In biblical terms, the concept of "reserve" can be understood in various contexts, including God's providence, human prudence, and spiritual readiness. The term itself may not frequently appear in the English translations of the Bible, but the underlying principles are woven throughout Scripture.

Divine Reserve and Providence

God's reserve is often seen in His providential care and the way He holds back or preserves certain things for His purposes. In the Old Testament, God's reserve is evident in His dealings with Israel. For instance, God reserves judgment for the appointed time, as seen in the prophetic writings. In Nahum 1:2 , it is written, "The LORD is a jealous and avenging God; the LORD is avenging and full of wrath. The LORD takes vengeance on His foes and reserves wrath for His enemies."

The concept of divine reserve is also evident in God's provision for His people. In Genesis 22, God provides a ram as a substitute for Isaac, demonstrating His reserve of provision for those who trust in Him. This act foreshadows the ultimate provision of Jesus Christ as the Lamb of God.

Human Prudence and Reserve

Human reserve, in terms of prudence and wisdom, is encouraged in Scripture. The book of Proverbs frequently highlights the importance of reserving judgment and speech. Proverbs 10:19 states, "When words are many, sin is unavoidable, but he who restrains his lips is wise." This verse underscores the value of reserving one's words to avoid sin and demonstrate wisdom.

In the New Testament, Jesus teaches about the importance of being prepared and having reserves of spiritual readiness. In the parable of the ten virgins (Matthew 25:1-13), the wise virgins are commended for having reserves of oil for their lamps, symbolizing spiritual preparedness for the coming of the bridegroom, representing Christ.

Spiritual Readiness and Reserve

The concept of reserve also extends to spiritual readiness and the call to be prepared for the return of Christ. Believers are encouraged to reserve their hearts and lives for God, living in a state of readiness for His return. In 1 Peter 1:4 , believers are reminded of "an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, reserved in heaven for you."

This reserved inheritance speaks to the eternal security and hope that believers have in Christ. It is a reminder that God has set aside a place for His people, and they are to live in anticipation of this promise.

Conclusion

While the term "reserve" may not be explicitly used in many biblical passages, the principles of divine providence, human prudence, and spiritual readiness are integral to the biblical narrative. These themes encourage believers to trust in God's provision, exercise wisdom in their actions, and maintain a state of readiness for the fulfillment of God's promises.1. (v. t.) To keep back; to retain; not to deliver, make over, or disclose.

2. (v. t.) Hence, to keep in store for future or special use; to withhold from present use for another purpose or time; to keep; to retain.

3. (v. t.) To make an exception of; to except.

4. (n.) The act of reserving, or keeping back; reservation.

5. (n.) That which is reserved, or kept back, as for future use.

6. (n.) That which is excepted; exception.

7. (n.) Restraint of freedom in words or actions; backwardness; caution in personal behavior.

8. (n.) A tract of land reserved, or set apart, for a particular purpose; as, the Connecticut Reserve in Ohio, originally set apart for the school fund of Connecticut; the Clergy Reserves in Canada, for the support of the clergy.

9. (n.) A body of troops in the rear of an army drawn up for battle, reserved to support the other lines as occasion may require; a force or body of troops kept for an exigency.

10. (n.) Funds kept on hand to meet liabilities.

2641. kataleipo -- to leave, leave behind
... Phonetic Spelling: (kat-al-i'-po) Short Definition: I leave behind, abandon Definition:
I leave behind, desert, abandon, forsake; I leave remaining, reserve. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2641.htm - 7k

5288. hupostello -- to draw in, let down, draw back
... From hupo and stello; to withhold under (out of sight), ie (reflexively) to cower
or shrink, (figuratively) to conceal (reserve) -- draw (keep) back, shun ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5288.htm - 7k

2343. thesaurizo -- to lay up, store up
... From thesauros; to amass or reserve (literally or figuratively) -- lay up (treasure),
(keep) in store, (heap) treasure (together, up). see GREEK thesauros. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2343.htm - 7k

2849. kolazo -- to chastise
... punish. From kolos (dwarf); properly, to curtail, ie (figuratively) to chastise
(or reserve for infliction) -- punish. (kolazomenous) -- 1 Occurrence. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2849.htm - 6k

4046. peripoieo -- to preserve, get possession of
... alive. Cognate: 4046 -- properly, acquire (literally, "make all-around,
comprehensively"); make one's own; reserve for , with (). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4046.htm - 7k

4236. praotes -- meekness.
... gentleness, meekness, kindness. 4236 -- properly, , displaying the right
blend of force and reserve (gentleness). 4236 ("strength ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4236.htm - 6k

680. atsal -- to lay aside, reserve, withdraw, withhold
... to lay aside, reserve, withdraw, withhold. Transliteration: atsal Phonetic Spelling:
(aw-tsal') Short Definition: refuse. ... keep, reserve, straiten, take. ...
/hebrew/680.htm - 6k

1633a. garam -- to cut off, reserve
... garam. 1633b . to cut off, reserve. Transliteration: garam Short Definition: leave. ...
root Definition to cut off, reserve NASB Word Usage leave (1). 1633, 1633a ...
/hebrew/1633a.htm - 5k

1633. garam -- to cut off, reserve
... 1632, 1633. garam. 1633a . to cut off, reserve. Transliteration: garam Phonetic
Spelling: (gaw-ram') Short Definition: bones. gnaw the bones, break ...
/hebrew/1633.htm - 5k

6845. tsaphan -- to hide, treasure up
... hoard, reserve, deny. A primitive root; to hide (by covering over); by implication,
to hoard or reserve; figuratively to deny; specifically ...
/hebrew/6845.htm - 6k

7604. shaar -- to remain, be left over
... leave, be left, let, remain, remnant, reserve, the rest. A primitive root;
properly, to swell up, ie Be (causatively, make) redundant ...
/hebrew/7604.htm - 6k

5201. natar -- to keep
... bear grudge, keeper, reserve. A primitive root; to guard; figuratively, to cherish
(anger) -- bear grudge, keep(-er), reserve. 5200, 5201. natar. 5202 . ...
/hebrew/5201.htm - 6k

6487. piqqadon -- a deposit, store
... Definition: deposit. Word Origin from paqad Definition a deposit, store
NASB Word Usage deposit (2), reserve (1). a deposit. From ...
/hebrew/6487.htm - 6k

2934. taman -- to hide, conceal
... root Definition to hide, conceal NASB Word Usage buries (2), concealed (2), discarded
(1), held in reserve (1), hid (8), hidden (9), hide (5), hiding (1 ...
/hebrew/2934.htm - 6k

3947. laqach -- to take
... in the widest variety of applications) -- accept, bring, buy, carry away, drawn,
fetch, get, infold, X many, mingle, place, receive(-ing), reserve, seize, send ...
/hebrew/3947.htm - 6k

3498. yathar -- to remain over
... to abound, preserve -- excel, leave (a remnant), left behind, too much, make plenteous,
preserve, (be, let) remain(-der, -ing, - nant), reserve, residue, rest. ...
/hebrew/3498.htm - 6k

Doctrine of Reserve.
... Epistle of Peter to James. Chapter I."Doctrine of Reserve. Knowing, my
brother, your eager desire after that which is for the ...
/.../unknown/epistle of peter to james/chapter i doctrine of reserve.htm

We must Reserve the Likeness of the virtues in Ourselves. ...
... Book I. Chapter XLIX. We must reserve the likeness of the virtues in ourselves.?
We must reserve the likeness of the virtues in ourselves. ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter xlix we must reserve.htm

Letter xiv. --On Reserve with a Director.
... THIRD BOOK. ON THE OBSTACLES TO ABANDONMENT. Letter XIV."On Reserve
with a Director. To Sister Marie-Th??r??se de Viom??nil. On ...
/.../de caussade/abandonment to divine providence/letter xiv on reserve with a.htm

Ep. Lviii. To Basil.
... openly charge us with heresy, others with cowardice; with heresy, those who believe
that our language is not sound; with cowardice, they who blame our reserve. ...
/.../cyril/select letters of saint gregory nazianzen/ep lviii to basil.htm

1879-1880. Experiences among Indians --Picnic in the Bush ...
... tour, I was about to return to the Galt Home, when a messenger arrived with a pressing
invitation to visit the Indians on the Chippawa Reserve, and tell them ...
/.../lowe/gods answers/chapter viii 1879-1880 experiences among.htm

The Holy Spirit's Intercession
... There is an amazing glory in reserve for us, and though as yet we cannot enter upon
it, but in harmony with the whole creation must continue to groan and ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 26 1880/the holy spirits intercession.htm

How, While the Whole Heart is Employed in Sacred Love, yet one May ...
... He always employed all his genius to paint these pictures of Alexander well, because
he used it without reserve, yet sometimes he employed it more effectively ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter iii how while the.htm

Eve and Mary Continued.
... Language establishes between souls a very close and mysterious union, and this is
why discretion, prudence and reserve are so necessary in regulating its use. ...
/.../sainte-foi/serious hours of a young lady/chapter vi eve and mary.htm

The Different Duties of Abandonment.
... So that souls may not be deceived, God never fails to give them wise guidance to
indicate with what liberty or reserve these inspirations should be made use of ...
/.../abandonment to divine providence/section iii the different duties of.htm

Letter ii. --A Short Way to Perfection.
... yourself, of studied elegance, of all reflexion of your own conduct; in fine, of
all that you can call your own, and give yourself up without reserve and for ...
/.../de caussade/abandonment to divine providence/letter ii a short way to.htm

Reserve (15 Occurrences)
... 8. (n.) A tract of land reserved, or set apart, for a particular purpose; as, the
Connecticut Reserve in Ohio, originally set apart for the school fund of ...
/r/reserve.htm - 11k

Mystery (31 Occurrences)
... revealed. But here arises a seeming contradiction. On the one hand, there
are passages which seem to imply a doctrine of reserve. The ...
/m/mystery.htm - 42k

Distance (75 Occurrences)
... 9. (n.) The remoteness or reserve which respect requires; hence, respect;
ceremoniousness. 10. (n.) A withholding of intimacy; alienation ...
/d/distance.htm - 29k

Back (5096 Occurrences)
... 8. (n.) The part of a cutting tool on the opposite side from its edge; as, the back
of a knife, or of a saw. 9. (n.) A support or resource in reserve. 10. ...
/b/back.htm - 11k

Spare (80 Occurrences)
... to show mercy to. 4. (v.) To save or gain, as by frugality; to reserve,
as from some occupation, use, or duty. 5. (v.) To deprive ...
/s/spare.htm - 32k

Reserved (28 Occurrences)
... 1. (imp. & pp) of Reserve. 2. (a.) Kept for future or special use, or for an
exigency; as, reserved troops; a reserved seat in a theater. ...
/r/reserved.htm - 15k

Unjust (44 Occurrences)
... 2 Peter 2:9 The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to
reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished: (KJV DBY WBS). ...
/u/unjust.htm - 18k

Openly (52 Occurrences)
... 1. (adv.) In an open manner; publicly; not in private; without secrecy. 2. (adv.)
Without reserve or disguise; plainly; evidently. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/o/openly.htm - 21k

Open (586 Occurrences)
... 5. (a.) Without reserve or false pretense; sincere; characterized by sincerity;
unfeigned; frank; also, generous; liberal; bounteous; -- applied to personal ...
/o/open.htm - 41k

Outlying (4 Occurrences)
... But--to speak simply of my own labours--beginning in Jerusalem and the outlying
districts, I have proclaimed without reserve, even as far as Illyricum, the ...
/o/outlying.htm - 7k

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