The term "demandest" is an archaic form of the verb "demand," which appears in older translations of the Bible. It is used to convey a request or requirement made with authority. In the context of Scripture, "demandest" often reflects the interactions between God and humanity, where God, as the sovereign Creator, has the authority to require certain actions or responses from His creation.

Biblical Context

In the Bible, the concept of demanding is often associated with God's righteous requirements and expectations from His people. It underscores the relationship between God and humanity, where God, as the ultimate authority, has the right to demand obedience, worship, and moral conduct.

Examples in Scripture

While the specific term "demandest" may not appear in the Berean Standard Bible, the concept is evident in various passages where God makes His will known to His people. For instance, in Micah 6:8 , the prophet articulates what the Lord requires of His people: "He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?"

This verse encapsulates the essence of what God demands from His followers: justice, mercy, and humility. It highlights that God's demands are not arbitrary but are rooted in His holy and loving nature.

Theological Significance

The demands of God are integral to understanding His character and His covenant relationship with His people. God's demands are not burdensome but are designed for the well-being and flourishing of His creation. They reflect His holiness and justice, as well as His desire for a relationship with humanity.

In the New Testament, Jesus summarizes the demands of God in the Great Commandments, as seen in Matthew 22:37-40 : "Jesus declared, 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."

Here, the demands of God are distilled into love for God and love for others, encapsulating the moral and ethical expectations that God has for His people.

Practical Application

For believers, understanding what God demands is crucial for living a life that is pleasing to Him. It involves a commitment to aligning one's life with God's will as revealed in Scripture. This includes engaging in regular prayer, studying the Bible, and participating in the life of the church community.

Moreover, recognizing God's demands encourages believers to rely on the Holy Spirit for strength and guidance, as human effort alone is insufficient to meet God's holy standards. Through faith in Jesus Christ, believers are empowered to live out the demands of God, reflecting His love and righteousness in the world.

Oh! that I Might Repose on Thee! Oh! that Thou Wouldest Enter into ...
... Or what am I to Thee that Thou demandest my love, and, if I give it not,
art wroth with me, and threatenest me with grievous woes? ...
/.../augustine/the confessions of saint augustine/chapter v oh that i.htm

Epistle xxix. To Marinianus, Bishop.
... Yet, though the disposition he had made with regard to the monastery itself was
still therein confirmed, thou now dissemblest this, and demandest of us that we ...
/.../the epistles of saint gregory the great/epistle xxix to marinianus bishop.htm

He Seeks Rest in God, and Pardon of his Sins.
... speak. What am I to Thee that Thou demandest my love, and unless I give
it Thee art angry, and threatenest me with great sorrows? ...
/.../augustine/the confessions and letters of st/chapter v he seeks rest in.htm

On the Sinful Woman.
... Take thee the gold, as much as thou demandest, and give me the precious ointment;
take thee that which endures not and give me that which endures; and I will ...
/.../ephraim/hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/on the sinful woman.htm

Book one in God's Searching Presence, Augustine Undertakes to ...
... really lost. Thou art never in need but still thou dost rejoice at thy
gains; art never greedy, yet demandest dividends. Men pay ...
/.../augustine/confessions and enchiridion/book one in gods searching.htm

Virtue must Never be Given up for the Sake of a Friend. ...
... two to become one; to whom thou entrustest thyself as to a second self, from whom
thou fearest nothing, and from whom thou demandest nothing dishonourable for ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter xxii virtue must never.htm

Matt. xxvi. 17, 18
... But if thou still demandest reasons, we would say this, that the good are more admired
for being among the bad; because their long-suffering and great self ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily lxxxi matt xxvi 17.htm

Whom the Lady Miriam Sent
... I should have said it long ago," she answered with averted eyes, "but there are
many things that thou shouldst know, Kenkenes, before thou demandest the answer ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xlvi whom the lady.htm

Philemon i. 3-Jan
... Matthew 6:13.) Consider, that if thou dost not forgive, thou wilt not be able to
say this with confidence: but if thou forgivest, thou demandest the matter as ...
/.../homily i philemon i 3-jan.htm

Of St. Austin that Brought Christendom to England
... comforted and do manly, for I thy Lord God am with thee in all thine affection,
and mine ears be open to thy prayers, and for whom thou demandest any petition ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/of st austin that brought.htm

Demandest (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Demandest (1 Occurrence). John 18:21 Why demandest
thou of me? Demand of those who have heard, what I have ...
/d/demandest.htm - 6k

Demanded (40 Occurrences)

/d/demanded.htm - 17k

Demand (34 Occurrences)
... (DBY). John 17:20 And I do not demand for these only, but also for those who believe
on me through their word; (DBY). John 18:21 Why demandest thou of me? ...
/d/demand.htm - 19k

Demandeth (1 Occurrence)

/d/demandeth.htm - 6k

Spoken (631 Occurrences)
... (WEY ASV DBY NAS RSV NIV). John 18:21 Why demandest thou of me? Demand of those
who have heard, what I have spoken to them; behold, they know what I have said. ...
/s/spoken.htm - 35k

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