Topical Encyclopedia
Calamities, as depicted in the Bible, refer to disastrous events or situations that bring about great distress or suffering. These events are often seen as acts of divine judgment or as trials permitted by God to test and refine His people. The Bible provides numerous accounts of calamities, both natural and man-made, and offers insights into their purposes and the appropriate human response.
Biblical Examples of Calamities1.
The Great Flood: One of the most significant calamities recorded in the Bible is the Great Flood during the time of Noah. This event was a divine judgment upon the earth due to widespread wickedness.
Genesis 6:17 states, "And behold, I will bring floodwaters upon the earth to destroy every creature under the heavens that has the breath of life. Everything on the earth will perish."
2.
The Plagues of Egypt: In the book of Exodus, God sent ten plagues upon Egypt to compel Pharaoh to release the Israelites from slavery. These plagues, which included locusts, darkness, and the death of the firstborn, were acts of divine intervention.
Exodus 9:14 declares, "For this time I will send all My plagues against your heart and against your officials and your people, so you may know that there is no one like Me in all the earth."
3.
The Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah: The cities of Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed by fire and brimstone as a result of their grievous sins. This event is a powerful example of divine retribution.
Genesis 19:24-25 recounts, "Then the LORD rained down sulfur and fire on Sodom and Gomorrah—from the LORD out of the heavens. Thus He overthrew those cities and the entire plain, including all the inhabitants of the cities and everything that grew on the ground."
4.
The Babylonian Exile: The conquest of Jerusalem and the subsequent exile of the Israelites to Babylon were seen as a calamity resulting from the nation's persistent idolatry and disobedience.
Jeremiah 25:11 prophesies, "And this whole land will become a desolate wasteland, and these nations will serve the king of Babylon for seventy years."
Purpose and Response to CalamitiesCalamities in the Bible often serve as instruments of God's judgment, correction, or purification. They are intended to lead people to repentance and a deeper reliance on God. In the face of calamity, the Bible encourages believers to trust in God's sovereignty and goodness.
Romans 8:28 assures, "And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose."
The appropriate response to calamities includes prayer, repentance, and seeking God's guidance. The book of Job provides a profound exploration of human suffering and divine sovereignty. Job, despite his immense suffering, ultimately acknowledges God's wisdom and submits to His will.
Job 42:2 states, "I know that You can do all things and that no plan of Yours can be thwarted."
Calamities as a Call to RepentanceCalamities can also serve as a wake-up call for individuals and nations to turn back to God. In the New Testament, Jesus refers to calamities as opportunities for repentance. In
Luke 13:4-5 , He says, "Or those eighteen who were killed when the tower in Siloam fell on them—do you think that they were more sinful than all the others living in Jerusalem? No, I tell you. But unless you repent, you too will all perish."
ConclusionWhile calamities are often seen as negative events, the Bible presents them as opportunities for spiritual growth and renewal. They remind believers of the transient nature of life and the importance of maintaining a right relationship with God. Through faith and obedience, believers can find hope and strength even in the midst of the most challenging circumstances.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
n.) Plural of Calamity.
Strong's Hebrew
1942. havvah -- desire, chasm, destruction... Word Origin from havah Definition desire, chasm, destruction NASB Word Usage
calamities (1), calamity (1), craving (1), deadly (1), desire (2), destruction (8
...7463a. raah -- evil, misery, distress, injury
... Origin from the same as roa Definition evil, misery, distress, injury NASB Word
Usage adversities (1), adversity (7), afflictions (1),calamities (1), calamity...
Library
TheCalamities and Slaughters that came Upon the Jews.
... CHAPTER 18. TheCalamities And Slaughters That Came Upon The Jews. 1. Now
the people of Cesarea had slain the Jews that were among...
TheCalamities of the Jews During Trajan's Reign.
... Book IV. Chapter II."TheCalamities of the Jews during Trajan's Reign.
1. The teaching and the Church of our Saviour flourished...
Calamities of the Barbarians who had Been the Usurper John's...
... Book VII. Chapter XLIII."Calamities of the Barbarians who had been the
Usurper John's Allies. After the death of the usurper, the...
Calamities Suffered by the People after the Expulsion of John. The...
... Book VIII. Chapter XXI."Calamities suffered by the People after the Expulsion
of John. The Plots against him of Assassination....
Letter iii. --On PublicCalamities.
... FIFTH BOOK: FRESH TRIALS, SUFFERINGS AND PRIVATIONS. Letter III."On Public
Calamities. To... Viom??nil. On publiccalamities and disasters....
Because of the Christians, My Opponents Say, the Gods Inflict Upon...
... Book I. 13 Because of the Christians, my opponents say, the gods inflict
upon us allcalamities? Because of the Christians, my...
Thus You See I Can Make Merry withCalamities
... THE THIRD CENTURY 48 Thus you see I can make merry withcalamities. Thus
you see I can make merry withcalamities, and while I grieve...
To Talk Now of the Necessity of Bearing allCalamities and...
... THE THIRD CENTURY 34 To talk now of the necessity of bearing allcalamities
and persecutions in preaching is little. To talk now...
The Psalmist Bears Witness that Divine Justice Employs Certain...
... Chapter XXXII. The Psalmist bears witness that divine justice employs certain
evil angels to inflictcalamities upon? The Psalmist...
The Christians are not the Cause of PublicCalamities: There were...
... Book I. Chapter IX. "The Christians are Not the Cause of PublicCalamities:
There Were Such Troubles Before Christianity. But...
Thesaurus
Calamities (16 Occurrences)... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) Plural of Calamity. Multi-Version Concordance
Calamities (16 Occurrences). 2 Corinthians 6:4 but in
...Affliction (120 Occurrences)
... A great place is given in the Old Testament to affliction as a national experience,
due tocalamities, such as war, invasion, conquest by foreign peoples, exile...
Calah (2 Occurrences)
Overpast (2 Occurrences)
... unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee: yea, in the shadow
of thy wings will I make my refuge, until thesecalamities be overpast....
Wormwood (10 Occurrences)
... Wormwood is used of bittercalamities (of Lamentations 3:15), and may here indicate
some judgment, inflicted under a noted leader, affecting chiefly the...
Idolatry (14 Occurrences)
... the extermination of the Canaanites was the punishment of their idolatry (Exodus
34:15, 16; Deuteronomy 7; 12:29-31; 20:17), and that thecalamities of the...
Thick (129 Occurrences)
... Revelation 18:8 "For this reasoncalamities shall come thick upon her on a single
day--death and sorrow and famine--and she shall be burned to the ground....
Thanksgiving (49 Occurrences)
... also, a day set apart for religious services, specially to acknowledge the goodness
of God, either in any remarkable deliverance fromcalamities or danger, or...
Trusteth (30 Occurrences)
... unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee: yea, in the shadow
of thy wings will I make my refuge, until thesecalamities be overpast....
Resources
What is the problem of good? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about acceptance? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the Song of Moses (Deuteronomy 32:1 43)? | GotQuestions.orgCalamities: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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