5047 opportunities, in life

Scripture views life as divinely ordained to include occasions when certain forms of behaviour are appropriate.

The need to discern opportune moments

Ecc 3:1

Every possible opportunity should be taken to do good

Gal 6:10 See also Lk 10:33; Jn 9:4; Eph 5:16; Col 4:5; 2Ti 4:2

Examples of individuals who seized opportunities to serve God

Rahab saved the spies and her household: Jos 2:8-14; Jos 6:23
2Ki 5:1-3 Naaman’s wife’s maid helped Naaman by telling her mistress about Elisha; Ne 2:2-5 Nehemiah gained permission to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. Esther saved the Jews from Haman’s plot: Est 4:14; Est 7:3-6
Da 2:14-16 Daniel offered to interpret Nebuchadnezzar’s dream; Ac 18:24-26 Priscilla and Aquila taught Apollos.

Some opportunities should be rejected

1Sa 24:3-4,10; 1Sa 26:6-11

Opportunities to do evil may have appalling consequences

Ge 4:8 Cain made an opportunity to murder Abel; Ge 25:29-31 Jacob took the opportunity to “buy” Esau’s birthright. Joseph’s brothers seized the opportunity to capture and sell him: Ge 37:18-20,27
Da 6:4-5 Daniel’s enemies sought and found an opportunity to lay a charge against him. Judas sought an opportunity to betray Jesus Christ: Mt 26:16 pp Mk 14:11 pp Lk 22:6

Giving others an opportunity to do wrong must be avoided

1Ti 5:14

See also

1355	providence
4903	time
4918	dawn
4921	day
4933	evening
4954	morning
4957	night
5299	door
5861	favour, human
8493	watchfulness, believers
8754	fear