Evidential Support for Biblical Analogies and Examples
Biblical analogies and examples serve to illustrate theological concepts, ethical principles, and divine attributes, often drawing connections between different parts of Scripture or between spiritual truths and observable phenomena. The use of such literary devices is pervasive throughout the Bible, providing clarity and emphasis to its message [8].
One common form of biblical analogy is the cross-reference, where a concept or phrase in one passage is illuminated by its use in another. For instance, the phrase "I know" in Revelation 2:2, which is repeated throughout the letters to the seven churches (Revelation 2:9, 13, 19; 3:1, 8, 15), emphasizes Christ's comprehensive knowledge of his people's actions and circumstances [6]. This divine awareness is further supported by numerous cross-references in the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge, linking Revelation 2:2 to passages like Psalm 1:6 and Matthew 7:23, which speak of God's knowledge of the righteous and his judgment of false prophets [3]. Similarly, the description of Christ's voice in Revelation 1:15 as like "the sound of many waters" is cross-referenced with passages such as Ezekiel 43:2 and Daniel 10:6, which use similar powerful imagery to describe divine or angelic voices [1].
Examples also function to demonstrate practical applications of faith and obedience. The book of Hebrews, particularly chapter 11, is structured around a series of examples illustrating faith, beginning with Abel and continuing through figures like Enoch, Noah, Abraham, and Sarah [9]. These narratives serve to define faith through its effects and provide historical precedents for believers. Christ himself set an example of "early rising" for devotion, as noted in Mark 1:35 and Luke 21:38, which is then connected to Old Testament figures like Abraham and David who also rose early for various duties [4].
Analogies can also highlight God's character. Ephesians 4:6, which states there is "one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all," is cross-referenced with numerous passages that speak of God's universal sovereignty and fatherhood, such as Genesis 14:19 and Malachi 2:10 [2]. The concept of "proving" or testing what is acceptable to the Lord, as mentioned in Ephesians 5:10, is likened to testing a coin, suggesting a careful and experiential discernment process [7].
The repetition of phrases or concepts also serves an emphatic purpose. The phrase "prophesy... prophesy" in Ezekiel 11:4 indicates an "emphatic earnestness" in the divine command [10]. Likewise, the repetition of a statement in Isaiah 2:17 from Isaiah 2:11 is understood as an "emphatic confirmation" [5]. These repetitions, along with the extensive use of cross-references and historical examples, underscore the interconnectedness and consistent message of the biblical text.
Sources
- Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “Revelation 1:15 cross-references: Psalms 93:4, Isaiah 17:13, Ezekiel 1:7, Ezekiel 40:3, Ezekiel 43:2, Daniel 10:6, Revelation 2:18, Revelation 14:2, Revelation 19:6”
- Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “Ephesians 4:6 cross-references: Genesis 14:19, Numbers 16:22, 1 Chronicles 29:11, Psalms 95:3, Isaiah 40:11, Isaiah 40:21, Isaiah 63:16, Jeremiah 10:10, Daniel 4:34, Daniel 5:18, Malachi 2:10, Matthew 6:9, Matthew 6:13, John 14:23, John 17:26, John 20:17, Romans 11:36, 1 Corinthians 8:6, 1 Corinthians 12:6, 2 Corinthians 6:16, Galatians 3:26, Galatians 4:3, Ephesians 1:21, Ephesians 2:22, Ephesians 3:17, Ephesians 6:23, 1 John 3:1, 1 John 3:24, 1 John 4:12, Revelation 4:8”
- Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “Revelation 2:2 cross-references: Psalms 1:6, Matthew 7:23, 2 Corinthians 11:13, Galatians 1:7, Ephesians 4:14, 1 Thessalonians 1:3, 1 Thessalonians 5:21, 2 Timothy 2:19, Hebrews 6:10, 2 Peter 2:1, 1 John 2:21, 1 John 4:1, Revelation 2:6, Revelation 2:9, Revelation 2:13, Revelation 2:19, Revelation 3:1, Revelation 3:8, Revelation 3:15”
- 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 ”
- Isaiah (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Isaiah 2:17: Repeated from Isa 2:11, for emphatic confirmation.”
- Revelation (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Revelation 2:2: 2:2-3 I know: This repeated refrain (2:9, 13, 19; 3:1, 8, 15) shows Christ’s total knowledge of his people, their activities, and their circumstances. • The Ephesian Christians had a correct theology marked by perseverance and faithfulness. They had examined various claims, exercised discipline on evil people, could tell what is true and what is false, and had patiently suffered for their faith in Christ.”
- Ephesians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Ephesians 5:10: Proving--construed with "walk" (Eph 5:8; Rom 12:1-2). As we prove a coin by the eye and the ear, and by using it, so by accurate and continued study, and above all by practice and experimental trial, we may prove or test "what is acceptable unto the Lord." This is the office of "light," of which believers are "children," to manifest what each thing is, whether sightly or unsightly.”
- Numbers (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Numbers 12:8: with him will I speak mouth to mouth--immediately, not by an interpreter, nor by visionary symbols presented to his fancy. apparently--plainly and surely. not in dark speeches--parables or similitudes. the similitude of the Lord shall he behold--not the face or essence of God, who is invisible (Exo 33:20; Col 1:15; Joh 1:18); but some unmistakable evidence of His glorious presence (Exo 33:2; Exo 34:5). The latter clause should have been conjoined with the preceding one, thus: "not in dark speeches, and in a figure shall he behold the Lord." The ”
- Hebrews (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Hebrews 11 (introduction): A definition of faith, Heb 11:1, Heb 11:2. What are its immediate objects, Heb 11:3. What are its effects, instanced in Abel, Heb 11:4. In Enoch, Heb 11:5, Heb 11:6. In Noah, Heb 11:7. In Abraham, Heb 11:8-10. In Sara, Heb 11:11. In their righteous posterity, Heb 11:12-16 In Abraham's offering of his son Isaac, Heb 11:17-19. In Isaac, Heb 11:20. In Jacob, Heb 11:21. In Joseph, Heb 11:22. In Moses, Heb 11:23-28. In the Israelites in the wilderness, Heb 11:29. In the fall of Jericho, Heb 11:30. In Rahab, Heb 11:31. In several of the judges, and in David,”
- Ezekiel (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Ezekiel 11:4: prophesy . . . prophesy--The repetition marks emphatic earnestness.”