Biblical Analogies for Obedience and Submission to God

The concept of obedience and submission to God is deeply rooted in biblical teachings, with various analogies and examples illustrating its significance. One of the primary biblical analogies for obedience is found in the names of certain biblical figures. For instance, "Semaiah" means "obeying the Lord" ^[1], while "Ishmaiah" signifies "hearing or obeying the Lord" ^[3]. Another example is "Barachel," which translates to "that bows before God" ^[5].

The Bible commands obedience to God, emphasizing its importance in the relationship between God and humanity. Obedience is not limited to following God's commands but also involves submitting to His will and sovereignty. According to Torrey's Topical Textbook, obedience to God includes obeying His voice, law, and the gospel, as well as keeping His commandments ^[4]. The biblical basis for this obedience is evident in passages such as Deuteronomy 13:4, which explicitly commands obedience to God.

Christ's life and teachings provide a powerful example of obedience and submission to God. He demonstrated obedience through His actions, as seen in Matthew 3:15, John 15:20, and Philippians 2:5-8. Christ's obedience is further highlighted in His prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane, where He submitted to God's will, saying, "not my will, but yours be done" (Luke 22:42). This act of submission is seen as a model for Christian obedience ^[2].

The biblical concept of submission is also closely tied to the idea of humility. According to the Tyndale House commentary on Zephaniah 2:3, true humility involves submission to and dependence on God. This understanding is supported by various biblical passages, including Psalms 18:25-27 and 119:142-144.

In the New Testament, the apostle Paul emphasizes the importance of mutual submission among believers. In Ephesians 5:21, he writes, "Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God" ^[8]. This mutual submission is seen as a fundamental aspect of Christian relationships, as it reflects the humility and obedience that characterize a Christian's relationship with God. Matthew Henry's commentary on Ephesians 5:21 notes that this mutual submission involves condescending to bear one another's burdens and being of a yielding and submissive spirit ^[9].

The biblical concept of obedience and submission is also linked to the idea of reverence or fear of God. In Isaiah 11:3, the phrase "fear of the Lord" is used to describe the spirit of obedience that characterizes the Messiah ^[11]. This reverence for God is seen as a fundamental aspect of the Christian life, motivating believers to obey and submit to God's will.

The book of Hebrews provides another significant example of obedience and submission in the person of Jesus Christ. According to Jamieson, Fausset & Brown's commentary on Hebrews 5:8, Christ "learned obedience" through His sufferings, demonstrating the depth of His submission to God's will ^[10].

The biblical analogies for obedience and submission to God are diverse and multifaceted. They include the examples of biblical figures, the teachings of Christ, and the writings of the apostles. Together, these analogies provide a rich understanding of the significance of obedience and submission in the Christian life, emphasizing the importance of humility, reverence, and mutual submission.

The cross-references provided in the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge further illustrate the interconnectedness of these concepts. For example, Ephesians 1:7 is cross-referenced with numerous passages that highlight the significance of redemption and forgiveness ^[6]. Similarly, Revelation 4:11 is linked to various passages that emphasize God's sovereignty and creative power ^[7].

Sources

Hitchcock's Bible Names “Hitchcock's Bible Names: Semaiah — obeying the Lord”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Resignation — Christ set and example of -- Mt 26:39-44; Joh 12:27; 18:11. Commanded -- Ps 37:7; 46:10. Should be exhibited in Submission to the will of God. -- 2Sa 15:26; Ps 42:5,11; Mt 6:10. Submission to the sovereignty of God in his purposes. -- Ro 9:20,21. The prospect of death. -- Ac 21:13; 2Co 4:16-5:1. Loss of goods. -- Job 1:15,16,21. Loss of children. -- Job 1:18,19,21. Chastisements. -- Heb 12:9. Bodily suffering. -- Job 2:8-10. The wicked are devoid of -- Pr 19:3. Exhortation to -- Ps 37:1-11. Motives to God's greatness. -- Ps 46:10. God's love. -- Heb 12:”
Hitchcock's Bible Names “Hitchcock's Bible Names: Ishmaiah — hearing or obeying the Lord”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Obedience to God — Commanded -- De 13:4. Without faith, is impossible -- Heb 11:6. Includes Obeying his voice. -- Ex 19:5; Jer 7:23. Obeying his law. -- De 11:27; Isa 42:24. Obeying Christ. -- Ex 23:21; 2Co 10:5. Obeying the gospel. -- Ro 1:5; 6:17; 10:16,17. Keeping his commandments. -- Ec 12:13. Submission to higher powers. -- Ro 13:1. Better than sacrifice -- 1Sa 15:22. Justification obtained by that of Christ -- Ro 5:19. Christ, an example of -- Mt 3:15; Joh 15:20; Php 2:5-8; Heb 5:8. Angles engaged in -- Ps 103:20. A characteristic of saints -- 1Pe 1:14. Saints ”
Hitchcock's Bible Names “Hitchcock's Bible Names: Barachel — that bows before God”
Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “Ephesians 1:7 cross-references: Exodus 34:7, Job 33:24, Psalms 32:1, Psalms 86:5, Psalms 130:4, Psalms 130:7, Isaiah 43:25, Isaiah 55:6, Jeremiah 31:34, Daniel 9:9, Daniel 9:19, Daniel 9:24, Jonah 4:2, Micah 7:18, Zechariah 9:11, Zechariah 13:1, Zechariah 13:7, Matthew 20:28, Matthew 26:28, Mark 14:24, Luke 1:77, Luke 7:40, Luke 7:47, Luke 24:47, John 20:23, Acts 2:38, Acts 3:19, Acts 10:43, Acts 13:38, Acts 20:28, Romans 2:4, Romans 3:24, Romans 4:6, Romans 9:23, 1 Corinthians 1:30, 2 Corinthians 8:9, Ephesians 1:6, Ephesians 2:4, Ephesians 2:7, Ephesians 3:8, Ephesians 3:16, Philippians 4:19”
Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “Revelation 4:11 cross-references: Genesis 1:1, Exodus 20:11, Deuteronomy 32:4, 2 Samuel 22:4, 1 Chronicles 16:28, Nehemiah 9:5, Job 36:3, Psalms 18:3, Psalms 29:1, Psalms 68:34, Psalms 96:7, Proverbs 16:4, Isaiah 40:26, Isaiah 40:28, Jeremiah 10:11, Jeremiah 32:17, John 1:1, Acts 14:15, Acts 17:24, Romans 11:36, Ephesians 3:9, Colossians 1:16, Hebrews 1:2, Hebrews 1:10, Revelation 5:2, Revelation 5:9, Revelation 5:12, Revelation 10:6, Revelation 14:7”
King James Version “[KJV] Ephesians 5:21 — Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.”
Ephesians (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Ephesians 5:21: Here the apostle begins his exhortation to the discharge of relative duties. As a general foundation for these duties, he lays down that rule Eph 5:21. There is a mutual submission that Christians owe one to another, condescending to bear one another's burdens: not advancing themselves above others, nor domineering over one another and giving laws to one another. Paul was an example of this truly Christian temper, for he became all things to all men. We must be of a yielding and of a submissive spirit, and ready to all the duties of the respective places and st”
Hebrews (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Hebrews 5:8: Though He WAS (so it ought to be translated: a positive admitted fact: not a mere supposition as were would imply) God's divine Son (whence, even in His agony, He so lovingly and often cried, Father, Mat 26:39), yet He learned His (so the Greek) obedience, not from His Sonship, but from His sufferings. As the Son, He was always obedient to the Father's will; but the special obedience needed to qualify Him as our High Priest, He learned experimentally in practical suffering. Compare Phi 2:6-8, "equal with God, but . . . took upon Him the form of a serva”
Isaiah (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Isaiah 11:3: 11:3 obeying the Lord: Literally the fear of the Lord, as in 11:2 (see Prov 1:7).”

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