In the context of the Bible, the concept of "demanding" can be understood through various narratives and teachings that illustrate the nature of human requests and expectations, both from God and from one another. The term "demanding" often carries a connotation of insistence or entitlement, which can be contrasted with the biblical virtues of humility, patience, and trust in God's provision.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, the Israelites frequently exhibited a demanding attitude towards God, especially during their wilderness journey. In Exodus 16:2-3 , the Israelites grumbled against Moses and Aaron, demanding food: "The entire congregation of the Israelites grumbled against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness. The Israelites said to them, 'If only we had died by the LORD’s hand in the land of Egypt, when we sat by pots of meat and ate our fill of bread! But you have brought us into this wilderness to starve this whole assembly to death.'"

This passage highlights the Israelites' lack of faith and their demanding nature, which often led to God's displeasure. Despite their demands, God provided manna, teaching them reliance on His daily provision rather than on their own terms.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the Pharisees and Sadducees often demanded signs from Jesus to prove His authority and divinity. In Matthew 16:1 , it is recorded: "Then the Pharisees and Sadducees came and tested Jesus by asking Him to show them a sign from heaven." Jesus responded by rebuking their lack of faith and understanding, emphasizing that a wicked and adulterous generation seeks a sign (Matthew 16:4).

Jesus' response underscores the importance of faith over demanding proof, teaching that true belief does not require constant validation through miraculous signs.

Teachings of Jesus

Jesus taught His followers to approach God with humility and trust rather than with demands. In the Sermon on the Mount, He instructed them to pray with a spirit of dependence, as seen in Matthew 6:9-13 , where He provides the Lord's Prayer. This prayer emphasizes seeking God's will and provision rather than making demands: "Give us this day our daily bread" (Matthew 6:11).

Furthermore, Jesus encouraged His disciples to ask, seek, and knock with persistence but without a demanding spirit, as seen in Matthew 7:7-8 : "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened."

Apostolic Teachings

The apostles continued to teach the early church about the attitude of prayer and requests. In Philippians 4:6 , Paul writes, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." This instruction encourages believers to present their needs to God with gratitude rather than with a demanding attitude.

James also addresses the issue of demanding in James 4:3 , where he warns, "And when you do ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may squander it on your pleasures." This highlights the importance of aligning one's requests with God's will and purposes.

Conclusion

The biblical perspective on demanding emphasizes a heart posture of humility, faith, and trust in God's sovereignty. Believers are encouraged to present their needs and desires to God with a spirit of gratitude and submission, recognizing His wisdom and timing in all things.(p. pr. & vb. n.) of Demand.2212. zeteo -- to seek
... Word Origin of uncertain origin Definition to seek NASB Word Usage deliberating
(1), demanding (1), inquire (1), looking (11), made efforts (1), search (4 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2212.htm - 9k

The Allegory of the Trees Demanding a King, in the Book of Judges ...
... Discourse X."Domnina. Chapter II."The Allegory of the Trees Demanding a
King, in the Book of Judges, Explained. But lest I should ...
/.../chapter ii the allegory of the.htm

Demanding Then a Law of God, You have that Common one Prevailing ...
... Chapter VI. Demanding then a law of God, you have that common one prevailing
all over the? Demanding then a law of God, you have ...
/.../tertullian/the chaplet or de corona/chapter vi demanding then a.htm

Whether it is Lawful to Give and Receive Money for Spiritual ...
... Quidquid invisibilis]): "It is absolutely forbidden to make a charge for what is
acquired by the consolation of invisible grace, whether by demanding a price ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether it is lawful to 23.htm

Epistle Liii. To John, Bishop.
... to Constantinople with a letter from Gregory to the Patriarch, reversing the sentence
against him which had been passed at Constantinople and demanding that he ...
/.../gregory/the epistles of saint gregory the great/epistle liii to john bishop.htm

The Letter of Majesty, 1603-1609.
... He called a meeting of Lutherans and Brethren in the historic "Green Saloon," prepared
a resolution demanding that the Protestant Confession be inscribed in ...
/.../hutton/history of the moravian church/chapter xiii the letter of.htm

Correspondence of St. Chrysostom with the Bishop of Rome.
... bishops, and to prove ourselves innocent as indeed we are, would not consent: but
in our absence, when we were appealing to a synod, and demanding a trial, and ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/correspondence of st chrysostom with 2.htm

Second Tractate. On the Kinds of Being (2).
... The subject of our enquiry, then, is the Existent or Existents, and it presents
immediately two problems demanding separate analysis: ...
/.../plotinus/the six enneads/second tractate on the kinds.htm

The Conquest of Babylon.
... When Mazares had reached Sardis and re-established the government of Cyrus there,
he sent messengers to Cyme, demanding the surrender of the fugitive. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/cyrus the great/chapter viii the conquest of.htm

Adjusting the Local Church to the Community
... It would be amusing if it were not so tragic to accept the testimony of some of
those who have not yet seen that the rural ministry is a type demanding such a ...
/.../vogt/church cooperation in community life/chapter vii adjusting the local.htm

The Massacre
... When Typhos sent to them, demanding that the gates should be handed over to his
guards, so deep was their distrust of him that they flatly refused to obey. ...
/.../chapter xxxiii the massacre.htm

Demanding (6 Occurrences)
...Demanding (6 Occurrences). ... Luke 23:23 But they urgently insisted, demanding with
frantic outcries that He should be crucified; and their clamour prevailed. ...
/d/demanding.htm - 7k

Demands (12 Occurrences)

/d/demands.htm - 9k

Urgently (8 Occurrences)
... Luke 23:23 But they urgently insisted, demanding with frantic outcries that
He should be crucified; and their clamour prevailed. (WEY). ...
/u/urgently.htm - 8k

Outcries (8 Occurrences)
... Outcries (8 Occurrences). Luke 23:23 But they urgently insisted, demanding with
frantic outcries that He should be crucified; and their clamour prevailed. (WEY) ...
/o/outcries.htm - 8k

Insist (7 Occurrences)
... a stand and refuse to give way; to hold to something firmly or determinedly; to
be persistent, urgent, or pressing; to persist in demanding; -- followed by on ...
/i/insist.htm - 8k

Insisted (9 Occurrences)
... Luke 23:23 But they urgently insisted, demanding with frantic outcries that
He should be crucified; and their clamour prevailed. (WEY). ...
/i/insisted.htm - 8k

Frantic (2 Occurrences)
... Frantic (2 Occurrences). Luke 23:23 But they urgently insisted, demanding with frantic
outcries that He should be crucified; and their clamour prevailed. (WEY). ...
/f/frantic.htm - 7k

Tale (7 Occurrences)
... When Moses requested permission to go three days' journey into the wilderness to
sacrifice to Yahweh, Pharaoh replied by demanding the full "tale" of bricks ...
/t/tale.htm - 12k

Rezeph (2 Occurrences)
... 12), Reseph (Isaiah 37:12)): One of the places referred to by Sennacherib's Rabshakeh
when delivering that king's message to Hezekigh demanding the surrender ...
/r/rezeph.htm - 9k

Reign (468 Occurrences)
... covenant of Yahweh with David (Jeremiah 33:21); then the word is used in 1 Samuel
12:12, where Samuel reminds the children of Israel of their demanding a king ...
/r/reign.htm - 42k

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