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Home›Topics›Wisdom›Historical Examples

Historical Examples — Wisdom

513 illustrations

All (2,130)📖 Stories & Illustrations (682)🏛️ Historical Examples (513)⛪ LensLines™ (378)🙏 Devotionals (300)📜 Fables & Parables (82)🔍 Biblical Insights (60)🎯 Application Points (45)💭 Theological Reflections (37)⛪ Tradition Perspectives (18)🌍 Contemporary (9)🕊️ Prayers (4)💬 Quotes (2)

Historical

No One Can Serve Two Masters: The Impossibility of Divided Allegiance

It is impossible to serve two masters thus.

Matthew 6:24Universalallegiance and loyalty

the impossibility of neutrality

Joseph S. Exell

230 words

Historical

Grace and Strength: The Divine Complementarity of Character

Graciousness dissociated from strength carries its own formidable influence; strength dissociated from graciousness becomes mere force, bereft of those attributes which command the world's deepest confidence.

Proverbs 11:16Universalcomplementary characterspiritual development through Christ

Joseph S. Exell

227 words

Historical

The Pilot's Stubbornness: A Ship Wrecked by Pride

When we grip our own opinions with rigid hands, refusing the gentle correction of wise counsel, we chart a course toward destruction.

Matthew 1:15Universalthe dangers of stubbornnessChristian teachability

Joseph S. Exell

206 words

Historical

Hearing Counsel and Receiving Instruction for Latter Wisdom

The distinction between these two gifts proves essential: instruction consists in the communication of right principles; counsel in the advice by which you may apply those principles practically.

Proverbs 16:20Universaldivine counsel versus human schemesthe immutability of God's purpose

Joseph S. Exell

211 words

Historical

The Beast's Warfare Against God's Church and Human Dignity

Yet it remains what it always was: a beast, combining antagonism to both God and humanity.

Revelation 9:7Universalcosmic conflicthuman dignity in Christ

Joseph S. Exell

202 words

Historical

From Childish Things to Mature Faith in Christ

Born in Tarsus to respectable tentmakers, circumcised on the eighth day and named Saul after Israel's first king, the apostle emerged from intensely Jewish household worship.

1 Corinthians 13:11Universalspiritual maturitytransformation in Christ

Joseph S. Exell

213 words

Historical

Scripture as Sword: How Christ Defeated Temptation with God's Word

Charles Spurgeon taught that believers must handle Scripture with five disciplines: reverence, readiness, comprehension, appropriation, and unwavering loyalty—whatever the cost.

Matthew 4:4UniversalScripture's power over temptationthe Word as spiritual provision

Joseph S. Exell

223 words

Historical

Glorying in the Lord Alone: The Cure for Human Pride

Even the righteous tend toward this instinct, often fixing their praise upon unworthy objects.

1 Corinthians 1:31Universalthe supremacy of Godredirecting human pride

Joseph S. Exell

224 words

Historical

Christ's Kingdom Judges the Poor Through Righteousness

Where human rulers depend upon military strength, natural talent, and force of will, the Messiah judges *the poor* (*dal*, the economically vulnerable) through *righteousness* (*tsedaqah*, covenantal justice).

Isaiah 11:4Universalthe nature of Christ's kingdomthe paradox of Christian power

Joseph S. Exell

215 words

Historical

Herod's Fear: When Wickedness Meets the Infant King

Both inquired diligently, yet their motives revealed the condition of their hearts.

Matthew 1:7Universaldivine omnisciencehypocrisy exposed

Joseph S. Exell

207 words

Historical

Babylon's Glory Fades Before the Word of the Lord

Under Nebuchadnezzar, who followed his illustrious father Nabopolassar, the empire extended from the frozen northern zones to the equatorial belt, subjugating Egypt, Assyria, and even maritime Tyre.

Isaiah 39:8Universaltransience of earthly powerpermanence of God's Word

Joseph S. Exell

213 words

Historical

God Lays Up Sound Wisdom for the Righteous

They walk uprightly—their goodness is not stationary but progressive—and are consecrated to God's service, living temples of the Holy Ghost.

Proverbs 2:7Universaldivine protection and safeguardingprogressive moral growth

Joseph S. Exell

216 words

Historical

Lift Your Eyes High: Vision Expands Understanding of God's Providence

When a man looks downward at his feet, his circle of vision measures mere inches—encompassing only small details and fragmented parts whose purpose remains obscure.

Isaiah 39:26Universaldivine providenceperspective and perception

Joseph S. Exell

231 words

Historical

The Statutes of the Lord Rejoice the Heart

The Psalmist does not merely celebrate the eternal fitness of the Divine statutes in abstract terms; he recommends them by an argument closer to human feeling and interest.

Psalms 19:8UniversalDivine law brings happinessGod's Word endures persecution

Joseph S. Exell

233 words

Historical

True Honour: The Glory of Ceasing from Strife

Religious instruction must uphold God's law as supreme, though these three need not contradict one another.

Proverbs 20:3Universalvirtue and characterdivine law versus human law

Joseph S. Exell

238 words

Historical

The End Is Not Yet: Scripture's Grand Unfinished Purpose

The negative evidence alone proves instructive: Scripture provides no conclusive signs of imminent finale, though many have misapplied prophecy throughout history.

Matthew 24:6Universaldivine purposeeschatology

Joseph S. Exell

223 words

Historical

The Fruit of the Righteous: Soul-Winning as Eternal Work

An ancient philosopher observed, "There is nothing great on earth but man, and nothing great in man but his soul." How shall we measure a soul's worth?

Proverbs 11:30Universalsoul-winning as sacred worketernal value of redemption

Joseph S. Exell

216 words

Historical

God's Infinite Intelligence: Thought and Purpose Made Manifest

To think and to purpose are attributes of all rational beings—created or uncreated.

Isaiah 13:24Universaldivine purposeGod's perfect knowledge

Joseph S. Exell

234 words

Historical

Two Books Reveal God's Glory: Creation and Scripture

Exell (1887) observed that nature and Scripture together form two revelatory books: creation displays God's *dynamis* (power), while Scripture unveils His salvation.

Isaiah 45:12UniversalGod's dual revelation through creation and Scripturespiritual cultivation and neglect

Joseph S. Exell

197 words

Historical

Wealth by Vanity Diminishes; Labor Increases

First, wealth itself is good—Elohim commands humanity to possess the earth and subdue it, and Scripture approves righteous acquisition.

Proverbs 13:11Universalconsequence of dishonest gainvalue of diligent work

Joseph S. Exell

202 words

Historical

Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas: The Gospel Ministry as Sacred Trust

Exell's 1887 commentary offers four obligations toward this treasure: First, **Appreciate it**.

1 Corinthians 3:22Universalstewardship of spiritual giftsintellectual humility before God

Joseph S. Exell

200 words

Historical

The Hidden Counsels of Elohim: Divine Mystery in History

The God who called Himself "the God of Israel" and "the Saviour" permitted His own people repeated abandonment to enemies and seventy years of Babylonian captivity.

Isaiah 45:15Universaldivine mysteryGod's hiddenness

Joseph S. Exell

205 words

Historical

The Courage Not to Swing Back

On August 28, 1945, Jackie Robinson sat across from Brooklyn Dodgers president Branch Rickey in a office at 215 Montague Street in Brooklyn. Robinson, a...

Matthew 5:39Universalnonviolencecourage

256 words

Historical

The Natural Foundation and Spiritual Ascent

Consider Nature itself: the earth was complete before Adonai created man in His own image.

1 Corinthians 15:46Universalspiritual maturity through natural foundationinterconnection of body and spirit

Joseph S. Exell

218 words

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