In the context of the Bible, the term "groped" often conveys a sense of searching or feeling one's way in darkness or uncertainty, both physically and spiritually. This imagery is used to describe a state of confusion, lack of direction, or spiritual blindness, often as a result of sin or divine judgment.

Biblical References:

1. Deuteronomy 28:29 : "At midday you will grope about like a blind man in the dark. You will be unsuccessful in everything you do; day after day you will be oppressed and plundered, with no one to save you." This verse is part of the curses pronounced upon Israel for disobedience to God's commandments. The imagery of groping in darkness symbolizes the futility and helplessness that result from turning away from God's guidance.

2. Job 5:14 : "They encounter darkness by day and grope at noon as in the night." Here, Eliphaz describes the fate of the wicked, who, despite the light of day, are unable to find their way. This metaphor highlights the moral and spiritual confusion that accompanies a life lived apart from God's wisdom.

3. Isaiah 59:10 : "Like the blind, we grope along the wall, feeling our way like those without eyes. At midday we stumble as if it were twilight; among the strong, we are like the dead." This passage reflects the collective confession of Israel's sins and the resulting separation from God. The imagery of groping underscores the nation's spiritual blindness and desperate need for divine intervention.

4. Acts 17:27 : "God intended that they would seek Him and perhaps reach out for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us." In this context, the Apostle Paul speaks to the Athenians about God's desire for humanity to seek and find Him. The idea of "reaching out" or "groping" for God suggests an earnest search for truth and relationship with the Creator, who is always near and accessible.

Theological Implications:

The concept of groping in the Bible often serves as a metaphor for spiritual blindness and the human condition apart from God. It illustrates the consequences of sin, which leads to a lack of clarity and purpose. However, it also points to the hope of redemption and the possibility of finding God when one earnestly seeks Him.

From a theological perspective, the imagery of groping emphasizes the need for divine illumination and guidance. It underscores the importance of living in accordance with God's will to avoid the darkness of sin and its resultant confusion. The Bible consistently calls believers to walk in the light of God's truth, thereby avoiding the spiritual groping that characterizes a life lived in disobedience.

Practical Application:

For believers, the concept of groping serves as a reminder to remain vigilant in their spiritual walk, continually seeking God's guidance through prayer, Scripture, and the Holy Spirit. It encourages Christians to rely on God's wisdom rather than their own understanding, ensuring that they do not stumble in spiritual darkness. By staying close to God, believers can navigate the challenges of life with clarity and purpose, avoiding the pitfalls of spiritual blindness.(imp. & p. p.) of Grope.

He Comes to his Own.
... dreams. Dazed, blinded, he groped his way rather than walked out of the
physician's office. His life was to be joined with another's. ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks on johns gospel/he comes to his own.htm

The Sixth Word
... to which all sacrifices not only pointed forward but, all the time, meant, and aimed
at, and symbolised, as men so slowly and so painfully groped after, felt ...
//christianbookshelf.org/beibitz/gloria crucis/vii the sixth word.htm

Profession and Practice.
... Christ, but have lived good self-denying lives, lived a great deal better than most
Christians, and have died, yearning to see God, whom they groped after, but ...
/.../the village pulpit volume ii trinity to advent/lv profession and practice.htm

"Lo, I Come": Exposition
... they did it as a heartless, meaningless formality, and thus missed all spiritual
benefit: with the unlighted candle in their hand they blindly groped in the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 37 1891/lo i come exposition.htm

Back to Memphis
... In short, he was looked upon as mildly mad. When Kenkenes had rejected the gods,
hope, sundered from faith, groped wildly and desperately. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xxxiii back to memphis.htm

The Stone of Stumbling
... the darkness and sinfulness, which in its great darkness dimly knew itself blind,
and in its sinfulness stretched out a lame hand of faith, and groped after a ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture b/the stone of stumbling.htm

Prologue of Richard Rolle
... amazed as the burning in my soul burst up, and of an unwont solace; ofttimes, because
of my ignorance of such healthful abundance, I have groped my breast ...
//christianbookshelf.org/rolle/the fire of love/prologue of richard rolle.htm

Why Saul Became Paul
... He rode out of Jerusalem hating, loathing, despising Jesus Christ; he groped his
way into Damascus, broken, bruised, clinging contrite to His feet, and ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/why saul became paul.htm

The Sermon on the Mount.
... The great sages Socrates, Buddha, Confucius and Hillel each groped after this truth,
but they stated it thus: "Do not do to others what you would not have done ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xlii the sermon on the 9.htm

The Evil one Said, "I Fear Him, Even Jesus, Lest He Destroy My ...
... opened the gates of Sheol, and there shone from it the splendour of the face of
our Lord; and like the men of Sodom they were smitten; they groped and sought ...
/.../ephraim/hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/hymn xli the evil one.htm

Groped (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) of Grope. Multi-Version Concordance
Groped (1 Occurrence). Acts 13:11 Now, behold, the hand ...
/g/groped.htm - 6k

Grope (5 Occurrences)
... 3. (vt) To search out by feeling in the dark; as, we groped our way at midnight.
4. (vt) To examine; to test; to sound. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/g/grope.htm - 8k

Gropes (1 Occurrence)

/g/gropes.htm - 6k

Groped: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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