Balancing Human Examples in Scripture with Limited Understanding
Scripture frequently presents human examples, both positive and negative, to instruct its readers, yet these examples must be understood within their specific contexts and with an awareness of human fallibility [8]. The Bible does not always endorse every action of its characters, even those otherwise commended.
One common challenge arises when biblical figures act in ways that seem to contradict divine commands or moral principles. For instance, Jephthah's vow in Judges 11, which led to the sacrifice of his daughter, is a stark example of a rash promise made to God [3]. While the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge cross-references this event with other vows and oaths, it does not imply divine approval of the outcome [1, 3]. Similarly, Moses' apparent doubt regarding God's ability to provide meat for the Israelites (Numbers 11:21) has bothered commentators, with some suggesting Moses was paraphrasing the people's potential complaints rather than expressing his own lack of faith [6]. These instances highlight that even prominent biblical figures can exhibit limited understanding or make flawed decisions.
The concept of "lacking understanding" is explicitly mentioned in Proverbs, describing a "young man" who is "simple" [2]. This suggests that human wisdom is often incomplete or misguided. Solomon, in Ecclesiastes, reflects on the scarcity of truly upright individuals, noting that "God made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions" [4]. This observation, according to Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, points to the origin of evil and humanity's departure from God's original design [4]. Solomon's own experience, with his "three hundred wives and seven hundred concubines," is cited as an example of how difficult it was for him to find a truly faithful woman, illustrating human imperfection even in a king renowned for wisdom [7].
The Bible also presents examples of human actions that, while seemingly wise or effective, are not necessarily models for all believers. The story of a "poor wise man" saving a "little city" in Ecclesiastes 9:14 is interpreted by John Gill as either a historical event or a parable illustrating the utility of political wisdom, even if it comes from an unexpected source [5]. This demonstrates that practical wisdom can be valuable, but it is distinct from divine revelation or moral perfection.
The New Testament further clarifies the role of human examples. While Abraham's justification by faith serves as a "pattern or sampler of ours," as Matthew Henry notes on Romans 4:23, this does not mean every detail of Abraham's life is to be replicated [8]. The author of Hebrews warns against being "carried aside" by "divers" and "strange doctrines" that are foreign to the truth, emphasizing the need for discernment even when considering various teachings [9].
Sources
- Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “Leviticus 5:4 cross-references: Leviticus 27:2, Numbers 30:6, Numbers 30:8, Joshua 2:14, Joshua 9:15, Judges 9:19, Judges 11:31, Judges 21:7, Judges 21:18, 1 Samuel 1:11, 1 Samuel 14:24, 1 Samuel 24:21, 1 Samuel 25:22, 2 Samuel 21:7, 2 Kings 6:31, Psalms 132:2, Ecclesiastes 5:2, Ecclesiastes 5:5, Ezekiel 17:18, Matthew 14:7, Matthew 14:9, Mark 6:23, Acts 23:12”
- Proverbs “Proverbs 7:7 (YLT) — And I do see among the simple ones, I discern among the sons, A young man lacking understanding,”
- Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “Judges 11:35 cross-references: Genesis 37:29, Genesis 37:34, Genesis 42:36, Leviticus 27:28, Numbers 14:6, Numbers 30:2, Numbers 30:3, Joshua 7:6, Judges 21:1, 1 Samuel 14:44, 2 Samuel 13:30, 2 Samuel 18:33, Job 1:20, Psalms 15:4, Psalms 66:13, Psalms 66:14, Ecclesiastes 5:2, Matthew 14:7, Acts 23:14”
- Ecclesiastes (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Ecclesiastes 7:29: The "only" way of accounting for the scarcity of even comparatively upright men and women is that, whereas God made man upright, they (men) have, &c. The only account to be "found" of the origin of evil, the great mystery of theology, is that given in Holy Writ (Gen. 2:1-3:24). Among man's "inventions" was the one especially referred to in Ecc 7:26, the bitter fruits of which Solomon experienced, the breaking of God's primeval marriage law, joining one man to "one" woman (Mat 19:4-6). "Man" is singular, namely, Adam; "they," plural, Adam, Eve, an”
- Ecclesiastes (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Ecclesiastes 9:14: There was a little city, and few men within it,.... Which some take to be a piece of history, a real matter of fact; that as the city of Abel, when besieged by Joab, was delivered by the counsel of a wise woman, Sa2 20:15; so there was a city, which Solomon had knowledge of, which was delivered from the siege of a powerful king, by the wise counsel of a poor wise man: though others think it is only a fiction, fable, or parable; the moral of which is, that political wisdom, even in a poor mean person, is sometimes very useful and serviceable, though it does not m”
- Sefaria (Jewish (Rationalist)) “Abraham Ibn Ezra on Numbers 11:21: SIX HUNDRED THOUSAND MEN ON FOOT. There is no need to mention the lesser ones. 91 Those under the age of twenty. If these were included then the number would be much higher. Or the reference is to the 3,550 Israelites above the number of 600,000, for the Israelites numbered 600,350 (Num. 2:32). Many interpret this section in various ways. 92 The commentaries were bothered by Moses apparently doubting the ability of God to provide meat for all of the Israelites. Some say that Moses paraphrased what the children of Israel would say to him. When they would ask, ”
- Ecclesiastes (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Ecclesiastes 7:28: Rather, referring to his past experience, "Which my soul sought further, but I found not." one man--that is, worthy of the name, "man," "upright"; not more than one in a thousand of my courtiers (Job 33:23; Psa 12:1). Jesus Christ alone of men fully realizes the perfect ideal of "man." "Chiefest among ten thousand" (Sol 5:10). No perfect "woman" has ever existed, not even the Virgin Mary. Solomon, in the word "thousand," alludes to his three hundred wives and seven hundred concubines. Among these it was not likely that he should find the fideli”
- Romans (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Romans 4:23: In the close of the chapter, he applies all to us; and, having abundantly proved that Abraham was justified by faith, he here concludes that his justification was to be the pattern or sampler of ours: It was not written for his sake alone. It was not intended only for an historical commendation of Abraham, or a relation of something peculiar to him (as some antipaedobaptists will needs understand that circumcision was a seal of the righteousness of the faith, Rom 4:11, only to Abraham himself, and no other); no, the scripture did not intend hereby to describe some”
- Hebrews (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Hebrews 13:9: about--rather, as oldest manuscripts read, "carried aside"; namely, compare Eph 4:14. divers--differing from the one faith in the one and the same Jesus Christ, as taught by them who had the rule over you (Heb 13:7). strange--foreign to the truth. doctrines--"teachings." established with grace; not with meats--not with observances of Jewish distinctions between clean and unclean meats, to which ascetic Judaizers added in Christian times the rejection of some meats, and the use of others: noticed also by Paul in Co1 8:8, Co1 8:13; Co1 6:13; Rom”