Topical Encyclopedia
In the biblical context, the concept of preserving encompasses both the physical and spiritual dimensions of life. It refers to God's providential care and protection over His creation, His people, and His Word. The theme of preservation is woven throughout Scripture, illustrating God's faithfulness and sovereignty.
Divine PreservationGod's role as the preserver of life is a recurring theme in the Bible. In
Genesis 45:5-7, Joseph acknowledges God's hand in preserving life through his trials: "And now, do not be distressed or angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you. For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will be no plowing or reaping. But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance."
The Psalms frequently highlight God's preserving power.
Psalm 121:7-8 declares, "The LORD will guard you from all evil; He will preserve your soul. The LORD will watch over your coming and going, both now and forevermore." This passage emphasizes God's comprehensive protection over His people, safeguarding them from harm and ensuring their spiritual well-being.
Preservation of the RighteousThe Bible assures believers of God's special care for the righteous.
Proverbs 2:8 states, "He guards the paths of justice and protects the way of His saints." This protection is not merely physical but extends to moral and spiritual guidance, ensuring that the faithful remain on the path of righteousness.
In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul speaks of God's preserving power in
2 Timothy 4:18 : "The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and will bring me safely into His heavenly kingdom. To Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen." Here, Paul expresses confidence in God's ability to preserve him through trials and ultimately bring him to eternal life.
Preservation of God's WordThe preservation of Scripture is another significant aspect of biblical preservation.
Isaiah 40:8 affirms, "The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever." This verse underscores the enduring nature of God's Word, which remains unchanged and authoritative throughout generations.
Jesus Himself affirmed the preservation of Scripture in
Matthew 5:18 : "For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not a single jot, not a stroke of a pen, will disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished." This assurance highlights the divine safeguarding of the Scriptures, ensuring their reliability and truth.
Preservation through ObedienceWhile God is the ultimate preserver, Scripture also calls believers to participate in their own preservation through obedience and faithfulness. In
Jude 1:21 , believers are exhorted to "keep yourselves in the love of God as you await the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you eternal life." This verse encourages active engagement in maintaining one's spiritual health and readiness for Christ's return.
The Apostle Peter also emphasizes the role of personal diligence in preservation. In
2 Peter 3:17-18 , he warns, "Therefore, beloved, since you already know these things, be on your guard so that you will not be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from your secure standing. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." Here, Peter highlights the importance of spiritual growth and vigilance in maintaining one's faith.
ConclusionThe biblical theme of preserving reflects God's unwavering commitment to His creation, His people, and His Word. Through divine protection, the assurance of His promises, and the call to faithful obedience, believers are encouraged to trust in God's preserving power throughout their lives.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
p. pr. & vb. n.) of Preserve.
Greek
4047. peripoiesis -- preservation, acquisition... Word Origin from peripoieo Definition preservation, acquisition NASB Word Usage
gain (1), obtaining (1), possession (2),
preserving (1).
...Library
Psalm 138. Restoring andPreserving Grace.
... THE Psalms of David, In Metre. Psalm 138. Restoring andpreserving grace.
1 [With all my powers of heart and tongue I'll praise...
Psalm 138 Restoring andPreserving Grace.
... THE PSALMS OF DAVID PSALM 138 Restoring andpreserving grace. LM Restoring and
preserving grace. [With all my powers of heart and tongue....
Christ, byPreserving his Flesh Incorrupt in virginity, Draws to...
... Chapter V."Christ, byPreserving His Flesh Incorrupt in Virginity, Draws to the
Exercise of Virginity; The Small Number of Virgins in Proportion to the...
Preserving the Text.
...Preserving the Text. Believing fully and firmly that the Scriptures are
the word of God, we have sought to preserve all that is...
How the Senators Determined to Restore the Democracy; but the...
... CHAPTER 2. How The Senators Determined To Restore The Democracy; But The Soldiers
Were ForPreserving The Monarchy, Concerning The Slaughter Of Caius's Wife...
Extracts No. 1.
... men who lived in other ages of the world, and under very different circumstances
from ourselves; whose opinions, all of which are worthpreserving, might be...
By, Through, Unto
... away,' and he says 'it is reserved in Heaven for you who are kept.' So, then, the
same power is working on both sides of the veil,preserving the inheritance...
The Credibility of Scripture Sufficiently Proved in So Far as...
... The last part exhibits the proofs drawn from ecclesiastical history, the perpetual
consent of the Church in receiving andpreserving divine truth, the...
In Reply to those who Ask Whether the Natures of the Lord are...
... For being united in subsistence and permeating one another, they are united without
confusion, eachpreserving throughout its own peculiar and natural...
The Doctrines of the Followers of Ptolemy and Colorbasus.
... he was produced from those ten ??ons alone who sprung from Logos and Zoe, and that
on this account he was called Logos and Zoe, thuspreserving the ancestral...
Thesaurus
Preserving (10 Occurrences)... & vb. n.) of Preserve. Multi-Version Concordance
Preserving (10 Occurrences). Luke
2:19 and Mary was
preserving all these things, pondering in her heart; (YLT).
...Embalming (3 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary The process ofpreserving a body by means of
aromatics (Genesis 50:2, 3, 26). This art was practised by...
Preserveth (15 Occurrences)
Papyrus (4 Occurrences)
... in length,preserving revenue laws of Ptolemy Philadelphus, dated in 259-258 BC
These were published in 1896 by Mr. Grenfell, the first of many important works...
Version
... "This version, with all its defects, must be of the greatest interest, (a) as
preserving evidence for the text far more ancient than the oldest Hebrew...
Urn (1 Occurrence)
... forms, usually a vase furnished with a foot or pedestal, employed for different
purposes, as for holding liquids, for ornamental uses, forpreserving the ashes...
Ostraca
... 2. Greek Ostraca: Greek ostraca in large quantities have been found in Egypt,
preserving documents of many kinds, chiefly tax receipts....
Watches (23 Occurrences)
... (See NAS RSV). Proverbs 16:17 A highway of the upright 'is', 'Turn from evil,'
Whoso ispreserving his soul is watching his way. (See NAS)....
Word (8118 Occurrences)
... (3) As a promise and ground of hope (Psalm 119:25, 28, 38, etc.; 130:5, etc.).
(4) As creative, upholding, andpreserving (Psalm 33:6; compare Genesis 1:3...
Rameses (5 Occurrences)
... 3. Situation: There appears to have been no certain traditionpreserving the site,
for though Silvia (about 385 AD) was told that it lay 4 miles from the town...
Resources
Who were the scribes that often argued with Jesus? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean that the Jews are God's chosen people? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is conditional security? | GotQuestions.orgPreserving: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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