Remnant – Rev. Grace Reyes
“The remnant will return, the remnant of Jacob,
To the Mighty God.
For though your people, O Israel, be as the sand of the sea,
A remnant of them will return;
The destruction decreed shall overflow with righteousness.
For the Lord GOD of hosts
Will make a determined end
In the midst of all the land.”
In a biblical context, "remnants" typically refer to a small remaining portion or group of people who are left after a larger group has been destroyed, dispersed, or diminished in some way. The concept often carries a sense of survival, resilience, and continuity. In the Old Testament, for instance, remnants are frequently mentioned in the context of Israelites who remained faithful to God despite challenges or punishments faced by the broader community. These remnants were seen as a faithful remnant, preserved by God for a specific purpose or promise.
The idea of a remnant can also signify a spiritual or symbolic significance, representing those who maintain true faith or adherence to divine principles amidst societal or cultural decline.
In Christian theology, the concept of a remnant may be linked to passages such as Romans 11, where Paul discusses the remnant of Israel who remained faithful to God's covenant despite widespread unbelief. Overall, the biblical definition of remnants underscore’s themes of faithfulness, perseverance, and divine preservation amidst adversity. The Bible gives examples of remnants underscoring themes of faithfulness, perseverance, and divine preservation amidst adversity.
Examples of those who obeyed God’s command even when they did not completely understand it at the time.
Noah and the Flood (Genesis 6-9): Noah and his family are considered a remnant in the biblical narrative. Despite the widespread corruption and wickedness of humanity, Noah remained faithful to God's command to build the ark and was preserved along with his family to repopulate the earth after the floodwaters receded.
The Israelites in Egypt (Exodus 1-2): When the Israelites were enslaved in Egypt, they endured years of oppression and hardship. However, amidst this adversity, they remained faithful to God's promises to their forefathers. Moses, raised in Pharaoh's household but aware of his Hebrew heritage, eventually led the Israelites out of Egypt, symbolizing God's preservation of His people and their perseverance through trials.
The Exile and Return (Jeremiah, Ezra, Nehemiah): The Babylonian exile marked a period of great adversity for the Israelites, as they were forcibly removed from their land and taken into captivity. However, even in exile, there were faithful remnants such as Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego who remained devoted to God amidst the challenges of foreign rule and cultural assimilation. Additionally, after the exile, a remnant returned to Jerusalem under the leadership of figures like Ezra and Nehemiah, rebuilding the temple and restoring their religious practices despite opposition.
The Faithful Remnant in Elijah's Time (1 Kings 19): During the reign of King Ahab and Queen Jezebel, widespread idolatry, and apostasy plagued Israel. However, amidst this spiritual decline, there remained a faithful remnant, including the prophet, Elijah. Despite facing persecution and feeling isolated in his faith, Elijah persevered, and God preserved him, showing that even in the darkest times, there are those who remain faithful to God's truth.
In 1 Kings 19:18, God tells Elijah that 7,000 people have been set aside for Him, and that they are His remnant. This group represents the faithful remnant of the nation of Israel who have strayed from God. In Romans 11:4, Paul quotes God's reply to Elijah, saying that 7,000 men have been kept for Him who have not bowed to Baal, and have remained faithful to Him. Although they were unknown to Elijah.
Although humans are very limited in their perspective and knowledge, God is not. He understands our thoughts, is acquainted with all our ways, and knows what we will say even before we say it (Psalm 139:2-4). God knew of these 7,000 individuals even though Elijah did not.
Second, they were a strong minority. Compared to Elijah’s thought of being the only one (1 Kings 19:10, 14), 7,000 sounds like an impressive number. However, it still would have been a minority in the nation of Israel; but it was a strong minority.Third, they were faithful to the Lord. The Lord indicated that they were His people. They had been faithful to Him by refusing to worship Baal, obeying the command they had been given in the Law of Moses to serve no other gods (Exodus 20:3; Deuteronomy 6:14)
Are We Like This Faithful Remnant?
In the midst of a nation that had strayed from the Lord, the 7,000 represented a faithful remnant. It is possible to be faithful when most will not.
So, you may be asking today, what is the point of this discussion? Why is she focusing on the things of yesterday. This is not a bible study. I will tell you what the Lord has made clear to me.
Ask yourself are you a remnant? Be honest with yourself in your alone time and do a spring inventory of your walk with Christ. If we are part of the Lord’s faithful remnant, we will share the traits of the group in Elijah’s day.
First, we will not necessarily be known to others. This will be true individually and in our local churches. There are three reasons for this:
1) We are not dependent upon others; therefore, we can be faithful to God no matter what others do.
2) We are added by God to the church – This means that our place among the Lord’s remnant is not dependent upon the approval
or knowledge of others. When people obeyed the gospel on the day of Pentecost, God added them to the church (Acts 2:47).
Can you then honestly call yourself a remnant in a world that has become overrun with disobedience and wickedness? Do you, despite what is happening around you remain faithful to the commands of the Lord?
- Do you set aside time with the Lord or only on Sundays at church or a bible study in the middle of the week?
- Do you listen for his voice when there are decisions to be made that will affect you and your family?
- Do you wait on Him or just tell him and then do as you planned anyway?
- Are you an example of the fruit of the Spirit to your family, friends and co-workers?
Let’s once again define what remnants are, “Remnants are frequently mentioned in the context of Israelites who remained faithful to God despite challenges or punishments faced by the broader community.
These remnants were seen as a faithful remnant, preserved by God for a specific purpose or promise.”
As you take an honest look only you can decide if you are falling short of what God wants for you, repent, and ask the Lord to lead you into the place where He can guide you to HIS truth.
El remanente volverá, el remanente de Jacob,
Al Dios Poderoso.
Porque aunque tu pueblo, oh Israel, sea como la arena del mar,
Un resto de ellos volverá;
La destrucción decretada rebosará de justicia.
Para el Señor DIOS de los ejércitos
Hará un final decidido
En medio de toda la tierra.
Isaías 10:21-23 NVI
En un contexto bíblico, "remanentes" generalmente se refiere a una pequeña porción o grupo de personas que quedan después de que un grupo más grande ha sido destruido, dispersado o disminuido de alguna manera. El concepto a menudo conlleva un sentido de supervivencia, resiliencia y continuidad. En el Antiguo Testamento, por ejemplo, los remanentes se mencionan con frecuencia en el contexto de los israelitas que permanecieron fieles a Dios a pesar de los desafíos o castigos que enfrentó la comunidad en general. Estos remanentes fueron vistos como un remanente fiel, preservado por Dios para un propósito o promesa específica.
La idea de un remanente también puede tener un significado espiritual o simbólico, representando a aquellos que mantienen la verdadera fe o la adhesión a los principios divinos en medio del declive social o cultural.
En la teología cristiana, el concepto de remanente puede estar vinculado a pasajes como Romanos 11, donde Pablo analiza el remanente de Israel que permaneció fiel al pacto de Dios a pesar de la incredulidad generalizada.
En general, la definición bíblica de remanentes subraya los temas de fidelidad, perseverancia y preservación divina en medio de la adversidad.
La Biblia da ejemplos de remanentes que subrayan temas de fidelidad, perseverancia y preservación divina en medio de la adversidad.
Ejemplos de quienes obedecieron el mandato de Dios incluso cuando no lo entendieron completamente en ese momento.
Noé y el Diluvio (Génesis 6-9): Noé y su familia son considerados un remanente en la narrativa bíblica. A pesar de la corrupción y la maldad generalizadas de la humanidad, Noé permaneció fiel al mandato de Dios de construir el arca y fue preservado junto con su familia para repoblar la tierra después de que retrocedieran las aguas del diluvio.
Los israelitas en Egipto (Éxodo 1-2): Cuando los israelitas fueron esclavizados en Egipto, soportaron años de opresión y dificultades. Sin embargo, en medio de esta adversidad, permanecieron fieles a las promesas de Dios a sus antepasados. Moisés, criado en la casa de Faraón pero consciente de su herencia hebrea, finalmente condujo a los israelitas fuera de Egipto, simbolizando la preservación de su pueblo por parte de Dios y su perseverancia a través de las pruebas.
El exilio y el regreso (Jeremías, Esdras, Nehemías): El exilio en Babilonia marcó un período de gran adversidad para los israelitas, ya que fueron expulsados por la fuerza de su tierra y llevados en cautiverio. Sin embargo, incluso en el exilio, hubo remanentes fieles como Daniel, Sadrac, Mesac y Abednego que permanecieron devotos de Dios en medio de los desafíos del dominio extranjero y la asimilación cultural. Además, después del exilio, un remanente regresó a Jerusalén bajo el liderazgo de figuras como Esdras y Nehemías, reconstruyó el templo y restableció sus prácticas religiosas a pesar de la oposición.
El remanente fiel en tiempos de Elías (1 Reyes 19): Durante el reinado del rey Acab y la reina Jezabel, la idolatría y la apostasía generalizadas plagaron a Israel. Sin embargo, en medio de esta decadencia espiritual, permaneció un remanente fiel, incluido el profeta Elías. A pesar de enfrentar persecución y sentirse aislado en su fe, Elías perseveró y Dios lo preservó, demostrando que incluso en los tiempos más oscuros, hay quienes permanecen fieles a la verdad de Dios.
En 1 Reyes 19:18, Dios le dice a Elías que 7.000 personas han sido apartadas para Él y que son Su remanente. Este grupo representa el remanente fiel de la nación de Israel que se ha desviado de Dios. En Romanos 11:4, Pablo cita la respuesta de Dios a Elías, diciendo que le han sido reservados 7.000 hombres que no se han inclinado ante Baal y han permanecido fieles a él. Aunque eran desconocidos para Elías.
Aunque los humanos son muy limitados en su perspectiva y conocimiento, Dios no lo es. Él entiende nuestros pensamientos, conoce todos nuestros caminos y sabe lo que diremos incluso antes de que lo digamos (Salmo 139:2-4). Dios sabía de estos 7.000 individuos aunque Elías no.
En segundo lugar, eran una fuerte minoría. Comparado con el pensamiento de Elías de ser el único (1 Reyes 19:10, 14), 7.000 parece un número impresionante. Sin embargo, todavía habría sido una minoría en la nación de Israel; pero era una fuerte minoría.
Tercero, fueron fieles al Señor. El Señor indicó que ellos eran Su pueblo. Le habían sido fieles al negarse a adorar a Baal, obedeciendo el mandato que se les había dado en la Ley de Moisés de no servir a otros dioses (Éxodo 20:3; Deuteronomio 6:14).
¿Somos como este remanente fiel?
En medio de una nación que se había apartado del Señor, los 7.000 representaban un remanente fiel. Es posible ser fiel cuando la mayoría no lo hace.
Entonces, quizás hoy te preguntes: ¿cuál es el objetivo de esta discusión? ¿Por qué se concentra en las cosas de ayer? Este no es un estudio bíblico. Yo te diré lo que el Señor