In both the Old and New Testaments, the concept of "seeking" is deeply intertwined with the pursuit of righteousness, understanding, and a relationship with God. The Hebrew and Greek words for seeking, while varied, share a common thread of intentional effort and deep longing. From darash in the Old Testament to zeteo in the New Testament, these words reflect a call for active engagement with God’s will and purpose for one's life.
Old Testament: The Pursuit of God’s Will and Righteousness
In the Hebrew Scriptures, דָּרַשׁ (darash), the most frequent term for seeking, is often used in contexts where someone is earnestly pursuing knowledge, justice, or God's presence. This pursuit isn’t passive but requires a diligent, intentional effort. For instance, in Deuteronomy 4:29, Moses urges the Israelites, “But from there you will seek the Lord your God, and you will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul.” This reveals that seeking God is not merely a casual search, but a wholehearted pursuit involving the totality of one’s being.
Similarly, Psalm 34:10 offers an encouraging promise: "The young lions lack and suffer hunger; but those who seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing." Here, the act of seeking God is associated with provision and divine care, underscoring the importance of seeking not just material things but God's will and righteousness. Seeking God in the Old Testament often requires a sense of yearning, an active search for truth and understanding, as seen in Isaiah 55:6: “Seek the Lord while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near.”
Another significant term, בָּקַשׁ (baqash), indicates a deeper desire or longing for God, often in the context of requesting or desiring something from God. Psalm 10:4 contrasts the wicked, who do not seek God, with the righteous who do. Seeking God is portrayed as an act of desire, showing that true spiritual seeking is rooted in a heart that longs for God’s presence and guidance.
New Testament: The Call to Seek God and His Kingdom
In the New Testament, ζητέω (zeteo) is the dominant Greek word for "seek," and it is used frequently in Jesus’ teachings. Matthew 6:33 exemplifies this call: “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Here, seeking the kingdom of God takes priority over material concerns, emphasizing that a person's focus should be on spiritual things rather than earthly desires. Jesus teaches that seeking God's kingdom is an ongoing, purposeful act of putting God's priorities above our own.
Similarly, Luke 11:9 reiterates Jesus' invitation: “So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” This verse stresses the persistence required in seeking God, encouraging believers to seek without ceasing, knowing that God is faithful to respond. It highlights the idea that seeking is a process that demands effort, and the reward is an intimate relationship with God.
John 4:23 adds another dimension to the act of seeking: “But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him.” Here, the Father is portrayed as seeking worshipers who worship in spirit and truth, suggesting that seeking is a two-way relationship. Just as believers seek God, He is also seeking those who will truly worship Him.
The Parable of the Lost Sheep: A Reciprocal Seeking
A notable illustration of seeking in both Testaments is found in the parables of Jesus. In Luke 15:4, Jesus speaks of a shepherd leaving the ninety-nine sheep to seek the one that is lost. This mirrors the Old Testament’s emphasis on God’s search for the lost, as expressed in Ezekiel 34:11-12: “For thus says the Lord God: ‘Indeed I Myself will search for My sheep and seek them out.’” This connection reveals a profound truth: while believers are called to seek God, He also seeks us out, especially when we are lost.
Seeking with the Heart: A Transformation of the Inner Life
Both Testaments stress that true seeking must come from the heart. In Jeremiah 29:13, God promises, “And you will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.” In the New Testament, this idea of wholehearted seeking is reflected in Matthew 7:7, where Jesus encourages His followers to ask, seek, and knock, underscoring that genuine seeking comes from an earnest, sincere heart.
In conclusion, the biblical concept of seeking spans both the Old and New Testaments, emphasizing an active, intentional pursuit of God’s will, righteousness, and presence. Whether through the diligent seeking of wisdom in the Old Testament or the fervent seeking of the kingdom of God in the New, both Testaments call believers to seek God with all their hearts. In this journey of seeking, the promise is clear: those who seek will find, and God will be faithful to answer.
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