What is hope? Hope is a choice to wait on God and His promises. Join me in exploring this word study on “hope” using The Bible Project as a resource.

[0:00] Intro

[2:00] The Bible Project word study on “hope”

[6:55] Practical application of “hope” in our lives

[14:20] Final thoughts

Bible verses:

Ephesians 4:11-12

Isaiah 8:17

Psalm 130:1-7

Psalm 39:7

Proclaim Ministries Advent series

The Bible Project

“And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ” - Ephesians 4:11-12

Biblical hope is rooted in God's faithfulness rather than our circumstances. I will be using the Bible Project as a resource in this podcast episode. I find their content to be beneficial in understanding the details of “hope.” Let’s dive in.

Defining Hope and Its Importance in the Old Testament

From The Bible Project Advent series

Hope is the anticipation of a better future and is crucial for human existence.

In the Old Testament there are two main Hebrew words for hope: yakhal (to wait for) and qavah (to wait with tension and expectation).

The concept of hope in the Bible is often tied to waiting for God, as seen in the Old Testament and the book of Psalms. Biblical hope is different from optimism as it is based on God's character and past faithfulness, not on circumstances.

“At this moment, the Lord is hiding his face from Israel, so I will qavah for Him.” - Isaiah 8:17

“I qavah for the Lord…and let Israel yakhal for the Lord, because he’s loyal…and will redeem Israel from all its sins.” - Psalm 130:5-7

“And now, O Lord what else can I qavah for? You are my yakhal.” - Psalm 39:7

The New Testament and Christian Hope

From The Bible Project Advent series

The New Testament concept of hope, uses the Greek word elpis, which describes anticipation based on the risen Jesus. The apostles believed that Jesus' resurrection opened a new door of hope for humanity and the universe.

Christian hope is about waiting for humanity and the universe to be rescued from evil and death, based on God's character and promises. This kind of hope is not based on the odds but is a choice to wait for God to bring about a future as surprising as the resurrection.

Personal Reflections on Hope and Biblical Teachings

Learning about the biblical terms for hope (yakhal, qavah, and elpis) gives a whole new perspective on the biblical accounts.

For instance, in the story of Noah and the ark, you better understand the importance of waiting on the Lord with trust and expectation (yakhal). Noah had no idea how things would turn out, but he did have experience with God’s past faithfulness and he placed all is trust in Him.

This account and so many others in the Bible highlights hope being placed in God, not in circumstances.

Practical Applications and Encouragement for Listeners

Watch the Bible Project video with your families or small groups and have discussions about the content.

You may use additional resources like coloring sheets and word searches to engage with the material. You can find those on our Advent page.

Hope is a choice to wait on God and His promises. Put your hope in the right place - the person of God through Jesus Christ.