Bible Help: Where Are All The Ostensible Passages?

[adytum]

A pastor once said that the concept of God’s longing for us occurred over a hundred times in the Bible. The only place I can find it is in Job 14:15. In vain have I sought that concept elsewhere in the Scriptures (even using Strong’s). Can anyone tell me what other passages convey that idea? (Or which other expression I should be ferreting out?)

TIA

 

[Publisher]

A pastor once said that the concept of God’s longing for us occurred over a hundred times in the Bible. The only place I can find it is in Job 14:15. In vain have I sought that concept elsewhere in the Scriptures (even using Strong’s). Can anyone tell me what other passages convey that idea? (Or which other expression I should be ferreting out?)

TIA

The parables of the lost sheep…lost coins…pearl of great price are three that come ot mind that convey God’s desire to find us and the lengths He would go…and has gone to bring us to Himself.

 

[Abba]

The parable of the Prodigal Son - He goes out to meet him.

Luke 15:20-32
New International Version (NIV)
20 So he got up and went to his father.
“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.

21 “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’

22 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. 24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.

I think that you could find more than hundred.

 

[IrishRush]

How about John 3:16.
Is there greater proof anywhere else?

 

[adytum]

OK, I see what you guys are doing: you’re going by the idea of it; I was going by the expression in Job that literally says “You will **long for **the work of Your hands.” Thanx for the good (name removed by moderator)ut so far. But I’d still like to know what exactly the pastor was referring to, that is, how to find it by using some sort of research tools (rather than my very poor memory ).

 

[Crumpy]

OK, I see what you guys are doing: you’re going by the idea of it; I was going by the expression in Job that literally says “You will **long for **the work of Your hands.” Thanx for the good (name removed by moderator)ut so far. But I’d still like to know what exactly the pastor was referring to, that is, how to find it by using some sort of research tools (rather than my very poor memory ).

OK, in the OP you said the “concept” of God’s longing and now you want the literal expression of longing. so, you’ve changed what you want.

I would have done what you did, by using Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance.

For the concept of God’s longing I’d throw into the hopper such verses as “you will be my people” which is used conspicuously in a number of places in the Old Testament. It might also be embedded in the verses about God being a jealous God and that he commanded that the Israelites serve no God but him.

There’s also the Shema of Dt 6:4ff where God commands that the Israelites love God with all their heart, soul, and strength. See how that shows the yearning for the faithfulness of Israel to God. And, then, without being too picky, I would imagine that it is in God’s statements in Job. It might be expressed variously in the Psalms.

I think it’s related to the faithfulness of God to Israel.

As far as the NT is concerned, Jn 3:16 jumps out about how God loved the world.

The Lord’s prayer expresses God’s longing for the worship by his people. etc.

 

[Della]

Jesus own words:

Matt.23:37 "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, killing the prophets and stoning those who are sent to you! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you would not!

John.17:24 Father, I desire that they also, whom thou hast given me, may be with me where I am, to behold my glory which thou hast given me in thy love for me before the foundation of the world.

If that doesn’t express God’s yearning that his people come to him to be cared by him, I don’t know what does.

Also:

Jer.31:20 Is E’phraim my dear son?
Is he my darling child?
For as often as I speak against him,
I do remember him still.
Therefore my heart yearns for him;
I will surely have mercy on him, says the LORD.

Hos.6:6 For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice,
the knowledge of God, rather than burnt offerings.

These are metaphors for God’s love for our souls:

Ps.45:11 and the king will desire your beauty.
Since he is your lord, bow to him;

Cant.7:10 I am my beloved’s,
and his desire is for me.

Wis.8:2 I loved her and sought her from my youth,
and I desired to take her for my bride,
and I became enamored of her beauty.

 

[bogeydogg]

OK, I see what you guys are doing: you’re going by the idea of it; I was going by the expression in Job that literally says “You will **long for **the work of Your hands.” Thanx for the good (name removed by moderator)ut so far. But I’d still like to know what exactly the pastor was referring to, that is, how to find it by using some sort of research tools (rather than my very poor memory ).

The concept of God’s love for us is found in John 3:16 most explicitly.

After that look at the number of places where God calls Israel His people and declares further that He will be their God.

Consider Exodus where God declares He will make a difference between His people and the Egyptians.

The Psalms say God has called Israel his son forth…

Jeremiah God declares He knows the plans for Judah, which are all loving.

Then look at your New Testament and every time the words, “grace” or “mercy” or “peace” appear remember that those are all loving expressions of a Father who loves you, who seeks you, who condescends to you so that you may know Him, and gives to you new life in His Son for the sake of His own glory, which (if we take the shema seriously) to love God is to seek His glory, and the Bible declares that God has sought YOU for His glory.

Do you need more proof?

God Bless

 

[Publisher]

“We love Him because He first loves us and gave Himself for us.” Is another.

 

[adytum]

Good stuff, guys! Thanks!

Della: your verses are especially good. Gives me more grist to work with. [SIGN]YAY![/SIGN]

 

[Della]

Good stuff, guys! Thanks!

Della: your verses are especially good. Gives me more grist to work with. [SIGN]YAY![/SIGN]

You’re welcome. :tiphat: Along with the quotes from Our Lord in the Gospels, I did a search for the words “yearn” and “desire” here: quod.lib.umich.edu/r/rsv/. Other similar words would probably enable you to glean more references.

 

[CHRISTINE77]

Try reading Isaiah. It’s almost all about God’s longing for his people.

"Hear, O heavens, and listen, O earth,

for the LORD speaks:

Sons have I raised and reared,

but they have rebelled against me!

An ox knows its owner,

and a donkey, its master’s manger;

But Israel does not know,

my people has not understood.

ah! Sinful nation, people laden with wickedness,

evil offspring, corrupt children!

They have forsaken the LORD,

spurned the Holy One of Israel,"

etc. etc.

 

[adytum]

Try reading Isaiah. It’s almost all about God’s longing for his people.

"Hear, O heavens, and listen, O earth,

for the LORD speaks:

Sons have I raised and reared,

but they have rebelled against me!

An ox knows its owner,

and a donkey, its master’s manger;

But Israel does not know,

my people has not understood.

ah! Sinful nation, people laden with wickedness,

evil offspring, corrupt children!

They have forsaken the LORD,

spurned the Holy One of Israel,"

etc. etc.

Interesting, Christine, that you would read that passage as an example of God’s yearning: to me, whenever I read that, it sounds like wrath. The language is not tender and beckoning, the way you’d expect, if it were an expression of yearning. I’ve often heard people say the Bible is God’s love letter to us, but (with all due respect to His Word), so much of it seems more like a message of condemnation, “shape up or ship out!” (Not that we aren’t sinners, don’t get me wrong.")

 

[bogeydogg]

Interesting, Christine, that you would read that passage as an example of God’s yearning: to me, whenever I read that, it sounds like wrath. The language is not tender and beckoning, the way you’d expect, if it were an expression of yearning. I’ve often heard people say the Bible is God’s love letter to us, but (with all due respect to His Word), so much of it seems more like a message of condemnation, “shape up or ship out!” (Not that we aren’t sinners, don’t get me wrong.")

Anytime God bids us to repent it is a call to come back. If God did not want us He would not call us. By reminding us of our sin God is showing compassion because our sin deserves death not warning.

God Bless

 

[TimothyH]

Interesting, Christine, that you would read that passage as an example of God’s yearning: to me, whenever I read that, it sounds like wrath. The language is not tender and beckoning, the way you’d expect, if it were an expression of yearning. I’ve often heard people say the Bible is God’s love letter to us, but (with all due respect to His Word), so much of it seems more like a message of condemnation, “shape up or ship out!” (Not that we aren’t sinners, don’t get me wrong.")

With regard to Isaiah specifically, chapters 1 to 39 were known as the “Book of Woe” or the “Book of Judgement.” Chapters 40 to 66 were known as the “Book of Consolation.”

Chapter 39 ends on a particularly dread note.

The time is coming when all that is in your house, everything that your ancestors have stored up until this day, shall be carried off to Babylon; nothing shall be left, says the LORD. (Isaiah 39:6)

This of course, is prophecy about the Babylonian exile. Chapter 40 however, which is the beginning of the Book of Consolation, starts on a very bright note.

Comfort, give comfort to my people,
says your God.
Speak to the heart of Jerusalem, and proclaim to her
that her service has ended,
that her guilt is expiated,
That she has received from the hand of the LORD
double for all her sins.
A voice proclaims:
In the wilderness prepare the way of the LORD!
Make straight in the wasteland a highway for our God
(Isaiah 40:1-3)

Prophecy about the “Consolation of Israel” for which we are told Simeon was seeking in the Temple, goes on from Chapter 39 to the end. It is definitely very upbeat.

This particilar passage quoted above, is significant in that it was quoted by John the Baptist who cried out in the wilderness, “Make straight the way of the Lord!” In John’s Gospel, the priests and Levites ask John the Baptist who he is and he replies with Isaiah 3, which would have immediately brought to mind the opening lines of Isaiah’s “Book of Consolation” as an indication that the Messiah was near.

Sometimes to see God’s yearning, we have to know a little about what the authors were trying to say and study the scriptures a bit. Knowing a little about the history of Israel and the context under which the authors and their intended audience operated helps a great deal. The entire Old Testament is the story of a loving father teaching his children to trust him. To me it is story of great patience and love, in spite of the episodes of violence and wrath.

-Tim-

 

[TimothyH]

It occurs to me that the entire Song of Songs is the story of God yearning for his Church, the story of the Holy Spirit and his spouse Mary, and God’s love for us.

***How beautiful you are, how pleasing,
my love, my delight!
Your very figure is like a palm tree,
your breasts are like clusters.

I said: I will climb the palm tree,
I will take hold of its branches.
Now let your breasts be like clusters of the vine
and the fragrance of your breath like apples,

And your mouth like an excellent wine-
that flows smoothly for my lover,
spreading over the lips and the teeth.

I belong to my lover
and for me he yearns.
Come, my lover, let us go forth to the fields
and spend the night among the villages.

Let us go early to the vineyards, and see
if the vines are in bloom,
If the buds have opened,
if the pomegranates have blossomed;
There will I give you my love. **
(Song of Songs 7:7-13)*

-Tim-