The concept of "reopened" in the biblical context often relates to the restoration or renewal of something that was previously closed or ceased. This theme can be seen throughout Scripture in various forms, such as the reopening of wells, the restoration of worship, or the renewal of relationships with God.

Reopening of Wells

One of the most direct examples of reopening in the Bible is found in the narrative of Isaac in Genesis. After the death of Abraham, the Philistines stopped up the wells that Abraham had dug. Isaac, however, reopened these wells, signifying a restoration of his father's legacy and God's provision. Genesis 26:18 states, "Isaac reopened the wells that had been dug in the days of his father Abraham and that the Philistines had stopped up after Abraham died, and he gave them the same names his father had given them." This act of reopening the wells symbolizes the continuation of God's blessing and faithfulness to Isaac, as well as the reclaiming of the inheritance promised to Abraham.

Restoration of Worship

The reopening of the temple and the restoration of worship are significant themes in the Old Testament. After periods of neglect or apostasy, faithful leaders often took steps to restore proper worship. For instance, during the reign of King Hezekiah, the temple doors were reopened, and worship was restored after a period of idolatry under his predecessor. 2 Chronicles 29:3 records, "In the first month of the first year of his reign, Hezekiah opened the doors of the house of the LORD and repaired them." This act of reopening the temple was a physical and spiritual renewal, signifying a return to covenant faithfulness and the reestablishment of a right relationship with God.

Renewal of Relationships

The theme of reopening can also be seen in the renewal of relationships, particularly between God and His people. Throughout the prophetic books, there are calls for Israel to return to the Lord, promising that God will reopen the way for reconciliation and blessing. In Joel 2:12-13 , the prophet urges, "Even now," declares the LORD, "return to Me with all your heart, with fasting, weeping, and mourning. Rend your hearts and not your garments. Return to the LORD your God, for He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion." This call to return is an invitation to reopen the relationship with God, emphasizing His readiness to forgive and restore.

New Testament Implications

In the New Testament, the concept of reopening is reflected in the tearing of the temple veil at the crucifixion of Jesus. This event symbolizes the reopening of direct access to God through Christ's atoning sacrifice. Matthew 27:51 states, "At that moment the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth quaked and the rocks were split." The tearing of the veil signifies the removal of barriers between God and humanity, reopening the way for believers to enter into the presence of God with confidence.

Spiritual Reopening

The idea of reopening can also be applied to the spiritual renewal of individuals. In Revelation 3:20 , Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and dine with him, and he with Me." This invitation to open the door to Christ is a call for personal spiritual renewal and fellowship with the Savior.

In summary, the theme of reopening in the Bible encompasses physical, spiritual, and relational restoration. It highlights God's desire to renew and restore what has been lost or closed, offering hope and renewal to His people.

Bishop Hosius Said: this Also it is Necessary to Add...
... sentence be given against a bishop in any matter and he supposes his case to be
not unsound but good, in order that the question may be reopened, let us, if it ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/canon iii bishop hosius said .htm

Chapter xxvi
... Then Isaac let the wells of water be reopened which had first been dug in the days
of Abraham, his father, and which the Philistines had stopped after the ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxvi.htm

On the Sacrament of Penance
... By this Baptism He freed us from sin and the slavery of the devil; He restored us
to God's grace; He reopened for us Heaven; made us once more children of God ...
/.../kinkead/baltimore catechism no 4/lesson 17 on the sacrament.htm

The Old Gravestone
... grave, and put into its place. The next year the grave had to be reopened,
and old Preben rejoined his wife. They did not turn out ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/the old gravestone.htm

The Consensus of Zurich. AD 1549.
... Wittenberg Concordia (1536). The wound was reopened by Luther's fierce attack
on the Zwinglians (1545), and their sharp reply. Calvin was ...
/.../ 59 the consensus of.htm

Concerning Macedonius, Theodulus, Gratian, Busiris, Basil, and ...
... [1388] A temple of Misos, a city of Phrygia, having been reopened by the governor
of the province, after it had been closed many years, these martyrs entered ...
/.../chapter xi concerning macedonius theodulus gratian.htm

Julian, on his Settlement in the Empire, Began Quietly to Stir up ...
... When Julian found himself sole possessor of the empire, [1368] he commanded that
all the pagan temples should be reopened throughout the East; that those which ...
/.../chapter iii julian on his settlement.htm

The Mission in 1894
... in most parts of China. The doors closed by this outbreak have all been
reopened in the goodness of GOD. In those districts which ...
//christianbookshelf.org/taylor/a retrospect/chapter xx the mission in.htm

The Government of the Church.
... The spiritual eye of the believer must therefore be reopened for the work of the
Holy Spirit in the churches. The unspiritual man has no eye for it. ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/xxxix the government of the.htm

Hebrew and Greek Text.
... The greater part of the decisions relating to the text that were arrived at in the
first revision were accepted as final; but many were reopened at the second ...
/.../address iii hebrew and greek.htm

Reopened (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Reopened (1 Occurrence). Genesis 26:18 Isaac dug again
the wells of water, which they had dug in the days of Abraham his father. ...
/r/reopened.htm - 6k

Repaid (16 Occurrences)

/r/repaid.htm - 10k

Rentest (1 Occurrence)

/r/rentest.htm - 6k

Attalia (1 Occurrence)
... to be the chief port for ships from Syria and Egypt, and the point of entry to the
interior until modern times, when the harbor at Mersine was reopened; it has ...
/a/attalia.htm - 8k

Susanna (1 Occurrence)
... On the way to execution she is met by Daniel (= judge "of God") who has the case
reopened, and by a system of cross-examination of the two elders succeeds in ...
/s/susanna.htm - 17k

Gold (429 Occurrences)
... metal still remain. This region is being reopened with the prospect of its
becoming a source of part of the world's supply. It might ...
/g/gold.htm - 57k

Borrowing (1 Occurrence)
... may be said at the present juncture: (1) There are some indications that the entire
question of the criticism of the Gospels is to be reopened (Ramsay, Luke ...
/b/borrowing.htm - 52k

Exodus (2 Occurrences)
... The Hyksos rulers were not expelled by any Thothmes, but by Aahmes who took Avaris
about 1700 BC, and who reopened the quarries of the Arabian chain. ...
/e/exodus.htm - 82k

History (57 Occurrences)
... On the way to execution she is met by Daniel (= judge "of God") who has the case
reopened, and by a system of cross-examination of the two elders succeeds in ...
/h/history.htm - 67k

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