The term "reluctantly" refers to an action performed with hesitation, unwillingness, or lack of enthusiasm. In the context of the Bible, this concept often emerges in narratives where individuals are called to act in faith or obedience despite personal reservations or fears. The Bible provides several examples of characters who acted reluctantly, yet their accounts reveal the sovereignty of God and His ability to work through human hesitance.

Moses' Reluctance
One of the most notable examples of reluctance in the Bible is Moses at the burning bush. When God called Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, Moses expressed hesitation and doubt about his ability to fulfill such a monumental task. In Exodus 3:11 , Moses questions, "Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?" Despite his reluctance, God reassures Moses of His presence and promises to equip him for the mission. Moses' initial reluctance highlights human insecurity but also underscores God's provision and faithfulness.

Gideon's Hesitation
Gideon is another biblical figure who acted reluctantly. In Judges 6, God calls Gideon to deliver Israel from the Midianites. Gideon, however, is hesitant and requests multiple signs from God to confirm His will. Judges 6:39 records Gideon's request: "Do not be angry with me; let me speak just once more. Please allow me one more test with the fleece." Despite Gideon's reluctance, God patiently provides the signs, demonstrating His understanding of human frailty and His willingness to affirm His calling.

Jonah's Resistance
The prophet Jonah is a classic example of reluctance turning into outright resistance. When God commands Jonah to go to Nineveh and preach against its wickedness, Jonah flees in the opposite direction. Jonah 1:3 states, "But Jonah ran away from the presence of the LORD and headed for Tarshish." Jonah's reluctance stems from his personal biases and fear of the Ninevites' potential repentance. Despite his initial disobedience, God orchestrates events to bring Jonah back to His intended path, illustrating divine persistence and mercy.

New Testament Insights
In the New Testament, the concept of reluctance is addressed in the context of giving. In 2 Corinthians 9:7 , Paul writes, "Each one should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." This passage emphasizes the importance of willingness and joy in acts of generosity, contrasting reluctance with the ideal attitude of a believer.

Spiritual Implications
Reluctance in the Bible often serves as a backdrop for God's power and grace. It reveals human limitations and the struggle between personal will and divine calling. Yet, through these narratives, the Bible consistently shows that God can use even the hesitant and unwilling to accomplish His purposes. Believers are encouraged to trust in God's plan and to overcome reluctance with faith, knowing that God equips and empowers those He calls.(adv.) In a reluctant manner.

Third Stage of the Roman Trial. Pilate Reluctantly Sentences Him ...
... Crucifixion. CXXXI. Third Stage of the Roman Trial. Pilate Reluctantly
Sentences Him to Crucifixion. (Friday. Toward Sunrise.) ^A ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/cxxxi third stage of the.htm

How to Work God's Joy-Machine
... Often they obey reluctantly, with more or less unwillingness in their hearts,
or they want to do it just a little differently from God's way. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/naylor/heart talks/talk forty-five how to work.htm

Meanwhile, Unconscious of the Miracle his Prayer had Wrought...
... And in the case of Angela Sovrani, though she was affianced to Florian Varillo with
her father's consent, (reluctantly obtained,) and the knowledge of all the ...
/.../corelli/the master-christian/vii meanwhile unconscious of the.htm

Introductory Essays
... Those convictions had been slowly, and even reluctantly, admitted; but they had
gradually accumulated in intense force in Luther's mind and conscience; and ...
/.../luther/first principles of the reformation/introductory essays.htm

Introduction.
... The synod, after expostulating with the accuser for his violence, at last
reluctantly consented to summon Eutyches to an account. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leo/writings of leo the great/introduction.htm

Psalm XLIII.
... I will say, Here I am," [1312] provided thou wilt with cheerful mind "break thy
bread to the hungry." For generally this is done by men reluctantly and with ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm xliii.htm

Introductory Notice
... On some occasions he seems to have been at Ancyra in Galatia, where he reluctantly
consented to write is treatise at the solicitation of the presbytery there ...
/.../urbanus/the extant writings of asterius urbanus/introductory notice.htm

Ignatius is Brought to Rome.
... Wherefore, continuing to enjoy fair winds, we were reluctantly hurried on in one
day and a night, mourning [as we did] over the coming departure from us of ...
/.../pearson/the martyrdom of ignatius/chapter v ignatius is brought to.htm

Impossible with Man, Possible with God
... At first he fights against it; then he submits to it, but reluctantly and in
despair; at last he accepts it willingly and rejoices in it. ...
/.../murray/absolute surrender/impossible with man possible with.htm

Coming to New York
... they saw how strongly I felt, and that I could not be content to live out my days
on the farm, they consented to my going, though rather reluctantly; but it ...
/.../griswold/sixty years with plymouth church/coming to new york.htm

Reluctantly (2 Occurrences)
...Reluctantly (2 Occurrences). 2 Corinthians 9:7 Let each contribute what he has decided
upon in his own mind, and not do it reluctantly or under compulsion. ...
/r/reluctantly.htm - 7k

Rely (31 Occurrences)

/r/rely.htm - 15k

Numbering (35 Occurrences)
... of a general census of the whole nation from Dan to Beersheba, which David gave
directions to Joab to make (1 Chronicles 21:1). Joab very reluctantly began to ...
/n/numbering.htm - 19k

Relish (1 Occurrence)

/r/relish.htm - 7k

Eagerly (36 Occurrences)
... Exercise the oversight not reluctantly but eagerly, in accordance with the will
of God; not for base gain but with cheerful minds; (WEY RSV). ...
/e/eagerly.htm - 15k

Eagerness (6 Occurrences)
... Exercise the oversight not reluctantly but eagerly, in accordance with the will
of God; not for base gain but with cheerful minds; (See NAS). ...
/e/eagerness.htm - 8k

Contribute (4 Occurrences)
... (See RSV). 2 Corinthians 9:7 Let each contribute what he has decided upon in
his own mind, and not do it reluctantly or under compulsion. ...
/c/contribute.htm - 8k

Cheerful (13 Occurrences)
... Exercise the oversight not reluctantly but eagerly, in accordance with the will
of God; not for base gain but with cheerful minds; (WEY). ...
/c/cheerful.htm - 10k

Shepherds (55 Occurrences)
... Exercise the oversight not reluctantly but eagerly, in accordance with the will
of God; not for base gain but with cheerful minds; (WEY NIV). ...
/s/shepherds.htm - 24k

Eager (43 Occurrences)
... Exercise the oversight not reluctantly but eagerly, in accordance with the will
of God; not for base gain but with cheerful minds; (Root in WEY NAS RSV NIV). ...
/e/eager.htm - 18k

Was Jonah truly swallowed by a whale? | GotQuestions.org

Did Jesus change the water into wine or grape juice? | GotQuestions.org

What are some biblical examples of dream interpretation? | GotQuestions.org

Reluctantly: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus