately receives restoration. Job 1:21 reflects his attitude: "Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will return. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away. Blessed be the name of the LORD." Numerical Reduction Numerical reduction is often used to demonstrate God's power and sovereignty. In the New Testament, Jesus feeds the five thousand with five loaves and two fish, illustrating how God can multiply what is reduced. John 6:9-13 describes how the small amount of food is miraculously increased to feed a multitude, with leftovers collected afterward. Reduction as Discipline Reduction is also a form of divine discipline intended to correct and guide. In the Old Testament, the Israelites frequently experience reduction in numbers and resources as a consequence of disobedience. For instance, during the Babylonian exile, the population of Israel is significantly reduced as a result of their unfaithfulness. This period serves as a time of reflection and repentance, ultimately leading to restoration. Reduction and Humility The theme of reduction is closely tied to humility. Proverbs 22:4 states, "The reward of humility and the fear of the LORD is riches and honor and life." Reduction often serves to strip away pride and self-reliance, fostering a deeper dependence on God. The Apostle Paul speaks of his own experiences of reduction in 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 , where he writes, "But He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me." Conclusion The biblical concept of reduction, whether in terms of numbers, resources, or personal strength, serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty and the importance of humility and faith. Through reduction, believers are often drawn closer to God, learning to rely on His provision and strength rather than their own. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (n.) The act of reducing, or state of being reduced; conversion to a given state or condition; diminution; conquest; as, the reduction of a body to powder; the reduction of things to order; the reduction of the expenses of government; the reduction of a rebellious province.2. (n.) The act or process of reducing. See Reduce. 3. (n.) The correction of observations for known errors of instruments, etc. 4. (n.) The preparation of the facts and measurements of observations in order to deduce a general result. 5. (n.) The process of making a copy of something, as a figure, design, or draught, on a smaller scale, preserving the proper proportions. 6. (n.) The bringing of a syllogism in one of the so-called imperfect modes into a mode in the first figure. 7. (n.) The act, process, or result of reducing; as, the reduction of iron from its ores; the reduction of aldehyde from alcohol. 8. (n.) The operation of restoring a dislocated or fractured part to its former place. Greek 4486. rhegnumi -- to break apart, by ext. to throw down ... of the parts; katagnumi being its intensive (with the preposition in composition), and thrauo a shattering to minute fragments; but not a reduction to the ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4486.htm - 7k 5594. psucho -- to breathe, blow, to make cool Library A Presumption that all Things were Created by God Out of Nothing ... Political Parties in Connecticut at the Beginning of the ... Against Hermogenes Whether the Whole Good of Human Nature Can be Destroyed by Sin Synopsis. --The Present Net Results of the Discussion of the ... Attitude of Men of the Present Day to War. Preface to the Second Edition Introductory The Beginnings of Church Reform Ninth Tractate. Detached Considerations. Thesaurus Reduction (1 Occurrence)... 1. (n.) The act of reducing, or state of being reduced; conversion to a given state or condition; diminution; conquest; as, the reduction of a body to powder ... /r/reduction.htm - 7k Nicanor (1 Occurrence) Abatement (1 Occurrence) Redundance (11 Occurrences) Neck (97 Occurrences) Libraries Gas Waste (668 Occurrences) Incarnation (1 Occurrence) Face (780 Occurrences) Resources How can I overcome ministry burnout? | GotQuestions.orgAlternate Ways to Support GotQuestions.org | GotQuestions.org How old was Adam when he died? | GotQuestions.org Reduction: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Reduction (1 Occurrence)Leviticus 27:18 Subtopics Related Terms |
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