Topical Encyclopedia Presumption, in the biblical context, refers to the act of overstepping boundaries set by God, often characterized by arrogance or audacity in assuming a position or authority not granted by Him. The Bible provides several instances where presumption leads to divine punishment, underscoring the seriousness with which God views such actions.Old Testament Examples 1. Nadab and Abihu: In Leviticus 10:1-2, Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, offered unauthorized fire before the Lord, an act of presumption against God's explicit commands regarding worship. The text states, "But Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took their respective censers, put fire in them, and added incense, and offered unauthorized fire before the LORD, which He had not commanded them. So fire came out from the presence of the LORD and consumed them, and they died before the LORD" . Their punishment was immediate death, illustrating the severe consequences of presuming to alter God's ordained worship. 2. Korah's Rebellion: In Numbers 16, Korah, Dathan, and Abiram led a rebellion against Moses and Aaron, challenging their God-given authority. This act of presumption resulted in a dramatic punishment. Numbers 16:31-33 recounts, "As soon as Moses had finished saying all this, the ground beneath them split open, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them and their households, all Korah’s men and all their possessions. They went down alive into Sheol with all they owned. The earth closed over them, and they vanished from the assembly" . This event serves as a stark warning against presuming to challenge God's appointed leaders. 3. Uzziah's Incense Offering: King Uzziah's presumption is recorded in 2 Chronicles 26:16-21. Uzziah, in his pride, entered the temple to burn incense on the altar, a duty reserved for the priests. The Lord struck him with leprosy as punishment. "But after Uzziah became powerful, his pride led to his downfall. He was unfaithful to the LORD his God, for he entered the temple of the LORD to burn incense on the altar of incense" (2 Chronicles 26:16). His leprosy remained until his death, serving as a lifelong reminder of his presumption. New Testament Insight 1. Ananias and Sapphira: In Acts 5:1-11, Ananias and Sapphira presumed to deceive the Holy Spirit by lying about the proceeds from the sale of their property. Their punishment was immediate death. Acts 5:3-5 states, "Then Peter said, 'Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? ... When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard what had happened'" . This account highlights the gravity of presuming to deceive God. 2. Simon the Sorcerer: In Acts 8:18-24, Simon the Sorcerer presumed he could buy the power of the Holy Spirit with money. Peter rebuked him sharply, saying, "May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money!" (Acts 8:20). Although Simon was not struck dead, the severe rebuke and call to repentance underscore the seriousness of his presumption. Theological Implications The biblical narrative consistently portrays presumption as a grave sin, often resulting in severe punishment. This underscores the importance of humility, obedience, and reverence for God's commands and authority. The examples provided serve as cautionary tales, reminding believers of the need to respect divine boundaries and to approach God with a heart of submission and faithfulness. Torrey's Topical Textbook Numbers 15:30But the soul that does ought presumptuously, whether he be born in the land, or a stranger, the same reproaches the LORD; and that soul shall be cut off from among his people. Torrey's Topical Textbook Revelation 18:7,8 Library Whether Presumption is Opposed to Fear Rather than to Hope Whether Presumption is More Opposed to Fear than to Hope? Whether Death, which by the Sin of Our First Parents Has Passed ... The Eternal Punishment of the Wicked Reconciled with the Goodness ... Concerning the Disease that Herod Fell into and the Sedition which ... Whether There Should have Been Given a Precept of Fear? Sanctions of Moral Law, Natural and Governmental. Chapter ii. Letter cxxxix. (AD 412. ) Letter cxxxiii. (AD 412. ) Resources Are the demons the disembodied spirits of the Nephilim? | GotQuestions.orgWhy didn't Adam and Eve find it strange that a serpent was talking to them? | GotQuestions.org What are the strengths and weaknesses of the pre-wrath view of the rapture? | GotQuestions.org Presumption: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Presumption in Asking Jesus, "What Will This Man Do?" Presumption in Objecting to Jesus' Statement That Jesus Must be Killed Presumption in Objecting to Jesus Washing Peter's Feet Presumption in Reflecting Upon his Knowledge when he Asked, Amid a Throng, Who Touched Jesus Presumption: A Characteristic of Antichrist Presumption: A Characteristic of the Wicked Presumption: Abraham, in Questioning About Sodom Presumption: Builders of Babel Presumption: Complaining at Meribah Presumption: David, in Numbering Israel Presumption: David's Anger on Account of Uzzah's Death Presumption: Exhibited in Esteeming Our own Ways Right Presumption: Exhibited in Opposing God Presumption: Exhibited in Planning for the Future Presumption: Exhibited in Pretending to Prophecy Presumption: Exhibited in Seeking Precedence Presumption: Exhibited in Self-Righteousness Presumption: Exhibited in Spiritual Pride Presumption: Exhibited in Wilful Commission of Sin Presumption: General Scriptures Concerning Presumption: Israelites, in Ascending to the Top of the Hill Against the Amalekites Presumption: James and John, in Desiring to Call Down Fire Upon the Samaritans Presumption: Job, in Cursing the Day of his Birth Presumption: Korah, Dathan, and Abiram Presumption: Men of Bethshemesh Presumption: Men of Beth-Shemesh Presumption: Moses, in Rebuking Jehovah Presumption: Pray to be Kept from Sins of Presumption: Reproved by Eliphaz Presumption: Satan, when he Said to Eve, "You Will Surely not Die" Presumption: Saul, in Sacrificing Presumption: Sparing the Amalekites Presumption: The Disciples, in Rebuking Those Who Brought Little Children to Jesus Presumption: The Disciples, in Their Indignation at the Anointing of Jesus Presumption: The Sons of Sceva Presumption: Those Who Reviled Jesus Presumption: Uzzah, in Steadying the Ark of the Covenant Related Terms Presumptuously (10 Occurrences) |
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