Topical Encyclopedia
In the context of the Bible, the concept of "expecting" often relates to themes of hope, anticipation, and faith in God's promises. The act of expecting is deeply rooted in the biblical narrative, where individuals and communities are called to wait upon the Lord with trust and confidence.
Old Testament ExpectationThe Old Testament is replete with examples of expectation, particularly in the lives of the patriarchs and prophets. Abraham is a quintessential figure of expectation, as he awaited the fulfillment of God's promise to make him a great nation.
Genesis 15:5-6 recounts God's promise to Abraham: "And the LORD took him outside and said, 'Now look to the heavens and count the stars, if you are able.' Then He told him, 'So shall your offspring be.' Abram believed the LORD, and it was credited to him as righteousness."
The Israelites, during their bondage in Egypt, lived in expectation of deliverance. This expectation was fulfilled through Moses, as God led His people out of slavery and towards the Promised Land. The anticipation of a Messiah is another significant theme, with prophets like Isaiah foretelling the coming of a Savior.
Isaiah 9:6 declares, "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be upon His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."
New Testament ExpectationIn the New Testament, expectation is centered on the arrival and work of Jesus Christ. The birth of Jesus is the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies, and His life and ministry are marked by the anticipation of the Kingdom of God. The Gospel of Luke highlights the expectation of Simeon, a devout man who awaited the consolation of Israel.
Luke 2:25-26 states, "Now there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. The Holy Spirit had revealed to him that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ."
The early church lived in expectation of Christ's return, a theme that permeates the epistles. Paul, in his letter to the Romans, speaks of the eager expectation of creation for the revealing of the sons of God.
Romans 8:19 says, "The creation waits in eager expectation for the revelation of the sons of God."
Expecting in the Life of BelieversFor believers, expecting is an integral part of faith. It involves trusting in God's timing and His promises, even when circumstances seem uncertain.
Hebrews 11, often referred to as the "Faith Chapter," provides numerous examples of individuals who lived by faith, expecting God's promises to be fulfilled.
Hebrews 11:1 defines faith as "the assurance of what we hope for and the certainty of what we do not see."
The expectation of Christ's second coming is a central tenet of Christian eschatology. Believers are encouraged to live in a state of readiness and anticipation, as expressed in
Titus 2:13 : "as we await the blessed hope and glorious appearance of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ."
Practical Implications of ExpectingIn practical terms, expecting involves a posture of prayer, patience, and perseverance.
Philippians 4:6-7 advises believers, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
Expecting also calls for active engagement in the world, as believers are to work diligently while awaiting the fulfillment of God's promises.
James 5:7-8 encourages patience and steadfastness: "Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the soil—how patient he is for the fall and spring rains. You too, be patient and strengthen your hearts, because the Lord’s coming is near."
In summary, expecting in the biblical sense is a dynamic and hopeful anticipation rooted in faith, characterized by trust in God's promises, and manifested in a life of prayerful readiness and active service.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
p. pr. & vb. n.) of Expect.
Greek
3385. meti -- can this be? (interrog. particleexpecting a neg....... 3384, 3385. meti. 3386 . can this be? (interrog. particle
expecting a neg.
... of
tis Definition can this be? (interrog. particle
expecting a neg.
...5282. huponoeo -- to suspect, conjecture
... Word Origin from hupo and noeo Definition to suspect, conjecture NASB Word Usage
expecting (1), suppose (1), surmise (1). think, suppose, deem....
560. apelpizo -- to despair of
... in return. Word Origin from apo and elpizo Definition to despair of NASB
Word Usageexpecting in return (1). fully expect. From apo...
4328. prosdokao -- to await, expect
... Word Origin from pros and dokeuo (to watch) Definition to await, expect NASB Word
Usage expect (2),expecting (2), look (4), looking (2), state of expectation...
4329. prosdokia -- expectation
... waiting. Word Origin from prosdokao Definition expectation NASB Word Usage
expectation (1),expecting (1). expectation, looking after....
687. ara -- an untranslatable interrog. particle implying anxiety...
... Part of Speech: Particle, Interrogative Transliteration: ara Phonetic Spelling:
(ar'-ah) Short Definition: a particle asking a question,expecting a negative...
Library
But to See the Exceeding Folly ofExpecting Ability in Divine...
... Address 145: But to see the exceeding folly ofexpecting ability in divine
knowledge? But to see the exceeding folly ofexpecting...
Hebrews x. 13-Aug
... But this [man] after He had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on
the right hand of God, from henceforthexpecting till His enemies be made His...
A People Prepared for the Lord
... not guarantee it." "Ah!" I said, "I see that you have taken the word 'expect' in
the wrong sense; but I think, dear friend, that if you comeexpecting to be...
Preface.
... It is due the first, to say that he wrote what is here called his Autobiography
in great physical weakness, and withoutexpecting that it would appear in this...
The Transfiguration
... required to exercise. This was very different from what they wereexpecting
and must have been very discouraging to them. They did...
The Waiting Christ.
... "But this man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at
the right hand of God, from henceforthexpecting till His enemies be made His...
How we Don't Get In, and How we Do.
... Some of us seem to be fullyexpecting to walk into the presence of God, and to get
all there is to be gotten there, because of the family we belong to....
Kingdom and Patience
... all this "with Jesus," for "this man after he had offered one sacrifice for sins
for ever, sat down on the right hand of God from henceforthexpecting till his...
Letter xxiv (Circa AD 1126) to Oger, Regular Canon
... You act, in consulting me, as a sheep who seeks wool from a goat, a millexpecting
water from an oven, a wise manexpecting sound counsel from a fool....
Acts xxiv. 22, 23
... the charges. Howbeit, to gratify them, he detained him, and besides,
expecting to receive money, he called for Paul. "And after...
Thesaurus
Expecting (22 Occurrences)... Noah Webster's Dictionary (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Expect. Multi-Version Concordance
Expecting (22 Occurrences). Matthew 24:50 the master
...Uncommon (2 Occurrences)
... Acts 28:6 and they wereexpecting him to be about to be inflamed, or to fall down
suddenly dead, and they,expecting 'it' a long time, and seeing nothing...
Inflamed (8 Occurrences)
... Acts 28:6 and they wereexpecting him to be about to be inflamed, or to fall down
suddenly dead, and they,expecting 'it' a long time, and seeing nothing...
Lend (21 Occurrences)
... (7) Jesus teaches that His followers should lend, even to enemies, to men from whom
they have no reasonable hope ofexpecting anything in return, because thus...
Happening (17 Occurrences)
... Acts 28:6 and they wereexpecting him to be about to be inflamed, or to fall down
suddenly dead, and they,expecting 'it' a long time, and seeing nothing...
Expectingly (7 Occurrences)
Jesus (10891 Occurrences)
... He was, they think,expecting the heavens to open and the kingdom to descend ready
made to the earth, like the New Jerusalem in the Apocalypse....
Kind (290 Occurrences)
... Luke 6:35 But love your enemies, and do good, and lend,expecting nothing back;
and your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High; for...
Nazareth (29 Occurrences)
... Nathanael held the same opinion as his countrymen, and believed that the great
"good" which they were allexpecting could not come from Nazareth....
Unfaithful (58 Occurrences)
... Luke 12:46 then the lord of that servant will come in a day when he isn'texpecting
him, and in an hour that he doesn't know, and will cut him in two, and...
Resources
What does the Bible say about lending money? | GotQuestions.orgHow should Christians react to persecution against the LGBTQ community? | GotQuestions.orgWhere/how do you draw the line between helping someone and allowing someone to take advantage of you? | GotQuestions.orgExpecting: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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