Topical Encyclopedia
In biblical contexts, the term "mess" is not directly used in the Scriptures as it is understood in modern English. However, the concept of disorder, chaos, or a state of confusion can be found throughout the Bible, often as a result of sin, disobedience, or divine judgment. The Bible provides numerous examples and teachings that address the consequences of living in a state of spiritual or moral disarray.
Old Testament Context1.
The Fall of Man: The first instance of disorder entering the world is found in
Genesis 3, where Adam and Eve's disobedience leads to the fall of humanity. This act of rebellion against God's command introduces sin and chaos into the perfect order of creation.
Genesis 3:17-19 describes the curse upon the ground and the toil that results from their sin, illustrating the mess that sin brings into human existence.
2.
The Tower of Babel: In
Genesis 11, humanity's attempt to build a tower to reach the heavens results in God confusing their language and scattering them across the earth. This event highlights the disorder that arises from human pride and the attempt to live independently of God's will.
Genesis 11:9 states, "Therefore it is called Babel, because there the LORD confused the language of the whole world, and from there the LORD scattered them over the face of the whole earth."
3.
Israel's Disobedience: Throughout the history of Israel, periods of disobedience and idolatry lead to national chaos and judgment. The Book of Judges, for example, depicts a cycle of sin, oppression, repentance, and deliverance.
Judges 21:25 summarizes this era: "In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes."
New Testament Context1.
The Pharisees and Legalism: In the New Testament, Jesus often confronts the Pharisees and religious leaders for their legalistic practices, which create spiritual confusion and burden the people. In
Matthew 23:23-24 , Jesus criticizes them, saying, "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You pay tithes of mint, dill, and cumin, but you have disregarded the weightier matters of the law: justice, mercy, and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former."
2.
The Corinthian Church: The Apostle Paul addresses various issues of disorder within the Corinthian church, including divisions, immorality, and confusion over spiritual gifts. In
1 Corinthians 14:33 , Paul reminds them, "For God is not a God of disorder, but of peace—as in all the churches of the saints."
3.
The Call to Order and Peace: The New Testament emphasizes the importance of living in peace and order, both individually and within the church community. In
Colossians 3:15 , believers are encouraged, "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, for to this you were called as members of one body. And be thankful."
Theological ImplicationsThe concept of "mess" in the Bible is often associated with the consequences of sin and the human tendency to stray from God's order. The Scriptures consistently call believers to seek God's wisdom and guidance to restore order and peace in their lives. The Bible teaches that through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ, individuals can experience redemption and transformation, moving from a state of spiritual chaos to one of divine order and purpose.
Practical ApplicationBelievers are encouraged to address areas of disorder in their lives by aligning themselves with biblical principles and seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit. This involves confessing sins, pursuing righteousness, and fostering unity within the body of Christ. By doing so, Christians can reflect the peace and order that God desires for His creation, serving as a testimony to the transformative power of the Gospel.
Easton's Bible Dictionary
A portion of food given to a guest (
Genesis 43:34;
2 Samuel 11:8).
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) Mass; church service.
2. (n.) A quantity of food set on a table at one time; provision of food for a person or party for one meal; as, a mess of pottage; also, the food given to a beast at one time.
3. (n.) A number of persons who eat together, and for whom food is prepared in common; especially, persons in the military or naval service who eat at the same table; as, the wardroom mess.
4. (n.) A set of four; -- from the old practice of dividing companies into sets of four at dinner.
5. (n.) The milk given by a cow at one milking.
6. (n.) A disagreeable mixture or confusion of things; hence, a situation resulting from blundering or from misunderstanding; as, he made a mess of it.
7. (v. i.) To take meals with a mess; to belong to a mess; to eat (with others); as, I mess with the wardroom officers.
8. (v. t.) To supply with a mess.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
MESSmes (mas'eth): Any dish of food sent (Latin missum; French messe) to the table. It occurs in the Old Testament inGenesis 43:34 (twice);2 Samuel 11:8 English Versions of the Bible, and in the New Testament inHebrews 12:16, translating brosis.
Strong's Hebrew
4864. maseth -- an uprising, utterance, burden, portion... tribute (1). burden, collection, sign of fire, great flame, gift, lifting
up,
mess, oblation,. From nasa'; properly, (abstractly) a
...Library
The Common Conception among the Dregs of Darwinian Culture is that...
... humorous and energetic; your Colonel, of course, must be even more humorous and
yet more energetic " No one ever says, in reporting amess-room conversation...
List of Authorities
... Molitor: Philosophie der Geschichte. Moscovitor: Het NT en de Talmud. M?�ller:Mess.
Erwart. d. Jud.... bei d. Juden. Neumann: Gesch. d.Mess. Weissag. im AT....
"Am Ia Sea, or a Whale?"
... See, mymess-mates, the way I shall try to steer; but if the heavenly wind blows
me out of my course, don't be surprised if I tack about, and go nobody knows...
And Judas Iscariot
... Coming in from the hunt one day, weary with his exertions, he detects the savory
smell of themess of pottage, and his crafty brother says, "I will give you...
Jacob and Esau
... Esau sold it himself; he sold it for amess of pottage.... Did you not take themess
of red pottage of your own voluntary will, in lieu of the birthright?...
One Way to Help Boys
... He is not evolved; and, unless he is taken in hand by somebody who cares for him
and who understands him, he will be very apt to make amess of his life"not...
The victory of Faith.
... Esau came from the hunting-field worn and hungry; the only means of procuring the
temptingmess of his brother's pottage was the sacrifice of his father's...
Adonijah
... The luxury-loving Isaac, who must have his savoury food, just as his son, Esau,
who would sell his birthright for amess of pottage, Rebekah, who, like her...
Every Believer's Birthright.
... Esau's eyes were ultimately opened to his folly in parting with his birthright for
"onemess of meat," and he then desired to inherit the blessing, seeking it...
Celts and Celtophiles
... When a wealthy nation like the English discovers the perfectly patent fact that
it is making a ludicrousmess of the government of a poorer nation like the...
Thesaurus
Mess (3 Occurrences)... 2. (n.) A quantity of food set on a table at one time; provision of food for a person
or party for one meal; as, a
mess of pottage; also, the food given to a
...Mesopota'mia (7 Occurrences)
Mesopota'mia. Mesopotamia, Mesopota'mia.Mess . Multi-Version Concordance... (See
RSV). Mesopotamia, Mesopota'mia.Mess . Reference Bible.
Kid (42 Occurrences)
... 4. (n.) Gloves made of kid. 5. (n.) A small woodenmess tub; -- a name
given by sailors to one in which they receive their food....
Uri'ah (32 Occurrences)
... 11:8 And David said to Uriah: 'Go down to thy house, and wash thy feet.' And Uriah
departed out of the king's house, and there followed him amess of food from...
Mash (2 Occurrences)
... for making the wort. 3. (n.) A mixture of meal or bran and water fed to
animals. 4. (n.) Amess; trouble. 5. (vt) To convert into...
Morsel (14 Occurrences)
... mor'-sel (brosis): Found only in Hebrews 12:16 the King James Version, "For one
morsel of meat (the Revised Version (British and American) "mess of meat") sold...
Messes (1 Occurrence)
... Messes (1 Occurrence). Genesis 43:34 And he took and sent messes unto them from
before him: but Benjamin'smess was five times so much as any of theirs....
Pittance (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) A small allowance or wage; an allowance of food
bestowed in charity; amess of victuals; hence, a small charity gift; a dole....
Fornication (52 Occurrences)
... Hebrews 12:16 lest 'there be' any fornication, or profane person, as Esau,
who for onemess of meat sold his own birthright. (ASV)....
Message (222 Occurrences)
Resources
Does John 3:5 teach that baptism is necessary for salvation? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about inequality? | GotQuestions.orgDid Old Testament believers have eternal security? | GotQuestions.orgMess: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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