PARATS - BREAKTHROUGH

Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.

Isaiah 43:19 (KJV)

(1)

INTRODUCTION

There can come a time when one encounters an impossible situation. Hard pressed and placed between two walls, where is one to go? God alone can deliver and provide the breakthrough. 

Breakthroughs are a significant and sudden advancement or overcoming of an obstacle, often attributed to divine intervention or guidance. The Hebrew word for breakthrough is parats. It means to break through, break out, break open, burst forth, increase, or spread. They can occur in various areas.

STORY ABOUT A BREAKTHROUGH FROM THE BIBLE

In the land of the Ephramaties she stayed,

married she was to Elkanah, a man great.

Each year, he would offer for both of his wives and their kids;

for his wife Hannah, he offered double the fruit of the sown seeds. 

Hannah could have no children of her own;

The mockery and oppression she suffered made her in pain moan.

She turned to God Almighty,

and with a breakthrough, He shut the mouth of her enemy. 

When Nehemiah was rebuilding the wall,

the enemy claimed it was moot, that it would fall. 

They laughed and mocked as they tend to do,

but their word ended up falling; the words were only spew. 

The Bible is not just a book of rules and regulations. It is a great book of covenants, teachings, and breakthroughs that reveal to us how our ancestors dealt with harsh circumstances and, in many cases, overcame them. It also shows us in which ways we are to follow God and how amazing He really is. 

Hannah was being greatly oppressed by her adversary, who mocked her for being barren. A circumstance Hannah had no choice over or could change in any way. Greatly she was heartbroken, but remained believing anyway. God is closest to the brokenhearted, and as Isaiah 42: 3 says, “A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out. In faithfulness he will bring forth justice.” Hannah cried out to the One who could help, and He delivered her. 

Likewise, Nehemiah suffered mockery when he was rebuilding the walls around Jerusalem. They could not see how it could be done. But in the end, Nehemiah had the last laugh. God is a God of breakthroughs after all. 

THE BIBLICAL MEANING OF BREAKTHROUGH AND THE HEBREW WORD PARATS

A breakthrough in the Biblical context is considered as a significant and sudden advancement or overcoming of an obstacle, often attributed to divine intervention or guidance. They are characterized by God's supernatural power and timing and showcase the sovereignty and omnipotence of God. They remind us that God is actively involved with the world. (2)

The Hebrew word for breakthrough is parats, and means to break through, break out, break open, burst forth, increase, spread. It happens to be a primitive root. (3, 4)

DIFFERENT TYPES OF BREAKTHROUGHS

Divine breakthroughs can occur in various areas. At Believe in the Bible, they mention at least 13 different types, though there are probably more: 

• Spiritual Breakthroughs occur when individuals have profound encounters with God that transform their lives.

• Breakthrough in Prayer reassures us that God listens to our prayers and can intervene in miraculous ways when we earnestly seek Him.

• Breakthroughs in Faith occur when individuals trust God despite difficult circumstances.

• Breakthrough in Healing reassures us that God cares deeply about our physical and emotional suffering and desires to bring restoration.

• Breakthroughs in Provision teach that God honors obedience and can provide abundantly when we trust Him, even in challenging situations.

• Breakthrough in Battle demonstrates God’s power to deliver His people from their enemies.

• Breakthrough in Deliverance reveals God’s ability to free people from bondage.

• Breakthrough in Leadership emphasizes God’s guidance in raising leaders for His people.

• Breakthrough in Resurrection signifies God’s power over death and despair.

• Breakthrough in Forgiveness highlights the transformative power of mercy.

• Breakthrough in Protection reveals God’s faithfulness in safeguarding His people.

• Breakthrough in Rebuilding illustrates God’s restoration after loss or destruction.

• Breakthrough in Salvation highlights God’s grace in saving humanity. (2, 5)

BIBLICAL PRINCIPLES AND KEYS OF BREAKTHROUGH

Several biblical principles help us greatly on our paths to receiving breakthroughs. We should strive to develop them for they are our powerful weapons against the enemy. Among them are:

• prayer and fasting, 

• walking by faith and not by sight, 

• repentance, 

• forgiving others,

• tackling addictive habits, 

• renewing our minds, 

• standing firm on the promises of God, 

• being obedient and surrendering to God’s will. (6)

CONCLUSION

Breakthroughs are significant and sudden advancements or the overcoming of an obstacle, often attributed to divine intervention or guidance. The Hebrew word for it is parrots. It means to break through, break out, break open, burst forth, increase, spread, and happens to be a primitive root.

There are at least 13 different types of biblical breakthroughs one can receive and achieve: spiritual, breakthrough in prayer, breakthrough in faith, breakthrough in provision, breakthrough in healing, breakthrough in battle, breakthrough in deliverance, and breakthrough in leadership, breakthrough in resurrection, breakthrough in forgiveness, breakthrough in protection, breakthrough in rebuilding, and breakthrough in salvation.  

Prayer and fasting are one of the key principles in attaining breakthroughs. Standing firm on the promises of God, being obedient and submitting to His perfect will are also important alongside forgiveness, repentance, renewing of our minds, walking by faith, and overcoming harmful habits. 

Application

Take a couple of minutes throughout this upcoming week and catalogue the breakthroughs God has already given you.

SOURCES

1. Image created via canva.com

2. Bible Hub. Breakthrough. Available at https://biblehub.com/topical/b/breakthrough.htm

3. Rabbi Jason Sobel. Your breakthrough in this new season. Available at https://www.fusionglobal.org/connections/take-your-breakthrough-rabbi-jason-sobel/?srsltid=AfmBOopsCaL9NR0nCLvBm4Wsv34-YKTRJOrM854g5NWFRYKByCuTM6Qj

4. Bble Hub. Parats. Available at https://biblehub.com/hebrew/6555.htm

5. Believe in the Bible. Types of Breakthrough in the Bible and Lessons for Today. Available at https://believeinthebible.com/types-of-breakthrough-in-the-bible/

6. Pastor Duke Taber. 10 Powerful Biblical Examples of God’s Miraculous Breakthroughs. October 11, 2024. Available at https://answeredfaith.com/examples-breakthrough-bible/