The Parable s Of Jesus The Purpose of A Parable How To Study A Parable Matthew 13:34/ Mark 4:34
Parable Defined Comparison Illustration Analogy Instruments used to move high level spiritual insight into the minds of humans. Ballein = to throw + Para = along side
The Teaching Tool Of Excellence Proverbs 26:7-9 - A proverb in the mouth of a fool is as useless as a paralyzed leg. Honoring a fool is as foolish as tying a stone to a slingshot. A proverb in the mouth of a fool is like a thorny branch brandished by a drunk. Mark 4:34 He did not speak to them without a parable, but he explained everything privately to his disciples. Matthew 13:34 - Jesus always used stories and illustrations like these when speaking to the crowds. In fact, he never spoke to them without using such parables.
Parameters Of Parables Each parable has a unique purpose. Seven times in the book of Numbers the phrase took up his parable appears: Numbers 23:7, 18, 24:3, 15, 20, 21, 23 Each parable in the Old Testament was designed to lift up or sustain a truth that could not be revoked by any power found in earth. Understand a parable by thinking in terms of getting more clarity and more insight into heaven, spiritual matters, God, Jesus, Salvation and Obedience.
The Intent Of Each Parable The textual intent is to teach how a parable lift up and reveal the superior wisdom specifically laid out inside of the illustration or analogy.
Main Point Of A Parable Must Be Discovered Each parable must be listened to and processed within the parameters of the setting of the individual, the culture of the era of the parable and the understanding of the people, politics, social norms and spiritual beliefs of that time period.
If There Is A Parable There Is A Targeted Objective Parables are never used as an after thought. Each Old and New Testament Parable communicates the attitude of God, possibly good people or possibly not so well intended individuals. The key to studying a parable is to first determine whose attitude is being challenged.
Three Introductory Points A. Study each parable with the intent to explore it with a spiritual mind instead of from an earthly one. Each parable must be heard through the spirit man and not how one see the world around them. B. Each parable must be parsed or reduced to its lowest term and then reconstructed with a spiritual mind, with a spiritual emotional self, and with a heavenly application instead of an earthly theoretical mindset. C. Each parable must be seen from inside of the illustration and movement of the hearer s heart to an undeniable clearer insight into God s perfect will.
Midweek Have you ever attempted to convey to someone through words the true depth of how much you really love them and want nothing but favor for their life? What illustrations have you attempted in the past to say to people that you love them? What words have you attempted to say another way that would clarify what you previously attempted to express regarding how much you wish others would listen to your encouragement, advice or directions? Be present tomorrow night as we have an open discussion about finding the right words and stories or examples to communicate the depth of love for others you have in your heart for their greater welfare.
Midweek The nature of a parable whether Old or New Testament is to: Personify give things nonhuman characteristics that are human Similie to compare two things that are not alike. The word like or as is often utilized. Hyperoble the over exaggeration of an idea that is almost impossible to conclude that it is true. Metaphor also the comparison of two things that are not alike Idioms words that may have more than one meaning connected to them. Understatement the minimizing of facts also called comic relief because it adds humor.
Personify 1 King 13:2 And he cried against the altar in the word of the LORD, and said, O altar, altar, thus saith the LORD; Behold, a child shall be born unto the house of David, Josiah by name; and upon thee shall he offer the priests of the high places that burn incense upon thee, and men's bones shall be burnt upon thee. Luke 13:32 And he said unto them, Go ye, and tell that fox, Behold, I cast out devils, and I do cures to day and to morrow, and the third day I shall be perfected.
Similie Isa 40:18 To whom then will ye liken God? or what likeness will ye compare unto him? Isa 40:25 To whom then will ye liken me, or shall I be equal? saith the Holy One. Isa 46:5 To whom will ye liken me, and make me equal, and compare me, that we may be like? Mat 11:16 But whereunto shall I liken this generation? It is like unto children sitting in the markets, and calling unto their fellows, Mar 4:30 And he said, Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God? or with what comparison shall we compare it?
Hyperbole Jeremiah 13:23 Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? then may ye also do good, that are accustomed to do evil.
Metaphor John 4:14But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. John 6:35 And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst. John 6:48 I am that bread of life.
Idioms Gen 22:17That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies; Gen 22:18And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice. Isa 57:4Against whom do ye sport yourselves? against whom make ye a wide mouth, and draw out the tongue? are ye not children of transgression, a seed of falsehood,enflaming yourselves with idols under every green tree, slaying the children in the valleys under the clifts of the rocks?
Understatement Judges 4:21 Then Jael Heber's wife took a nail of the tent, and took an hammer in her hand, and went softly unto him, and smote the nail into his temples, and fastened it into the ground: for he was fast asleep and weary. So he died. 2 Samuel 11:27 And when the mourning was past, David sent and fetched her to his house, and she became his wife, and bare him a son. But the thing that David had done displeased the LORD. Matthew 4:2 And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred.