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Cultivating Deeper Understanding of Scripture's Historical Examples

The Bible frequently presents historical examples to instruct and encourage believers, drawing lessons from the lives of individuals and the experiences of communities [2, 11]. This approach to teaching is evident throughout both the Old and New Testaments, where past events and figures serve as models for emulation or warnings against error.

The Old Testament, for instance, is rich with historical narratives that illustrate God's character and his dealings with humanity. Moses, in Deuteronomy, urges the Israelites to "Remember the days of old," emphasizing the importance of recalling God's providences concerning their ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and the "constant series of mercies" they experienced [7]. This historical remembrance was not merely an exercise in nostalgia but a call to obedience, as Matthew Henry notes, "This use we should make of the review of God's providences concerning us, we should by them be quickened and engaged to duty and obedience" [8]. The book of Psalms also frequently recounts Israel's history, such as Psalm 105, which details God's faithfulness to his covenant people [9]. These historical accounts are presented as foundational for understanding God's commands and for cultivating a life of diligence and devotion [4].

The New Testament continues this tradition of drawing lessons from history. The author of Hebrews, for example, dedicates an entire chapter to recounting the faith of Old Testament figures, such as Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, and Sarah, among others [11]. These individuals are presented as "illustrious examples" of faith, with their specific acts of faith detailed for the reader's instruction [11]. The purpose is not just to list names but to demonstrate the "particular exercise and actings of whose faith are specified" [11]. The experiences of the Jews in the wilderness are also cited as a warning against disobedience and unbelief [2].

Jesus Christ himself is presented as the ultimate example for believers. His life and actions are held up as a pattern for diligence, devotion, and service [2, 4]. For instance, his practice of early rising is noted as an example for devotion (Mark 1:35; Luke 21:38; John 8:2) [3]. The Apostle Peter exhorts believers to follow Christ's example (1 Peter 2:21), and Paul encourages imitation of himself as he imitates Christ (Philippians 3:17; 2 Thessalonians 3:9) [2]. Pastors are also called to be examples to their flocks (1 Timothy 4:12; 1 Peter 5:3) [2].

The understanding of these historical examples is facilitated by the nature of Scripture itself. The Bible is described as "God-breathed" (2 Timothy 3:16), meaning it is inspired by God and therefore effective for teaching, reproof, correction, and training in righteousness [10]. This divine inspiration ensures that the historical accounts within it are purposeful and instructive. The Old Testament Scriptures, in particular, are noted for providing "wisdom to receive . . . Christ Jesus," and conversely, Christ Jesus is needed to fully understand the Old Testament [5]. This reciprocal relationship highlights the interconnectedness of biblical history and its ultimate Christocentric focus.

The practice of reading and studying these historical examples was central to both Jewish and early Christian communities. In the Jewish synagogue, the reading of Scripture was a regular practice, which was then transferred to the Christian Church [6]. The New Testament Gospels and Epistles, once written, were recognized as inspired and read alongside the Old Testament [6]. This continuous engagement with the biblical text, including its historical narratives, was seen as crucial for spiritual growth and understanding. Timothy, for example, was educated in the Old Testament Scriptures from childhood by his grandmother Lois and mother Eunice, whose lives reinforced their teaching [5]. This early exposure to biblical history provided him with the wisdom necessary for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus [5].

The historical context of the biblical narratives is also important for a deeper understanding. For instance, the writings of Flavius Josephus, a first-century Jewish historian, provide extra-biblical insights into the historical and political landscape of the Jewish people, such as the procuratorship of Florus, which led to the Jewish revolt against the Romans [1]. Such historical accounts, though not canonical, can help to contextualize the biblical narrative and illuminate the challenges and circumstances faced by biblical figures.

Sources

  1. Project Gutenberg “Flavius Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews, CHAPTER 11, section 1: . Concerning Florus The Procurator, Who Necessitated The Jews To Take Up Arms Against The Romans. The Conclusion. FOOTNOTES PREFACE.1 1. Those who undertake to write histories, do not, I perceive, take that trouble on one and the same account, but for many reasons, and those such as are very different one from another. For some of them apply themselves to this part of learning to show their skill in composition, and that they may therein acquire a reputation for speaking finely: others of them there are, who write histories in o”
  2. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Example — Of Christ (1 Pet. 2:21; John 13:15); of pastors to their flocks (Phil. 3:17; 2 Thess. 3:9; 1 Tim. 4:12; 1 Pet. 5:3); of the Jews as a warning (Heb. 4:11); of the prophets as suffering affliction (James 5:10).”
  3. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Early Rising — Christ set an example of -- Mr 1:35; Lu 21:38; Joh 8:2. Requisite for Devotion. -- Ps 5:3; 59:16; 63:1; 88:13; Isa 26:9. Executing God's commands. -- Ge 22:3. Discharge of daily duties. -- Pr 31:15. Neglect of, leads to poverty -- Pr 6:9-11. Practised by the wicked, for Deceit. -- Pr 27:14. Executing plans of evil. -- Mic 2:1. Illustrates spiritual diligence -- Ro 13:11,12. Exemplified Abraham. -- Ge 19:27. Isaac, &c. -- Ge 26:31. Jacob. -- Ge 28:18. Joshua &c. -- Jos 3:1. Gideon. -- Jdj 6:38. Samuel. -- 1Sa 15:12. David. -- 1Sa 17:20. Mary, &c. -- Mr ”
  4. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Diligence — Christ, an example -- Mr 1:35; Lu 2:49. Required by God in Seeking him. -- 1Ch 22:19; Heb 11:6. Obeying him. -- De 6:17; 11:13. Hearkening to him. -- Isa 55:2. Striving after perfection. -- Php 3:13,14. Cultivating Christian graces. -- 2Pe 1:5. Keeping the souls. -- De 4:9. Keeping the heart. -- Pr 4:23. Labours of love. -- Heb 6:10-12. Following every good work. -- 1Ti 5:10. Guarding against defilement. -- Heb 12:15. Seeking to be found spotless. -- 2Pe 3:14. Making our call, &c, sure. -- 2Pe 1:10. Self-examination. -- Ps 77:6. Lawful business. -- Pr 27:”
  5. 2 Timothy (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 2 Timothy 3:14: 3:14-15 from childhood: Timothy’s Jewish grandmother and mother, Lois and Eunice (see Acts 16:1-3), provided his education in the Old Testament Scriptures (see 2 Tim 1:5), and their lives reinforced their teaching. • The Old Testament Scriptures give the wisdom to receive . . . Christ Jesus. In turn, Jesus Christ is needed to understand the Old Testament Scriptures fully.”
  6. 1 Timothy (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Timothy 4:13: Till I come--when Timothy's commission would be superseded for the time by the presence of the apostle himself (Ti1 1:3; Ti1 3:14). reading--especially in the public congregation. The practice of reading Scripture was transferred from the Jewish synagogue to the Christian Church (Luk 4:16-20; Act 13:15; Act 15:21; Co2 3:14). The New Testament Gospel and Epistles being recognized as inspired by those who had the gift of discerning spirits, were from the first, according as they were written, read along with the Old Testament in the Church (Th1 5:21”
  7. Deuteronomy (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Deuteronomy 32:7: Moses, having in general represented God to them as their great benefactor, whom they were bound in gratitude to observe and obey, in these verses gives particular instances of God's kindness to them and concern for them. 1. Some instances were ancient, and for proof of them he appeals to the records (Deu 32:7): Remember the days of old; that is, "Keep in remembrance the history of those days, and of the wonderful providences of God concerning the old world, and concerning your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; you will find a constant series of mercies at”
  8. Deuteronomy (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Deuteronomy 4:1: This most lively and excellent discourse is so entire, and the particulars of it are so often repeated, that we must take it altogether in the exposition of it, and endeavour to digest it into proper heads, for we cannot divide it into paragraphs. I. In general, it is the use and application of the foregoing history; it comes in by way of inference from it: Now therefore harken, O Israel, Deu 4:1. This use we should make of the review of God's providences concerning us, we should by them be quickened and engaged to duty and obedience. The histories of the year”
  9. Psalms (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Psalms 105 (introduction): Some of the psalms of praise are very short, others very long, to teach us that, in our devotions, we should be more observant how our hearts work than how the time passes and neither overstretch ourselves by coveting to be long nor over-stint ourselves by coveting to be short, but either the one or the other as we find in our hearts to pray. This is a long psalm; the general scope is the same with most of the psalms, to set forth the glory of God, but the subject-matter is particular. Every time we come to the throne of grace we may, if we please, f”
  10. 2 Timothy (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 2 Timothy 3:16: 3:16-17 These verses elaborate on 3:15 by explaining Scripture’s effectiveness, its source, and the ways that it gives wisdom to live out our salvation. Paul was speaking of the Hebrew Scriptures (the Old Testament), but his statement can now apply to all Scripture, including the New Testament (see, e.g., 2 Pet 3:15-16). 3:16 The fact that Scripture is inspired by God (literally God-breathed, breathed out by God’s own speech; see also Heb 4:12-13; 2 Pet 1:20-21) does not negate the active involvement of the human authors. But it does affirm that God is fully re”
  11. Hebrews (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Hebrews 11:4: The apostle, having given us a more general account of the grace of faith, now proceeds to set before us some illustrious examples of it in the Old Testament times, and these may be divided into two classes: - 1. Those whose names are mentioned, and the particular exercise and actings of whose faith are specified. 2. Those whose names are barely mentioned, and an account given in general of the exploits of their faith, which it is left to the reader to accommodate, and apply to the particular persons from what he gathers up in the sacred story. We have here those”
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