Definition and Nature:
Consolations refer to the comfort, solace, and encouragement provided by God, His Word, and His people to those experiencing distress, sorrow, or hardship. In the biblical context, consolations are often seen as divine interventions that bring peace and reassurance to the believer's heart.

Biblical Foundation:
The concept of consolation is deeply rooted in Scripture, where God is frequently depicted as a source of comfort for His people. In 2 Corinthians 1:3-4, the Apostle Paul writes, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God." This passage highlights the reciprocal nature of divine consolation, where believers are comforted by God and, in turn, are called to comfort others.

Old Testament Insights:
In the Old Testament, the theme of consolation is evident in the Psalms and the prophetic books. Psalm 23:4 provides a vivid image of God's comforting presence: "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me." The prophets, such as Isaiah, also speak of God's consolations. Isaiah 40:1-2 declares, "Comfort, comfort My people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem and proclaim to her that her hard service has been completed, that her sin has been paid for."

New Testament Teachings:
The New Testament continues to emphasize the role of consolation in the life of believers. Jesus Christ, during His earthly ministry, offered comfort to those in need. In Matthew 5:4, He states, "Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted." The Holy Spirit, referred to as the Comforter or Advocate, is another source of divine consolation. In John 14:16, Jesus promises, "And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate to be with you forever."

Role of the Church:
The early church understood the importance of providing consolation to its members. Acts 9:31 describes how the church was "encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it grew in numbers, living in the fear of the Lord." The epistles frequently exhort believers to comfort one another. In 1 Thessalonians 5:11, Paul urges, "Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing."

Practical Application:
Consolations in the Christian life are not limited to divine interventions but also include the support and encouragement from fellow believers. The community of faith is called to be a source of comfort, reflecting God's love and compassion. This is achieved through prayer, sharing of Scripture, acts of kindness, and being present with those who are suffering.

Eternal Consolation:
The ultimate consolation for believers is the hope of eternal life with God. Revelation 21:4 offers a vision of this future comfort: "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the former things have passed away." This promise provides profound comfort and encouragement to endure present trials with the assurance of future glory.8575. tanchum -- consolation
... Word Origin from nacham Definition consolation NASB Word Usage comforting
(1), consolation (2), consolations (2). comfort, consolation. ...
/hebrew/8575.htm - 6k

Consolations in Bereavement.
... MOURNING AND CONSOLATION. 603. " Consolations in Bereavement. 603. CM
Wilson. Consolations in Bereavement. 1 The air of death ...
/.../adams/hymns for christian devotion/603 consolations in bereavement.htm

Consolations in Bereavement
... The Treasury of Sacred Song. Book First CCCLXXIV CONSOLATIONS IN BEREAVEMENT.
See [173]Note. Death was full urgent with thee, Sister dear,. ...
/.../palgrave/the treasury of sacred song/ccclxxiv consolations in bereavement.htm

Consolations against Impatience in Sickness.
... THE PRACTICE OF PIETY. CONSOLATIONS AGAINST IMPATIENCE IN SICKNESS. If in thy sickness
by extremity of pain thou be driven to impatience, meditate" ...
/.../bayly/the practice of piety/consolations against impatience in sickness.htm

Consolations against the Fear of Death.
... THE PRACTICE OF PIETY. CONSOLATIONS AGAINST THE FEAR OF DEATH. If in the time
of thy sickness thou findest thyself fearful to die, meditate" ...
/.../bayly/the practice of piety/consolations against the fear of.htm

Letter xxxvi. --Not to Desire Consolations.
... SECOND BOOK: ON THE EXERCISE OF THE VIRTUE OF ABANDONMENT Letter XXXVI."Not to Desire
Consolations. To the same person. ... Desire for consolations a mistake. ...
/.../abandonment to divine providence/letter xxxvi not to desire consolations.htm

The Pains and Consolations of Abandonment.
... CHAPTER II. THE DUTIES OF THOSE SOULS CALLED BY GOD TO THE STATE OF ABANDONMENT:
SECTION II."The Pains and Consolations of Abandonment. ...
/.../abandonment to divine providence/section ii the pains and consolations.htm

How Sweetness and Tenderness in Prayer Differ from Consolations. ...
... THE FOURTH MANSIONS CHAPTER I. HOW SWEETNESS AND TENDERNESS IN PRAYER DIFFER
FROM CONSOLATIONS. EXPLAINS HOW ADVANTAGEOUS IT WAS FOR ST. ...
/.../teresa/the interior castle or the mansions/chapter i how sweetness and.htm

Continues the Same Subject, Explaining by a Comparison in what ...
... CONTINUES THE SAME SUBJECT, EXPLAINING BY A COMPARISON IN WHAT DIVINE CONSOLATIONS
CONSIST: AND HOW WE OUGHT TO TRY TO PREPARE OURSELVES TO RECEIVE THEM ...
/.../teresa/the interior castle or the mansions/chapter ii continues the same 2.htm

Spiritual Desolation.
... When a soul begins to cultivate the spiritual life, God usually showers his
consolations upon her to wean her away from the world; but when he sees her making ...
/.../de liguori/uniformity with gods will/6 spiritual desolation.htm

Letter v. --Distractions in Prayer.
... My dear Sister,. 1st. Do not regret the consolations and sensible devotion
that God gave you formerly, and has now taken away. With ...
/.../abandonment to divine providence/letter v distractions in prayer.htm

Consolations (6 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Consolations (6 Occurrences). Job 15:11 Are the consolations
of God too small for you, even the word that is gentle toward you? ...
/c/consolations.htm - 8k

Console (7 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 16:7 Nor do they deal out to them for mourning, To comfort him concerning
the dead, Nor cause them to drink a cup of consolations For his father and ...
/c/console.htm - 8k

Consolation (23 Occurrences)

/c/consolation.htm - 14k

Gently (19 Occurrences)
... gently. (YLT). Job 15:11 Are the consolations of God too small for thee?
and the word gently spoken to thee? (DBY JPS NAS RSV NIV). ...
/g/gently.htm - 12k

Wring (4 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 66:11 So that ye suck, and have been satisfied, From the breast of her
consolations, So that ye wring out, and have delighted yourselves From the ...
/w/wring.htm - 8k

Replace (11 Occurrences)
... he didn't receive it. (WEB). Job 21:2 Hear attentively my speech, and let this
replace your consolations. (DBY). Isaiah 9:10 The bricks ...
/r/replace.htm - 10k

Dealeth (22 Occurrences)
... (KJV JPS ASV WBS). Job 15:11 Are the consolations of God too small for
thee, Even the word that is gentle toward thee? (See JPS). ...
/d/dealeth.htm - 12k

Mourner (6 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 16:7 Nor do they deal out to them for mourning, To comfort him concerning
the dead, Nor cause them to drink a cup of consolations For his father and ...
/m/mourner.htm - 8k

Consoling (3 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 66:11 That ye may suck, and be satisfied with the breast of her consolations;
that ye may drink deeply with delight of the abundance of her glory. ...
/c/consoling.htm - 7k

Attentively (35 Occurrences)
... declaration with your ears. (DBY). Job 21:2 Hear attentively my speech, and
let this replace your consolations. (DBY). Job 35:5 Behold ...
/a/attentively.htm - 16k

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