Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

CONSOLATION

The love, concern, and comfort extended to someone in time of need. The Hebrew root nḥm is translated “console,” “encourage,” “comfort,” and may appear in relation to sexual relations (Gen. 24:67; 2 Sam. 12:24; Ruth 2:13), wine (alluded to by associating the name Noah with nḥm, “to bring relief” out of the ground; Gen. 5:29; 9:20), visits and gifts (Job 42:11), or simply someone’s presence (Lam. 1:2, 9, 16). God consoles as the good shepherd (Ps. 23:4) or by a promise (119:50, 76, 82). One can remain consoled even during affliction (Job 6:10; Ps. 94:19), or hope that God would “comfort” again (Ps. 71:21; 135:14). In anger God can withhold compassion (Hos. 13:14) and leave Jerusalem with none to comfort her (Lam. 1:17, 21), but after due punishment divine consolation will return (Isa. 12:1; Jer. 31:13). This thought is deeply embedded in Deutero-Isaiah (Isa. 49:13; 51:3, 12; 52:9) and Trito-Isaiah (66:13).

The Greek verb “to console” is parakaléō; nouns formed from it, paráklēsis and paráklētos, can mean “consolation,” “encouragement,” and “advocate.” In the NT Simeon awaited the “consolation of Israel” (Luke 2:25), the messianic age (cf. Isa. 61:2). The rich receive their “consolation” here on earth (Luke 6:24); in contrast, Lazarus was “comforted” in the bosom of Abraham (16:25). The Beatitudes promise that those who mourn “will be comforted” by God (Matt. 5:4).

Paul was “encouraged” by others (1 Thess. 3:7; 2 Cor. 7:4) and asked them to “encourage one another” (1 Thess. 4:18), noting that the ability to console others comes from “the God of all consolation” (2 Cor. 1:3-4; cf. Rom. 15:5; 2 Thess. 2:16-17), in Christ (Phil. 2:1).

Jesus had promised to send another “Advocate,” the Spirit of truth (John 15:26; 16:7), also sent by the Father (14:16-17), to dwell in the disciples and guide them. Jesus himself remains an “Advocate” with the Father (1 John 2:1).

Joseph F. Wimmer

Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

CONSOLATION

Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (2000)