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Using Historical Examples for Biblical Encouragement and Theology

Using Historical Examples for Biblical Encouragement and Theology

Scripture consistently presents historical figures as patterns for faith and conduct. The author of Hebrews explicitly structures his argument around "illustrious examples" from the Old Testament, naming specific individuals and "the particular exercise and actings of whose faith are specified" [12]. This practice of drawing theological and moral instruction from past events appears throughout both testaments, grounding abstract principles in concrete lives.

The Pattern of Christ as Primary Example

The New Testament writers establish Christ himself as the supreme historical exemplar. His conduct provides the template for multiple virtues: he "set an example" of early rising for prayer [1], of liberality in self-giving [2], and of zeal for God's glory [4]. Peter declares that "Christ was an example" of sincerity [5]. The author of Hebrews applies "what he has collected" about Old Testament heroes as "a great motive to patience and perseverance," then presses "home the argument" from "a greater example than he had yet mentioned, and that is Christ himself" [11]. This establishes a hermeneutical principle: historical examples function as arguments, as persuasive evidence for how believers should live.

Old Testament Figures as Theological Instruction

The practice extends backward through Israel's history. Genesis 35:3 records Jacob's resolve: "I will make there an altar to God, who answered me in the day of my distress, and was with me on the way which I went" [6]. This retrospective acknowledgment of God's faithfulness in specific circumstances becomes the basis for renewed worship. The psalmist in Psalm 78 undertakes "a narrative of the great mercies God had bestowed upon Israel, the great sins wherewith they had provoked him, and the many tokens of his displeasure they had been under for their sins," explicitly "for the edification of the church" [13]. Historical recitation serves didactic purposes.

Torrey's Topical Textbook catalogs biblical figures under thematic headings, demonstrating how Scripture itself treats individuals as case studies. Under "Early Rising," it lists Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joshua, Gideon, Samuel, David, and Mary as those who "exemplified" the practice [1]. This method assumes that the recorded actions of historical persons carry normative weight for later generations.

Affliction and Divine Pedagogy

Historical examples also illuminate God's methods of instruction through suffering. Afflictions become "beneficial" by "teaching us the will of God" and "turning us to God," as evidenced in Israel's repeated cycles of rebellion and restoration [3]. The pattern observed in Deuteronomy 4:30-31, Nehemiah 1:8-9, and Hosea 2:6-7 demonstrates that God uses historical adversity to redirect his people [3]. These narratives function as both warning and encouragement: they show the consequences of sin while simultaneously revealing God's faithfulness to restore.

Provocation to Imitation

The writer of Hebrews urges believers to "consider how to provoke one another to love and good works" [7], suggesting that examples—whether contemporary or historical—serve as catalysts for action. Paul notes that his own zeal "provokes others to do good" [4], indicating that the recounting of faithful conduct has motivational force. This aligns with the broader biblical pattern of using testimony about past events to shape present behavior.

Universal Sinfulness and the Need for Examples

The doctrine of universal sinfulness, articulated in passages like Psalm 58:3 ("All human beings are born sinners") [8] and Romans 1:18-3:20 (which teaches that "Gentiles and Jews are equally under sin's power") [10], establishes why historical examples matter. Because "whoever imitates the devil becomes a child of the devil by imitating him" [9], the inverse holds: imitating the faithful makes one a child of God by conformity to his character. Augustine's observation that the devil "begets none, nor does he create any" but only corrupts through imitation [9] underscores the theological importance of positive models.

The biblical writers assume that recounting God's past dealings with his people—both judgments and mercies—provides the church with a reservoir of instruction. These are not merely inspirational stories but theological arguments embedded in history, demonstrating God's character and establishing patterns for faith.

Sources

  1. 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 ”
  2. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Liberality — Pleasing to God -- 2Co 9:7; Heb 13:16. God never forgets -- Heb 6:10. Christ set an example of -- 2Co 8:9. Characteristic of saints -- Ps 112:9; Isa 32:8. Unprofitable, without love -- 1Co 13:3. Should be exercised In the service of God. -- Ex 35:21-29. Toward saints. -- Ro 12:13; Ga 6:10. Toward servants. -- De 15:12-14. Toward the poor. -- De 15:11; Isa 58:7. Toward strangers. -- Le 25:35. Toward enemies. -- Pr 25:21. Toward all men. -- Ga 6:10. In leading to those in want. -- Mt 5:42. In giving alms. -- Lu 12:33. In relieving the destitute. -- Isa 58:”
  3. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Afflictions Made Beneficial — In promoting the glory of God -- Joh 9:1-3; 11:3,4; 21:18,19. In exhibiting the power and faithfulness of God -- Ps 34:19,20; 2Co 4:8-11. In teaching us the will of God -- Ps 119:71; Isa 26:9; Mic 6:9. In turning us to God -- De 4:30,31; Ne 1:8,9; Ps 78:34; Isa 10:20,21; Ho 2:6,7. In keeping us from again departing from God -- Job 34:31,32; Isa 10:20; Eze 14:10,11. In leading us to seek God in prayer -- Jdj 4:3; Jer 31:18; La 2:17-19; Ho 5:14,15; Jon 2:1. In convincing us of sin -- Job 36:8,9; Ps 119:67; Lu 15:16-18. In leading us to con”
  4. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Zeal — Christ an example of -- Ps 69:9; Joh 2:17. Godly sorrow leads to -- 2Co 7:10,11. Of saints, ardent -- Ps 119:139. Provokes others to do good -- 2Co 9:2. Should be exhibited In spirit. -- Ro 12:11. In well-doing. -- Ga 4:18; Tit 2:14. In desiring the salvation of others. -- Ac 26:29; Ro 10:1. In contending for the faith. -- Jude 1:3. In missionary labours. -- Ro 15:19,23. For the glory of God. -- Nu 25:11,13. For the welfare of saints. -- Col 4:13. Against idolatry. -- 2Ki 23:4-14. Sometimes wrongly directed -- 2Sa 21:2; Ac 22:3,4; Php 3:6. Sometimes not accord”
  5. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Sincerity — Christ was an example of -- 1Pe 2:22. Ministers should be examples of -- Tit 2:7. Opposed to fleshly wisdom -- 2Co 1:12. Should characterise Our love to God. -- 2Co 8:8,24. Our love to Christ. -- Eph 6:24. Our service to God. -- Jos 24:14; Joh 4:23,24. Our faith. -- 1Ti 1:5. Our love to one another. -- Ro 12:9; 1Pe 1:22; 1Jo 3:18. Our whole conduct. -- 2Co 1:12. The preaching of the gospel. -- 2Co 2:17; 1Th 2:3-5. A characteristic of the doctrines of the gospel -- 1Pe 2:2. The gospel sometimes preached without -- Php 1:16. The wicked devoid of -- Ps 5:9; ”
  6. Genesis “Let us arise, and go up to Bethel. I will make there an altar to God, who answered me in the day of my distress, and was with me on the way which I went.” -- Genesis 35:3”
  7. Hebrews “Let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good works, -- Hebrews 10:24”
  8. Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 58:3: 58:3 All human beings are born sinners (see 51:5); however, whereas the wicked indulge their sinful nature, the godly fight against it (Rom 7:19-23; Jas 4:1-10).”
  9. 1 John (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 John 3:8: He that committeth sin is of the devil--in contrast to "He that doeth righteousness," Jo1 3:7. He is a son of the devil (Jo1 3:10; Joh 8:44). John does not, however, say, "born of the devil." as he does "born of God," for "the devil begets none, nor does he create any; but whoever imitates the devil becomes a child of the devil by imitating him, not by proper birth" [AUGUSTINE, Ten Homilies on the First Epistle of John, Homily 4.10]. From the devil there is not generation, but corruption [BENGEL]. sinneth from the beginning--from the time that any beg”
  10. Romans (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Romans 1:18: 1:18–3:20 Paul delays exploring the theme of righteousness through faith (see 3:21) until after he first teaches about universal sinfulness. Gentiles (1:18-32) and Jews (2:1–3:8) are equally under sin’s power and cannot find favor with God by any action of their own (3:9-20). 1:18 God’s anger is not a spontaneous emotional outburst, but the holy God’s necessary response to sin. The Old Testament often depicts God’s anger (Exod 32:10-12; Num 11:1; Jer 21:3-7) and predicts a decisive outpouring of God’s wrath on human sin at the end of history. While Paul usually de”
  11. Hebrews (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Hebrews 12 (introduction): The apostle, in this chapter, applies what he has collected in the chapter foregoing, and makes use of it as a great motive to patience and perseverance in the Christian faith and state, pressing home the argument, I. From a greater example than he had yet mentioned, and that is Christ himself (Heb 12:1-3). II. From the gentle and gracious nature of the afflictions they endured in their Christian course (Heb 12:4-17). III. From the communion and conformity between the state of the gospel-church on earth and the triumphant church in heaven (Heb 12:18 ”
  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. Psalms (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Psalms 78 (introduction): This psalm is historical; it is a narrative of the great mercies God had bestowed upon Israel, the great sins wherewith they had provoked him, and the many tokens of his displeasure they had been under for their sins. The psalmist began, in the foregoing psalm, to relate God's wonders of old, for his own encouragement in a difficult time; there he broke off abruptly, but here resumes the subject, for the edification of the church, and enlarges much upon it, showing not only how good God had been to them, which was an earnest of further finishing mercy”
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