Topical Bible: The Eye: Actions of, Mentioned in Scripture: Weeping

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In the Bible, the eye is often depicted as a window to the soul, reflecting the emotions and spiritual state of an individual. One of the most profound actions associated with the eye in Scripture is weeping. Weeping is portrayed as a natural human response to sorrow, repentance, compassion, and even joy. It is an expression that transcends words, revealing the depth of human experience and connection with God.

Weeping as a Response to Sorrow and Loss

The Bible frequently records instances of weeping as a response to grief and loss. In the Old Testament, we see this in the account of Job, who, after losing his children and possessions, laments his condition. Job's weeping is a testament to his profound sorrow and the depth of his suffering. Similarly, in Genesis 23:2, Abraham weeps for Sarah, his wife, upon her death: "And Sarah died in Kiriath-arba (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan, and Abraham went in to mourn for Sarah and to weep over her."

Weeping in Repentance and Prayer

Weeping is also associated with repentance and earnest prayer. In the book of Joel, the prophet calls the people to repentance with fasting, weeping, and mourning: "Tear your hearts and not your garments, and return to the LORD your God" (Joel 2:13). This act of weeping signifies a genuine contrition and desire to return to God. Similarly, in the New Testament, Peter's weeping after denying Jesus three times is a poignant moment of repentance and realization of his failure: "And he went outside and wept bitterly" (Matthew 26:75).

Weeping as an Expression of Compassion

The Bible also portrays weeping as an expression of compassion and empathy. In John 11:35, the shortest verse in the Bible, "Jesus wept," we see the profound empathy of Christ as He shares in the grief of Mary and Martha over the death of their brother Lazarus. This moment underscores the humanity of Jesus and His deep compassion for those He loves.

Weeping in Joy and Restoration

While often associated with sorrow, weeping can also be an expression of overwhelming joy and the experience of God's restoration. In Psalm 126:5, the psalmist declares, "Those who sow in tears will reap with shouts of joy." This verse captures the transformative power of God's intervention, where tears of sorrow are turned into tears of joy through His redemptive work.

Weeping in Prophetic and Eschatological Contexts

Prophetic literature often uses weeping to convey the emotional weight of divine messages. Jeremiah, known as the "weeping prophet," frequently weeps over the impending judgment on Israel and Judah. His tears reflect the heart of God, who desires repentance and restoration for His people. In Revelation 21:4, the eschatological promise is given that God "will wipe away every tear from their eyes," signifying the ultimate end of sorrow and the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan.

In summary, the action of weeping in Scripture is multifaceted, encompassing sorrow, repentance, compassion, joy, and prophetic insight. It is a profound expression of the human condition and a testament to the deep emotional and spiritual experiences that connect individuals to one another and to God.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Job 16:20
My friends scorn me: but my eye pours out tears to God.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 88:9
My eye mourns by reason of affliction: LORD, I have called daily on you, I have stretched out my hands to you.
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Lamentations 1:16
For these things I weep; my eye, my eye runs down with water, because the comforter that should relieve my soul is far from me: my children are desolate, because the enemy prevailed.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Effectual Calling
... yourselves in the branches of your holy actions, and are ... come down." There are other
calls mentioned in Scripture. ... me," so that you thought God's eye was fixed ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/effectual calling.htm

Psalm LXXXIV.
... from the Lord; with a most keen eye these have ... Those things which I mentioned, let
no one while here ... None of those honourable actions which are common to all ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm lxxxiv.htm

Penitence, as Explained in the Sophistical Jargon of the Schoolmen ...
... they ran over, a longer still met the eye; nay, lofty ... be possible to take an account
of the actions of a ... that he has done shall not be mentioned." "Again, when ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 4 penitence as explained.htm

Marks of Having Received the Holy Ghost
... of the Spirit, is that new birth mentioned by our ... will so order his thoughts, words,
and actions, that he ... is earthy; and having no spiritual eye to discern ...
/.../selected sermons of george whitefield/marks of having received the.htm

"In the Volume of the Book it is Written of Me" (Heb. . .
... we to ascertain in which respects the actions of Old ... from the Scripture record, no
human eye witnessed the ... There is Adoni-zedek, mentioned in Joshua 10, and ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the antichrist/in the volume of the.htm

The Second Book
... Which then of the above-mentioned points should first be ... Scriptures, when it says:
"Behold, the eye of the ... of the persons concerned as of their actions that he ...
//christianbookshelf.org/salvian/on the government of god/the second book.htm

The Two Debtors.
... here records an event which is not mentioned by any ... While her actions only are recorded
in the narrative, we ... There her eye falls on some gaudy ornaments, the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/arnot/the parables of our lord/xvi the two debtors.htm

Sovereign Grace and Man's Responsibility
... that man is responsible for all his actions, that is ... You will see that the people
here mentioned certainly did ... to forgive you." The tear is in his eye, and his ...
/.../spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/sovereign grace and mans responsibility.htm

Holiness Demanded
... till thy nature be renewed, till thine actions, in the ... attend a certain place of
amusement?" which he mentioned. ... My eye looks round; yes, sometimes it has been ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 50 1904/holiness demanded.htm

Blind Bartimeus
... be father and son, though only one is mentioned here, because he ... should desire him;
yet he by an eye of faith ... Jesus in the way;" and by his actions, says with ...
/.../whitefield/selected sermons of george whitefield/blind bartimeus.htm