Definition:
Expostulation refers to the act of reasoning earnestly with someone in an effort to dissuade or correct them. It involves expressing strong disapproval or disagreement, often with the intent of persuading the other party to change their behavior or beliefs. In a biblical context, expostulation is often seen in the interactions between God and His people, prophets and the Israelites, or among individuals seeking to guide others back to righteousness.

Biblical Instances:

1. God's Expostulation with Israel:
Throughout the Old Testament, God frequently expostulates with the nation of Israel, urging them to turn from their sinful ways and return to Him. In Isaiah 1:18, God invites His people to reason together with Him: "Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD. Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool." This passage exemplifies God's desire to engage with His people, offering forgiveness and restoration if they repent.

2. Prophets as Expostulators:
The prophets often served as God's mouthpieces, expostulating with the people of Israel and Judah. Jeremiah, known as the "weeping prophet," frequently lamented the spiritual state of the nation and called them to repentance. In Jeremiah 7:3, the prophet declares, "Thus says the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel: Reform your ways and your deeds, and I will let you live in this place." Here, Jeremiah's expostulation is a plea for the people to amend their ways to avoid impending judgment.

3. Nathan and King David:
A notable example of personal expostulation is found in the interaction between the prophet Nathan and King David. After David's sin with Bathsheba, Nathan confronts him with a parable that leads David to recognize his wrongdoing. In 2 Samuel 12:7, Nathan says to David, "You are the man!" This direct expostulation results in David's repentance, demonstrating the power of earnest reasoning in leading others to acknowledge their sins.

4. Paul's Expostulation with the Galatians:
In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul often expostulates with early Christian communities to correct doctrinal errors and moral failings. In Galatians 3:1, Paul writes, "O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified." Paul's strong language serves to jolt the Galatians into reconsidering their departure from the true gospel.

Theological Significance:

Expostulation in the Bible underscores the importance of truth, repentance, and reconciliation. It reflects God's character as both just and merciful, willing to engage with humanity to bring about transformation. The act of expostulating is not merely about pointing out faults but is deeply rooted in love and the desire for restoration. It serves as a model for believers to address sin and error within the community, always aiming for the spiritual growth and well-being of others.

Practical Application:

Believers are encouraged to practice expostulation with wisdom and grace, following the biblical examples. This involves speaking the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15) and seeking to restore others gently (Galatians 6:1). Expostulation should be approached with humility, prayer, and a genuine concern for the spiritual health of those being addressed.1. (v. i.) To reason earnestly with intent to dissuade or correct.

2. (v. t.) To discuss; to examine.

But, Before I Make My Answer to Your Letter, I must Expostulate ...
... 2. But, before I make my answer to your letter, I must expostulate with you; you
who are first in age among the monks, good presbyter, follower of Christ; is ...
/.../2 but before i make.htm

You Allude to vigilantius. What Dream this is that You have ...
... You had better go to Rome and expostulate with him as to the reproach which he
has directed against you when you were both absent and innocent. ...
/.../19 you allude to vigilantius.htm

A Happy Boy.
... He was exceedingly importunate with God in prayer, and would plead with God at an
unusual rate; and he would beg and expostulate, and weep so, that sometimes ...
/.../wesley/stories of boys and girls who loved the saviour/a happy boy.htm

Of the Subject to whom to the Key of Church Priviledge, Power, or ...
... 4. As the Brethren have a power of order, and the priviledge to expostulate with
their Brethren, to case of private scandalls, according to the rule, Mat.18.15 ...
/.../chap iiii of the subject.htm

The Clean and the Unclean
... but to him that esteemeth anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean." I wot our
apostle was tender of weak consciences; but he could expostulate with the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 9 1863/the clean and the unclean.htm

Thou Shalt in any Wise Rebuke Thy Neighbor, and not Suffer Sin ...
... him to perish in the flames, especially if we saw him inclined to persist in his
course, and stay in the burning house, we should expostulate earnestly with him ...
/.../finney/lectures to professing christians/thou shalt in any wise.htm

The Justice of God
... [6] God's justice is such that it is not fit for any man or angel to
expostulate with him, or demand a reason of his actions. God ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/8 the justice of god.htm

It is Also of Importance to Observe, that the Four Laws of Prayer ...
... Not that he actually means to expostulate with God, or murmur at his judgments,
but failing, through infirmity, he finds no better solace than to pour his ...
/.../calvin/of prayer--a perpetual exercise of faith/chapter 16 it is also.htm

Regeneration
... not born again; then I shall go further on to note why it is that "except we are
born again we can not see the kingdom of God;" and then expostulate with men ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/regeneration.htm

The Savoy Declaration of the Congregational Churches. AD 1658.
... it lay upon evidence, and matter of testimony of others; unto whom therefore he
refers himself: But when both the High-Priest and Pilate expostulate his Faith ...
/.../the savoy declaration of the.htm

Expostulate (1 Occurrence)
... 1. (vi) To reason earnestly with intent to dissuade or correct. 2. (vt) To discuss;
to examine. Multi-Version Concordance Expostulate (1 Occurrence). ...
/e/expostulate.htm - 6k

Notorious (16 Occurrences)
... (WEY). Luke 5:30 This led the Pharisees and Scribes of their party to expostulate
with His disciples and ask, "Why are you eating and drinking with these tax ...
/n/notorious.htm - 11k

Tax-gatherers (16 Occurrences)
... Luke 5:30 This led the Pharisees and Scribes of their party to expostulate with
His disciples and ask, "Why are you eating and drinking with these tax ...
/t/tax-gatherers.htm - 11k

Exposure (1 Occurrence)

/e/exposure.htm - 7k

Exposition (2 Occurrences)

/e/exposition.htm - 7k

Drinking (114 Occurrences)
... Luke 5:30 This led the Pharisees and Scribes of their party to expostulate with
His disciples and ask, "Why are you eating and drinking with these tax ...
/d/drinking.htm - 38k

Phinehas (24 Occurrences)
... He afterwards commanded the army that went out against the Midianites (31:6-8).
When representatives of the people were sent to expostulate with the two and a ...
/p/phinehas.htm - 20k

Party (47 Occurrences)
... (WEY). Luke 5:30 This led the Pharisees and Scribes of their party to expostulate
with His disciples and ask, "Why are you eating and drinking with these tax ...
/p/party.htm - 20k

Led (260 Occurrences)
... Luke 5:30 This led the Pharisees and Scribes of their party to expostulate with
His disciples and ask, "Why are you eating and drinking with these tax ...
/l/led.htm - 36k

Eating (151 Occurrences)
... Luke 5:30 This led the Pharisees and Scribes of their party to expostulate with
His disciples and ask, "Why are you eating and drinking with these tax ...
/e/eating.htm - 38k

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