The term "withdrawest" is an archaic form of the verb "withdraw," which means to remove oneself or something from a particular place or situation. In the context of the Bible, it often refers to God withdrawing His presence, favor, or protection from individuals or nations due to disobedience or sin. This concept is significant in understanding the relationship between God and His people, as well as the consequences of turning away from His commandments.

Biblical Usage and Context

1. Divine Withdrawal as Judgment: One of the primary contexts in which "withdrawest" is used is in relation to God's judgment. When the Israelites or other nations turned away from God, He would sometimes withdraw His presence as a form of discipline. This withdrawal often led to calamity or defeat, serving as a wake-up call for repentance and return to God. For example, in Psalm 104:29 , it is written, "When You hide Your face, they are terrified; when You take away their breath, they die and return to dust." This verse illustrates the dependence of creation on God's sustaining presence and the fear that ensues when He withdraws it.

2. Spiritual Consequences: The withdrawal of God's presence is not only a physical or national consequence but also a deeply spiritual one. In Psalm 51:11 , David pleads, "Do not cast me away from Your presence; do not take Your Holy Spirit from me." Here, the withdrawal of God's Spirit is seen as a severe consequence of sin, highlighting the importance of maintaining a right relationship with God.

3. God's Faithfulness and Restoration: While God may withdraw His presence as a form of judgment, the Bible also emphasizes His faithfulness and willingness to restore those who repent. In Hosea 5:15 , God declares, "I will depart and return to My place until they acknowledge their guilt and seek My face; in their affliction, they will earnestly seek Me." This passage underscores the hope of restoration and the promise that God will return to those who earnestly seek Him.

4. Human Response to Divine Withdrawal: The appropriate response to God's withdrawal is repentance and a renewed commitment to His commandments. The Bible encourages believers to seek God earnestly and to turn from their sinful ways. In James 4:8 , it is written, "Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded." This verse offers assurance that God is willing to restore His presence to those who genuinely seek Him.

5. Examples in Scripture: Throughout the Bible, there are numerous examples of God withdrawing His presence as a response to sin. The account of Samson in Judges 16:20 illustrates this: "But he did not know that the LORD had departed from him." Samson's loss of strength and subsequent capture by the Philistines serve as a powerful reminder of the consequences of disobedience and the importance of remaining faithful to God.

In summary, the concept of "withdrawest" in the Bible serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of sin and the importance of maintaining a close relationship with God. It highlights the need for repentance and the assurance of God's willingness to restore His presence to those who seek Him earnestly.

The Exhortation of the Last HomilyIs Continued in This. ...
... What is the matter, O devil? For what cause withdrawest thou? ... and battered
his flesh to pieces. For what reason withdrawest thou? ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/homily v the exhortation of.htm

When, and in what Things this Obedience Doth Most Concern the ...
... If in denying thee that Liberty, or rejecting that Grace, that thou may'st not grow
proud, thou withdrawest thy self from his Counsel, and leavest him, it is a ...
/.../the spiritual guide which disentangles the soul/chap xi when and in.htm

The Fanatics who Judaize.
... And thus the blind leadeth the blind into the ditch. Thou goest whither
thou knowest not, and thence ignorantly withdrawest. Let ...
/.../commodianus/the instructions of commodianus/xxxvii the fanatics who judaize.htm

To the Drunkards.
... From those who are proud in drinking thou withdrawest in thine inner mind,
holding the power of the ruler, O fool, among Cyclopes. ...
/.../commodianus/the instructions of commodianus/lxxvii to the drunkards.htm

Of the Inward Growth of Patience, and of the Struggle against Evil ...
... thee. And the more thou withdrawest thyself from all solace of creatures,
the more sweet and powerful consolations shalt thou find. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/kempis/imitation of christ/chapter xii of the inward.htm

That God and the Angels Rejoice More on the Return of one Sinner ...
... Woe is me! How high art Thou in the highest, and how deep in the deepest! Thou
withdrawest no whither, and scarcely do we return to Thee. Footnotes: ...
/.../augustine/the confessions and letters of st/chapter iii that god and the.htm

The Life of St. Paul the Apostle
... Then was Paul among others bound and brought tofore Nero, to whom Nero said: O thou
man, servant of the great King, bound tofore me, why withdrawest thou my ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/the life of st paul.htm

John Chapter xiv. 1-3.
... with Thyself? Or if Thou receivest them unto Thyself, how wilt Thou come
again, who never withdrawest Thy presence? Such subjects ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate lxvii john chapter xiv.htm

The Doom of the Antichrist
... Shall the Enemy blaspheme Thy name forever? Why withdrawest Thou Thy hand, even
Thy right hand? Pluck it out of Thy bosom" (Psa.74:1-11). ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the antichrist/the doom of the antichrist.htm

John on the Same Passage.
... If I understand Thee aright, Thou withdrawest not Thyself either from the place
Thou goest from, or from the place Thou comest from: Thou goest away by ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate lxviii john on the.htm

Withdrawest (4 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Withdrawest (4 Occurrences). Job 15:8 Of the secret counsel
of God dost thou hear? And withdrawest thou unto thee wisdom? (YLT). ...
/w/withdrawest.htm - 7k

Withdraw (52 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV). Psalms 74:11 Why withdrawest thou thy hand,
even thy right hand? pluck it out of thy bosom. (Root in KJV JPS DBY WBS NAS) ...
/w/withdraw.htm - 22k

Withdraweth (3 Occurrences)

/w/withdraweth.htm - 7k

Drawest (5 Occurrences)
... (YLT). Psalms 74:11 Why withdrawest thou thy hand, even thy right hand?
pluck it out of thy bosom. (Root in KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS). ...
/d/drawest.htm - 7k

Pluck (41 Occurrences)
... Selah. (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS). Psalms 74:11 Why withdrawest thou thy hand, even
thy right hand? pluck it out of thy bosom. (KJV ASV DBY WBS). ...
/p/pluck.htm - 19k

Bosom (47 Occurrences)
... (See RSV). Psalms 74:11 Why withdrawest thou thy hand, even thy right hand?
pluck it out of thy bosom. (KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV). ...
/b/bosom.htm - 26k

Fearing (107 Occurrences)
... Ecclesiastes 7:18 It is' good that thou dost lay hold on this, and also, from that
withdrawest not thy hand, for whoso is fearing God goeth out with them all. ...
/f/fearing.htm - 35k

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