God is trying to tell me something. Often God shows me things in His Word throughout a day or week (or sometimes over a month or longer) where the theme is repeated even as I read different parts of the Scriptures. Today is one of those days.
This morning, I read through Acts 2 for my daily Quiet Time. There are two places in that passage where Peter quotes the Old Testament as he’s preaching for the first time in Jerusalem. Peter knew the Word and, probably with the newly acquired indwelling of the Holy Spirit, was able to call it to mind at just the right time. Peter was able to use the Word as he presented truth to those congregated in Jerusalem during the Feast of Pentecost. When needing support for his message, Peter explained that the disciples were not drunk as some supposed, by quoting the book of Joel 2:28-32. This passage describes the God-ordained spiritual things that would come in the future at the appearing of Christ (many of which happened at that time in history and some are yet to happen). He told the people that knowing the prophecy in Joel, they should not make assumptions that the disciples were drunk when speaking in the languages of the world. Peter also quoted Psalm 16:8-11, a Psalm of David which was the prophecy of the resurrection. Peter went on to explain how Jesus fulfilled those criteria.
My point: Peter knew the Word of God and where to turn in order to get answers for situations not previously encountered. He used the pattern of going from the known to the unknown following the patterns already established in history and Scripture.
Also today, as I discussed 2 Kings 4 with my Bible study partner, this theme of relying on previous patterns came up. Elisha, Elijah’s protégé, was presented with a situation where he had no special insight from God on what was happening or what he was supposed to do. Not going into the whole scene, let me say that a woman whom Elisha had helped in the past, came to Elisha, trusting only him to bring her beloved son back to life. She had to explain the situation to Elisha and at first Elisha sent his servant with his staff to the boy. The woman would have none of that, and convinced Elisha to go himself. When Elisha got there, still not having any special word from God, he searched his memory for what his mentor, Elijah, might have done in this situation. In 1 Kings 17:17-24, there is an account of what Elijah did in a similar situation for another woman.
Elisha probably saw Elijah so knew what had been done. Elisha relied on the pattern he had previously seen and did what Elijah had done. He prayed and he lay on the boy. Elisha did this seven times, and the boy came back from death (2 Kings 4:32-34). Elisha did not have the written Word to rely on but he was able to follow the patterns set up by his predecessor.
I don’t believe we are supposed to do exactly what these specifically blessed prophets did in similar situations, but we are to rely on the patterns set out for us in the Scriptures. While they did not have the Scriptures to see such patterns, we do, and should remember to be looking for the God patterns throughout the Old and New Testaments. I have found that much of the New Testament continues to follow the patterns set for us in the Old Testament, thus both testaments are necessary for determining what actions and beliefs God would want from us.
What should we do? Follow the patterns by closely adhering to the Word of God.