The term "refuseth" is an archaic form of the word "refuse," which appears in various contexts throughout the Bible. It generally denotes the act of rejecting, declining, or not accepting something that is offered or commanded. In the scriptural context, "refuseth" often carries significant spiritual and moral implications, highlighting the consequences of rejecting divine instruction, wisdom, or authority.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, the concept of refusing is frequently associated with disobedience to God's commands or the rejection of His wisdom. Proverbs 1:24 states, "Because you refused my call, and no one took my outstretched hand," illustrating the consequences of ignoring divine wisdom. This refusal is often portrayed as a path leading to folly and destruction, emphasizing the importance of heeding God's guidance.

The narrative of the Israelites in the wilderness provides a vivid example of refusal. In Numbers 14:9 , Joshua and Caleb urge the people, "Only do not rebel against the LORD, and do not be afraid of the people of the land, for they will be our bread. Their protection has been removed from them, and the LORD is with us. Do not be afraid of them!" Despite this encouragement, the Israelites refused to trust in God's promise, resulting in their prolonged wandering in the desert.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the act of refusing is often linked to the rejection of Jesus Christ and His teachings. In Matthew 22:3 , Jesus tells the parable of the wedding banquet, where those invited "refused to come." This refusal symbolizes the rejection of the gospel message and the kingdom of God, underscoring the spiritual peril of turning away from Christ.

The Apostle Paul also addresses the theme of refusal in his epistles. In Romans 13:2 , he writes, "Consequently, whoever resists authority is opposing what God has set in place, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves." Here, refusal is connected to resisting divinely ordained authority, highlighting the broader implications of rejecting God's order.

Moral and Spiritual Implications

The act of refusing, as depicted in the Bible, often serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of hardening one's heart against God's will. It is a recurring theme that underscores the importance of obedience, humility, and receptiveness to divine instruction. The refusal to heed God's call can lead to spiritual blindness and separation from His blessings.

In a broader sense, "refuseth" serves as a reminder of the human tendency to resist divine authority and the need for repentance and submission to God's will. The biblical narrative consistently calls believers to embrace God's wisdom and authority, warning of the consequences of refusal and disobedience.

A Generous and Heavenly Principle
... If He refuseth to use any more since the fall, I am obliged. But He hath
used more. ... If He refuseth to use any more, I cannot complain. ...
/.../traherne/centuries of meditations/88 it is a generous.htm

I am first to give you some directions for bringing your people to ...
... And how can he be a disciple of Christ, that refuseth to be taught by him And he
that refuseth to be taught by his ministers, refuseth to be taught by him; for ...
//christianbookshelf.org/baxter/the reformed pastor/article 1.htm

The Witness of Balaam to Israel
... And Balaam rose up in the morning, and said unto the princes of Balak, Get you into
your land: for the LORD refuseth to give me leave to go with you. ...
/.../various/select masterpieces of biblical literature/ii the witness of balaam.htm

Luke x. The Latter Part of the 25Th Verse.
... Man all the Essence, and Guilt, of a wilful Sinner; nay, and makes Him a Sinner
against that very Light and Evidence, to which he wilfully refuseth to attend. ...
/.../sermon iii luke x the.htm

The Father.
... He therefore that refuseth the Way which leadeth to the Father, and he that denieth
the Door, how shall he be deemed worthy of entrance unto God? ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/lecture vii the father.htm

O Father! Send Thy Spirit Down.
... He teacheth us the fear of God, Loves purity, makes His abode The soul that sin
refuseth; Who contrite are, virtue revere, Repent, and turn to Him in fear And ...
/.../gerhardt/paul gerhardts spiritual songs/o father send thy spirit.htm

Gihon, the Same with the Fountain of Siloam.
... The bubblings up of Siloam yielded a type of the kingdom of David, Isaiah 8:6.
"Forasmuch as this people refuseth the waters of Siloah that go softly," &c. ...
/.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 25 gihon the same.htm

Of the Diverse Motions of Nature and of Grace
... and abhorreth those which are rough and cheap; Grace is delighted with things simple
and humble, despiseth not those which are rough, nor refuseth to be ...
/.../kempis/imitation of christ/chapter liv of the diverse.htm

Shiloah and Euphrates
... SHILOAH AND EUPHRATES. Forasmuch as this people refuseth the waters of
Shiloah that go softly ... the Lord bringeth up upon them ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/shiloah and euphrates.htm

Whether Despair is the Greatest of Sins
... Jer.15:18: ". . . my wound incurable, which refuseth to be healed." It
follows that despair is the gravest of sins. I:answer: the ...
/.../aquinas/nature and grace/article three whether despair is.htm

Refuseth (22 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Refuseth (22 Occurrences). Genesis 37:35 and all
his sons and all his daughters rise to comfort him, and ...
/r/refuseth.htm - 13k

Instruction (117 Occurrences)
... (KJV ASV WBS NAS RSV). Proverbs 10:17 He is in the way of life that keepeth instruction:
but he that refuseth reproof erreth. (KJV JPS DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV). ...
/i/instruction.htm - 35k

Refusing (21 Occurrences)

/r/refusing.htm - 12k

Owns (13 Occurrences)
... Genesis 39:8 and he refuseth, and saith unto his lord's wife, 'Lo, my lord hath
not known what 'is' with me in the house, and all that he hath he hath given ...
/o/owns.htm - 10k

Liar (18 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV). Jeremiah 15:18 Why is my pain perpetual,
and my wound incurable, which refuseth to be healed? ...
/l/liar.htm - 11k

Gently (19 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 8:6 Forasmuch as this people refuseth the waters of Shiloah that flow gently,
and rejoice in Rezin and Remaliah's son; (WBS NAS RSV NIV). ...
/g/gently.htm - 12k

Getteth (11 Occurrences)
... (ASV). Proverbs 15:32 He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he
that heareth reproof getteth understanding. (KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS). ...
/g/getteth.htm - 9k

Weepeth (29 Occurrences)
... Genesis 37:35 and all his sons and all his daughters rise to comfort him, and he
refuseth to comfort himself, and saith, 'For -- I go down mourning unto my son ...
/w/weepeth.htm - 15k

Furious (28 Occurrences)
... Esther 1:12 and the queen Vashti refuseth to come in at the word of the king that
'is' by the hand of the eunuchs, and the king is very wroth, and his fury ...
/f/furious.htm - 14k

Frying-pan (3 Occurrences)
... 2 Samuel 13:9 and taketh the frying-pan, and poureth out before him, and he refuseth
to eat, and Amnon saith, 'Take ye out every one from me;' and they go out ...
/f/frying-pan.htm - 7k

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus