Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Context:Hurrying, in the biblical context, refers to the act of moving or acting with great speed or urgency. It is often associated with both positive and negative connotations, depending on the circumstances and motivations behind the haste. The Bible provides numerous instances where hurrying is depicted, offering insights into its spiritual and moral implications.
Biblical Instances and Themes:1.
Divine Prompting and Obedience: Hurrying is sometimes portrayed as a response to divine prompting or a call to obedience. In
Genesis 18:6, when Abraham receives three visitors, he hurries to prepare a meal for them, demonstrating hospitality and reverence: "So Abraham hurried into the tent to Sarah and said, 'Quick, prepare three measures of fine flour, knead it, and bake some bread.'" This instance highlights the virtue of promptness in serving others and responding to God's presence.
2.
Urgency in Deliverance: The Bible also depicts hurrying in the context of deliverance and salvation. In
Exodus 12:11, during the Passover, the Israelites are instructed to eat the Passover meal in haste: "This is how you are to eat it: with your cloak tucked into your belt, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand. Eat it in haste; it is the LORD’s Passover." This urgency underscores the immediacy of God's deliverance and the need for readiness to follow His commands.
3.
Haste Leading to Error: Conversely, hurrying can lead to rash decisions and negative outcomes.
Proverbs 19:2 warns, "Even zeal is no good without knowledge, and he who hurries his footsteps misses the mark." This verse cautions against acting impulsively without wisdom or understanding, suggesting that haste can result in mistakes and misjudgments.
4.
Jesus and Urgency in Ministry: In the New Testament, Jesus exemplifies a sense of urgency in His ministry, though not characterized by frantic haste. In
Mark 1:38, Jesus says, "Let us go on to the neighboring towns so I can preach there as well, for that is why I have come." His urgency is driven by purpose and mission, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing God's work without unnecessary delay.
5.
The Return of Christ: The theme of hurrying is also present in eschatological contexts, where believers are encouraged to live with a sense of urgency regarding the return of Christ. In
2 Peter 3:12, believers are urged to live holy lives as they "look forward to and hasten the coming of the day of God." This anticipation calls for a life of readiness and active engagement in God's work.
Moral and Spiritual Implications:Hurrying, as depicted in the Bible, carries both positive and negative implications. It can reflect a commendable zeal and readiness to obey God's commands or serve others. However, it can also lead to imprudence and error when driven by impatience or lack of discernment. The biblical narrative encourages believers to balance urgency with wisdom, ensuring that their haste aligns with God's will and purpose.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
p. pr. & vb. n.) of Hurry.
Greek
4692. speudo -- to hasten, urge on... Word Origin a prim. word Definition to hasten, urge on NASB Word Usage hastening
(1), hurried (1), hurry (2),
hurrying (1), make haste (1). hasten, hurry.
...Strong's Hebrew
4118. maher -- hastening, speedy, swift... From mahar; properly,
hurrying; hence (adverbially) in a hurry -- hasteth, hastily,
at once, quickly, soon, speedily, suddenly. see HEBREW mahar. 4117, 4118.
...2648. chaphaz -- to be in trepidation, hurry or alarm
... to be in trepidation, hurry or alarm NASB Word Usage alarm (2), alarmed (1), fled
in alarm (1), haste (1), hurried away (1), hurry (1),hurrying (1), panic (1...
Library
I Will Follow the Order of Your Letter, and Subjoin Your Very...
... "I intended to follow your example; but, since the messenger who was returning to
you washurrying back again I thought it better to write shortly to you than...
Sin Laid on Jesus
... Before a great storm when the sky is growing black and the wind is beginning to
howl, you have seen the cloudshurrying from almost every point of the compass...
The Young Titus
... The wholehurrying mass seemed to vibrate with suspense and dread. The maniac met
them.... Laodice put up her veil and looked withhurrying heart at her hostess....
The Abiding Gift and Its Transitory Accompaniments
... Like the roaring of a tempesthurrying towards them, it hushed human voices, and
each man would feel, 'Surely now the Gift comes!' Nearer and nearer it...
Jesus at the Bier
... in her grief, with her eyes fixed on the bier, has no thought for the little crowd
that came up the rocky road, as she and her friends arehurrying down it to...
Philip the Evangelist
... But at last Paul and his companions,hurrying to keep the Feast at Jerusalem, found
that they had a little time to spare when they reached Caesarea, and so...
1 Cor. Iv. 10
... letting pass the earth, the heaven, the whole creation, the Cross is what he brings
forward; so also when he desires to attract them to himselfhurrying by all...
"She Hath done what She Could. "
... I remember reading in the papers that when the theatre in Vienna was on fire a
few years ago, a man in one of the corridors washurrying out....
The First Discovery of America
... wizened old German servant of his father's, Tyrker by name, and was much vexed thereat,
for he had been brought up on the old man's knee, andhurrying off to...
My Creed Leads Me to Think that Prayer is Efficacious...
... a great feeling that when a man is praying he's doing nothing, and this feeling
makes us give undue importance to work, sometimes even to thehurrying over or...
Thesaurus
Hurrying (3 Occurrences)... Noah Webster's Dictionary (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Hurry. Multi-Version
Concordance
Hurrying (3 Occurrences). Acts 20:16 For Paul had
...Rapture (6 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) A seizing by violence; ahurrying along;
rapidity with violence. 2. (n.) The state or condition...
Breast-plates (2 Occurrences)
... breast-plates which seemed to be made of steel; and the noise caused by their wings
was like that of a vast number of horses and chariotshurrying into battle....
Steel (7 Occurrences)
... breast-plates which seemed to be made of steel; and the noise caused by their wings
was like that of a vast number of horses and chariotshurrying into battle....
Hurry (42 Occurrences)
... 5. (n.) The act ofhurrying in motion or business; pressure; urgency; bustle;
confusion. Multi-Version Concordance Hurry (42 Occurrences)....
Vast (54 Occurrences)
... breast-plates which seemed to be made of steel; and the noise caused by their wings
was like that of a vast number of horses and chariotshurrying into battle....
Caused (468 Occurrences)
... breast-plates which seemed to be made of steel; and the noise caused by their wings
was like that of a vast number of horses and chariotshurrying into battle....
Noise (126 Occurrences)
... breast-plates which seemed to be made of steel; and the noise caused by their wings
was like that of a vast number of horses and chariotshurrying into battle....
Seemed (89 Occurrences)
... breast-plates which seemed to be made of steel; and the noise caused by their wings
was like that of a vast number of horses and chariotshurrying into battle....
Isaiah (64 Occurrences)
... and had two sons: Shear-jashub, his name signifying "a remnant shall return" (Isaiah
7:3), and Maher-shalal-hash-baz, "hasting to the spoil,hurrying to the...
Resources
Who was Porcius Festus? | GotQuestions.orgHurrying: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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