Topical Encyclopedia
The term "forlorn" is not directly found in the Berean Standard Bible , but the concept of being forlorn—feeling abandoned, desolate, or hopeless—is a theme that resonates throughout Scripture. This entry explores the biblical understanding of forlornness, its causes, and the divine response to such a state.
Biblical Instances and Themes1.
Desolation and Abandonment: The feeling of being forlorn is often associated with desolation and abandonment. In the Old Testament, the Israelites frequently experienced forlornness due to their disobedience and subsequent exile. For instance, in Lamentations, the prophet Jeremiah laments the desolation of Jerusalem: "How lonely lies the city, once so full of people! She who was great among the nations has become like a widow" (
Lamentations 1:1). This verse captures the profound sense of abandonment and loss.
2.
Personal Despair: Individuals in the Bible also express feelings of being forlorn. King David, in his psalms, often cries out to God from a place of deep despair. In
Psalm 22:1, he writes, "My God, my God, why have You forsaken me?" . This expression of abandonment is echoed by Jesus on the cross, highlighting the depth of human despair and the feeling of being forsaken even by God.
3.
Spiritual Forlornness: The Bible also addresses spiritual forlornness, where individuals feel distant from God. This is often a result of sin and disobedience.
Isaiah 59:2 states, "But your iniquities have built barriers between you and your God, and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He does not hear" . This separation from God is the ultimate form of forlornness, as it affects the soul's eternal state.
Divine Response to Forlornness1.
God's Presence and Comfort: Despite the feeling of being forlorn, the Bible assures believers of God's constant presence and comfort.
Psalm 34:18 declares, "The LORD is near to the brokenhearted; He saves the contrite in spirit" . God's nearness is a source of hope and healing for those who feel abandoned.
2.
Restoration and Hope: The Bible promises restoration and hope to those who are forlorn. In
Jeremiah 29:11, God reassures the exiled Israelites, "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you a future and a hope" . This promise extends to all believers, affirming that God has a purpose even in times of desolation.
3.
Jesus as the Ultimate Comforter: In the New Testament, Jesus is presented as the ultimate comforter for the forlorn. He invites those who are weary and burdened to come to Him for rest (
Matthew 11:28). Jesus' sacrifice on the cross bridges the gap between humanity and God, offering reconciliation and peace to those who feel spiritually desolate.
Practical Implications for BelieversBelievers are encouraged to seek God in times of forlornness, trusting in His promises and presence. The church community also plays a vital role in supporting those who feel abandoned, providing fellowship and encouragement. Through prayer, Scripture, and the support of fellow believers, individuals can find solace and strength in God's unfailing love and faithfulness.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
p. p.) of Forlese.
2. (v. t.) Deserted; abandoned; lost.
3. (v. t.) Destitute; helpless; in pitiful plight; wretched; miserable; almost hopeless; desperate.
4. (n.) A lost, forsaken, or solitary person.
5. (n.) A forlorn hope; a vanguard.
Strong's Hebrew
7971. shalach -- to send... 2), dispatch (1), divorce (3), divorces (1), drive (1), driving them away (1), escort
(1), escorted him away (1), extended (2), extends (1),
forlorn (1), gave
...Library
Wanted, Volunteers
... Surely the very hardness of an enterprise, the very fact that it is what a soldier
would call aforlorn hope, is in itself a call and a claim stronger than any...
Daniel, the Praying Captive
... Take only one instance: Where did they go always to find men for theforlorn
hope in Havelock's days? They went to Havelock's prayer...
The Lord Our Shepherd
... and happy and free from care, as a sheep must feel when under the care of a good
shepherd, or have you felt yourself to be like a poorforlorn sheep without a...
As the Foam Upon Water
... Hear! Come ye and be fed, ye hungry; be drunken, ye thirsty; love and be loved,
yeforlorn!".... Come, Hesper; let us see what he has for theforlorn."....
The Puritan Beginnings of the Church in virginia ---Its Decline...
... Popham and Gorges. Even brave men might hesitate to volunteer for theforlorn
hope of another experiment at colonizing. The little...
The Lord and the Leper
... force. But yonder are the men we seek for.Forlorn, and lost, full of evil,
and self-condemned, you are the characters we seek. You...
A Relation of My Imprisonment in the Month of November 1660
... Besides I thought, that seeing God of His mercy should choose me to go upon the
forlorn hope in this country; that is, to be the first, that should be opposed...
Centenary Commemoration of the Consecration of Bishop Seabury....
... with which the first stone to be relaid must have been lifted; think of the scorn
with which they who hoped to see the failure of theforlorn attempt must have...
section i.
... of one man placed by himself below them; so neither are a troop of these ignorant
Doradoes [139] of that true esteem and value, as many aforlorn person, whose...
There is a Presumption in Favor of the Bible
... But what of the winter-time, when the countryside is desolate and the trees are
leafless andforlorn, when a pall of death seems to be resting on everything?...
Thesaurus
Forlorn (3 Occurrences)... 4. (n.) A lost, forsaken, or solitary person. 5. (n.) A
forlorn hope; a vanguard.
Multi-Version Concordance
Forlorn (3 Occurrences).
...Forks (6 Occurrences)
Endeavor (3 Occurrences)
... King James Version. Then it implied utmost exertion and success; now rather
forlorn hope and possible failure. Thus the Revised...
Desolate (189 Occurrences)
... Several shades of meaning can be distinguished: (1) Its primary sense is "left lonely,"
"forlorn," eg Psalm 25:16, "Have mercy upon me; for I am desolate...
Barefoot (7 Occurrences)
... The nakedness and bare feet of the prophet Isaiah (20:2) may have been intended
to symbolize and express sympathy for theforlorn condition of captives...
Saul (371 Occurrences)
... Consults a Necromancer: Saul himself saw that his case was desperate, and that in
fact the game was up. As aforlorn hope he determined to seek occult advice....
Jehoiakim (37 Occurrences)
... of Yahweh's secret purpose clears (Habakkuk 2:1-3). If the prophets themselves are
thus having such an equivocal crisis, we can imagine howforlorn is the...
Form (153 Occurrences)
Jehovah (20094 Occurrences)
... He is to bring justice to the Gentiles. His methods are to be quiet and gentle,
and the veryforlorn hope of goodness He will not quench....
Yahweh (6653 Occurrences)
... He is to bring justice to the Gentiles. His methods are to be quiet and gentle,
and the veryforlorn hope of goodness He will not quench....
Resources
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