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By Joseph S. Exell · 1887 · 1,353 illustrations
The Biblical Illustrator is a 56-volume reference work compiled by Joseph S. Exell in the late 19th century. Each passage of Scripture is illuminated with historical anecdotes, biographical sketches, analogies from nature, and homiletical observations drawn from ancient and contemporary sources. These illustrations have been carefully restored from the original public-domain text and rewritten for clarity and accessibility — preserving the historical depth while removing Victorian OCR artifacts.
The significance lies not in temporal priority but in ontological reality.
Isaiah 9:10 records a defiant boast spoken in Ephraim and Samaria: "The bricks are fallen down, but we will build with hewn stones; the sycamores are cut down, but we will put cedars in their place." Scholars suggest these words...
We inhabit a world of separations and farewells, where distance divides families and loved ones across continents.
When God needed a warrior to accomplish His purposes, He qualified David for the work.
To grasp its sweetest meaning, we must enter the spirit of Isaiah 24, which thunders with clouds, darkness, and judgment.
"Surely God is in thee." — Jehovah Himself present in His Church. I. THE DIGNITY OF THE CHURCH. Solomon marveled when Jehovah promised His presence in the newly erected temple. Yet there exists a nobler temple for God—the Church composed...
Early opportunity marked his life: Christ called him to apostleship, included him in prayer (Luke 6:12-13), and recognized gifts suited for kingdom work.
This is no contradiction but the permanent rhythm of godliness itself.
The Hebrews had nicknamed Egypt *Rahab*—meaning "Stormy-speech" or "Braggart"—evoking the crocodile's monstrous reputation.
The phrase *paides tou nymphonos* (children of the bridegroom) reveals the spirit reigning in Jesus's circle—not accident or temperament, but the natural radiance of new life imparted to those joined in His society.
"In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; but he honoureth them that fear the Lord." The righteous person refuses to pay respect where it is undeserved and withholds it nowhere it is merited.
As the sun sometimes shines in full strength and sometimes clouds over—yet remains the same fountain of light—so our Sun of Righteousness *emits* dual natures on the day of resurrection.
Jesus spoke these words as He contemplated His earthly ministry with the urgency of one watching the sun descend toward the horizon.
This belief produces three vital consequences for Christian living.
The apostle Paul supposes the concurrence of two or more events, all verging towards the good of him to whom they have befallen.
(Matthew 12:34) To speak the language of Canaan is to discourse on sacred subjects in the manner peculiar to those who enjoy Divine revelation and are taught of Elohim.
Yet Yahweh has opened a way of reconciliation for sinners who have grossly offended Him.
Consider the excellence of the Holy Scriptures against earthly treasure.
So long as a person depends upon his own wisdom, power, and goodness, disquietude and unhappiness must follow.
The world has perpetually revolted against two great truths of Elohim's government.
Hope itself consists in three elements: belief in good things to come (1 Pet.
Matthew 10:2 presents a roster that, examined officially, reveals Yahweh's sovereign hand in history's transformation.
When men and women engage their ambitions with fierce determination, they unwittingly declare independence from Elohim, attempting to wrest the government of the universe from His hand.
He labours most against our faith, and therefore we should labour most in fortifying it.