Throughout the Bible, there is talk about a remnant. The simple question we are addressing today is what does remnant mean in the Bible? The best way to understand this is to see the different ways it is used in scripture so let’s take a look.
What Does Remnant Mean?
Here is how the Lexham Bible Dictionary defines the word remnant:
A portion of people left after a disaster, especially a disaster identified with divine judgment. Especially in the Prophets, this term describes those who remain faithful to God despite suffering and who ultimately experience restoration (The Lexham Bible Dictionary).
Typically what remnant means in the Bible is a reference to those who are leftover. It is most often a reference to the people of Israel however there are instances where this has been used while alluding to other nations. Here is an example of the remnant as it refers to another nation.
The fortified city will disappear from Ephraim,
and royal power from Damascus;
the remnant of Aram will be
like the glory of the Israelites,”
declares the Lord Almighty. –Isaiah 17:3
One of the things to note about this word is that it can have both a positive and negative connotation. In the negative sense, a remnant can be the people left after God has executed judgment. However, most often in the Bible the remnant is seen in a positive light. These are the ones who carry hope of restoration or a return to God or godly ways.
The first example of a remnant in the Bible happens in Genesis with Noah and his family.
Every living thing on the face of the earth was wiped out; people and animals and the creatures that move along the ground and the birds were wiped from the earth. Only Noah was left, and those with him in the ark. –Genesis 7:23
What you see hear is that combination of despair and hope that is represented by the remnant. The despair is a result of the judgment of God upon the earth, but the hope comes because Noah and his family were left. The word remnant does not appear here but this is an example of what remnant means in the Bible. God took Noah and his family and rescued them, and he then used them to reset and repopulate the earth.
Then God blessed Noah and his sons, saying to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the earth. –Genesis 9:1
Why Does God Preserve a Remnant?
You might wonder why does God preserve a remnant? The answer is simple it is because God chooses to fulfill his purpose in the earth through ordinary men and women like you and me. Because he desires to fulfill his plan in this manner, he seeks out and preserves a people who are ready and willing to follow him regardless of the direction that everyone else is going.
These people who make up the remnant are instrumental in preserving God’s character, God’s purpose, and God’s will in the earth. Therefore those who make up the remnant represent hope along with the promise and possibility of restoration.
What Does Remnant Mean: Another Use of the Word
Another great example of what the word remnant means in the Bible is seen in the life of Joseph. Consider these verses.
And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you.For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will be no plowing and reaping. But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance. –Genesis 45:5-7
Notice again that out of a disaster, Joseph’s brothers selling him into slavery and the eventual famine in Egypt, God’s used that to preserve a remnant. Who knows what would have happened had Joseph not been in Egypt during the famine? So again you see the remnant though they are the ones left, they are also the reason for the hope of restoration.
Remnant and Israel
As I mentioned earlier, many times in the Bible when it talks about a remnant it is used in relationship to the people of Israel. Through various trials and tribulations in the Old Testament God consistently had a remnant of people in Israel whose hearts were fully committed to him. This remnant in Israel was important because it was through the nation of Israel that Jesus would come.
Also, it was through the nation of Israel that God’s word and God’s law was passed down and preserved in the earth. There were always a people who would reflect God’s character in the earth and in the Old Testament this was the nation of Israel. Regardless of how sinful and rebellious the nations of Israel and Judah became; God always had a group within this group, who would remain faithful to him.
Yet I reserve seven thousand in Israel—all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal and whose mouths have not kissed him. –1 Kings 19:18
What Does Remnant Mean in the New Testament?
The beautiful thing about God’s plan and the reality of the remnant is that his desire will be accomplished despite everything that we see happening. God’s purpose for Israel remains and God’s purpose for humanity still remains. Here is a New Testament reference to the remnant and Israel.
I ask then: Did God reject his people? By no means! I am an Israelite myself, a descendant of Abraham, from the tribe of Benjamin. God did not reject his people, whom he foreknew. Don’t you know what Scripture says in the passage about Elijah—how he appealed to God against Israel: “Lord, they have killed your prophets and torn down your altars; I am the only one left, and they are trying to kill me”? And what was God’s answer to him? “I have reserved for myself seven thousand who have not bowed the knee to Baal.” So too, at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace. And if by grace, then it cannot be based on works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace. –Romans 11:1-6
The Remnant and You
One of the things we must be aware of is that if you are in Christ you are part of the present day remnant. Jesus calls you salt and one of the functions of salt is to preserve, which is what the remnant does. We are called to preserve God’s standard in the earth regardless of what we see happening in our society. We are also here to represent the hope of restoration and salvation in the earth.
Though it can get tempting when you see what is happening around you, don’t get discouraged. Keep shining light, being salt and being the remnant that God needs in the earth. While we know everyone won’t come to Christ, let’s be the difference that God desires so we can bring restoration to as many as possible. I leave you with this scripture even though it does not specifically talk about being the remnant it sums up our responsibility.
We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. –2 Corinthians 5:20
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Clarence L. Haynes Jr. is a speaker, Bible teacher, and co-founder of The Bible Study Club. He is the author of The Pursuit of Purpose which will help you understand how God leads you into his will. His most recent book is The Pursuit of Victory: How To Conquer Your Greatest Challenges and Win In Your Christian Life. This book will teach you how to put the pieces together so you can live a victorious Christian life and finally become the man or woman of God that you truly desire to be. Clarence is also committed to helping 10,000 people learn how to study the Bible and has just released his first Bible study course called Bible Study Basics. To learn more about his ministry please visit clarencehaynes.com.