Topical Encyclopedia The concept of "timely" in the Bible often relates to God's perfect timing and the importance of acting or responding at the appropriate moment. This theme is woven throughout Scripture, emphasizing that God's timing is sovereign and purposeful.Divine Timing Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 is perhaps the most well-known passage regarding divine timing. It begins, "To everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven" (Ecclesiastes 3:1). This passage underscores the belief that God has ordained specific times for every event and action in life, from birth to death, planting to uprooting, and mourning to dancing. The verses that follow enumerate various life events, each with its appointed time, illustrating the comprehensive nature of God's timing. God's Sovereignty The Bible frequently highlights God's sovereignty over time. In Daniel 2:21, it is written, "He changes the times and seasons; He removes kings and establishes them." This verse reflects the belief that God not only controls the natural order but also the rise and fall of nations and leaders. His timing is perfect, and His plans are executed according to His divine schedule. Timeliness in Human Action The Scriptures also emphasize the importance of human beings acting in a timely manner. Proverbs 15:23 states, "A man takes joy in a fitting reply—and how good is a timely word!" . This proverb highlights the value of speaking and acting at the right moment, suggesting that wisdom involves recognizing and seizing the appropriate time to respond or act. In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul speaks to the importance of timeliness in the context of salvation. In 2 Corinthians 6:2, he writes, "For He says, 'In the time of favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.' Behold, now is the time of favor; now is the day of salvation!" . Paul urges his readers to recognize the present moment as the opportune time to accept God's grace and salvation. Jesus and Timeliness Jesus Christ's ministry is a profound example of divine timing. Throughout the Gospels, Jesus often refers to "His hour" or "the appointed time." In John 7:6, Jesus tells His brothers, "My time has not yet come, but your time is always at hand" . This statement reflects Jesus' awareness of the divine timetable for His mission, including His crucifixion and resurrection. Moreover, Jesus' parables frequently illustrate the importance of readiness and acting at the right time. The Parable of the Ten Virgins (Matthew 25:1-13) serves as a warning to be prepared for the coming of the Kingdom of Heaven, emphasizing the need for vigilance and timely action. Conclusion The theme of timeliness in the Bible is multifaceted, encompassing God's sovereign control over time, the wisdom of acting at the right moment, and the urgency of responding to God's call. Believers are encouraged to trust in God's perfect timing and to be attentive to the opportunities He provides for action and response. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (superl.) Being or occurring in good time; sufficiently early; seasonable.2. (superl.) Keeping time or measure. 3. (adv.) Early; soon; in good season. Greek 2121. eukairos -- timely ... timely. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: eukairos Phonetic Spelling: (yoo'-kahee-ros) Short Definition: timely, suitable Definition: opportune, timely ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2121.htm - 6k 5611. horaios -- seasonable, timely Strong's Hebrew 5714. Iddo -- "timely," the name of several Israelites... Iddo or Iddo or Iddi. 5715 . "timely," the name of several Israelites. Transliteration: Iddo or Iddo or Iddi Phonetic Spelling: (id-do') Short Definition: ... /hebrew/5714.htm - 6k 6261. itti -- timely, ready 6256. eth -- time Library Timely Supplies The Lord an Example of Timely Flight. Morning Hymn. 1 Oh! Timely Happy The Evangel Booklets The Use of Money Morning Some Hymns and Hymn-Books Christian Morals. Part I. The Warning Neglected Introduction Thesaurus Timely (1 Occurrence)... Multi-Version Concordance Timely (1 Occurrence). Proverbs 15:23 A man has joy in the answer of his mouth: and a word at the right time, how good it is! ... /t/timely.htm - 6k Iddo (14 Occurrences) Untimely (5 Occurrences) Occasion (53 Occurrences) Opportune (4 Occurrences) Great (10383 Occurrences) Ittai (9 Occurrences) Fitly (4 Occurrences) Fit (47 Occurrences) Timeni (1 Occurrence) Resources About GotQuestions.org | GotQuestions.orgIs handing out gospel tracts a good evangelism method? | GotQuestions.org What does the Bible say about going into debt? | GotQuestions.org Timely: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Timely (1 Occurrence)Proverbs 15:23 Subtopics Related Terms |
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