The term "premature" refers to something occurring, existing, or developing earlier than expected or desired. In a biblical context, this concept can be explored through various narratives and teachings that highlight the consequences and implications of actions or events that happen before their appointed time.

Biblical Instances and Themes

1. Impatience and Its Consequences: The Bible often warns against acting prematurely out of impatience or lack of faith. A notable example is the account of King Saul, who offered a burnt offering before the arrival of the prophet Samuel. Saul's premature action, driven by fear and impatience, led to his rejection as king. In 1 Samuel 13:13-14 , Samuel says to Saul, "You have acted foolishly; you have not kept the command the LORD your God gave you; if you had, He would have established your kingdom over Israel for all time."

2. Premature Judgment: Scripture advises against making hasty judgments. In Matthew 7:1-2 , Jesus teaches, "Do not judge, or you will be judged. For with the same measure you use, it will be measured to you." This passage underscores the importance of patience and discernment, warning against the premature evaluation of others' actions or character.

3. Premature Births: While the Bible does not explicitly discuss premature births in a medical sense, it does address the sanctity and value of life from conception. Psalm 139:13-16 speaks to God's intimate involvement in the formation of life: "For You formed my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother’s womb... Your eyes saw my unformed body; all my days were written in Your book and ordained for me before one of them came to be." This passage affirms the belief in God's sovereignty over life, regardless of its timing.

4. Waiting on God's Timing: The Bible frequently emphasizes the importance of waiting on God's perfect timing. Ecclesiastes 3:1 states, "To everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven." This verse encourages believers to trust in God's timing rather than rushing into decisions or actions prematurely.

5. The Prodigal Son: The parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32) illustrates the consequences of premature actions. The younger son demands his inheritance before the appropriate time, squanders it, and faces dire consequences. This account highlights the dangers of seeking immediate gratification without considering long-term implications.

Theological Reflections

From a theological perspective, the concept of premature actions or events is often linked to human tendencies to rely on self-will rather than divine guidance. The Bible encourages believers to cultivate patience, trust in God's providence, and seek His wisdom in all decisions. Proverbs 3:5-6 advises, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight."

In summary, the Bible provides numerous examples and teachings that caution against premature actions, emphasizing the virtues of patience, faith, and reliance on God's perfect timing.1. (a.) Happening too soon; mature or ripe before the proper time; as, the premature fruits of a hotbed.

2. (a.) Happening, arriving, existing, or performed before the proper or usual time; adopted too soon; too early; untimely; as, a premature fall of snow; a premature birth; a premature opinion; premature decay.

3. (a.) Arriving or received without due authentication or evidence; as, a premature report.

3115. makrothumia -- patience, long-suffering
... before expressing anger. This avoids the premature use of force (retribution)
that rises out of improper anger (a ). 3115 ("divinely ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3115.htm - 8k

Second Epistle of the Same to the Same, Expressing Premature ...
... Letters of the Blessed Theodoret, CLXIV. Second Epistle of the same to
the same, expressing premature triumph in Victory. Through ...
/.../the ecclesiastical history of theodoret/clxiv second epistle of the.htm

Of the Weakness of Man.
... consequence of diseases. But how could a premature death be absent from him,
for whom a mature death had been appointed? Assuredly they ...
/.../lactantius/on the workmanship of god/chap iv of the weakness of.htm

1 Corinthians xiii. 11
... What I mean, therefore, by the change from childhood to manhood, is altogether distinct
from a premature advance in book-knowledge, and involves in it nothing ...
/.../arnold/the christian life/lecture iii 1 corinthians xiii.htm

Fragment Lv. "Then Drew Near unto Him the Mother of Zebedee's ...
... I may refer, for example, to the premature fruit of the grape, or of the fig, or
to any fruit whatsoever, from which, during its process [of growth], no man ...
/.../fragments from the lost writings of irenaeus/fragment lv then drew near.htm

Magic and Sorcery Only Apparent in their Effects God Alone Can ...
... for those souls to be beyond all others addicted to violence and wrong, which with
violence and wrong have been hurried away by a cruel and premature death and ...
/.../tertullian/a treatise on the soul/chapter lvii magic and sorcery only.htm

Synopsis. --Arbitrary Criticism of the Biblical Narratives of the ...
... narratives of the raising of the "dead.""Facts which it ignores."The subject related
to the phenomena of trance, and records of premature burial."The ...
/.../miracles and supernatural religion/iii synopsis arbitrary criticism of the.htm

In Death and after Death
... that of strength. Premature death was likened to the falling off of unripe
fruit, or the extinction of a candle. To depart without ...
/.../edersheim/sketches of jewish social life/chapter 10 in death and.htm

A Memorial Sketch by W. Robertson Nicoll
... There is a natural prejudice against premature reconciliations between science
and religion. ... Till that is done any synthesis must be premature. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/drummond/the ideal life/a memorial sketch by w.htm

The Way of Transgressors.
... Indeed, every indication presented, foreshadowed a rapid and premature
decline"consequent, solely, upon her thoughtless imprudence in earlier years. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/arthur/words for the wise/the way of transgressors.htm

An Account of the General Conference of 1796
... were exposed in traversing the wilderness, their scanty fare, and the excessive
labors they were obliged to perform, brought on many of them premature old age ...
/.../chapter 2 an account of.htm

Premature (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Happening too soon; mature or ripe before
the proper time; as, the premature fruits of a hotbed. ...
/p/premature.htm - 7k

Untimely (5 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Not timely; unseasonable; premature; inopportune;
as, untimely frosts; untimely remarks; an untimely death. ...
/u/untimely.htm - 8k

Unripe (6 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Not ripe; as, unripe fruit. 2. (a.) Developing
too early; premature. Multi-Version Concordance Unripe (6 Occurrences). ...
/u/unripe.htm - 8k

Judgements (3 Occurrences)
... will stand revealed. (WEY). 1 Corinthians 4:5 Therefore form no premature
judgements, but wait until the Lord returns. He will both ...
/j/judgements.htm - 7k

Warp (9 Occurrences)
... 18. (n.) A premature casting of young; -- said of cattle, sheep, etc. 19.
(v.) Four; esp., four herrings; a cast. See Cast, n., 17. 20. ...
/w/warp.htm - 12k

Immature (1 Occurrence)
... immature plans. 2. (a.) Premature; untimely; too early; as, an immature death.
Multi-Version Concordance Immature (1 Occurrence). Romans ...
/i/immature.htm - 6k

Returns (27 Occurrences)
... forgive him." (WEB NAS). 1 Corinthians 4:5 Therefore form no premature judgements,
but wait until the Lord returns. He will both bring ...
/r/returns.htm - 13k

Disclose (16 Occurrences)
... will test it. (WEY RSV). 1 Corinthians 4:5 Therefore form no premature
judgements, but wait until the Lord returns. He will both ...
/d/disclose.htm - 12k

Deserves (25 Occurrences)
... imprisonment." (WEY NIV). 1 Corinthians 4:5 Therefore form no premature
judgements, but wait until the Lord returns. He will both ...
/d/deserves.htm - 13k

Miscarriage (4 Occurrences)
... righteous. 3. (n.) The act of bringing forth before the time; premature birth.
Multi-Version Concordance Miscarriage (4 Occurrences). ...
/m/miscarriage.htm - 8k

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