The Remnant

In short

A group of people that remains. Generally, in the Bible, it describes the last surviving few of a group, like the only faithful people left.

Why it is important

This is definitely one of the biggest themes in the Bible. The word occurs in the Bible about 80 times, but what makes this so grand of a theme is that is spread across at least 24 books. All but a few of those occurrences are in the Old Testament (in 21 books), but the New Testament drives the theme home, in Acts 15:17 and Romans 11:5, for example.

Examples

• Gen 45:7 – Joseph rejoices that he was able to keep his family’s line going
• Deut 3:11; Josh 12:4, 13:12 – Og was the last of the giants
• Josh 23:12 – DON’T sustain the remnant of enemy nations
• 1Ki 22:46 – Jehoshaphat got rid of the last of certain idol worshipers
• 2Ki 21:14 – Judah is the only tribe left of Israel, and even they will be abandoned by God (for a time) because of their incessant sins
• Ezra 9:8, 13-15 – Ezra pleads with God, Yes, we sinned, but please don’t kill us all; we are all you have left!
• Isaiah 11:11, 16 – The Lord* will bring back his people from everywhere.
• And that is from only about the first half the list

Of course, this concept extends beyond the single word “remnant,” as those New Testament passages will show.

Theology and doctrine

It’s the promise that the LORD will not abandon his people or promises. He may send trials and punishment on them, but he will always preserve a remnant for himself. 2Ti 2:13, “if we are faithless, he remains faithful….”

May we ever determine to be in that group.

Footnote

* “Lord” is not all capital letters there – I didn’t catch that a couple weeks ago when we looked at this poem. That adds even more to the messianic nature of the poem and its fulfillment in Jesus.