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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 afflictions that crush many in this present state would render death a mercy alone, as Job lamented (Job 3:17), were it not for the hope anchored in Elohim.
The original Hebrew *musar* (discipline, instruction) paired with the rod establishes wisdom in a child; conversely, a child left to himself brings shame upon his mother.
We must never wrench Bible passages from their context and treat them as infallible Scripture when they are merely the words of men.
This refers not to the spiritually humble (*ptochoi* in Greek, the materially destitute), but establishes why Yahweh's kingdom prioritizes those without worldly wealth.
The Hebrew *chazon* (vision) encompasses prophecy itself: the preaching, expounding, and applying of Elohim's Word.
Yet these are not equal cases—they are a contrast wrapped in similarity.
The principles of genuine faith are inherently spiritual, unpopular, and internal—poverty of spirit, docility of mind, intense aspiration after Elohim, and purity of heart.
The desire of the righteous shall be granted (Proverbs 11:23), yet wisdom often demands restraint in speech. A prudent man concealeth knowledge in six distinct circumstances. First, when it is opportune to withhold. Our Lord Jesus said, "I have yet...
Christ knew what dwelt within human nature, possessed a consciousness of self that transcends our limited awareness.
The psalmist presents a full-length portrait of the unawakened sinner, drawn by the unerring pencil of truth.
Unbelief seals them shut, preventing the water of life from filling them, however abundantly Elohim pours grace around us.
The path toward Mount Zion, though it might contain hardship, remains the way of safety—and Heaven opens its doors here.
First, this voice summons every saint at the appointed hour.
The gospel ministry operates as God's appointed means for reconciling sinners to Him.
God adorns the lilies and tulips with gorgeous apparel for a single day's duration, spun by divine providence, surpassing the tracery of the most splendid court—such magnificence that Solomon himself, with all his wisdom and wealth, could not match them.
Christians remain exposed to divine curse if guilty of the sins to which it appertains—not the curse of condemnation for believers, but the curse retained on record for those who practice wickedness.
First, when God's threatenings produce no alarm in us—when warnings of wrath fail to compel flight—we prove ourselves mockers.
Jesus Christ stands as the Mediator of this covenant, fulfilling the office that requires one who bridges the gap between God and man.
Faith trusts Elohim's providence within His natural and moral laws; presumption demands divine intervention outside them.
The conception of a thing constitutes its first and largest half.
THE PREPARATORY PRIVILEGE Christians enjoy the extraordinary consciousness that Christ Himself converses with them directly.
Isaiah 10:3 poses a devastating question: "What will ye do in the day of visitation?" Joseph Exell identifies three distinct types of divine visitation in 1887's *Biblical Illustrator*.
Lyth, D.D., observed in *The Biblical Illustrator* (1887), this love possessed three essential marks.
Similarly, Adonai possesses many treasuries and secrets shut from carnal minds, yet he who walks in fellowship with Jesus holds the master-key admitting him to all covenant blessings—even to the very heart of God.