In the context of the Bible, the concept of appeals can be understood as a request or plea for a decision or action to be reconsidered or reviewed. This concept is evident in various narratives and teachings throughout Scripture, where individuals or groups seek intervention, justice, or mercy from a higher authority, whether human or divine.

Old Testament Examples

1. Moses' Intercession: One of the earliest examples of an appeal is found in the account of Moses interceding for the Israelites. After the people sinned by worshiping the golden calf, God expressed His intention to destroy them. Moses appealed to God on their behalf, reminding Him of His promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. As a result, "the LORD relented from the calamity He had threatened to bring on His people" (Exodus 32:14).

2. Abraham's Plea for Sodom: In Genesis 18, Abraham appeals to God to spare the city of Sodom if righteous people can be found there. Abraham's persistent negotiation with God demonstrates the power of appeal and intercession, as he questions, "Will You indeed sweep away the righteous with the wicked?" (Genesis 18:23).

3. The Daughters of Zelophehad: In Numbers 27, the daughters of Zelophehad appeal to Moses and the leaders of Israel for the right to inherit their father's property, as he had no sons. Their appeal leads to a change in the inheritance laws, showing that appeals can lead to justice and reform.

New Testament Examples

1. Paul's Legal Appeals: The Apostle Paul frequently utilized the Roman legal system to appeal for justice and protection. In Acts 25, Paul appeals to Caesar after being unjustly accused by Jewish leaders. He states, "I appeal to Caesar!" (Acts 25:11), exercising his rights as a Roman citizen to seek a fair trial.

2. The Canaanite Woman: In Matthew 15, a Canaanite woman appeals to Jesus to heal her demon-possessed daughter. Despite initial resistance, her faith and persistence lead Jesus to grant her request, saying, "O woman, your faith is great! Let it be done for you as you desire" (Matthew 15:28).

3. The Parable of the Persistent Widow: Jesus teaches about the importance of persistent prayer through the parable of the persistent widow in Luke 18. The widow continually appeals to an unjust judge for justice, and her persistence eventually leads to a favorable outcome. Jesus uses this parable to encourage believers to "always pray and not lose heart" (Luke 18:1).

Theological Implications

Appeals in the Bible often highlight the themes of justice, mercy, and the importance of intercession. They demonstrate the belief that God is a righteous judge who listens to the cries of His people and that human authorities are accountable to divine standards of justice. The act of appealing, whether to God or human authorities, reflects a trust in the possibility of change and the hope for a just resolution.

Practical Applications

For believers, the biblical examples of appeals encourage the practice of prayer and intercession, trusting in God's willingness to hear and respond. They also underscore the importance of advocating for justice and righteousness in human affairs, using available means to seek fair treatment and uphold God's standards.3570. nuni -- now
... (a) of time: just now, even now; just at hand, immediately, (b) of logical connection:
now then, (c) in commands and appeals: at this instant. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3570.htm - 7k

3568. nun -- now, the present
... (a) of time: just now, even now; just at hand, immediately, (b) of logical connection:
now then, (c) in commands and appeals: at this instant. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3568.htm - 7k

Exile: Appeals for a Phinehas, and a Jehu: 1554
... CHAPTER V: EXILE: APPEALS FOR A PHINEHAS, AND A JEHU: 1554. No ... massacre!
No persecuted apostle had dealt in appeals to the dagger. ...
/.../lang/john knox and the reformation/chapter v exile appeals for.htm

Paul Appeals to Caesar
... Lesson 40 Paul Appeals to Caesar. [This chapter is based on Acts 25:1-12.]
"When Festus was come into the province, after three days ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 40 paul appeals to.htm

Simon Appeals to Scripture in Support of his System.
... Book VI. Chapter V."Simon Appeals to Scripture in Support of His System.
And this, he says, is what has been written in Scripture ...
/.../the refutation of all heresies/chapter v simon appeals to scripture.htm

The Discourse Continued: Christ Appeals to the Testimony of his ...
... CHAPTER VIII. CHRIST'S SECOND JOURNEY TO JERUSALEM. Section 146. The Discourse
continued: Christ Appeals to the Testimony of his Works. (John, v., 30-37.). ...
/.../section 146 the discourse continued .htm

Simon Appeals to the Old Testament to Prove that There are Many ...
... Homily XVI. Chapter VI."Simon Appeals to the Old Testament to Prove that
There are Many Gods. "For instance, in the very first ...
/.../unknown/the clementine homilies/chapter vi simon appeals to the.htm

Peter Appeals to the Old Testament to Prove the Unity of God.
... Homily XVI. Chapter VII."Peter Appeals to the Old Testament to Prove the Unity of
God. And Peter said: "I shall reply briefly to what you have said. ...
/.../unknown/the clementine homilies/chapter vii peter appeals to the.htm

Further Appeals to Cyprian's Teaching.
... Book IV. Chapter 26."Further Appeals to Cyprian's Teaching. Does that
holy and so memorable instructor of the Churches in the ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 26 further appeals to cyprians.htm

Presbyters, Deacons, or Clerics, who Shall Think Good to Carry ...
... Greek xxxi.) Presbyters, deacons, or clerics, who shall think good to carry appeals
in their causes across the water shall not at all be admitted to communion. ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/canon xxviii greek xxxi presbyters.htm

That from Judges who have Been Chosen, no Appeals May be Taken.
... Canon XCVI. (Greek xcix.) That from judges who have been chosen, no appeals may
be taken. That from judges who have been chosen, no appeals may be taken. ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/canon xcvi greek xcix that.htm

Instances from Scripture of Divine Judgments Upon the Self ...
... Chapter XVI."Instances from Scripture of Divine Judgments Upon the
Self-Indulgent; And Appeals to the Practices of Heathens. For ...
/.../chapter xvi instances from scripture of.htm

Appeals (2 Occurrences)
...Appeals (2 Occurrences). Acts 2:40 And with many more appeals he solemnly warned
and entreated them, saying, "Escape from this crooked generation." (WEY). ...
/a/appeals.htm - 7k

Appealing (3 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Appeal. 2. (a.) That appeals;
imploring. Multi-Version Concordance Appealing (3 Occurrences). ...
/a/appealing.htm - 7k

Intercession (12 Occurrences)
... people. But, after the catastrophe, in his sorrow he appeals to God for
mercy upon them (Lamentations 2:20; Lamentations 5:1, 19). ...
/i/intercession.htm - 52k

Apostle (25 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) A brief letter sent by a court appealed from to the superior court, stating
the case, etc.; a paper sent up on appeals in the admiralty courts. Int. ...
/a/apostle.htm - 87k

Rome (12 Occurrences)
... exclusively. Repeated appeals to brute force dulled the perception for
constitutional restraints and the rights of minorities. The ...
/r/rome.htm - 43k

Joab (128 Occurrences)
... Asahel, Joab's brother, is killed in his pursuit of Abner, but the latter's army
is sorely pressed, and he appeals to Joab for a cessation of hostilities. ...
/j/joab.htm - 53k

Linus (1 Occurrence)
... Irenaeus-bishop of Lyons about 178 AD-in his defense of orthodox doctrine against
the Gnostics "appeals especially to the bishops of Rome, as depositories of ...
/l/linus.htm - 9k

Warned (63 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). Acts 2:40 And with many more appeals he solemnly warned and entreated
them, saying, "Escape from this crooked generation." (WEY NIV). ...
/w/warned.htm - 25k

Immanuel (3 Occurrences)
... prophetic economy, evidently stands on the same level with Shear-jashub (Isaiah
7:3) as the embodiment of a great idea, to which Isaiah again appeals in Isaiah ...
/i/immanuel.htm - 16k

Temperate (6 Occurrences)
... It does not refer to any one class of objects that meets us, but to all; to what
concerns speech and judgment, as well as to what appeals to sense. ...
/t/temperate.htm - 12k

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