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Seeking Guidance from Scripture and Biblical Examples

Guidance from Scripture involves seeking divine direction through the inspired writings of the Bible [4]. This practice is rooted in the belief that God's will and wisdom are revealed in these texts, offering instruction for life and faith [16].

The Old Testament provides numerous examples and exhortations for seeking guidance. The prophet Jeremiah urged the people of Jerusalem to "run back and forth through the streets... if you can find a man, if there are any who does justly, who seeks truth; and I will pardon her" [1]. This highlights a call to actively seek truth and righteousness. The Psalmist prays, "Search me, God, and know my heart. Try me, and know my thoughts" (Psalm 139:23) [2], indicating a desire for divine scrutiny and guidance in one's inner life. John Gill, commenting on Jeremiah 6:16, suggests that when people are at a crossroads, unsure of which path to take, "the Scriptures are the way mark to direct us which way we should take" [10]. Similarly, in Lamentations 3:36, Gill interprets the call to "search and try our ways" as an encouragement to look into God's love and covenant as sources of support and instruction during affliction [11].

The New Testament continues to emphasize the importance of Scripture for guidance. Jesus himself sanctioned the Scriptures by appealing to them and teaching from them [4]. In John 5:39, Jesus tells his audience to "Search the scriptures," a command interpreted by commentators as an instruction to diligently examine the Old Testament for divine knowledge and to test doctrines [13]. Jamieson, Fausset & Brown note that Christ's statement underscores the right and duty of all to search the Scriptures, contrasting this with practices that restrict access or interpretation [12]. The apostle Paul commended Timothy for his upbringing in the Old Testament Scriptures, which provided him with "wisdom to receive . . . Christ Jesus" [14]. This suggests that early exposure to and instruction in the biblical texts are foundational for spiritual understanding and guidance.

Seeking guidance from Scripture also involves a process of discernment and application. Matthew Henry, in his commentary on Psalm 119:124, describes David's petition for divine instruction: "Teach me thy statutes; give me to know all my duty; when I am in doubt, and know not for certain what is my duty, direct me, and make it plain to me" [15]. This prayer reflects a desire for God to illuminate the meaning of His commands and to clarify one's responsibilities, especially in difficult times. Keil & Delitzsch further elaborate on this, stating that while God's will is found in His written word, God Himself is the necessary "expounder" for its right understanding, providing both "enlightening and also His guiding grace" [16].

Biblical examples illustrate various forms of seeking and receiving guidance. The Israelites in the wilderness, for instance, were guided by God through miraculous signs and direct communication [5, 7]. Prophets like Moses and Miriam received specific instructions and revelations [3]. The midwives in Exodus 1:17 feared God and did not obey the Pharaoh's command to kill male infants, demonstrating a moral decision guided by their reverence for God [6]. The concept of "decision" in serving God is highlighted as necessary, involving "seeking God with the heart," "keeping the commandments," and "following God fully" [8]. This requires self-denial, as exemplified by Christ, and involves denying ungodliness and worldly lusts [9].

The Christian church is also presented as needing to face its own "wilderness" experiences, where messages of endurance and perseverance are crucial, and God provides "places of refuge and avenues of escape" [17]. The author of Hebrews encourages believers to "endure in following Jesus," who serves as the "supreme example of faithfulness," by imitating his suffering and enduring God’s discipline [18]. This collective and individual journey of faith is continuously informed and directed by the principles and narratives found within the biblical text.

Sources

  1. Jeremiah ““Run back and forth through the streets of Jerusalem, and see now, and know, and seek in the broad places of it, if you can find a man, if there are any who does justly, who seeks truth; and I will pardon her. -- Jeremiah 5:1”
  2. Psalms “Search me, God, and know my heart. Try me, and know my thoughts. -- Psalms 139:23”
  3. Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “Exodus 15:20 cross-references: Exodus 2:4, Numbers 12:1, Numbers 12:2, Numbers 20:1, Numbers 26:59, Judges 4:4, Judges 11:34, Judges 21:21, 1 Samuel 10:5, 1 Samuel 18:6, 2 Samuel 6:5, 2 Samuel 6:14, 2 Samuel 6:16, 2 Kings 22:14, Nehemiah 6:14, Psalms 30:11, Psalms 68:11, Psalms 68:25, Psalms 68:26, Psalms 81:2, Psalms 149:3, Psalms 150:4, Micah 6:4, Luke 2:36, Acts 21:9, 1 Corinthians 11:5, 1 Corinthians 14:34”
  4. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Scriptures, The — Given by inspiration of God -- 2Ti 3:16. Given by inspiration of the Holy Spirit -- Ac 1:16; Heb 3:7; 2Pe 1:21. Christ sanctioned, by appealing to them -- Mt 4:4; Mr 12:10; Joh 7:42. Christ taught out of -- Lu 24:27. Are called the Word. -- Jas 1:21-23; 1Pe 2:2. Word of God. -- Lu 11:28; Heb 4:12. Word of Christ. -- Col 3:16. Word of truth. -- Jas 1:18. Holy Scriptures. -- Ro 1:2; 2Ti 3:15. Scripture of truth. -- Da 10:21. Book. -- Ps 40:7; Re 22:19. Book of the Lord. -- Isa 34:16. Book of the law. -- Ne 8:3; Ga 3:10. Law of the Lord. -- Ps 1:2; Isa”
  5. Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “Exodus 3:2 cross-references: Genesis 15:13, Genesis 16:7, Genesis 22:15, Genesis 48:16, Exodus 3:4, Exodus 3:16, Deuteronomy 4:20, Deuteronomy 33:16, Psalms 66:12, Isaiah 43:2, Isaiah 53:10, Isaiah 63:9, Daniel 3:27, Hosea 12:4, Zechariah 13:7, Malachi 3:1, Mark 12:26, Luke 20:37, John 1:14, Acts 7:30, Romans 8:3, 2 Corinthians 1:8”
  6. Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “Exodus 1:17 cross-references: Genesis 20:11, Genesis 42:18, Exodus 1:21, 1 Samuel 22:17, 2 Samuel 24:4, Nehemiah 5:15, Esther 3:3, Psalms 31:19, Proverbs 8:13, Proverbs 16:6, Proverbs 24:11, Ecclesiastes 8:12, Ecclesiastes 12:13, Daniel 3:16, Daniel 6:13, Hosea 5:11, Micah 6:16, Matthew 10:28, Luke 12:5, Acts 4:18, Acts 5:29”
  7. Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “Exodus 15:2 cross-references: Genesis 17:7, Genesis 28:21, Exodus 3:6, Exodus 3:15, Exodus 4:22, Exodus 6:7, Exodus 14:13, Exodus 40:34, Deuteronomy 10:21, 2 Samuel 7:5, 2 Samuel 7:24, 2 Samuel 22:3, 2 Samuel 22:47, 2 Samuel 22:51, 1 Kings 8:13, 1 Kings 8:27, 1 Chronicles 16:14, Psalms 18:1, Psalms 18:2, Psalms 18:46, Psalms 22:3, Psalms 22:10, Psalms 27:1, Psalms 28:8, Psalms 30:1, Psalms 34:3, Psalms 59:17, Psalms 62:6, Psalms 68:20, Psalms 99:5, Psalms 99:9, Psalms 109:1, Psalms 118:14, Psalms 118:21, Psalms 118:28, Psalms 132:5, Psalms 140:7, Psalms 145:1, Isaiah 12:2, Isaiah 25:1, Isaiah ”
  8. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Decision — Necessary to the service of God -- Lu 9:62. Exhortations to -- Jos 24:14,15. Exhibited in Seeking God with the heart. -- 2Ch 15:12. Keeping the commandments of God. -- Ne 10:29. Being on the Lord's side. -- Ex 32:26. Following God fully. -- Nu 14:24; 32:12; Jos 14:8. Serving God. -- Isa 56:6. Loving God perfectly. -- De 6:5. Blessedness of. -- Jos 1:7. Opposed to A divided service. -- Mt 6:24. Double-mindedness. -- Jas 1:8. Halting between two opinions. -- 1Ki 18:21. Turning to the right or left. -- De 5:32. Not setting the heart aright. -- Ps 78:8,37. Exe”
  9. 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 ”
  10. Jeremiah (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Jeremiah 6:16: Thus saith the Lord, stand ye in the ways, and see,.... These are the words of the Lord to the people, whom he would have judge for themselves, and not be blindly led by the false prophets and priests; directing them to do what men should, when they are in a place where two or more ways meet, and know not which way to take; they should make a short stop, and look to the way mark or way post, which points whither each path leads, and so accordingly proceed. Now, in religious things, the Scriptures are the way mark to direct us which way we should take: if the inquiry”
  11. Lamentations (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Lamentations 3:36: Let us search and try our ways,.... stead of murmuring and complaining, let us search for something that may support and comfort, teach and instruct, under afflictive providences; let us search into the love of God, which, though it cannot be fully searched out, it will be found to be from everlasting to everlasting; and that all afflictions spring from it; and that it continues notwithstanding them: let us search into the covenant of grace, in which provision is made for afflictions in case of disobedience, and for supports under them: let us search the Scriptu”
  12. John (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on John 5:39: Search the scriptures, &c.--"In the Scriptures ye find your charter of eternal life; go search them then, and you will find that I am the Great Burden of their testimony; yet ye will not come to Me for that life eternal which you profess to find there, and of which they tell you I am the appointed Dispenser." (Compare Act 17:11-12). How touching and gracious are these last words! Observe here (1) The honor which Christ gives to the Scriptures, as a record which all have a right and are bound to search--the reverse of which the Church of Rome teaches; (2)”
  13. John (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on John 5:39: Search the Scriptures,.... The writings of Moses, and the prophets, which were of divine inspiration and authority, and are often appealed unto by Christ, and his apostles, for the truth of what they delivered; and were the standard of faith, and the test of doctrines; and therefore to be searched diligently into, for finding divine knowledge and improvement in it, and for the trial of doctrines. The words may be rendered in the indicative, as an assertion, "ye do search the Scriptures": the Jews had the sacred oracles committed to them, and these they read, not only th”
  14. 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.”
  15. Psalms (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Psalms 119:124: Here is, 1. David's petition for divine instruction: "Teach me thy statutes; give me to know all my duty; when I am in doubt, and know not for certain what is my duty, direct me, and make it plain to me; now that I am afflicted, oppressed, and my eyes are ready to fail for thy salvation, let me know what my duty is in this condition." In difficult times we should desire more to be told what we must do than what we may expect, and should pray more to be led into the knowledge of scripture-precepts than of scripture-prophecies. If God, who gave us his statutes, d”
  16. Psalms (Lutheran) “Keil & Delitzsch on Psalms 25:4: Recognising the infamy of such black ingratitude, he prays for instruction as to the ways which he must take according to the precepts of God (Psa 18:22). The will of God, it is true, lies before us in God's written word, but the expounder required for the right understanding of that word is God Himself. He prays Him for knowledge; but in order to make what he knows a perfect and living reality, he still further needs the grace of God, viz., both His enlightening and also His guiding grace.”
  17. Revelation (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Revelation 12:6: 12:6 Like the people of Israel who were spiritually refined in the wilderness (see Hos 2:14-15; Acts 7:38-45) and in exile (see Isa 5:13; Ezek 12:1-3), the Christian church must face its own wilderness. Revelation presents messages of endurance and perseverance in the face of trouble and shows that God provides places of refuge and avenues of escape for his people (cp. 1 Cor 10:13). 1,260 days: See study note on Rev 11:2-3.”
  18. Hebrews (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Hebrews 12:1: 12:1-17 The author challenges his hearers to endure in following Jesus, the supreme example of faithfulness, by imitating him in his suffering (12:1-4), by enduring under God’s discipline (12:5-13), and by living in peace with others (12:14-17). 12:1 huge crowd of witnesses: The host of faithful followers of God (ch 11) bear witness to the truth that God blesses the life of faith. • let us strip off every weight: In Greco-Roman literature, a race is a metaphor for the need for endurance in life. Just as extra weight hinders a runner, sin . . . trips us up. It ent”
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