Definition and Context:
The term "prowling" generally refers to the act of moving stealthily or restlessly in search of prey or something to devour. In a biblical context, it often carries a negative connotation, associated with danger, evil, or the presence of an adversary. The imagery of prowling is used in Scripture to describe the behavior of both literal and metaphorical threats.

Biblical References:

1. 1 Peter 5:8 · "Be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour."
This verse vividly portrays the devil as a predator, emphasizing the need for vigilance and spiritual alertness among believers. The imagery of a lion prowling highlights the danger and cunning nature of the devil, who seeks to exploit the unwary.

2. Job 1:7 · "The LORD said to Satan, 'From where have you come?' Satan answered the LORD, 'From roaming through the earth and walking back and forth on it.'"
Here, Satan's response to God indicates his restless and relentless nature, as he moves throughout the earth. This roaming can be seen as a form of prowling, as Satan seeks opportunities to challenge and accuse God's people.

3. Psalm 104:20-21 · "You bring darkness, and it becomes night, when all the beasts of the forest prowl. The young lions roar for their prey and seek their food from God."
This passage describes the natural order of creation, where nightfall brings out the predatory instincts of animals. The prowling of beasts, including lions, is depicted as part of God's design, illustrating the balance and provision within the ecosystem.

Theological Implications:

· Spiritual Warfare: The concept of prowling is often linked to spiritual warfare, where believers are called to be vigilant against the schemes of the devil. The prowling of the adversary serves as a reminder of the ongoing spiritual battle and the need for constant readiness and reliance on God's strength.

· Divine Protection: While prowling suggests danger, Scripture also assures believers of God's protection. Passages like Psalm 91:3-4 speak of God's deliverance from the "snare of the fowler" and His faithfulness as a shield, providing comfort and security against prowling threats.

· Moral Vigilance: The imagery of prowling can also be applied to the moral and ethical vigilance required of believers. Just as a lion seeks prey, temptations and sinful desires can prowl around the heart, necessitating a steadfast commitment to righteousness and holiness.

Practical Application:

· Alertness in Faith: Believers are encouraged to maintain a sober and alert mindset, recognizing the reality of spiritual adversaries. This involves regular prayer, study of Scripture, and fellowship with other believers to strengthen one's faith and defenses.

· Discernment: Understanding the nature of prowling threats, both spiritual and moral, calls for discernment. Christians are urged to test the spirits (1 John 4:1) and to be wise as serpents and innocent as doves (Matthew 10:16), navigating the world with wisdom and integrity.

· Trust in God: Ultimately, the concept of prowling underscores the importance of trusting in God's sovereignty and protection. Believers are reminded that, despite the presence of prowling dangers, God is their refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble (Psalm 46:1).1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Prowl.

2. (a.) Accustomed to prowl, or engaged in roving stealthily, as for prey.

Elegance and Grace
... A further addition to these scenes of woe is the plunder of all things, sacred as
well as profane; the avidity of the soldier prowling after and carrying away ...
/.../kleiser/the training of a public speaker/elegance and grace.htm

Christian Stewardship.
... pollution, bow down to gods of wood and stone, and wander, stumble and fall on the
dark mountains of heathen superstition; a prey to the prowling monsters that ...
/.../dibble/thoughts on missions/chapter ii christian stewardship.htm

The Gospel Refuge.
... Hebrew cities, "not one stone has been left upon another that has not been thrown
down." Owls are screaming amid their ruins, and jackals prowling for their ...
/.../macduff/the cities of refuge or the name of jesus/iii the gospel refuge.htm

Shepherd Life in the Orient.
... open to the sky, and consisting simply of a high wall of rough stone, to protect
the sheep from the attacks of wild beasts, and from prowling marauders who ...
/.../callan/the shepherd of my soul/ii shepherd life in the.htm

The Exile --Continued.
... district (Judges 14:8, 9), and we may recognise another image as suggested by their
growls heard among the ravines, and their gaunt forms prowling near the cave ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/the life of david/vi the exilecontinued.htm

Death.
... We have not here, as in India, Africa, America, lion and tiger, bear and wolf, jaguar
and puma, perpetually prowling round the farms, and taking their tithe of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/westminster sermons/sermon xviii death.htm

5Th Day. Restraining Grace.
... for the Lord upholdeth him with His right hand!" The wolf may be prowling for his
prey; but what can he do when the Shepherd is always there, tending with the ...
/.../macduff/the faithful promiser/5th day restraining grace.htm

The Broken Fence
... If this slothful person should be one of ourselves, may God's infinite mercy rouse
us up before this ruined wall has let in a herd of prowling vices. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/sermons on proverbs/the broken fence.htm

The Sheep and their Shepherd
... well-being. What if the sheep be weak, yet is the shepherd strong to guard
his flock from the prowling wolf or the roaring lion. If ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/the sheep and their shepherd.htm

Letter Xlv (Circa AD 1120) to a Youth Named Fulk, who Afterwards ...
... flies when the wolf approaches; the gentle dove when she sees the hawk; the mouse,
though hungry, dares not leave his hole when the cat is prowling around; and ...
/.../some letters of saint bernard abbot of clairvaux/letter xlv circa a d 1120.htm

Prowling (3 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Prowling (3 Occurrences). Psalms 59:6 They return at evening,
howling like dogs, and prowl around the city. (See RSV). ...
/p/prowling.htm - 7k

Prowl (6 Occurrences)
... 3. (vi) To rove or wander stealthily, esp. for prey, as a wild beast; hence, to
prey; to plunder. 4. (n.) The act of prowling. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/p/prowl.htm - 8k

Prowled (2 Occurrences)

/p/prowled.htm - 7k

Prowls (2 Occurrences)

/p/prowls.htm - 6k

Shepherd (76 Occurrences)
... Often he had to guard the fold through the dark hours from the attack of wild beasts,
or the wily attempts of the prowling thief (see 1 Samuel 17:34 ...
/s/shepherd.htm - 42k

Discomfiture (6 Occurrences)
... The apostle represents it as a savage beast of prey, a roaring lion, prowling about
them to seize and devour (5:8, 9). A variety of charges were brought ...
/d/discomfiture.htm - 101k

Peter (181 Occurrences)
... The apostle represents it as a savage beast of prey, a roaring lion, prowling about
them to seize and devour (5:8, 9). A variety of charges were brought ...
/p/peter.htm - 101k

First (4693 Occurrences)
... The apostle represents it as a savage beast of prey, a roaring lion, prowling about
them to seize and devour (5:8, 9). A variety of charges were brought ...
/f/first.htm - 101k

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