Topical Encyclopedia
The term "intermittent" refers to something that occurs at irregular intervals, not continuously or steadily. While the word itself does not appear in the Bible, the concept of intermittent events or actions can be observed throughout the Scriptures. These occurrences often serve as divine interventions, judgments, or blessings that happen at specific times according to God's sovereign plan.
Intermittent Divine InterventionsThroughout the Bible, God intervenes in the lives of His people at various times, often in response to their prayers or needs. For example, the Israelites experienced intermittent periods of deliverance during the time of the Judges. When the Israelites turned away from God, He allowed them to be oppressed by their enemies. However, when they cried out to Him, He raised up judges to deliver them. This cycle of sin, oppression, repentance, and deliverance is a clear example of intermittent divine intervention (
Judges 2:16-19).
Intermittent JudgmentsGod's judgments are sometimes intermittent, occurring at specific times to correct or punish His people. The plagues of Egypt, as described in the book of Exodus, are a prime example. These plagues were not continuous but occurred at intervals, each one demonstrating God's power and authority over the false gods of Egypt. The intermittent nature of these plagues served to harden Pharaoh's heart while also providing opportunities for repentance (Exodus 7-11).
Intermittent BlessingsThe Bible also records instances of intermittent blessings, where God provides for His people in specific ways at particular times. The manna provided to the Israelites in the wilderness is an example of an intermittent blessing. It appeared daily, except on the Sabbath, teaching the Israelites to rely on God's provision and to observe His commandments (
Exodus 16:4-5, 22-30).
Intermittent Prophetic RevelationsProphetic revelations in the Bible often occur intermittently, given at specific times to convey God's message to His people. The prophets of the Old Testament, such as Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel, received visions and words from the Lord at various times, often in response to the spiritual state of Israel or Judah. These revelations were not continuous but were given as needed to guide, warn, or encourage God's people (
Jeremiah 1:4-10;
Ezekiel 1:1-3).
Intermittent Spiritual ExperiencesBelievers may also experience intermittent spiritual encounters or moments of divine insight. The Apostle Paul, for instance, had several significant spiritual experiences, such as his conversion on the road to Damascus (
Acts 9:3-6) and his vision of the third heaven (
2 Corinthians 12:2-4). These experiences were not constant but occurred at pivotal moments in his life and ministry.
In summary, while the Bible does not use the term "intermittent," the concept is evident in the way God interacts with His creation. Whether through interventions, judgments, blessings, prophetic revelations, or spiritual experiences, these intermittent occurrences demonstrate God's sovereignty and His purposeful engagement with humanity.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
a.) Coming and going at intervals; alternating; recurrent; periodic; as, an intermittent fever.
2. (n.) An intermittent fever or disease.
Library
The Rhythm of Life
... Motion, he says, though it seems to be continuous and steady, is in fact pulsating,
undulatory, rhythmic. There is everywhereintermittent action and rest....
Jesus at Bethesda.
... There were various pools around Jerusalem which were used for bathing, and more
than one now fed byintermittent springs which agitate the water at intervals....
The Earnest and the Inheritance
... How partial, how fragmentary, how clouded with doubts and blank ignorance,
howintermittent, and, alas! rare, is our knowledge of Him....
The Blessing of God.
... unspeakable"; adjectives far more moderate would be found strong enough to express
all they know of oft-troubled peace andintermittent satisfaction and...
Private Prayer, and Public Worship.
... our own life? These texts, we bear in mind, represent not something casual
orintermittent in the life of our Lord. They stand in...
The Secondary Division or Teen Age Boys' Crusade
... The Older Boys' City-wide Conference is outlined in the previous chapter. It is
a good, butintermittent, form of Inter-Sunday school activity for boys....
Sabbath Cure at Bethesda.
... Healing. It seems to have been anintermittent spring, which possessed
some healing virtue for a certain class of ailments. Its...
Intercourse of Jesus with the Pagans and the Samaritans.
... for the miserable disputes of casuists, and a source of superstitious beliefs.[1]
It was believed that Nature observed it; allintermittent springs were...
The Great Debt She Owed to Our Lord for his Mercy to Her. She...
... thus I was exceedingly happy when I saw myself free from those pains which were
so sharp and constant, though in the cold fits of anintermittent fever, which...
Translator's Preface. In the Providence of God
... I slept but an hour or two, and had, besides, almost every day theintermittent
fever; but, notwithstanding, I continued to write without inconvenience and...
Thesaurus
Intermittent (1 Occurrence)... 1. (a.) Coming and going at intervals; alternating; recurrent; periodic; as, an
intermittent fever. 2. (n.) An
intermittent fever or disease.
...Ague (1 Occurrence)
... 2. (n.) Anintermittent fever, attended by alternate cold and hot fits. 3. (n.)
The cold fit or rigor of theintermittent fever; as, fever and ague....
Bethesda (1 Occurrence)
... explanation except by the well-known phenomenon, by no means uncommon in Syria and
always considered the work of a supernatural being, of anintermittent spring...
Jerusalem (782 Occurrences)
... to this some authorities would deny the name of true spring on account of the
comparatively shallow source of its origin; this is theintermittent spring known...
Gihon (6 Occurrences)
... The spring isintermittent in character, "bursting up" at intervals: this feature
may account for the name Gihon and for its sacred characters....
Intermission (2 Occurrences)
Internal (1 Occurrence)
Fever (13 Occurrences)
... Of these the most prevalent is ague orintermittent malarial fever, which is common
in all parts but especially in low-lying districts or places where there...
Fountain (57 Occurrences)
... This spring has the singular characteristic of beingintermittent, flowing from
three to five times daily in winter, twice daily in summer, and only once daily...
Enrogel (4 Occurrences)
... The older view identifies En-rogel with the spring known variously as "the Virgin's
Fount," `Ain sitti Miriam and `Ain Umm el deraj, anintermittent source of...
Resources
Who was Gandhi? | GotQuestions.orgWho was the real historical Jesus? | GotQuestions.orgIntermittent: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
