The concept of being "replaced" in the Bible often involves themes of divine sovereignty, judgment, and the fulfillment of God's purposes. Throughout Scripture, God demonstrates His authority to replace individuals, nations, or systems to accomplish His divine will.

Old Testament Examples

1. Saul and David: One of the most prominent examples of replacement in the Old Testament is the transition of kingship from Saul to David. Saul, the first king of Israel, was rejected by God due to his disobedience. In 1 Samuel 15:28, the prophet Samuel tells Saul, "The LORD has torn the kingdom of Israel from you today and has given it to your neighbor, who is better than you." David, a man after God's own heart (1 Samuel 13:14), was chosen to replace Saul as king.

2. Eli and Samuel: The priest Eli and his household were replaced due to the corruption of his sons, Hophni and Phinehas. God raised up Samuel as a prophet and judge over Israel. In 1 Samuel 2:35, God declares, "Then I will raise up for Myself a faithful priest who will do according to what is in My heart and mind. I will build for him an enduring house, and he will walk before My anointed one for all time."

3. Israel and the Gentiles: The Old Testament prophets often spoke of a time when the Gentiles would be included in God's covenant blessings, a theme that is further developed in the New Testament. While Israel was chosen as God's special people, their disobedience led to periods of judgment and the inclusion of the Gentiles in God's redemptive plan (Isaiah 49:6).

New Testament Examples

1. Judas Iscariot and Matthias: In the New Testament, Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Jesus, was replaced by Matthias as one of the twelve apostles. Acts 1:24-26 records the apostles praying for guidance and casting lots to choose Matthias, fulfilling the need for twelve witnesses to the resurrection of Christ.

2. The Old Covenant and the New Covenant: The New Testament presents the replacement of the Old Covenant with the New Covenant through Jesus Christ. Hebrews 8:13 states, "By calling this covenant 'new,' He has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and aging will soon disappear." This transition signifies the fulfillment of the law through Christ and the establishment of a new relationship between God and humanity.

3. The Temple and the Body of Christ: Jesus spoke of replacing the physical temple with His body, indicating a shift from a physical place of worship to a spiritual one. In John 2:19, Jesus says, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up," referring to His resurrection and the establishment of the Church as the body of Christ.

Theological Implications

The theme of replacement in the Bible underscores God's sovereignty and His ability to fulfill His purposes despite human failure. It serves as a reminder of the importance of faithfulness and obedience to God's commands. The replacement of individuals or systems often points to a greater fulfillment of God's redemptive plan, ultimately culminating in the person and work of Jesus Christ.3173. yachid -- only, only one, solitary
... From yachad; properly, united, ie Sole; by implication, beloved; also lonely; (feminine)
the life (as not to be replaced) -- darling, desolate, only (child, son ...
/hebrew/3173.htm - 6k

Meditation viii. Institution of the Holy Eucharist.
... to the best of my belief after which he lifted up the paten with the loaves upon
it, in his two hands, raised his eyes, prayed, offered, and replaced the paten ...
/.../meditation viii institution of the.htm

Jesus Confined in the Subterranean Prison.
... subsist to this day. Two of the archers alone remained with him, and they
were soon replaced by two others. He was still clothed ...
/.../the dolorous passion of our lord jesus christ/chapter xii jesus confined in.htm

The Bible in the Life of To-Day
... There has been no marked instance where a phrase was added by the revisers; that
is, a phrase dropped out of the original and now replaced. ...
/.../mcafee/study of the king james bible/lecture vi the bible in.htm

Sanctification is a Mystery.
... It must be conceded, therefore, that it is His revealed will and commandment that
all this unholiness must cease immediately, and be replaced directly by what ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/ii sanctification is a mystery.htm

Of the Affections and their Use; of Patience, and the Chief Good ...
... If it is a virtue not to be sparing of riches, which can be replaced, that you may
support the life of man, which cannot be replaced; then parsimony is a vice. ...
/.../lactantius/the divine institutes/chap xvii of the affections and.htm

To John, Bishop of Germanicia.
... Schulze remarks that he would have replaced it in its own rank but for the
confusion which would thus have been introduced in quotation. ...
/.../theodoret/the ecclesiastical history of theodoret/cxlvii to john bishop of.htm

Travel. A Personal Experience.
... A new Hotel de Ville, one of the most magnificent buildings in Europe, has replaced
the old hall. ... The statue of the Virgin Mary was replaced by one of Liberty. ...
/.../ix travel a personal experience.htm

Changed Conditions
... As we came to districts where the regulations had been less severely enforced, we
found the queue replaced by the most extraordinary head-dress; the hair ...
/.../the fulfilment of a dream of pastor hsis/chapter xx changed conditions.htm

Apostles To-Day?
... As one of the tribes of Israel was replaced by two others, so in regard to the
apostolate; for Simeon, who fell out, Manasseh and Ephraim were substituted, and ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/xxxii apostles to-day.htm

The School of Obedience
... Roman numerals in Scripture references in the original printing have been replaced
with Arabic numerals.] The School of Obedience. by. Rev. Andrew Murray. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/murray/the school of obedience/title page.htm

Replaced (4 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Replaced (4 Occurrences). Genesis 43:18 The men
were afraid, because they were brought to Joseph's house ...
/r/replaced.htm - 7k

Parchment
... Parchment was extensively used at the time of the early Christians for scrolls,
legal documents, etc., having replaced papyrus for that purpose. ...
/p/parchment.htm - 8k

Admiration (2 Occurrences)
... to wonder"): A term thrice used in the King James Version in the New Testament,
to express a wonder that includes approval, high esteem; replaced in the ...
/a/admiration.htm - 8k

Septuagint
... were in truth integral parts of the koine, or "common language," ie the international
form of Greek which, since the time of Alexander, replaced the old ...
/s/septuagint.htm - 38k

Table (125 Occurrences)
... After this specialization "table" in the sense of "a surface for writing" was replaced
in later English by the diminutive form "tablet." But "surface for ...
/t/table.htm - 62k

Replace (11 Occurrences)

/r/replace.htm - 10k

Testaments
... Dynasty. The Macedonian or 32nd replaced this in 332 BC, only to give way,
a decade later, to the last or 33rd, the Ptolemaic Dynasty. ...
/t/testaments.htm - 35k

Between (2624 Occurrences)
... Dynasty. The Macedonian or 32nd replaced this in 332 BC, only to give way,
a decade later, to the last or 33rd, the Ptolemaic Dynasty. ...
/b/between.htm - 36k

Vain (141 Occurrences)
... And "vain" can always be replaced by its synonym "empty," often with advantage
in modern English (Job 15:2 1 Corinthians 15:14, etc.). ...
/v/vain.htm - 36k

Zebulun (46 Occurrences)
... 30:20 Leah exclaims, "God hath endowed me with a good dowry," which suggests a
derivation of Zebulun from zabhadh, "to bestow," the (d) being replaced by (l ...
/z/zebulun.htm - 29k

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