Berean Bible Church

Illustrations of Inspiration

Lesson II

April 22, 2007

Text 2 Timothy 3:16-17

A fundamental doctrine of the Christian faith is the Divine Inspiration of the Scriptures.

The word ‘inspiration’ means “God breathed.”

If we cannot believe what the Bible says about itself, how can we say we believe the Bible?

2 Peter 1:21 “For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man; but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” “Inspiration is that communication of supernatural power from God to do a work exactly right”

As all major New Testament doctrines are first typified in the Old Testament, it will be our purpose find pictures of Inspiration in the Old Testament.

I Genesis 2:7 God breathed on Adam’s dust and Adam was made alive

Cf Ecclesiastes 12:,7

II Exodus 31:1-11 The Tabernacle workmen were inspired to do a specific work.

Without God’s hand upon them they could not have done what they did

III 1 Chronicles 28:11-12, 18-19 David was inspired to draw the plans for Solomon’s Temple, when he was old and incapable of doing so.

IV Ezekiel 37:1-10 illustrates inspiration Dead bones do not come together of themselves. ( The interpretation of these bones has to do with Israel see verse 11).

V Jeremiah 36: 1-32 note especially verses 1,2, 20-25, 27-28, 32

Jeremiah was inspired to re-write all the words that were in the burned scroll, exactly as written the first time. That is something that is humanly impossible.

VI Numbers 22:28-31 an inspired donkey speaks words that Balaam could understand

God made that donkey say what God wanted said.

VII Numbers 23:5,8,12,16-17,26

Numbers 24:1-13, 15-20 God inspired Balaam to say what God wanted him to say even though Balaam was a false prophet. See Jude 11-13

VIII Daniel 5:1-5 the fingers of a hand were inspired to write words. Notice in verses 7,8,15,16,17 attention is only paid to the writing, not the finger

Conclude

All these recorded events illustrate the fact that Inspiration is an act of God