Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Context:Pleading, in a biblical context, refers to the act of earnestly appealing or entreating, often in prayer or supplication to God. It involves a heartfelt request or petition, typically characterized by humility and a deep sense of need. Pleading can also occur in human interactions, where one person earnestly requests something from another.
Biblical Examples:1.
Abraham's Intercession for Sodom (Genesis 18:22-33): Abraham's dialogue with God concerning the fate of Sodom is a profound example of pleading. Abraham approaches God with humility and reverence, repeatedly asking if the city would be spared for the sake of a diminishing number of righteous people. His persistent intercession highlights the nature of pleading as a respectful yet earnest appeal to God's mercy and justice.
2.
Moses' Plea for Israel (Exodus 32:11-14): After the Israelites sinned by worshiping the golden calf, Moses pleaded with God to spare them from destruction. He appealed to God's promises and reputation among the nations, demonstrating how pleading can involve reminding God of His covenant and character. Moses' intercession resulted in God relenting from the planned disaster.
3.
Hannah's Prayer for a Child (1 Samuel 1:9-20): Hannah's heartfelt plea for a son is a poignant example of personal supplication. In her deep distress, she prayed earnestly to the Lord, vowing to dedicate her child to God's service. Her persistent and sincere pleading was heard, and God granted her request, leading to the birth of Samuel.
4.
David's Pleas in the Psalms: The Psalms are replete with examples of David's pleading with God. In
Psalm 51, David pleads for mercy and forgiveness after his sin with Bathsheba, saying, "Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your loving devotion; according to Your great compassion, blot out my transgressions" (
Psalm 51:1). His pleas often reflect a deep awareness of personal sin and a reliance on God's grace.
5.
Jesus' Prayer in Gethsemane (Matthew 26:36-44): In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus pleaded with the Father, asking if it were possible for the cup of suffering to be taken from Him. His repeated prayers, "My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me. Yet not as I will, but as You will" (
Matthew 26:39), demonstrate submission to God's will even in the midst of earnest pleading.
Theological Significance:Pleading in the Bible often reflects a deep relationship with God, characterized by trust, humility, and dependence. It acknowledges God's sovereignty and goodness while expressing human need and desire. Pleading is not merely about changing God's mind but aligning oneself with His will and purposes. It is an act of faith, believing that God hears and responds to the cries of His people.
Practical Application:Believers are encouraged to approach God with their needs and desires, confident in His love and power to act. Pleading should be done with a heart of humility, recognizing God's ultimate wisdom and authority. It is a vital aspect of prayer life, fostering a deeper connection with God and reliance on His provision and guidance.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
p. pr. & vb. n.) of Plead.
2. (n.) The act of advocating, defending, or supporting, a cause by arguments.
Greek
3870. parakaleo -- to call to or for, to exhort, to encourage... 3), exhorts (1), given (1), implore (4), implored (9), imploring (5), invited (2),
making an appeal (1), plead (1), pleaded (1),
pleading (1), preach (1
...Strong's Hebrew
7379. rib -- strife, dispute... 2), strife (13), suit (2). adversary, cause, chiding, contention, controversy,
multitude,
pleading, strife,. Or rib {reeb}; from
...Library
Pleading
...Pleading. A Sermon (No.1018). Delivered on Lord's-day Morning, October 29th, 1871
by. CH SPURGEON,. At the Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington....
The LastPleading of Love
... D.; ST. MATTHEW Chaps. XVIII to XXVIII THE LASTPLEADING OF LOVE.... II. Then,
secondly, we have here"thepleading of Christ's patient love....
ThePleading Note in Prayer
... THEPLEADING NOTE IN PRAYER.... But our use of the word prayer this morning will be
limited to these two elements in all true prayer"petition andpleading....
Pleading for and with Youth.
... HYMNS before annual Sermons to young people, on new-years evenings. Hymn 11Pleading
for and with youth. William Cowper 8,6,8,6.Pleading for and with youth....
Pleading in Prayer.
... ORIGINAL HYMNS HYMN LXXIII.Pleading in Prayer. 8.8.8.8 James Montgomery.
Pleading in Prayer. How shall a contrite spirit pray,....
Psalm 123.Pleading with Submission.
... THE Psalms of David, In Metre. Psalm 123.Pleading with submission. 1 O thou
whose grace and justice reign Enthron'd above the skies...
Pleading for Mercy. Ps 6
... PSALMS Hymn 45Pleading for mercy. Ps 6. John Newton 8,6,8,6.Pleading for mercy.
Psalm 6. In mercy, not in wrath, rebuke. Thy feeble worm, my God!...
Psalm 123Pleading with Submission.
... THE PSALMS OF DAVID PSALM 123Pleading with submission. CMPleading with submission.
O thou whose grace and justice reign. Enthroned above the skies,....
The Sons'Pleading.
... Book VII. Chapter XXXVI."The Sons'Pleading. But she declared with an
oath, in presence of my lord Peter's wife, that from the...
Psalm 74. The ChurchPleading with God under Sore Persecutions.
... THE Psalms of David, In Metre. Psalm 74. The churchpleading with God
under sore persecutions. 1 Will God for ever cast us off?...
Thesaurus
Pleading (12 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Pleading (12 Occurrences). Mark 1:40 One day there came
a leper to Jesus entreating Him, and
pleading on his knees.
...Gesture
... 2:8); "lifting up the hands" was synonymous with prayer (Psalm 77:2; Psalm 141:2
Lamentations 2:19 1 Timothy 2:8); falling on the knees inpleading (1 Kings 1...
Issue (59 Occurrences)
... 10. (n.) Inpleading, a single material point of law or fact... 18. (vi) Inpleading,
to come to a point in fact or law, on which the parties join issue. 19....
Departure (22 Occurrences)
... 5. (n.) The desertion by a party to anypleading of the ground taken by him
in his last antecedentpleading, and the adoption of another....
Pleadeth (9 Occurrences)
Verify (1 Occurrence)
... the authenticity of by examination or competent evidence; to authenticate; as, to
verify a written statement; to verify an account, apleading, or the like....
Knees (47 Occurrences)
... King of the Jews. (BBE). Mark 1:40 One day there came a leper to Jesus
entreating Him, andpleading on his knees. "If you are willing...
Unreservedly (1 Occurrence)
... Philippians 4:6 Do not be over-anxious about anything, but by prayer and earnest
pleading, together with thanksgiving, let your request be unreservedly made...
Onias
... Onias remonstrated in vain,pleading for the "deposits of widows and orphans."
Heliodorus persisted in the object of his mission....
Over-anxious (6 Occurrences)
... Philippians 4:6 Do not be over-anxious about anything, but by prayer and earnest
pleading, together with thanksgiving, let your request be unreservedly made...
Resources
Is pleading the blood of Jesus biblical? | GotQuestions.orgWhat did Jesus mean when He said, “I stand at the door and knock” (Revelation 3:20)? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Jairus in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgPleading: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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