Recounting, in a biblical context, refers to the act of narrating or retelling events, particularly those that demonstrate God's faithfulness, mighty works, and divine intervention in the lives of His people. This practice is deeply rooted in the tradition of oral history and is a vital aspect of worship, teaching, and remembrance within the Judeo-Christian faith.

Biblical Basis and Examples

The Bible frequently emphasizes the importance of recounting God's deeds to ensure that His mighty works are remembered and passed down through generations. In the Old Testament, recounting is often associated with the Israelites' experiences and God's deliverance.

In the Book of Exodus, Moses and the Israelites sing a song of praise recounting God's deliverance from Egypt: "I will sing to the LORD, for He is highly exalted; the horse and rider He has thrown into the sea" (Exodus 15:1). This song serves as a powerful reminder of God's intervention and victory over the Egyptians.

The Psalms are rich with examples of recounting God's deeds. Psalm 78 is a historical psalm that recounts the history of Israel, emphasizing the importance of teaching future generations about God's works: "We will not hide them from their children, but will declare to the next generation the praises of the LORD and His might, and the wonders He has performed" (Psalm 78:4).

In the New Testament, recounting takes on a personal dimension as individuals share their testimonies of Jesus' impact on their lives. The Apostle Paul frequently recounts his conversion experience and the grace he received from Christ. In Acts 22, Paul recounts his encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus, emphasizing the transformative power of Christ's intervention in his life.

Purpose and Significance

Recounting serves several purposes within the biblical narrative and the life of believers:

1. Remembrance: Recounting helps to keep the memory of God's works alive. It ensures that His deeds are not forgotten and that His faithfulness is celebrated. This is evident in the festivals and feasts of Israel, such as Passover, which serve as annual reminders of God's deliverance.

2. Instruction: By recounting God's works, believers instruct future generations in the faith. This is a key aspect of discipleship and spiritual formation, as seen in Deuteronomy 6:7, where parents are instructed to teach God's commandments to their children.

3. Encouragement: Recounting God's past faithfulness provides encouragement and hope for the present and future. It reminds believers that the same God who acted in history is active today and will continue to fulfill His promises.

4. Worship: Recounting is an act of worship, acknowledging God's sovereignty and goodness. It is a way to glorify God and express gratitude for His intervention and blessings.

Practical Application

In contemporary Christian practice, recounting can take various forms, including personal testimonies, corporate worship, and the observance of religious holidays. Sharing testimonies in church services or small groups allows believers to recount God's work in their lives, fostering a sense of community and shared faith.

Moreover, recounting is encouraged in personal devotions and family settings, where individuals and families can reflect on God's faithfulness and teach children about His mighty acts. This practice strengthens faith and ensures that the legacy of God's works is preserved for future generations.

If, Then, You Really Intend to do an Act of Repentance for those ...
... think very little, indeed, of one reproach which he levels against me, and think
it hardly worthy of a reply; that, namely, in which, in recounting the various ...
/.../11 if then you really.htm

Instructed in the Law of God
... The earlier part of the day was devoted to religious exercises, and the people spent
the remainder of the time in gratefully recounting the blessings of God ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 56 instructed in the.htm

"Getting Things from God"
... For more than two hours we vied with one another in recounting personal incidents
of God's wonderful work; and the inspiration of that evening still abides. ...
/.../goforth/how i know god answers prayer/i getting things from god.htm

Acknowledgments
... Many business men gladly gave of their time because they enjoyed recounting memories
of one whom they loved, and often detained me when I felt I had imposed ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/herrick/frank h nelson of cincinnati/acknowledgments.htm

The Birth of Cyrus.
... son. In recounting the circumstances of his birth, Herodotus relates, with
all seriousness, the following very extraordinary story: ...
//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/cyrus the great/chapter ii the birth of.htm

He Then once More Excellently, Appropriately, and Clearly Examines ...
... After recounting these and the like matters, he proceeds to introduce also his teaching
concerning the dispensation with regard to man, why the Word was made ...
/.../gregory/gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/section 2 he then once.htm

But How Paul, an Apostle, from Being a Persecutor...
... depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God,
which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." [8310] But further, in recounting his own ...
/.../scorpiace antidote for the scorpions sting/chapter xiii but how paul.htm

Water Chosen as a Vehicle of Divine Operation and Wherefore Its ...
... If, from that time onward, I go forward in recounting universally, or at more length,
the evidences of the "authority" of this element which I can adduce to ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/tertullian/on baptism/chapter iii water chosen as a.htm

Book Eleven the Eternal Creator and the Creation in Time. ...
... Or, dost thou see in time an event at the time it occurs? If not, then why
am I recounting such a tale of things to thee? Certainly ...
/.../augustine/confessions and enchiridion/book eleven the eternal creator.htm

The House of Zacharias.
... truly said that mothers are the natural historians of their children's early
days"never tired of observing them, they never tire of recounting their prodigies ...
//christianbookshelf.org/meyer/john the baptist/ii the house of zacharias.htm

Recounting (5 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Recounting (5 Occurrences). Hebrews 11:32 And
what shall I yet say? for the time will fail me recounting...
/r/recounting.htm - 8k

Deuteronomy (1 Occurrence)
... addresses of Moses to the tribes of Israel he had so long led in the wilderness
"glow in each line with the emotions of a great leader recounting to his ...
/d/deuteronomy.htm - 44k

Recounteth (13 Occurrences)

/r/recounteth.htm - 10k

Upwards (18 Occurrences)
... Judges 7:13 And Gideon cometh in, and lo, a man is recounting to his companion a
dream, and saith, 'Lo, a dream I have dreamed, and lo, a cake of barley-bread ...
/u/upwards.htm - 12k

Recounts (1 Occurrence)

/r/recounts.htm - 6k

Revived (14 Occurrences)
... 2 Kings 8:5 And it cometh to pass, he is recounting to the king how he had revived
the dead, and lo, the woman whose son he had revived is crying unto the king ...
/r/revived.htm - 10k

Enumeration (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) The act of enumerating, making separate
mention, or recounting. 2. (n.) A detailed account, in ...
/e/enumeration.htm - 7k

Companion (44 Occurrences)
... Judges 7:13 And Gideon cometh in, and lo, a man is recounting to his companion a
dream, and saith, 'Lo, a dream I have dreamed, and lo, a cake of barley-bread ...
/c/companion.htm - 20k

Hezekiah (124 Occurrences)
... Isaiah.), besides the warnings and directions called out by the course of the history,
there is a narrative section (Isaiah 36, 39) recounting the Sennacherib ...
/h/hezekiah.htm - 72k

Order (809 Occurrences)
... 6:40; Colossians 2:5). Akin to the idea of arranging things in a row is that of
arranging words (Job 33:5; Job 37:19 Psalm 5:3), of recounting things in order ...
/o/order.htm - 48k

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