Definition and Importance

Observation, in a biblical context, refers to the act of attentively watching, perceiving, and understanding the works and words of God as revealed in Scripture and creation. It is a critical component of biblical study and spiritual growth, enabling believers to discern God's will and apply His teachings to their lives. Observation involves careful examination and reflection on the text, seeking to understand its meaning, context, and implications.

Biblical Basis

The Bible emphasizes the importance of observation in several passages. In Proverbs 4:20-21, the importance of attentively listening and observing God's words is highlighted: "My son, pay attention to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. Do not lose sight of them; keep them within your heart." This passage underscores the necessity of focusing on God's teachings and internalizing them.

In the New Testament, Jesus often called His followers to observe and understand His teachings and the signs of the times. In Matthew 13:16-17, Jesus commends those who observe with spiritual insight: "But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear. For truly I tell you, many prophets and righteous men longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it."

Role in Bible Study

Observation is the first step in the inductive Bible study method, which involves observing the text, interpreting its meaning, and applying it to one's life. This process begins with a careful reading of the Scripture, noting key words, phrases, and literary structures. Observers ask questions such as who, what, when, where, why, and how to gain a deeper understanding of the passage.

Psalm 119:18 is a prayer for divine assistance in observation: "Open my eyes that I may see wondrous things from Your law." This verse highlights the need for spiritual insight and the Holy Spirit's guidance in understanding God's Word.

Examples of Observation in Scripture

The Bible provides numerous examples of individuals who practiced observation. In the Old Testament, the prophet Habakkuk exemplifies this practice. In Habakkuk 2:1, he states, "I will stand at my guard post and station myself on the ramparts; I will watch to see what He will say to me, and how I should answer when corrected." Habakkuk's commitment to observing God's message demonstrates the importance of vigilance and readiness to receive divine revelation.

In the New Testament, the Bereans are commended for their diligent observation of Scripture. Acts 17:11 states, "Now the Bereans were more noble-minded than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if these teachings were true." Their example illustrates the value of careful and consistent observation in verifying and understanding biblical truth.

Application in Christian Life

Observation is not limited to Bible study but extends to recognizing God's work in the world and in personal experiences. Believers are encouraged to observe God's creation as a testament to His power and majesty. Romans 1:20 declares, "For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—His eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from His workmanship, so that men are without excuse."

In daily life, Christians are called to be observant of their surroundings and the needs of others, acting with wisdom and compassion. Proverbs 21:12 advises, "The Righteous One considers the house of the wicked and brings the wicked to ruin." This verse suggests that observation leads to discernment and appropriate action.

Conclusion

Observation is a foundational practice for understanding and applying God's Word. Through careful attention to Scripture and the world around them, believers can grow in wisdom, discernment, and faithfulness to God's will.1. (n.) The act or the faculty of observing or taking notice; the act of seeing, or of fixing the mind upon, anything.

2. (n.) The result of an act, or of acts, of observing; view; reflection; conclusion; judgment.

3. (n.) Hence: An expression of an opinion or judgment upon what one has observed; a remark.

4. (n.) Performance of what is prescribed; adherence in practice; observance.

5. (n.) The act of recognizing and noting some fact or occurrence in nature, as an aurora, a corona, or the structure of an animal.

6. (n.) Specifically, the act of measuring, with suitable instruments, some magnitude, as the time of an occultation, with a clock; the right ascension of a star, with a transit instrument and clock; the sun's altitude, or the distance of the moon from a star, with a sextant; the temperature, with a thermometer, etc.

7. (n.) The information so acquired.

3907. parateresis -- observation
... observation. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: parateresis Phonetic
Spelling: (par-at-ay'-ray-sis) Short Definition: observation Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3907.htm - 6k

3700. optanomai -- to appear
... of horao; to gaze (ie With wide-open eyes, as at something remarkable; and thus
differing from blepo, which denotes simply voluntary observation; and from eido ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3700.htm - 8k

1987. epistamai -- to know, to understand
... For the believer, this careful study (observation) taking a stand that Scripture
(note the , ""). 1987 ) expresses "what comes from " (BF Westcott, , 101). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1987.htm - 7k

3045. yada -- to know
... to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally,
euphemistically and inferentially (including observation, care, recognition ...
/hebrew/3045.htm - 8k

The Observation of the Birth of Christ, the Duty of all Christians ...
... The Observation of the Birth of Christ, the Duty of All Christians; Or
the True Way of Keeping Christmas. Matthew 1:21 " "And she ...
/.../selected sermons of george whitefield/the observation of the birth.htm

Fragment Li. Now, However, Inasmuch as the Books of These Men May ...
... Fragment LI. Now, however, inasmuch as the books of these men may possibly
have escaped your observation? Now, [4901] however, inasmuch ...
/.../fragment li now however inasmuch.htm

The Foundation of the House of St. Joseph. The Observation of Holy ...
... Chapter XXXV. The Foundation of the House of St. Joseph. The Observation
of Holy Poverty Therein. How the Saint Left Toledo. 1. When ...
/.../teresa/the life of st teresa of jesus/chapter xxxv the foundation of.htm

The Kingdom of God CometH not with Observation. (Luke, xvii. , 20. ...
... CHAPTER XII. CHRIST'S RETURN FROM CAPERNAUM TO JERUSALEM THROUGH SAMARIA. Section
213. The Kingdom of God comet/h not with Observation. (Luke, xvii., 20.). ...
/.../section 213 the kingdom of.htm

The Origin of the Heretics' Close Observation of Syllables.
... TOU AGIOU BAChILEIOU PERI TOU PNEUMATOCh BIBLION. Chapter II. The origin
of the heretics' close observation of syllables. 4. The ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/chapter ii the origin of.htm

Perseverance of Saints.
... (4.) Observation, it is said, conflicts with the doctrine in question. ... But
this is not, and cannot be certainly known by observation. ...
/.../finney/systematic theology/lecture li perseverance of saints.htm

Eighth Tractate. Why Distant Objects Appear Small.
... light must be concentrated to suit the size of the pupil; besides, as we are placed
farther and farther away from the material mass under observation, it is ...
/.../plotinus/the six enneads/eighth tractate why distant objects.htm

The Supposed Effects of Christianity.
... Yet many have been found to contend for this paradox, and very confident appeals
have been made to history and to observation for the truth of it. ...
/.../paley/evidences of christianity/chapter vii the supposed effects.htm

Answer to Mr. W's Fourth Objection.
... Our author has several other things under this observation; but as they do not properly
belong to this, of the length of time these persons are said to have ...
/.../section iv answer to mr.htm

It is Said that on a Recent Occasion Where the Letters of ...
... I say nothing against this: I do not make the observation which perhaps another
might make, that it was impossible for him to be ignorant of that which he had ...
/.../14 it is said that.htm

Observation (4 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Observation (4 Occurrences). ... Here He entered a house and
wished no one to know it, but He could not escape observation. (WEY). ...
/o/observation.htm - 8k

Calendar
... Talmudic. The first rested on observation merely, the second on observation
coupled with calculation, and the third on calculation only. ...
/c/calendar.htm - 13k

Note (129 Occurrences)
... n.) A brief remark; a marginal comment or explanation; hence, an annotation on a
text or author; a comment; a critical, explanatory, or illustrative observation...
/n/note.htm - 37k

Exploration
... Consideration I. ERA OF PREPARATION 1. Outside of Palestine 2. In Palestine (1)
Early Christian Period (2) Period of Cursory Observation (3) Beginning of ...
/e/exploration.htm - 38k

Watch (203 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) The act of watching; forbearance of sleep; vigil; wakeful, vigilant, or
constantly observant attention; close observation; guard; preservative or ...
/w/watch.htm - 40k

Remark (2 Occurrences)
... 4. (vi) To make a remark or remarks; to comment. 5. (n.) Act of remarking
or attentively noticing; notice or observation. 6. (n.) The ...
/r/remark.htm - 7k

Library
... Among the contents of the library of Nineveh are reports from the Royal Observatory,
relating to the observation of eclipses and the like. ...
/l/library.htm - 16k

Astronomy
... The oldest divisions of time were mainly based on the observation of the movements
of the heavenly bodies, the "ordinances of heaven" (Genesis 1:14-18; Job 38 ...
/a/astronomy.htm - 40k

Evolution
... The second consists in the observation that each individual of complexly constructed
species of organisms begins its life in the embryonic stage as the ...
/e/evolution.htm - 39k

Wisdom (320 Occurrences)
... were thrown back on the records of the past (scribism), while on the other the problems
of religion and life were studied through sharp observation of Nature ...
/w/wisdom.htm - 101k

Who was Søren Kierkegaard? | GotQuestions.org

Is God the first cause? | GotQuestions.org

Is there any evidence for the Bible's view of a young earth? | GotQuestions.org

Observation: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus