Definition and Context
Shaping, in a biblical context, often refers to the process of forming or molding something into a desired form or purpose. This concept is frequently used metaphorically in Scripture to describe God's work in creating and transforming individuals and nations according to His divine will and purpose.

Biblical References

1. Creation and Formation
The idea of shaping is first introduced in the creation narrative. In Genesis 2:7 , it is written, "Then the LORD God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed the breath of life into his nostrils, and the man became a living being." Here, the term "formed" signifies God's intentional and skillful act of shaping humanity from the earth, highlighting His role as the divine Creator.

2. The Potter and the Clay
One of the most vivid illustrations of shaping in the Bible is the metaphor of the potter and the clay. In Isaiah 64:8 , the prophet declares, "But now, O LORD, You are our Father; we are the clay, and You are our potter; we all are the work of Your hand." This imagery emphasizes God's sovereignty and authority over His creation, illustrating how He molds individuals and nations according to His purpose.

Similarly, in Jeremiah 18:6 , God speaks to the prophet, saying, "O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter does? declares the LORD. Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in My hand, O house of Israel." This passage underscores the theme of divine shaping, where God exercises His right to shape and reshape His people.

3. Spiritual Formation
The New Testament continues the theme of shaping, particularly in the context of spiritual formation and growth. In Romans 8:29 , Paul writes, "For those God foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers." Here, the concept of being "conformed" suggests a process of spiritual shaping, where believers are molded into the likeness of Christ.

4. Discipline and Refinement
Shaping also involves discipline and refinement, as seen in Hebrews 12:10-11 : "Our fathers disciplined us for a short time as they thought best, but God disciplines us for our good, so that we may share in His holiness. No discipline seems enjoyable at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it yields a harvest of righteousness and peace to those who have been trained by it." This passage highlights how God's shaping process often includes correction and training, leading to spiritual maturity and holiness.

Theological Implications

The concept of shaping in the Bible reveals several key theological truths:

· Divine Sovereignty: God, as the ultimate Creator and Potter, has the authority and power to shape His creation according to His will. This underscores His sovereignty and the belief that all things are under His control.

· Human Purpose and Identity: The shaping process reflects God's intentional design for each individual, suggesting that every person has a unique purpose and identity crafted by God.

· Transformation and Growth: Spiritual shaping involves a transformative process where believers are gradually molded into the image of Christ, emphasizing the importance of spiritual growth and sanctification.

· Discipline and Love: God's shaping often includes discipline, which, though challenging, is an expression of His love and desire for His children to grow in righteousness and holiness.

In summary, the biblical concept of shaping encompasses God's creative and transformative work in the world, highlighting His sovereignty, purpose, and love in the lives of His people.(p. pr. & vb. n.) of Shape.518. apaggello -- to report, announce
... 518 (from 575 , "from" intensifying , "announce") -- properly, to declare (report) ,
which focuses on the () shaping the of what is announced. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/518.htm - 8k

Four Shaping Centuries
... THE BOOK OF EXODUS FOUR SHAPING CENTURIES. ... Both periods had their uses and place
in the shaping of the nation and its preparation for the Exodus. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/four shaping centuries.htm

Shaping a Prayer on the Anvil of the Knees.
... Why the Results are Delayed Shaping a Prayer on the Anvil of the Knees. The
last of these pictures is like Raphael's Sistine Madonna ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks on prayer/shaping a prayer on the.htm

Sovereignty of God in Administration
... Is God governing this world of ours? Is He shaping the destinies of nations,
controlling the course of empires, determining the limits of dynasties? ...
/.../pink/the sovereignty of god/chapter three sovereignty of god.htm

Ahaziah
... There is nothing in the Bible more tragical and more infamous than the story of
this woman Jezebel, and the part which she took in shaping the destiny of the ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/milligan/men of the bible some lesser-known/ahaziah.htm

Expositions of Holy Scripture
... JOSEPH'S FAITH. A COFFIN IN EGYPT. EXODUS, LEVITICUS AND NUMBERS. CONTENTS. THE
BOOK OF EXODUS. FOUR SHAPING CENTURIES. DEATH AND GROWTH. THE ARK AMONG THE FLAGS ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/

Introductory Notice to the Early Liturgies.
... The learned Dean Payne-Smith, more minutely than Hippolytus, identifies Samuel,
the master of David, as the great instrument of God in shaping the institutions ...
/.../various/early liturgies/introductory notice to the early.htm

Introductory Notice to Peter, Bishop of Alexandria.
... imagined the Evangelist Mark and the eloquent Apollos to be the destined instruments
for founding the schools of Christendom, and shaping scientific theology? ...
/.../the writings of peter of alexandria/introductory notice to peter bishop.htm

The Speaking Voice
... We take a low and primitive view of things when we conceive of God at the creation
coming into physical contact with things, shaping and fitting and building ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tozer/the pursuit of god/vi the speaking voice.htm

Import of the Great Commission.
... A few years since, good men were in the use of intoxicating drinks without dreaming
it a sin; and so now we may be shaping our course very wide from the ...
/.../dibble/thoughts on missions/chapter vii import of the.htm

The Preacher as a Christian.
... It is right enough that we should now recognise the importance of his natural gifts
and trace out the ways in which Providence was shaping his life towards its ...
/.../stalker/the preacher and his models/lecture vii the preacher as.htm

Shaping (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Shape. Multi-Version Concordance
Shaping (1 Occurrence). Jeremiah 18:4 When the vessel ...
/s/shaping.htm - 6k

Goldsmith (6 Occurrences)
... 32). The art of refining gold and shaping it into objects was probably introduced
into Palestine from Phoenicia (see CRAFTS). Examples ...
/g/goldsmith.htm - 12k

Potter (14 Occurrences)
... the accompanying figures. By the 9th to the 7th century BC the shaping
of vessels of clay had become well developed. Fragments of ...
/p/potter.htm - 28k

Pottery (11 Occurrences)
... the accompanying figures. By the 9th to the 7th century BC the shaping
of vessels of clay had become well developed. Fragments of ...
/p/pottery.htm - 27k

Lapping (2 Occurrences)
... The dog drinks by shaping the end of his long thin tongue into the form of a spoon,
thus rapidly lifting up water, which he throws into his mouth. ...
/l/lapping.htm - 7k

Lasting (40 Occurrences)
... 4. (n.) A species of very durable woolen stuff, used for women's shoes;
everlasting. 5. (n.) The act or process of shaping on a last. ...
/l/lasting.htm - 19k

Imagination (20 Occurrences)
... i-maj-i-na'-shun (yetser, sheriruth; dianoia): "Imagination" is the translation
of yetser, properly "a shaping," hence, "a thought" (Genesis 6:5; Genesis 8:21 ...
/i/imagination.htm - 16k

Fate (138 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) The element of chance in the affairs of life; the unforeseen and unestimated
conditions considered as a force shaping events; fortune; esp., opposing ...
/f/fate.htm - 37k

Ferret (1 Occurrence)
... 4. (n.) The iron used for trying the melted glass to see if is fit to work,
and for shaping the rings at the mouths of bottles. Int. ...
/f/ferret.htm - 11k

Formation (11 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) The act of giving form or shape to anything;
a forming; a shaping. 2. (n.) The manner in which ...
/f/formation.htm - 10k

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