Topical Encyclopedia
In biblical terms, the concept of "reserve" can be understood in various contexts, including God's providence, human prudence, and spiritual readiness. The term itself may not frequently appear in the English translations of the Bible, but the underlying principles are woven throughout Scripture.
Divine Reserve and ProvidenceGod's reserve is often seen in His providential care and the way He holds back or preserves certain things for His purposes. In the Old Testament, God's reserve is evident in His dealings with Israel. For instance, God reserves judgment for the appointed time, as seen in the prophetic writings. In
Nahum 1:2 , it is written, "The LORD is a jealous and avenging God; the LORD is avenging and full of wrath. The LORD takes vengeance on His foes and reserves wrath for His enemies."
The concept of divine reserve is also evident in God's provision for His people. In
Genesis 22, God provides a ram as a substitute for Isaac, demonstrating His reserve of provision for those who trust in Him. This act foreshadows the ultimate provision of Jesus Christ as the Lamb of God.
Human Prudence and ReserveHuman reserve, in terms of prudence and wisdom, is encouraged in Scripture. The book of Proverbs frequently highlights the importance of reserving judgment and speech.
Proverbs 10:19 states, "When words are many, sin is unavoidable, but he who restrains his lips is wise." This verse underscores the value of reserving one's words to avoid sin and demonstrate wisdom.
In the New Testament, Jesus teaches about the importance of being prepared and having reserves of spiritual readiness. In the parable of the ten virgins (
Matthew 25:1-13), the wise virgins are commended for having reserves of oil for their lamps, symbolizing spiritual preparedness for the coming of the bridegroom, representing Christ.
Spiritual Readiness and ReserveThe concept of reserve also extends to spiritual readiness and the call to be prepared for the return of Christ. Believers are encouraged to reserve their hearts and lives for God, living in a state of readiness for His return. In
1 Peter 1:4 , believers are reminded of "an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, reserved in heaven for you."
This reserved inheritance speaks to the eternal security and hope that believers have in Christ. It is a reminder that God has set aside a place for His people, and they are to live in anticipation of this promise.
ConclusionWhile the term "reserve" may not be explicitly used in many biblical passages, the principles of divine providence, human prudence, and spiritual readiness are integral to the biblical narrative. These themes encourage believers to trust in God's provision, exercise wisdom in their actions, and maintain a state of readiness for the fulfillment of God's promises.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
v. t.) To keep back; to retain; not to deliver, make over, or disclose.
2. (v. t.) Hence, to keep in store for future or special use; to withhold from present use for another purpose or time; to keep; to retain.
3. (v. t.) To make an exception of; to except.
4. (n.) The act of reserving, or keeping back; reservation.
5. (n.) That which is reserved, or kept back, as for future use.
6. (n.) That which is excepted; exception.
7. (n.) Restraint of freedom in words or actions; backwardness; caution in personal behavior.
8. (n.) A tract of land reserved, or set apart, for a particular purpose; as, the Connecticut Reserve in Ohio, originally set apart for the school fund of Connecticut; the Clergy Reserves in Canada, for the support of the clergy.
9. (n.) A body of troops in the rear of an army drawn up for battle, reserved to support the other lines as occasion may require; a force or body of troops kept for an exigency.
10. (n.) Funds kept on hand to meet liabilities.
Greek
2641. kataleipo -- to leave, leave behind... Phonetic Spelling: (kat-al-i'-po) Short Definition: I leave behind, abandon Definition:
I leave behind, desert, abandon, forsake; I leave remaining,
reserve.
...5288. hupostello -- to draw in, let down, draw back
... From hupo and stello; to withhold under (out of sight), ie (reflexively) to cower
or shrink, (figuratively) to conceal (reserve) -- draw (keep) back, shun...
2343. thesaurizo -- to lay up, store up
... From thesauros; to amass orreserve (literally or figuratively) -- lay up (treasure),
(keep) in store, (heap) treasure (together, up). see GREEK thesauros....
2849. kolazo -- to chastise
... punish. From kolos (dwarf); properly, to curtail, ie (figuratively) to chastise
(orreserve for infliction) -- punish. (kolazomenous) -- 1 Occurrence....
4046. peripoieo -- to preserve, get possession of
... alive. Cognate: 4046 -- properly, acquire (literally, "make all-around,
comprehensively"); make one's own;reserve for , with ()....
4236. praotes -- meekness.
... gentleness, meekness, kindness. 4236 -- properly, , displaying the right
blend of force andreserve (gentleness). 4236 ("strength...
Strong's Hebrew
680. atsal -- to lay aside,reserve, withdraw, withhold... to lay aside,
reserve, withdraw, withhold. Transliteration: atsal Phonetic Spelling:
(aw-tsal') Short Definition: refuse.
... keep,
reserve, straiten, take.
...1633a. garam -- to cut off,reserve
... garam. 1633b . to cut off,reserve. Transliteration: garam Short Definition: leave....
root Definition to cut off,reserve NASB Word Usage leave (1). 1633, 1633a...
1633. garam -- to cut off,reserve
... 1632, 1633. garam. 1633a . to cut off,reserve. Transliteration: garam Phonetic
Spelling: (gaw-ram') Short Definition: bones. gnaw the bones, break...
6845. tsaphan -- to hide, treasure up
... hoard,reserve, deny. A primitive root; to hide (by covering over); by implication,
to hoard orreserve; figuratively to deny; specifically...
7604. shaar -- to remain, be left over
... leave, be left, let, remain, remnant,reserve, the rest. A primitive root;
properly, to swell up, ie Be (causatively, make) redundant...
5201. natar -- to keep
... bear grudge, keeper,reserve. A primitive root; to guard; figuratively, to cherish
(anger) -- bear grudge, keep(-er),reserve. 5200, 5201. natar. 5202 ....
6487. piqqadon -- a deposit, store
... Definition: deposit. Word Origin from paqad Definition a deposit, store
NASB Word Usage deposit (2),reserve (1). a deposit. From...
2934. taman -- to hide, conceal
... root Definition to hide, conceal NASB Word Usage buries (2), concealed (2), discarded
(1), held inreserve (1), hid (8), hidden (9), hide (5), hiding (1...
3947. laqach -- to take
... in the widest variety of applications) -- accept, bring, buy, carry away, drawn,
fetch, get, infold, X many, mingle, place, receive(-ing),reserve, seize, send...
3498. yathar -- to remain over
... to abound, preserve -- excel, leave (a remnant), left behind, too much, make plenteous,
preserve, (be, let) remain(-der, -ing, - nant),reserve, residue, rest....
Library
Doctrine ofReserve.
... Epistle of Peter to James. Chapter I."Doctrine ofReserve. Knowing, my
brother, your eager desire after that which is for the...
We mustReserve the Likeness of the virtues in Ourselves. ...
... Book I. Chapter XLIX. We mustreserve the likeness of the virtues in ourselves.?
We mustreserve the likeness of the virtues in ourselves....
Letter xiv. --OnReserve with a Director.
... THIRD BOOK. ON THE OBSTACLES TO ABANDONMENT. Letter XIV."OnReserve
with a Director. To Sister Marie-Th??r??se de Viom??nil. On...
Ep. Lviii. To Basil.
... openly charge us with heresy, others with cowardice; with heresy, those who believe
that our language is not sound; with cowardice, they who blame ourreserve....
1879-1880. Experiences among Indians --Picnic in the Bush...
... tour, I was about to return to the Galt Home, when a messenger arrived with a pressing
invitation to visit the Indians on the ChippawaReserve, and tell them...
The Holy Spirit's Intercession
... There is an amazing glory inreserve for us, and though as yet we cannot enter upon
it, but in harmony with the whole creation must continue to groan and...
How, While the Whole Heart is Employed in Sacred Love, yet one May...
... He always employed all his genius to paint these pictures of Alexander well, because
he used it withoutreserve, yet sometimes he employed it more effectively...
Eve and Mary Continued.
... Language establishes between souls a very close and mysterious union, and this is
why discretion, prudence andreserve are so necessary in regulating its use....
The Different Duties of Abandonment.
... So that souls may not be deceived, God never fails to give them wise guidance to
indicate with what liberty orreserve these inspirations should be made use of...
Letter ii. --A Short Way to Perfection.
... yourself, of studied elegance, of all reflexion of your own conduct; in fine, of
all that you can call your own, and give yourself up withoutreserve and for...
Thesaurus
Reserve (15 Occurrences)... 8. (n.) A tract of land reserved, or set apart, for a particular purpose; as, the
Connecticut
Reserve in Ohio, originally set apart for the school fund of
...Mystery (31 Occurrences)
... revealed. But here arises a seeming contradiction. On the one hand, there
are passages which seem to imply a doctrine ofreserve. The...
Distance (75 Occurrences)
... 9. (n.) The remoteness orreserve which respect requires; hence, respect;
ceremoniousness. 10. (n.) A withholding of intimacy; alienation...
Back (5096 Occurrences)
... 8. (n.) The part of a cutting tool on the opposite side from its edge; as, the back
of a knife, or of a saw. 9. (n.) A support or resource inreserve. 10....
Spare (80 Occurrences)
... to show mercy to. 4. (v.) To save or gain, as by frugality; toreserve,
as from some occupation, use, or duty. 5. (v.) To deprive...
Reserved (28 Occurrences)
... 1. (imp. & pp) ofReserve. 2. (a.) Kept for future or special use, or for an
exigency; as, reserved troops; a reserved seat in a theater....
Unjust (44 Occurrences)
... 2 Peter 2:9 The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to
reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished: (KJV DBY WBS)....
Openly (52 Occurrences)
... 1. (adv.) In an open manner; publicly; not in private; without secrecy. 2. (adv.)
Withoutreserve or disguise; plainly; evidently. Multi-Version Concordance...
Open (586 Occurrences)
... 5. (a.) Withoutreserve or false pretense; sincere; characterized by sincerity;
unfeigned; frank; also, generous; liberal; bounteous; -- applied to personal...
Outlying (4 Occurrences)
... But--to speak simply of my own labours--beginning in Jerusalem and the outlying
districts, I have proclaimed withoutreserve, even as far as Illyricum, the...
Resources
What does the Bible say about reproductive rights? | GotQuestions.orgWhy is God going to release Satan after the 1,000 years? | GotQuestions.orgGuidelines for asking questions | GotQuestions.orgReserve: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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