Consulting Seasoned Theologians for Analogies and Examples
The biblical tradition frequently emphasizes the value of seeking counsel and learning from past generations or experienced individuals. Deuteronomy 32:7 explicitly encourages, "Ask your father," highlighting that history can instruct those willing to learn from it. In the Old Testament wisdom tradition, fathers were tasked with transmitting lessons to their children [10]. Similarly, Job 8:8 advises inquiring of a "former generation" and researching the wisdom of their ancestors [3].
This principle extends to various aspects of life and faith. In civil matters, consulting with wise counselors is seen as beneficial, as kings, being finite, should seek such advice [7]. The book of Proverbs also suggests that "hearty counsel" is a significant aspect of friendship, greatly sweetening it [8].
The New Testament also illustrates the practice of seeking counsel, even in less ideal circumstances. For instance, before sending out spies to question Jesus, the Pharisees and Herodians consulted on the best plan [11]. The experts in religious law, closely aligned with the Pharisees, were known for their zeal in upholding the law of Moses [9].
The concept of seeking guidance is also evident in the practice of prayer. Intercessory prayer, for example, is commanded for various groups, including kings, those in authority, ministers, the Church, and all saints [5]. This suggests a reliance on a higher power for guidance and intervention, often through the prayers of others.
While seeking external counsel is valued, there is also an emphasis on self-examination. Galatians 6:4 encourages individuals to "prove his own work," meaning to examine one's conduct against the words and example of Christ. This self-assessment, rather than comparison with others, is presented as the standard for a Christian [12].
The Bible also contains numerous cross-references that connect different passages thematically, allowing for a deeper understanding of concepts by drawing on various scriptural insights [1, 2, 4, 6]. This intertextual approach mirrors the idea of consulting a broader body of wisdom. The imagery of doctrine "dropping" like rain or dew, as seen in Deuteronomy 32:2, further illustrates the gentle yet pervasive influence of wholesome instruction [13].
Sources
- Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “Ecclesiastes 3:6 cross-references: Genesis 30:30, Genesis 31:18, Exodus 12:35, Deuteronomy 8:17, 2 Kings 5:26, 2 Kings 7:15, 2 Kings 8:9, Psalms 112:9, Ecclesiastes 11:1, Isaiah 2:20, Jonah 1:5, Matthew 16:25, Matthew 19:29, Mark 8:35, Mark 10:28, Luke 9:24, Acts 27:19, Acts 27:38, Philippians 3:7, Hebrews 10:34”
- Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “Nehemiah 4:9 cross-references: Genesis 32:9, Genesis 32:28, 2 Kings 19:14, Nehemiah 4:11, Job 5:12, Psalms 33:10, Psalms 50:15, Psalms 55:16, Proverbs 22:12, Matthew 26:41, Luke 6:11, Luke 21:36, Acts 4:24, 1 Peter 5:8”
- Job “Job 8:8 (Rotherham) — For inquire, I pray thee, of a former generation, and prepare thyself for the research of their fathers;—”
- Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “1 Samuel 2:6 cross-references: Deuteronomy 32:39, 1 Samuel 20:3, 1 Kings 17:22, 2 Kings 5:7, Job 5:18, Psalms 30:4, Psalms 68:20, Psalms 71:20, Psalms 116:3, Ecclesiastes 3:3, Isaiah 26:19, Hosea 6:1, Jonah 2:2, Matthew 12:40, John 5:25, John 11:25, 2 Corinthians 1:9, Revelation 1:18”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Prayer, Intercessory — Christ set an example of -- Lu 22:32; 23:34; Joh 17:9-24. Commanded -- 1Ti 2:1; Jas 5:14,16. Should be offered up for Kings. -- 1Ti 2:2. All in authority. -- 1Ti 2:2. Ministers. -- 2Co 1:11; Php 1:19. The Church. -- Ps 122:6; Isa 62:6,7. All saints. -- Eph 6:18. All men. -- 1Ti 2:1. Masters. -- Ge 24:12-14. Servants. -- Lu 7:2,3. Children. -- Ge 17:18; Mt 15:22. Friends. -- Job 42:8. Fellow-countrymen. -- Ro 10:1. The sick. -- Jas 5:14. Persecutors. -- Mt 5:44. Enemies among whom we dwell. -- Jer 29:7. Those who envy us. -- Nu 12:13. Those who ”
- Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “Matthew 23:5 cross-references: Exodus 13:9, Leviticus 13:32, Numbers 15:38, Deuteronomy 6:8, Deuteronomy 11:18, Deuteronomy 22:12, 2 Kings 10:16, Proverbs 3:3, Proverbs 6:21, Matthew 6:1, Matthew 9:20, Luke 16:15, Luke 20:47, John 5:44, John 7:18, John 12:43, Philippians 1:15, Philippians 2:3, 2 Thessalonians 2:4”
- Proverbs (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Proverbs 25:2: God's unsearchableness impresses us with awe (compare Isa 45:15; Rom 11:33). But kings, being finite, should confer with wise counsellors;”
- Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 55:13: We took sweet counsel together,.... Not in religious matters; for in these the testimonies of the Lord were David's counsellors, Psa 119:24; but in civil things: hearty counsel is one branch of friendship, and which greatly sweetens it, Pro 27:9; as this may be applied to Christ and Judas, it may denote the mutual delight and pleasure they had, the one in communicating, the other in receiving a notional knowledge of the Gospel, and the mysteries of it, which are the counsel of God, Act 20:27; for if hearers may hear the word gladly, as Herod did, and receive it with ”
- Luke (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Luke 11:45: 11:45 an expert in religious law: The experts in religious law were closely aligned with the Pharisees and shared the same zeal for keeping the law of Moses.”
- Deuteronomy (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Deuteronomy 32:7: 32:7 Ask your father: History instructs those who are willing to learn from it. In the wisdom tradition of the Old Testament, the father was given the task of teaching his children the lessons that had previously been transmitted to him (see, e.g., Prov 1:8; 2:1; 3:1).”
- Luke (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Luke 20:20: ENTANGLING QUESTIONS ABOUT TRIBUTE AND THE RESURRECTION--THE REPLIES. (Luke 20:20-40) sent forth--after consulting (Mat 22:15) on the best plan. spies--"of the Pharisees and Herodians" (Mar 12:13). See Mar 3:6.”
- Galatians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Galatians 6:4: Prove his own work - Let him examine himself and his conduct by the words and example of Christ; and if he find that they bear this touchstone, then he shall have rejoicing in himself alone, feeling that he resembles his Lord and Master, and not in another - not derive his consolation from comparing himself with another who may be weaker, or less instructed than himself. The only rule for a Christian is the word of Christ; the only pattern for his imitation is the example of Christ. He should not compare himself with others; they are not his standard. Christ hath ”
- Deuteronomy (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Deuteronomy 32:2: My doctrine shall drop, &c.--The language may justly be taken as uttered in the form of a wish or prayer, and the comparison of wholesome instruction to the pure, gentle, and insinuating influence of rain or dew, is frequently made by the sacred writers (Isa 5:6; Isa 55:10-11).”