Exploring
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Exploring, in the biblical context, often refers to the act of seeking, discovering, and understanding the world and God's will. The concept of exploration is deeply embedded in the narrative of Scripture, where individuals and groups are frequently called to venture into the unknown, both physically and spiritually, in obedience to God's commands.

Biblical Instances of Exploration

1. The Promised Land: One of the most notable instances of exploration in the Bible is the sending of the twelve spies by Moses to explore the land of Canaan. In Numbers 13:1-2 , the Lord instructs Moses, "Send out for yourself men to spy out the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the Israelites. Send one leader from each of their fathers’ tribes." This exploration was not merely a reconnaissance mission but a test of faith and trust in God's promise. The differing reports of the spies—ten bringing back a negative report and two, Joshua and Caleb, affirming God's promise—highlight the spiritual dimension of exploration as a journey of faith.

2. Abraham's Journey: Abraham's life is a profound example of exploration. Called by God to leave his homeland and journey to an unknown land, Abraham's exploration was both physical and spiritual. Genesis 12:1 records God's call: "Go forth from your country, your people, and your father’s household to the land I will show you." Abraham's obedience and willingness to explore the unknown became foundational to the covenant relationship between God and His people.

3. Paul's Missionary Journeys: The Apostle Paul exemplifies exploration in the New Testament through his missionary journeys. Driven by the Great Commission, Paul traveled extensively to spread the Gospel, exploring new territories and cultures. Acts 13:2-3 describes the beginning of his first missionary journey: "While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, 'Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.' So after they had fasted and prayed, they laid their hands on them and sent them off." Paul's explorations were instrumental in the establishment of the early Church and the spread of Christianity.

Spiritual Exploration

Exploration in the Bible is not limited to physical journeys; it also encompasses the spiritual quest for understanding and wisdom. Proverbs 2:4-5 encourages believers to seek wisdom as one would search for hidden treasures: "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 pursuit of divine wisdom is a form of exploration that requires diligence, faith, and a heart open to God's leading.

Exploration as Obedience and Faith

Throughout Scripture, exploration is often an act of obedience and faith. It involves stepping into the unknown with trust in God's guidance and provision. Hebrews 11:8 speaks of Abraham's faith: "By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, without knowing where he was going." This verse underscores the essence of biblical exploration as a journey of faith, where the explorer relies on God's promises and direction.

Conclusion

Exploration in the Bible is a multifaceted concept that encompasses physical journeys, spiritual quests, and acts of faith. It is a testament to the human desire to seek and understand God's creation and His will. Whether through the journeys of the patriarchs, the missions of the apostles, or the personal pursuit of wisdom, exploration remains a vital aspect of the biblical narrative, inviting believers to trust in God's guidance as they navigate the unknown.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(p. pr. & vb. n.) of Explore.
Library

Exploring Canaan by Faith
... CHAPTER FIVE EXPLORING CANAAN BY FAITH. EXPLORING CANAAN BY FAITH I can not
understand faith. What is faith, anyway? I try to believe ...
/.../berry/adventures in the land of canaan/chapter five exploring canaan by.htm

The Reconnoitering of Greece.
... on him."Atossa cured by Democedes."His conditions."Atossa with Darius."She suggests
the invasion of Greece."The exploring party."Democedes ...
/.../abbott/darius the great/chapter vi the reconnoitering of.htm

Table of Contents
... 3. The Jordan Memorial Stone. 4. Troubles of Lingering at the Crossing. 5.
Exploring Canaan by Faith. 6. The Best Inheritance in Canaan. ...
/.../berry/adventures in the land of canaan/table of contents.htm

The Contribution of Science to Christianity
... with a multitude of the finest of these finest instruments, in laboratory, field,
and study, hourly engaged upon this book, exploring, deciphering, sifting ...
/.../berkhof/new evangelism and other papers/the contribution of science to.htm

From the Close of the General Conference of 1812 to the Death of ...
... And in order to ascertain the true state of things in the western country, a commission
was sent about this time on an exploring expedition through the new ...
/.../chapter 2 from the close.htm

Introduction.
... Instead of exploring the genuine Text, we shall treat of the corruptions of it,
and shall track error in its ten thousand forms to a few sources or heads. ...
/.../burgon/the causes of the corruption of the traditional text/introduction.htm

God the Creator of All; and the Goodness of all Creation
... For even these men, gifted with such superior insight, with their ardor in study
and their abundant leisure, exploring some of these matters by human ...
/.../augustine/handbook on faith hope and love/chapter iii god the creator.htm

Argument: C??cilius Begins his Argument First of all by Reminding ...
... that some, from the weariness of thoroughly investigating truth, should rashly succumb
to any sort of opinion rather than persevere in exploring it with ...
/.../the octavius of minucius felix/chapter v argument caecilius begins his.htm

The Simple Nature of the Soul is Asserted with Plato. The Identity ...
... of nature, who ruthlessly handled [1559] human creatures to discover (their form
and make): I have my doubts whether he succeeded in clearly exploring all the ...
/.../tertullian/a treatise on the soul/chapter x the simple nature of.htm

Colossians iii. 17
... The art of our enemy has been therefore to make us leave this command of the apostle's
in its general sense, and avoid exploring, so to speak, all the wisdom ...
/.../arnold/the christian life/lecture xxxix colossians iii 17.htm

Thesaurus
Exploring (1 Occurrence)
... & vb. n.) of Explore. Multi-Version Concordance Exploring (1 Occurrence). Numbers
13:25 And they returned from exploring the land after forty days. (WBS NIV). ...
/e/exploring.htm - 6k

Jephunneh (16 Occurrences)
... Nimble, or a beholder. (1.) The father of Caleb, who was Joshua's companion
in exploring Canaan (Numbers 13:6), a Kenezite (Joshua 14:14). ...
/j/jephunneh.htm - 12k

Lead (192 Occurrences)
... 11. (vt) To conduct or direct with authority; to have direction or charge of; as,
to lead an army, an exploring party, or a search; to lead a political party. ...
/l/lead.htm - 42k

Expedition (2 Occurrences)
... enterprise; a march or a voyage with martial intentions; an excursion by a body
of persons for a valuable end; as, a military, naval, exploring, or scientific ...
/e/expedition.htm - 7k

Exploreth (1 Occurrence)

/e/exploreth.htm - 6k

Exploration
... 1. (n.) The act of exploring, penetrating, or ranging over for purposes of discovery,
especially of geographical discovery; examination; as, the exploration of ...
/e/exploration.htm - 38k

Exportation (2 Occurrences)

/e/exportation.htm - 7k

Probe (6 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) An instrument for examining the depth or other circumstances of a wound,
ulcer, or cavity, or the direction of a sinus, of for exploring for bullets ...
/p/probe.htm - 8k

Astrology
... in commenting on this passage well remark: "Moses groups together all the words
which the language contained for the different modes of exploring the future ...
/a/astrology.htm - 38k

Searching (111 Occurrences)
... & vb. n.) of Search. 2. (a.) Exploring thoroughly; scrutinizing; penetrating; trying;
as, a searching discourse; a searching eye. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/s/searching.htm - 35k

Resources
Do Christians sin? | GotQuestions.org

How can we prevent our young people from losing faith? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about vanity? | GotQuestions.org

Exploring: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Concordance
Exploring (1 Occurrence)

Numbers 13:25
And they returned from exploring the land after forty days.
(WBS NIV)

Subtopics

Exploring

Related Terms

Fetched (26 Occurrences)

Caravan (8 Occurrences)

Exported (2 Occurrences)

Exploring (1 Occurrence)

Duty (90 Occurrences)

Rhodes (2 Occurrences)

Husk (2 Occurrences)

Exploreth
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