Topical Bible: Repentance: The Wicked: Not Led To, by Miraculous Interference

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Repentance is a fundamental concept in the Bible, signifying a profound change of mind and heart, turning away from sin and toward God. However, the Scriptures illustrate that the wicked are not always led to repentance through miraculous interference. This entry explores the biblical perspective on why miraculous signs do not necessarily lead the wicked to repentance.

Biblical Instances and Teachings

1. Pharaoh's Hardened Heart: One of the most prominent examples is Pharaoh during the Exodus. Despite witnessing numerous miracles performed by God through Moses, Pharaoh's heart remained hardened. The plagues, which were divine interventions, did not lead him to genuine repentance. Instead, his resistance to God's will only increased. As recorded in Exodus 7:13 , "Yet Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, and he would not listen to them, just as the LORD had said."

2. The Israelites in the Wilderness: The Israelites, after being miraculously delivered from Egypt, repeatedly witnessed God's power and provision. Despite these signs, they often fell into unbelief and rebellion. Psalm 78:32 reflects on this, stating, "In spite of all this, they kept on sinning; despite His wonders, they did not believe."

3. The Rich Man and Lazarus: In the New Testament, Jesus tells the parable of the rich man and Lazarus. The rich man, suffering in Hades, pleads for Lazarus to be sent back to warn his brothers. Abraham responds in Luke 16:31 , "If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead." This underscores the idea that miraculous events alone do not lead to repentance if the heart is not receptive.

4. The Ministry of Jesus: Despite performing numerous miracles, Jesus faced unbelief and rejection, particularly from the religious leaders. In Matthew 11:20-24 , Jesus reproaches the cities where most of His miracles were performed because they did not repent. He declares, "Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had occurred in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes."

The Nature of True Repentance

True repentance is a work of the Holy Spirit in the heart of an individual. It involves a sincere acknowledgment of sin, a turning away from it, and a turning toward God. Miraculous signs, while powerful, do not guarantee repentance. The Bible emphasizes that faith comes by hearing the Word of God (Romans 10:17), and it is through the conviction of the Holy Spirit that individuals are led to repentance.

The Role of Human Responsibility

The Scriptures highlight human responsibility in responding to God's call to repentance. While God may use various means to draw people to Himself, including miracles, the decision to repent lies with the individual. The wicked, often characterized by pride and self-reliance, may resist even the most extraordinary signs if their hearts are not open to God's truth.

In summary, the Bible presents a consistent theme that miraculous interference does not inherently lead the wicked to repentance. Instead, it is the humble and contrite heart, responsive to God's Word and Spirit, that truly turns from sin and seeks reconciliation with the Creator.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Luke 16:30,31
And he said, No, father Abraham: but if one went to them from the dead, they will repent.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Corinth
... home to his hearers the fact that repentance alone could ... self-defense, Gallio told
him that it was not necessary ... it were a matter of wrong or wicked lewdness, O ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 24 corinth.htm

Bunsen's Biblical Researches.
... 34] men assigned his grave with the wicked, [35] and his ... a verdict of forgiveness
upon our repentance, and of ... May not a straining after orthodoxy, with all the ...
/.../essays and reviews the education of the world/bunsens biblical researches.htm

Sozomen as Author.
... the good and punishing the wicked, according to ... like Theodotus, received Apolinarius,
on his repentance, into communion ... effected it"; he does not consider it ...
/.../sozomen/the ecclesiastical history of sozomenus/part ii sozomen as author.htm

A Traveler's Note-Book
... Not, goodness brings blessings, but goodness is blessed; not, the wicked shall perish ...
various play of human emotions,"sorrow, wrath, repentance, joy, dread ...
/.../merriam/the chief end of man/iii a travelers note-book.htm

Memoir of John Bunyan
... led the foul-mouthed blasphemer to bitter repentance; who, when he ... and unless also
they left this wicked world behind ... room for body and soul, but not for body ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/memoir of john bunyan.htm

And ii.
... He led them out of Egypt, the house of bondage ... of the Covenant-people can nevertheless
not make void the ... people in short, because they are all wicked and ungodly ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/chap i and ii.htm

the Legendary History of Egypt
... to give him such a proof of their repentance as should ... reeds, far from the machinations
of the wicked one ... His pity extends to slaves; not only does he command ...
/.../chapter iii -the legendary history of.htm

The Iranian Conquest
... he could only return to it by repentance and by ... wicked young woman, the ugliest and
most wicked it had ... whom, according to custom, Baal had not long previously ...
/.../chapter ithe iranian conquest.htm