Extrabiblical Examples Illustrating Practical Obedience to God's Commands

Practical Obedience to God's Commands: Extrabiblical Examples

The concept of obedience to God's commands is deeply rooted in biblical teachings, with numerous examples illustrating its significance. One key aspect is the demonstration of faith through actions, as seen in the lives of biblical figures and their responses to divine instructions.

Abraham's willingness to circumcise Ishmael and himself as commanded by God (Genesis 17:23-27) is an example of obedience ^[10]. This act is commended in Calvin's commentary on Genesis, highlighting Abraham's faith and submission to God's will. Similarly, the Israelites' prompt and devout offering of materials for the construction of the tabernacle (Exodus 35:21) showcases their obedience and willingness to follow God's instructions ^[4].

The biblical account of the conquest of Jericho (Joshua 5:13–6:27) provides another example of obedience, where the Israelites acted in faith according to God's unusual instructions. This event is noted in the Tyndale House commentary on Hebrews 11:30 as a demonstration of great faith ^[5].

The importance of obedience is also emphasized in the New Testament. The apostle John's writings stress that keeping God's commandments is a manifestation of love for God (1 John 5:3). According to John Gill's commentary on 1 John 5:3, this obedience is evidence of a genuine love that is not merely professed but demonstrated through actions ^[8].

The lives of biblical figures such as Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joshua, Gideon, Samuel, and David, who rose early to execute God's commands or carry out their daily duties, serve as extrabiblical examples illustrating the value of diligence and obedience (Torrey's Topical Textbook on Early Rising) ^[2].

Moreover, the biblical concept of self-denial is another aspect of practical obedience. Christ's example of self-denial (Matthew 4:8-10; Philippians 2:6-8) is cited as a model for believers to follow, particularly in denying ungodliness and worldly lusts (Torrey's Topical Textbook on Self-Denial) ^[1].

The Psalms also underscore the importance of obedience, with Psalm 105:45 stating that the Israelites were to keep God's statutes and obey His laws. This verse highlights the significance of obedience in the life of God's people ^[3].

In the view of Reformed theologians like Calvin, obedience is closely tied to the concept of faith. Calvin's commentary on Genesis emphasizes that Abraham's obedience was a demonstration of his faith, underscoring the connection between faith and action ^[10].

The examples of obedience in the Bible serve as a model for believers, illustrating the importance of submitting to God's will and following His commands. As seen in Ezekiel 6:8-10, those who remain faithful to God will be vindicated, while those who deny Him will face judgment (Tyndale House on Ezekiel 6:8) ^{[6, 7]}.

The New Testament reinforces this idea, with 1 John 2:3-6 indicating that obedience is a clear indication of knowing Christ and belonging to Him (Tyndale House on 1 John 2:3) ^[9].

Sources

Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Self-Denial — Christ set an example of -- Mt 4:8-10; 8:20; Joh 6:38; Ro 15:3; Php 2:6-8. A test of devotedness to Christ -- Mt 10:37,38; Lu 9:23,24. Necessary In following Christ. -- Lu 14:27-33. In the warfare of saints. -- 2Ti 2:4. To the triumph of saints. -- 1Co 9:25-27. Ministers especially called to exercise -- 2Co 6:4,5. Should be exercised in Denying ungodliness and worldly lusts. -- Ro 6:12; Tit 2:12. Controlling the appetite. -- Pr 23:2. Abstaining from fleshly lusts. -- 1Pe 2:11. No longer living to lusts of men. -- 1Pe 4:2. Mortifying sinful lusts. -- Mr ”
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 ”
Psalms “Psalms 105:45 (BSB) — that they might keep His statutes and obey His laws. Hallelujah!”
Exodus “obtulerunt mente promptissima atque devota primitias Domino, ad faciendum opus tabernaculi testimonii. Quidquid ad cultum et ad vestes sanctas necessarium erat, -- Exodus 35:21”
Hebrews (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Hebrews 11:30: 11:30 The conquest of Jericho (Josh 5:13–6:27) offers another example of great faith, as the people acted in obedience to God’s unusual instructions.”
Ezek (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ezek 6:8: 6:8-10 A remnant would be scattered among the nations of the world to bear witness to God’s faithfulness to his covenant. They would recognize the reality of their own unfaithful hearts and hate themselves for all their detestable sins, and they will know that God’s threat of calamity on covenant breakers was absolutely serious. Some of those who know that I alone am the Lord might even experience the other side of God’s faithfulness: his swiftness to forgive those who repent. In the book of Exodus, Israel came to know that God is the Lord through his mighty acts of ”
Ezekiel (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ezekiel 6:8: 6:8-10 A remnant would be scattered among the nations of the world to bear witness to God’s faithfulness to his covenant. They would recognize the reality of their own unfaithful hearts and hate themselves for all their detestable sins, and they will know that God’s threat of calamity on covenant breakers was absolutely serious. Some of those who know that I alone am the Lord might even experience the other side of God’s faithfulness: his swiftness to forgive those who repent. In the book of Exodus, Israel came to know that God is the Lord through his mighty acts ”
1 John (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 John 5:3: For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments,.... Keeping of the commandments of God is an evidence of love to God; this shows that love is not in word and tongue, in profession only, but in deed and in truth; and that such persons have a sense of the love of God upon their souls, under the influence of which they act; and such shall have, and may expect to have, greater manifestations of the love of God unto them: and his commandments are not grievous; heavy, burdensome, and disagreeable; by which are meant, not so much the precepts of the moral law, w”
1 John (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 John 2:3: 2:3-6 Obedience is one clear indication that we know Christ and belong to him. If we do not obey Christ, it is obvious that we do not belong to him or love him. • As we obey Christ and his commandments, our love for God and our knowledge of him will grow toward completeness and maturity. We will live . . . as Jesus did, in union with God and showing love for others.”
CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Genesis, Vol. 1 (Gen 1-23), section 21.26: from the certainty of our faith; because a full manifestation of Him has been made in Christ, with which it is right that we should be satisfied. Besides, although God does not daily ascend upwards in a visible form, yet, in this his majesty is not less resplendent, that he raises us upwards by transforming us into his own image. Further, he gives sufficient authority to his word, when he seals it upon our hearts by his spirit. 23. And Abraham took Ishmael Moses now commends the obedience of Abraham because he circumcised the who”

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