Topical Encyclopedia
The concept of "surprising" in the Bible often relates to the unexpected ways in which God interacts with His creation and the unforeseen events that unfold in the lives of His people. Throughout Scripture, God’s actions and the unfolding of His divine plan frequently defy human expectations, revealing His sovereignty and wisdom.
Divine Intervention and MiraclesOne of the most prominent themes of surprise in the Bible is the occurrence of miracles, where God intervenes in the natural order. These acts often leave witnesses in awe and wonder. For instance, the parting of the Red Sea is a quintessential example of a surprising divine intervention. In
Exodus 14:21-22 , it is recorded, "Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the LORD drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned it into dry land. So the waters were divided, and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with walls of water on their right and on their left."
Unexpected Choices and CallingsGod’s choices often surprise human expectations, as seen in His selection of individuals for specific purposes. David, the youngest son of Jesse, was chosen to be king over Israel, a decision that surprised even the prophet Samuel. In
1 Samuel 16:7 , God tells Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not see as man does. For man sees the outward appearance, but the LORD sees the heart."
Similarly, the calling of the Apostle Paul is another surprising turn of events. Once a fierce persecutor of Christians, Paul’s conversion on the road to Damascus (
Acts 9:3-6) was unexpected and transformative, illustrating God’s power to change hearts and redirect lives for His purposes.
Parables and Teachings of JesusJesus often used parables to convey truths that were surprising to His listeners, challenging their preconceived notions and societal norms. The Parable of the Good Samaritan (
Luke 10:30-37) is a prime example, where a Samaritan, rather than a priest or Levite, is the one who shows compassion and mercy. This account would have been surprising to Jesus’ Jewish audience, who typically viewed Samaritans with disdain.
The Resurrection of JesusThe resurrection of Jesus Christ is perhaps the most surprising and pivotal event in the New Testament. Despite Jesus’ predictions of His death and resurrection, His disciples were initially incredulous. In
Luke 24:5-6 , the angels at the tomb declare, "Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; He has risen!" This event not only surprised Jesus’ followers but also transformed their understanding of His mission and the nature of God’s kingdom.
God’s Unfathomable WisdomThe Apostle Paul reflects on the surprising and unfathomable wisdom of God in
Romans 11:33 , "O, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable His judgments, and untraceable His ways!" This acknowledgment of God’s mysterious and surprising ways encourages believers to trust in His divine plan, even when it defies human logic or understanding.
ConclusionThe theme of surprise in the Bible serves to highlight God’s sovereignty, the unexpected nature of His grace, and the transformative power of His actions. Through surprising events, choices, and teachings, Scripture reveals a God who is both intimately involved in the world and beyond human comprehension.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
p. pr. & vb. n.) of Surprise.
2. (a.) Exciting surprise; extraordinary; of a nature to excite wonder and astonishment; as, surprising bravery; a surprising escape from danger.
Greek
3173. megas -- great... time (1), loud (42), mighty (1), more important (2), older (1), one greater (1),
perfectly (2), severe (2), stricter (1), strong (1),
surprising (1), terribly
...Library
TheSurprising Jew.
... SomeSurprising Results of the Tragic Break TheSurprising Jew.... A strange, elusive,
surprising puzzle he has been to historians and all others....
SomeSurprising Results of the Break.
... I. The Purpose of Jesus. 4. SomeSurprising Results of the Break. The
Surprised Jew: a clash of wills"thousands of believing Jews...
Psalm 126:1. LMSurprising Deliverance.
... THE Psalms of David, In Metre. Psalm 126:1. LMSurprising deliverance. 1
When God restor'd our captive state, Joy was our song, and...
Psalm 126Surprising Deliverance.
... THE PSALMS OF DAVID PSALM 126Surprising deliverance. LMSurprising deliverance.
When God restored our captive state,. Joy was our song, and grace our theme;...
Now, when the People of Sepphoris Had, in SoSurprising a Manner.....
... Section 71. Now, when the people of Sepphoris had, in sosurprising a
manner? 71. Now, when the people of Sepphoris had, in so...
Letter Lxxi. Basil to Gregory.
... will get some credit by having something to do with me, should invent what he has
not heard, and narrate what he has never experienced, is not at allsurprising...
A Revival Sermon
... It is somewhatsurprising to find that now the land is barren, that its valleys
are parched, and that the miserable inhabitants gather miserable harvests from...
Quiet Talks about Jesus
... Suffering the Birth-pains of a New Life. SomeSurprising Results of the Tragic Break.
The Surprised Jew. The Surprised Church. TheSurprising Jew. II....
The Transfiguration
... This was one of the mostsurprising scenes in the life of our blessed Lord.... These
are the different accounts we have of thissurprising scene....
An Essay on the Scriptural Doctrine of Immortality.
... Considering that under the existing conditions of humanity, disease, and decay,
and death abound on every side, it issurprising that the word "immortality...
Thesaurus
Surprising (2 Occurrences)... 2. (a.) Exciting surprise; extraordinary; of a nature to excite wonder and astonishment;
as,
surprising bravery; a
surprising escape from danger.
...Surprised (46 Occurrences)
... do not be surprised at finding that that scorching flame of persecution is raging
among you to put you to the test--as though somesurprising thing were...
Surrender (18 Occurrences)
Resurrection (42 Occurrences)
... Hence, it is notsurprising that the prophets virtually disregard the idea or
that Ecclesiastes denies any immortality doctrine categorically....
Levitical (19 Occurrences)
... temple, which, properly speaking, occasioned the whole arrangement, are buried in
silence with a diligence which is in the highest degreesurprising" (p. 164)....
Logia
... it is uniformly rendered both in the King James Version and the Revised Version
(British and American) "oracles." It is not, therefore,surprising that early...
Library
... It is notsurprising, therefore, that in the library-chambers of Nineveh Layard
found a magnifying lens of crystal, which had been turned on the lathe. IV....
Water (4571 Occurrences)
... the soldier. The evangelist notes here what he, as an eyewitness of the
crucifixion, had seen as asurprising fact. Whereon this...
Wonder-working (4 Occurrences)
Wonder-working. Wonder-workers, Wonder-working. Wondrous . Noah Webster's
Dictionary (a.) Doing wonders orsurprising things. Multi-Version Concordance...
Wondrous (41 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) In a wonderful orsurprising manner or degree;
wonderfully. 2. (a.) Wonderful; astonishing; admirable...
Resources
Who was the prophet Zechariah in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean that the Word of God will not return void? | GotQuestions.orgDid Jesus really exist? Is there any historical evidence of Jesus Christ? | GotQuestions.orgSurprising: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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