Topical Encyclopedia The concept of the "unexpected" in the Bible often highlights the sovereignty and omniscience of God, who orchestrates events beyond human understanding or anticipation. Throughout Scripture, God frequently acts in ways that defy human expectations, demonstrating His power and wisdom.Divine Intervention and Miracles One of the most prominent themes of the unexpected in the Bible is divine intervention through miracles. These acts of God often occur in situations where human solutions seem impossible. For instance, the parting of the Red Sea (Exodus 14:21-22) was an unexpected deliverance for the Israelites, showcasing God's ability to provide a way where there seems to be none. Similarly, the feeding of the five thousand (Matthew 14:13-21) illustrates how Jesus met the needs of the people in a miraculous and unforeseen manner. Prophetic Fulfillment The fulfillment of prophecy is another area where the unexpected is evident. Many prophecies in the Old Testament were fulfilled in ways that were not anticipated by the people of that time. The birth of Jesus Christ is a prime example. Isaiah 7:14 prophesied, "Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call Him Immanuel." This prophecy was fulfilled in an unexpected manner, as described in Matthew 1:22-23, when Jesus was born of the Virgin Mary. Parables and Teachings of Jesus Jesus often used parables to convey truths that were unexpected to His listeners. These accounts challenged conventional wisdom and revealed deeper spiritual truths. For example, the Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) subverted societal expectations by portraying a Samaritan, rather than a priest or Levite, as the hero who exemplified true neighborly love. The Return of Christ The Second Coming of Christ is described as an event that will occur unexpectedly. In Matthew 24:44, Jesus warns, "For this reason, you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour you do not expect." This teaching emphasizes the need for constant vigilance and preparedness among believers, as the timing of Christ's return is known only to the Father (Matthew 24:36). Human Responses to the Unexpected The Bible also records various human responses to unexpected events. Job's reaction to his sudden and severe trials (Job 1:13-22) is a testament to faith and perseverance in the face of unforeseen adversity. Similarly, the disciples' initial disbelief at the resurrection of Jesus (Luke 24:11) highlights the challenge of comprehending God's miraculous works. God's Sovereignty and Wisdom Ultimately, the unexpected in the Bible underscores God's sovereignty and wisdom. Proverbs 19:21 states, "Many plans are in a man’s heart, but the purpose of the LORD will prevail." This verse reminds believers that while humans may have their own plans and expectations, it is God's purpose that ultimately prevails, often in ways that are beyond human comprehension. In summary, the theme of the unexpected in the Bible serves to reveal God's power, challenge human understanding, and encourage faith and readiness among believers. Through unexpected events, God demonstrates His ability to work all things according to His divine plan and purpose. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (a.) Not expected; coming without warning; sudden.Greek 160. aiphnidios -- sudden ... sudden. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: aiphnidios Phonetic Spelling: (aheef-nid'-ee-os) Short Definition: unexpected, sudden Definition: unexpected ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/160.htm - 6k 3861. paradoxos -- contrary to opinion or expectation Strong's Hebrew 5235. neker -- to act or treat as foreign or strange, to disguise... strange Or noker {no'-ker}; from nakar; something strange, ie Unexpected calamity -- strange. see HEBREW nakar. 5234, 5235. neker. 5235a . Strong's Numbers /hebrew/5235.htm - 5k 4290. machtereth -- a breaking in, burglary Library Unexpected Orders How the Appointment was Kept. Of the Divine Providence in General. Book V Here She Made an End and was for Turning the Course of Her ... A Manifestation of God in Answer to Prayer The Barren Fig-Tree. The Earthquake. The Panoply of God Concerning what is in Our Own Power, that Is, Concerning Free-Will ... Of Fortune Again, and virtue. Thesaurus Unexpected (2 Occurrences)...Unexpected (2 Occurrences). ... Acts 15:19 "My judgement, therefore, is against inflicting unexpected annoyance on those of the Gentiles who are turning to God. ... /u/unexpected.htm - 7k Surprise (27 Occurrences) Chance (78 Occurrences) Vail (44 Occurrences) Uneven (1 Occurrence) Unexpectedly (5 Occurrences) Ostraca Jotham (26 Occurrences) Gibeon (39 Occurrences) Inflicting (4 Occurrences) Resources Who was Ehud? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about punctuality? | GotQuestions.org What is the “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” sermon? | GotQuestions.org Unexpected: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Unexpected (2 Occurrences)Luke 12:40 Acts 15:19 Subtopics Related Terms |
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