Definition and Usage:
The term "baffled" refers to a state of confusion or perplexity, where an individual is unable to understand or make sense of a situation. In the context of the Bible, being baffled can relate to the human experience of grappling with divine mysteries, the actions of God, or the unfolding of His plans which may not always be immediately clear to human understanding.

Biblical Context:
Throughout Scripture, there are numerous instances where individuals or groups are left baffled by the actions of God or the unfolding of events. This state of confusion often serves as a backdrop for demonstrating God's sovereignty, wisdom, and the limitations of human understanding.

Old Testament Examples:

1. Job's Suffering:
The account of Job is a profound example of a man who is baffled by his suffering. Despite his righteousness, Job experiences immense loss and hardship, leading him to question the reasons behind his afflictions. Job 37:5 states, "God thunders wondrously with His voice; He does great things we cannot comprehend." This verse highlights the theme of divine mystery and the human struggle to understand God's ways.

2. The Israelites in the Wilderness:
The Israelites often found themselves baffled during their journey through the wilderness. Despite witnessing miraculous events, they frequently questioned God's provision and guidance. In Exodus 16:15 , when the Israelites saw manna for the first time, they were baffled and asked, "What is it?" This reflects their struggle to comprehend God's miraculous provision.

New Testament Examples:

1. The Disciples and Jesus' Teachings:
The disciples of Jesus were often baffled by His teachings and parables. In Mark 4:10-12 , after Jesus shares the Parable of the Sower, the disciples ask Him for clarification. Jesus explains that the mysteries of the kingdom of God are revealed to them, but to others, they remain parables. This illustrates the theme of spiritual insight versus human confusion.

2. The Resurrection:
The resurrection of Jesus left many baffled, including His own followers. In Luke 24:12 , after hearing the women's report of the empty tomb, Peter runs to the tomb and is left wondering what had happened. The resurrection, a cornerstone of Christian faith, initially confounded even those closest to Jesus, underscoring the miraculous and incomprehensible nature of God's power.

Theological Implications:
The state of being baffled in the Bible often serves to highlight the distinction between human and divine wisdom. Proverbs 3:5 advises, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding." This verse encapsulates the biblical response to being baffled: trust in God's greater wisdom and plan.

Practical Application:
For believers, encountering situations that leave them baffled can be an opportunity to deepen their faith and reliance on God. It is a reminder of the call to trust in God's sovereignty and to seek His guidance through prayer and Scripture. James 1:5 encourages believers, "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given to him." This promise assures believers that God provides clarity and understanding to those who seek Him earnestly.(imp. & p. p.) of Baffle.

Astrology Baffled by Free-Will.
... Book X. Chapter XII."Astrology Baffled by Free-Will. "For, as usually happens
when men see unfavourable dreams, and can make nothing ...
/.../unknown/recognitions of clement /chapter xii astrology baffled by free-will.htm

The Reconnoitering of Greece.
... He is sent to Darius."Democedes is cast into prison."His wretched condition."Darius
sprains his ankle."The Egyptian physicians baffled."Sufferings of ...
/.../abbott/darius the great/chapter vi the reconnoitering of.htm

We are Drawing Near the End, and to the Highest Conclusions of ...
... her powers; and at the same time their sorrowful limit,"note their happy harmony
up to that limit, with her Creator; and then, when with baffled effort and ...
/.../jennings/old groans and new songs/chapter xi we are drawing.htm

A Desperate Case --How to Meet It
... Thus we have before us, on our text, a peculiar case"a patient, who utterly baffled
the skill of all his disciples, healed at once by the great Master; and ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 10 1864/a desperate casehow to meet.htm

Our Lord in the Garden
... with all our might, to see and to feel just what it was that our Lord both did,
and endured, that dreadful night: but we give up the effort utterly baffled. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/whyte/lord teach us to pray/xi our lord in the.htm

Letters to Olympias.
... But how much further shall I pursue the unattainable? for whatever image of our
present evils I may seek speech shrinks baffled from the attempt. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/chrysostom/on the priesthood/letters to olympias.htm

'He Uttered his Voice, the Earth Melted'
... Jerusalem appears for a moment, in a magnificent piece of poetical scorn, as despising
and making gestures of contempt at the baffled would-be conqueror, as ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/he uttered his voice the.htm

Coornhert and the Collegiants --A Movement for Spiritual Religion ...
... Some chance talk with a disciple plants the seed, or some stray book comes to the
hand of a baffled seeker at the moment when his soul is in a suggestible state ...
/.../chapter vii coornhert and the.htm

Hillis -- God the Unwearied Guide
... and protection. But the sage was also thinking of men whose hopes were broken,
and whose lives were baffled and beaten. These exiles ...
/.../various/the worlds great sermons volume 10/hillis god the unwearied.htm

The Shadow of Disappointment.
... their failures. Every baffled effort for freedom contributes skill for
the next attempt, and ensures the day of victory. Nations ...
/.../chapin/the crown of thorns/the shadow of disappointment.htm

Baffled (4 Occurrences)
...Baffled (4 Occurrences). ... (See NIV). 2 Corinthians 4:8 We are hard pressed, yet never
in absolute distress; perplexed, yet never utterly baffled; (WEY). ...
/b/baffled.htm - 7k

Utterly (170 Occurrences)
... life. (See RSV). 2 Corinthians 4:8 We are hard pressed, yet never in absolute
distress; perplexed, yet never utterly baffled; (WEY). 2 ...
/u/utterly.htm - 39k

Fail (130 Occurrences)
... 7. (vi) To come short of a result or object aimed at or desired ; to be baffled
or frustrated. 8. (vi) To err in judgment; to be mistaken. ...
/f/fail.htm - 43k

Moses (9295 Occurrences)
... Thus baffled, the king issued a public proclamation calling on the people to put
to death all the Hebrew male children by casting them into the river (Exodus 1 ...
/m/moses.htm - 53k

Baean

/b/baean.htm - 6k

Baffles (1 Occurrence)

/b/baffles.htm - 6k

Beaten (73 Occurrences)
... 1. (pp) of Beat. 2. (a.) Made smooth by beating or treading; worn by use. 3. (a.)
Vanquished; conquered; baffled. 4. (a.) Exhausted; tired out. ...
/b/beaten.htm - 31k

Absolute (5 Occurrences)
... nothing. (WEY). 2 Corinthians 4:8 We are hard pressed, yet never in absolute
distress; perplexed, yet never utterly baffled; (WEY). 2 ...
/a/absolute.htm - 8k

Philippians (2 Occurrences)
... it. Baffled and perplexed, the apostle with his two companions, Silas and
Timothy, went on to the seacoast and stopped in Troas. ...
/p/philippians.htm - 42k

Why, when, and for how long was the apostle Paul in Arabia? | GotQuestions.org

Baffled: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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