Inquiries, within the context of the Bible, refer to the act of seeking information, guidance, or understanding, often through questioning or investigation. This concept is significant in the biblical narrative as it reflects the human desire to understand divine will, moral law, and spiritual truths. Inquiries can be directed towards God, His prophets, or the Scriptures themselves.

Inquiries of God

Throughout the Bible, individuals and groups frequently make inquiries of God, seeking His guidance and wisdom. This is often done through prayer, supplication, or consultation with prophets. One notable example is King David, who regularly inquired of the Lord before making significant decisions. In 1 Samuel 23:2, David asks, "Shall I go and attack these Philistines?" and the Lord responds, guiding his actions.

The practice of inquiring of God underscores the belief in His omniscience and the importance of divine guidance in human affairs. It reflects a dependence on God's wisdom and a desire to align one's actions with His will.

Inquiries of Prophets

Prophets in the Bible often served as intermediaries between God and His people, providing answers to inquiries about God's will and future events. For instance, in 1 Samuel 9:9, it is noted, "Formerly in Israel, when a man went to inquire of God, he would say, 'Come, let us go to the seer,' for the prophet of today was formerly called the seer."

This role of the prophet as a source of divine insight highlights the importance of seeking God's perspective through His appointed messengers. The inquiries made to prophets often concerned matters of national importance, personal guidance, or understanding of God's laws.

Inquiries of the Scriptures

The Scriptures themselves are a source of inquiry for believers seeking to understand God's character, commandments, and promises. The Bereans are commended in Acts 17:11 for their diligent examination of the Scriptures: "Now the Bereans were more noble-minded than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if these teachings were true."

This example illustrates the value placed on scriptural inquiry as a means of verifying truth and gaining deeper spiritual insight. It encourages believers to engage with the Bible actively and thoughtfully.

Inquiries and Wisdom

The pursuit of wisdom is a central theme in the Bible, and inquiries are a key component of this pursuit. Proverbs 2:3-5 emphasizes the importance of seeking wisdom: "If you indeed call out for insight and lift your voice for understanding, if you seek it like silver and search it out like hidden treasure, then you will discern the fear of the LORD and discover the knowledge of God."

This passage highlights the proactive nature of inquiries in the quest for wisdom, portraying it as a diligent and earnest search. It underscores the belief that true understanding and knowledge are gifts from God, accessible through sincere inquiry.

Inquiries and Faith

While inquiries are encouraged, the Bible also teaches that faith is essential in the relationship with God. Hebrews 11:6 states, "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who approaches Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him."

This balance between inquiry and faith suggests that while seeking understanding is important, it must be accompanied by trust in God's character and promises. Inquiries should lead to a deeper faith and reliance on God, rather than skepticism or doubt.

Conclusion

Inquiries in the Bible are a vital aspect of the believer's journey, reflecting a desire to understand and align with God's will. Whether directed towards God, His prophets, or the Scriptures, inquiries are portrayed as a means of gaining wisdom, guidance, and deeper faith. Through sincere and faithful inquiry, believers are encouraged to seek God's truth and apply it to their lives.7592. shaal -- to ask, inquire
... 1), desired (1), desires (1), earnestly asked (1), earnestly asked leave (1), greet*
(5), greeted* (1), inquire (6), inquired (18), inquires (1), making (2 ...
/hebrew/7592.htm - 6k

How the Soul Inquires into Itself. Whence Comes the Error of the ...
... Book X. Chapter 8."How the Soul Inquires into Itself. Whence Comes the Error
of the Soul Concerning Itself. 11. It is then a wonderful ...
/.../augustine/on the holy trinity/chapter 8 how the soul inquires.htm

Here, Perhaps, Some one Inquires Whether the Authors Whose ...
... Book 4 Chapter 9. Here, perhaps, some one inquires whether the authors
whose divinely-inspired writings constitute the canon? ...
/.../augustine/on christian doctrine in four books/chapter 9 here perhaps some.htm

On Grace.
... Grace, when it comes first to visit man's soul, wakens him as out of a slumbering
and inquires of him with those sharp words: "Where art thou? ...
/.../rolle/the form of perfect living and other prose treatises/on grace.htm

The Good Samaritan.
... he may yet be able to live on good terms with himself as a keeper of the law;
accordingly, in order to form a basis for his own defence, he inquires, "Who is ...
/.../arnot/the parables of our lord/xvii the good samaritan.htm

The History of Joseph the Carpenter.
... And now, O my honoured members, go declare to all nations, tell them, and say to
them: Verily the Saviour diligently inquires into the inheritance which is due ...
/.../unknown/the history of joseph the carpenter/the history of joseph the.htm

The Life of Sir Thomas Browne.
... and neglected, without some account of the author, it was thought necessary to attempt
the gratification of that curiosity which naturally inquires, by what ...
//christianbookshelf.org/browne/christian morals/the life of sir thomas.htm

Of the Necessity of the Wager
... God. And then to make people seek Him among the philosophers, sceptics,
and dogmatists, who disquiet him who inquires of them. 185. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pascal/pensees/section iii of the necessity.htm

The Method which Origen Used in his Theological and Metaphysical ...
... mind of man is withal a thing easily deceived by speech, and very facile in yielding
its assent; and, indeed, before it discriminates and inquires into matters ...
/.../argument xiii the method which origen.htm

Manuscript Testimony Shewn to be Overwhelmingly in Favour of These ...
... with A and C against B and '. He inquires after all the other uncials and
all the cursive MSS. in existence, (some of them dating ...
/.../chapter vi manuscript testimony shewn.htm

Commandment Eleventh. The Spirit and Prophets to be Tried by their ...
... idolatry. For he who inquires of a false prophet in regard to any action
is an idolater, and devoid of the truth, and foolish. For ...
/.../the pastor books first second third/commandment eleventh the spirit and.htm

Inquires (3 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Inquires (3 Occurrences). Judges ... night. I consider
in my own heart; my spirit diligently inquires: (WEB). ...
/i/inquires.htm - 7k

Inquirer (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) One who inquires or examines; questioner;
investigator. Multi-Version Concordance Inquirer (1 Occurrence). ...
/i/inquirer.htm - 6k

Inquire (95 Occurrences)
... kwir' (sha'al, "to ask," "desire"; zeteo, "to seek"); A form sometimes employed
with reference to the practice of divination, as where Saul "inquires of" (or ...
/i/inquire.htm - 39k

Whale (2 Occurrences)
... pass?" "The serpent of the sea, which was but the wild, stormy sea itself, wound
itself around the land, and threatened to swallow it up...Job inquires if he ...
/w/whale.htm - 13k

Inquirest (3 Occurrences)

/i/inquirest.htm - 7k

Reference (23 Occurrences)
... 4. (n.) One who, or that which, is referred to. 5. (n.) One of whom inquires can
be made as to the integrity, capacity, and the like, of another. ...
/r/reference.htm - 14k

Principality (3 Occurrences)
... said to be the means of revealing to "the principalities and the powers in the heavenly
places" "the manifold wisdom of God." One naturally inquires what was ...
/p/principality.htm - 12k

Ponders (3 Occurrences)
... Ponders (3 Occurrences). Psalms 77:6 I remember my song in the night. I consider
in my own heart; my spirit diligently inquires: (See NAS). ...
/p/ponders.htm - 7k

Monthly (11 Occurrences)
... On seeing a "monument" or grave-stone by one of the graves, he inquires what it
is, and is told that it marks the grave of the prophet from Judah. ...
/m/monthly.htm - 93k

Diligent (33 Occurrences)
... Psalms 77:6 I remember my song in the night. I consider in my own heart; my spirit
diligently inquires: (Root in WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT). ...
/d/diligent.htm - 18k

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