Topical Encyclopedia
In the context of the Bible, the concept of "challenge" can be understood as a test of faith, character, or obedience that individuals face in their spiritual journey. Challenges are often depicted as opportunities for growth, refinement, and demonstration of faithfulness to God. Throughout Scripture, various figures encounter challenges that test their reliance on God and their commitment to His commandments.
Old Testament Examples1.
Abraham's Test of Faith: One of the most profound challenges in the Old Testament is Abraham's test of faith when God commands him to sacrifice his son Isaac. This challenge is a pivotal moment that demonstrates Abraham's unwavering trust in God. "Then God said, 'Take your son, your only son, whom you love—Isaac—and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you'" (
Genesis 22:2). Abraham's obedience is rewarded, and God provides a ram as a substitute for Isaac, reaffirming His covenant with Abraham.
2.
Job's Trials: The Book of Job presents a narrative of immense personal challenge. Job, a righteous man, faces severe trials, including the loss of his wealth, health, and family. Despite his suffering, Job remains steadfast in his faith, declaring, "Though He slay me, I will hope in Him. I will surely defend my ways to His face" (
Job 13:15). Job's endurance through adversity exemplifies the testing of faith and the ultimate sovereignty of God.
New Testament Examples1.
Jesus' Temptation: In the New Testament, Jesus Himself faces challenges, notably during His temptation in the wilderness. After fasting for forty days, Jesus is tempted by Satan to abandon His mission. Jesus responds to each temptation with Scripture, demonstrating His commitment to God's will: "Jesus answered, 'It is written: Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God'" (
Matthew 4:4). This episode highlights the importance of Scripture in overcoming spiritual challenges.
2.
Paul's Perseverance: The Apostle Paul frequently encountered challenges in his ministry, including persecution, imprisonment, and physical hardships. Despite these obstacles, Paul remained resolute in spreading the Gospel. He writes to the Corinthians, "We are hard pressed on all sides, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed" (
2 Corinthians 4:8-9). Paul's perseverance serves as an example of enduring faith amidst trials.
Theological InsightsChallenges in the Bible often serve a dual purpose: they test the faith of individuals and reveal the faithfulness of God.
James 1:2-4 encourages believers to view challenges as opportunities for growth: "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you encounter trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Allow perseverance to finish its work, so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."
The biblical narrative consistently portrays challenges as integral to the believer's journey, shaping character and deepening reliance on God. Through challenges, believers are called to trust in God's promises and His ultimate plan for their lives, knowing that He works all things for the good of those who love Him (
Romans 8:28).
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) An invitation to engage in a contest or controversy of any kind; a defiance; specifically, a summons to fight a duel; also, the letter or message conveying the summons.
2. (n.) The act of a sentry in halting any one who appears at his post, and demanding the countersign.
3. (n.) A claim or demand.
4. (n.) The opening and crying of hounds at first finding the scent of their game.
5. (n.) An exception to a juror or to a member of a court martial, coupled with a demand that he should be held incompetent to act; the claim of a party that a certain person or persons shall not sit in trial upon him or his cause.
6. (n.) An exception to a person as not legally qualified to vote. The challenge must be made when the ballot is offered.
7. (n.) To call to a contest of any kind; to call to answer; to defy.
8. (n.) To call, invite, or summon to answer for an offense by personal combat.
9. (n.) To claim as due; to demand as a right.
10. (n.) To censure; to blame.
11. (n.) To question or demand the countersign from (one who attempts to pass the lines); as, the sentinel challenged us, with Who comes there?
12. (n.) To take exception to; question; as, to challenge the accuracy of a statement or of a quotation.
13. (n.) To object to or take exception to, as to a juror, or member of a court.
14. (n.) To object to the reception of the vote of, as on the ground that the person in not qualified as a voter.
15. (v. i.) To assert a right; to claim a place.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
CHALLENGEchal'-enj: Only inExodus 22:9, where the King James Version has taken Hebrew 'amar, "say," in the sense of "claim." the Revised Version (British and American) "whereof one saith, This is it," points more definitely to the idea of identification of the stolen personal property.
Greek
4292. prokaleo -- to call forth,challenge... to call forth,
challenge. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: prokaleo Phonetic
Spelling: (prok-al-eh'-om-ahee) Short Definition: I provoke, stimulate
...2347. thlipsis -- tribulation
... 2347 ("compression, tribulation") carries thechallenge of coping with the pressure
of a , especially when feeling there is "no way of escape" ("hemmed in")....
2092. hetoimos -- prepared
... 2092 (from , "fitting") -- because; "standing by," ready to meet the opportunity
(challenge) at hand; because the necessary are (or are sure to happen as needed...
Strong's Hebrew
559. amar -- to utter, say... answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify,
challenge,. A
primitive root; to say (used with great latitude) -- answer
...Library
AChallenge and a Shield
... AChallenge and a Shield. A Sermon (No.2240). Intended for Reading on
Lord's-Day, January 24th, 1892,. Delivered by. CH SPURGEON,. At...
The Believer'sChallenge
... The Believer'sChallenge. A Sermon (No.256).... He is safe, and he must be saved, though
all things pass away. And now this brings me to thechallenge....
A Review and aChallenge
... A Review And AChallenge. The Social Principles of Jesus Demand Personal Allegiance
and Social Action... To those four men Jesus was an incarnatechallenge....
Challenge to the Accusers as to the Alleged Letter.
... Chapter II. 11.Challenge to the accusers as to the alleged letter. Now I have
already called upon God, and His Word, the Only-begotten...
AChallenge.
... Homily IV. Chapter VIII."AChallenge. I answered: "I accept, indeed, your kindly
affection towards me, but I take exception to your ignorance....
Challenge by Caiaphas.
... Book I. Chapter XLIV."Challenge by Caiaphas. "But when we twelve apostles,
on the day of the passover, had come together with...
Simon'sChallenge.
... Book II. Chapter XXXII."Simon'sChallenge. Then said Simon: "I am astonished
at your folly. For you so propound the words of your...
Simon'sChallenge.
... Homily III. Chapter XXXVIII."Simon'sChallenge. When Peter had thus spoken,
Simon, at the outside of the crowd, cried aloud: [978...
TheChallenge of Christ's Authority.
... TUESDAY"THE DAY OF CONTROVERSY THECHALLENGE OF CHRIST'S AUTHORITY. And
they came again to Jerusalem. And all the people came...
The SocialChallenge to the Church
... CHAPTER IV THE SOCIALCHALLENGE TO THE CHURCH. The task of the minister
is primarily to deal with man, either in his own personal...
Thesaurus
Challenge (6 Occurrences)... The
challenge must be made when the ballot is offered.
... 12. (n.) To take exception
to; question; as, to
challenge the accuracy of a statement or of a quotation.
...Defy (10 Occurrences)
... 2. (vt) To provoke to combat or strife; to call out to combat; tochallenge; to
dare; to brave; to set at defiance; to treat with contempt; as, to defy an enemy...
Dare (19 Occurrences)
... 2. (vt) To have courage for; to attempt courageously; to venture to do or to undertake.
3. (vt) Tochallenge; to provoke; to defy.... 5. (n.) Defiance;challenge....
Elamites (2 Occurrences)
... of Ur (4) Elam Becomes Predominant 2280 Years BC (5) The Extension of Elamite Authority
Westward (6) Babylonia Again Supreme (7) Hurbatila'sChallenge to Kuri...
Elam (24 Occurrences)
... of Ur (4) Elam Becomes Predominant 2280 Years BC (5) The Extension of Elamite Authority
Westward (6) Babylonia Again Supreme (7) Hurbatila'sChallenge to Kuri...
Separate (115 Occurrences)
... house of one named Marcellus, whom the magician had seduced, and when Simon refused
to see him, Peter unloosed a dog and bade it go and deliver hischallenge....
Vie (2 Occurrences)
... 5. (n.) A contest for superiority; competition; rivalry; strife; also, achallenge;
a wager. Multi-Version Concordance Vie (2 Occurrences)....
Ventured (5 Occurrences)
... question to Him. (WEY). Luke 20:40 From that time, however, no one ventured
tochallenge Him with a single question. (WEY). John 21...
Impeach (3 Occurrences)
... 4. (vt) Tochallenge or discredit the credibility of, as of a witness, or the validity
of, as of commercial paper. 5. (n.) Hindrance; impeachment....
Forbid (46 Occurrences)
... 5. (vt) To accurse; to blast. 6. (vt) To defy; tochallenge. 7. (vi) To utter a
prohibition; to prevent; to hinder. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. FORBID....
Resources
What is the blasphemy challenge? | GotQuestions.orgWith all of the different religions, how can I know which one is correct? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Gandhi? | GotQuestions.orgChallenge: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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