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Historical Examples and the Character of God's Will

The Bible presents numerous historical examples that illustrate the character of God's will, often highlighting His righteousness, sovereignty, and specific attributes through the actions of individuals and divine interventions. These examples serve as models for believers and demonstrate God's consistent nature across different eras [1, 4, 6].

One prominent aspect of God's will revealed through historical examples is His righteousness and justice. The psalmist describes God's righteousness as "very high," "abundant," and "everlasting," enduring forever [6]. This attribute is exhibited in His testimonies, commandments, judgments, and acts [6]. For instance, the judgment of God is presented as a means by which people may be "counted worthy of the kingdom of God" [9]. The book of Psalms encourages remembering God's "wonders which He has done, His marvels and the judgments uttered by His mouth" [10]. The Tyndale House commentary notes that Old Testament examples of judgment, such as the angels who sinned (Genesis 6:1-5), demonstrate that God will vindicate the faithful and condemn those who deny Him [14].

God's sovereignty is another key characteristic demonstrated through historical events. Josephus, in Antiquities of the Jews, observes that a perusal of history reveals that "all events succeed well, even to an incredible degree," and that felicity is proposed by God to those who obey Him [3]. This aligns with the biblical teaching that God's counsel, particularly concerning the salvation of His people, is immutable [13]. The suffering of Christ, for example, was not a random event but was "before had showed... by the mouths of all his prophets" [15]. This illustrates God's predetermined plan and His control over historical outcomes.

The character of God's will is also exemplified through the lives of biblical figures who demonstrated specific virtues in response to divine commands or circumstances. Humility, for instance, is necessary for God's service, and Christ Himself is presented as an example of it [7]. Saints who exhibit humility are regarded, heard, and delivered by God, and they enjoy His presence [7]. Similarly, early rising is shown to be requisite for devotion and executing God's commands, with figures like Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joshua, Gideon, Samuel, and David all practicing it [5].

Resignation to God's will is another virtue highlighted through historical examples. Christ's prayers in Gethsemane ("not my will, but yours be done") serve as a prime example of this submission [1]. This resignation is commanded in scripture (Psalm 37:7, 46:10) and should be exhibited in submission to God's sovereignty, even in the face of death, loss, chastisements, or bodily suffering [1]. Job's response to the loss of his children and goods ("The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord") is a classic illustration of this principle [1].

The prophets are presented as examples of "pain nobly undergone and of strength in trouble" [8]. Matthew Henry, commenting on Hebrews 11, emphasizes that the grace of faith is illustrated through numerous Old Testament figures whose names are mentioned, and whose specific acts of faith are detailed [12]. These examples serve to encourage believers to trust in God's faithfulness and to endure suffering, knowing that God's will ultimately prevails [11]. Christ's example of patient endurance under undeserved suffering is particularly highlighted as acceptable to God [11].

Holiness, as a reflection of God's character, is commanded for believers and is exemplified by Christ Himself [4]. The gospel is presented as the "way of holiness," and it is necessary for worshiping God and seeing Him [4]. Saints are elected and called to holiness, being "new created in" it [4]. The character of God, as well as the character of Christ, serves as the standard for holiness [4].

Finally, boldness, particularly "holy boldness," is shown to be a characteristic of saints, produced by trust in God and the fear of God [2]. Christ set an example of boldness (John 7:26), and believers are encouraged to express their trust in God with boldness and to have boldness in prayer [2]. Ministers are also exhorted to exhibit boldness in their faithfulness and preaching [2].

Sources

  1. 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:”
  2. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Boldness, Holy — Christ set an example of -- Joh 7:26. Is through faith in Christ -- Eph 3:12; Heb 10:19. A characteristic of saints -- Pr 28:1. Produced by Trust in God. -- Isa 50:7. The fear of God. -- Ac 4:19; 5:29. Faithfulness to God. -- 1Ti 3:13. Express your trust in God with -- Heb 13:6. Have, in prayer -- Eph 3:12; Heb 4:16. Saints shall have, in judgment -- 1Jo 4:17. Exhortations to -- Jos 1:7; 2Ch 19:11; Jer 1:8; Eze 3:9. Pray for -- Ac 4:29; Eph 6:19,20. Ministers should exhibit, in Faithfulness to their people. -- 2Co 7:4; 10:1. Preaching. -- Ac 4:31; Ph”
  3. Project Gutenberg “Flavius Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews, CHAPTER 11, section 3: him only the books of the law, while there were a vast number of other matters in our sacred books. They, indeed, contain in them the history of five thousand years; in which time happened many strange accidents, many chances of war, and great actions of the commanders, and mutations of the form of our government. Upon the whole, a man that will peruse this history, may principally learn from it, that all events succeed well, even to an incredible degree, and the reward of felicity is proposed by God; but then it is to those tha”
  4. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Holiness — Commanded -- Le 11:45; 20:7; Eph 5:8; Col 3:12; Ro 12:1. Christ Desires for his people. -- Joh 17:17. Effects, in his people. -- Eph 5:25-27. An example of. -- Heb 7:26; 1Pe 2:21,22. The character of God, the standard of -- Le 19:2; 1Pe 1:15,16; Eph 5:1. The character of Christ, the standard of -- Ro 8:29; 1Jo 2:6; Php 2:5. The gospel the way of -- Isa 35:8. Necessary to God's worship -- Ps 24:3,4. None shall see God without -- Eph 5:5; Heb 12:14. Saints Elected to. -- Ro 8:29; Eph 1:4. Called to. -- 1Th 4:7; 2Ti 1:9. New created in. -- Eph 4:24. Possess. ”
  5. 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 ”
  6. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Righteousness of God, The — Is part of his character -- Ps 7:9; 116:5; 119:137. Described as Very high. -- Ps 71:19. Abundant. -- Ps 48:10. Beyond computation. -- Ps 71:15. Everlasting. -- Ps 119:142. Enduring for ever. -- Ps 111:3. The habitation of his throne. -- Ps 97:2. Christ acknowledged -- Joh 17:25. Christ committed his cause to -- 1Pe 2:23. Angels acknowledge -- Re 16:5. Exhibited in His testimonies. -- Ps 119:138,144. His commandments. -- De 4:8; Ps 119:172. His judgments. -- Ps 19:9; 119:7,62. His word. -- Ps 119:123. His ways. -- Ps 145:17. His acts. -- J”
  7. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Humility — Necessary to the service of God -- Mic 6:8. Christ an example of -- Mt 11:29; Joh 13:14,15; Php 2:5-8. A characteristic of saints -- Ps 34:2. The who have Regarded by God. -- Ps 138:6; Isa 66:2. Heard by God. -- Ps 9:12; Isa 10:17. Enjoy the presence of God. -- Isa 57:15. Delivered by God. -- Job 22:29. Lifted up by God. -- Jas 4:10. Exalted by God. -- Lu 14:11; 18:14. Are greatest in Christ's kingdom. -- Mt 18:4; 20:26-28. Receive more grace. -- Pr 3:34; Jas 4:6. Upheld by honour. -- Pr 18:12; 29:23. Is before honour -- Pr 15:33. Leads to riches, honour, ”
  8. James “James 5:10 (BBE) — Take as an example of pain nobly undergone and of strength in trouble, the prophets who gave to men the words of the Lord.”
  9. II Thessalonians “II Thessalonians 1:5 (DRC) — For an example of the just judgment of God, that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which also you suffer.”
  10. Psalms “Psalms 105:5 (NASB) — Remember His wonders which He has done, His marvels and the judgments uttered by His mouth,”
  11. 1 Peter (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Peter 2:21: Christ's example a proof that patient endurance under undeserved sufferings is acceptable with God. hereunto--to the patient endurance of unmerited suffering (Pe1 3:9). Christ is an example to servants, even as He was once in "the form of a servant." called--with a heavenly calling, though slaves. for us--His dying for us is the highest exemplification of "doing well" (Pe1 2:20). Ye must patiently suffer, being innocent, as Christ also innocently suffered (not for Himself, but for us). The oldest manuscripts for "us . . . us," read, "you . . . f”
  12. 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”
  13. Hebrews (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Hebrews 6:16: Wherein God, willing,.... Or "wherefore", as the Syriac and Ethiopic versions render it; that is, whereas an oath is used among men to confirm anything that might be doubted; therefore God, in condescension to the weakness of men, made use of one; being very desirous and determined, more abundantly to show unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel; by which is meant, not the Gospel nor the ordinances of it, though these are sometimes called the counsel of God; but the decree of God, concerning the salvation of his people by Jesus Christ, which is im”
  14. 2 Peter (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 2 Peter 2:4: 2:4-10 Three Old Testament examples of judgment show that God will vindicate those who remain faithful to him and will condemn those who deny him, including the false teachers (see 2:3). 2:4 The first example of judgment is the angels who sinned: The widespread Jewish tradition was that “the sons of God” in Gen 6:1-5 (understood as angels) had intercourse with women and were therefore judged by God at that time (see 1 Enoch 6–10; cp. 1 Pet 3:19-20; Jude 1:6). • in gloomy pits of darkness: This description of the underworld was popular in the ancient world and is p”
  15. Acts (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Acts 3:18: But those things which God before had showed,.... In the Scriptures of the Old Testament, concerning the betraying of the Messiah, and his sufferings and death, with the various causes, concomitants, and circumstances of them: by the mouths of all his prophets; which were since the world began; some pointing out one thing or circumstance, and some another: that Christ should suffer. The Vulgate Latin and Syriac versions read, "that his Christ should suffer"; but then they leave out the word "his" in the preceding clause, which they put into this; and this entire cla”
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