Topical Bible: Parables: Remarkable Parables of the Old Testament

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Parables in the Old Testament serve as profound teaching tools, conveying divine truths through simple yet powerful accounts. These narratives often use everyday situations to illustrate moral and spiritual lessons, inviting listeners to reflect on their own lives and relationship with God. While parables are more commonly associated with the teachings of Jesus in the New Testament, the Old Testament contains several notable examples that reveal the wisdom and justice of God.

Nathan's Parable to David (2 Samuel 12:1-7)

One of the most striking parables in the Old Testament is delivered by the prophet Nathan to King David. After David's sin with Bathsheba and the murder of her husband Uriah, Nathan approaches the king with a story: "There were two men in a certain city, one rich and the other poor. The rich man had a great number of sheep and cattle, but the poor man had nothing except one small ewe lamb that he had bought. He raised it, and it grew up with him and his children. It shared his food, drank from his cup, and slept in his arms. It was like a daughter to him" (2 Samuel 12:1-3). When a traveler came to the rich man, instead of taking from his own flock, he took the poor man's lamb to prepare a meal. David, incensed by the injustice, declared that the rich man deserved to die. Nathan then revealed, "You are the man!" (2 Samuel 12:7), confronting David with his own sin. This parable effectively led David to repentance, demonstrating the power of storytelling to convict and transform.

The Parable of the Trees (Judges 9:7-15)

In the book of Judges, Jotham, the son of Gideon, uses a parable to address the men of Shechem after they made Abimelech king. He tells of the trees seeking a king to rule over them. The olive tree, fig tree, and vine all refuse, valuing their own purpose over ruling. Finally, the bramble accepts, saying, "If you truly are anointing me as king over you, come and find refuge in my shade; but if not, may fire come out of the bramble and consume the cedars of Lebanon" (Judges 9:15). This parable warns of the dangers of choosing unworthy leaders and the potential consequences of such decisions. It serves as a cautionary tale about the responsibilities of leadership and the folly of ambition without integrity.

The Parable of the Vineyard (Isaiah 5:1-7)

The prophet Isaiah presents a parable about a vineyard to illustrate God's relationship with Israel. "Let me sing for my beloved a song of his vineyard: My beloved had a vineyard on a very fertile hill. He dug it up, cleared the stones, and planted the finest vines. He built a watchtower in the middle and cut out a winepress as well. He expected it to yield good grapes, but it produced only worthless ones" (Isaiah 5:1-2). God, as the owner of the vineyard, laments the failure of Israel to produce justice and righteousness despite His care and provision. This parable underscores the themes of divine expectation, judgment, and the call to bear fruit worthy of God's investment.

The Parable of the Ewe Lamb (2 Samuel 12:1-4)

This parable, delivered by Nathan to David, is a poignant example of how parables can reveal hidden truths and prompt self-examination. The account of the rich man who takes the poor man's beloved ewe lamb serves as a mirror to David's own actions, leading to his realization of sin and subsequent repentance. It highlights the themes of justice, repentance, and the moral responsibility of those in power.

The Parable of the Two Eagles and the Vine (Ezekiel 17:1-10)

Ezekiel's parable involves two great eagles and a vine, symbolizing the political alliances and betrayals of Israel. The first eagle represents Babylon, which takes the top of a cedar and plants it in a city of merchants. The vine, representing Israel, initially grows toward the first eagle but later turns to a second eagle, symbolizing Egypt, seeking help. This parable illustrates the futility of relying on foreign powers instead of trusting in God. It serves as a warning against unfaithfulness and the consequences of breaking covenants.

These parables, rich in imagery and meaning, continue to offer timeless lessons on morality, leadership, faithfulness, and the nature of God's justice and mercy. Through these accounts, the Old Testament provides a foundation for understanding the deeper spiritual truths that are later expanded upon in the teachings of Jesus Christ.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Judges 9:8-15
The trees went forth on a time to anoint a king over them; and they said to the olive tree, Reign you over us.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Samuel 12:1-4
And the LORD sent Nathan to David. And he came to him, and said to him, There were two men in one city; the one rich, and the other poor.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Samuel 14:5-7
And the king said to her, What ails you? And she answered, I am indeed a widow woman, and my husband is dead.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Second Series of Parables - the Two Parables of Him who is ...
... The Parables of the second (or Per??an) series, which are ... pointed him to the Scriptures
of the Old Testament. The reply of the lawyer' is remarkable, not only ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xv the second series.htm

The Parables
... from the very nature of the parables of Jesus ... They are not, like some in the Old
Testament, mere fables ... But there is this remarkable difference, that the analogy ...
/.../chadwick/the gospel of st mark/chapter 4 12 13-oct the parables.htm

The Third Day in Pasion-Week - the Last Series of Parables: to the ...
... Parable itself, we have a remarkable parallel in ... connected with the two preceding
Parables, and, indeed ... Theocracy, although in the Old Testament, necesaary, as ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter v the third day.htm

Christ Teaching by Parables
... And it is a remarkable answer. ... One day a poor old woman who was not a Christian,
came in to see her ... A fourth lesson taught us in some of the parables of Jesus is ...
/.../newton/the life of jesus christ for the young/christ teaching by parables.htm

The Interpretation of the Early Narratives of the Old Testament
... Each story, like the parables of Jesus, had its ... In the remarkable fourteenth chapter
of Genesis he is ... ideal element that gives the Old Testament stories their ...
/.../xiv the interpretation of the.htm

The Gospel According to St. Mark
... parables in Mark. Equally remarkable is the absence of quotations made by the writer.
He records numerous references made by our Lord to the Old Testament, ...
/.../pullan/the books of the new testament/chapter iv the gospel according.htm

The Gospel According to St. Luke
... fulfilling the Law, as quoting the Old Testament, and declaring ... Luke instils by the
sweet parables and stories ... Among the remarkable omissions in this Gospel we ...
/.../pullan/the books of the new testament/chapter v the gospel according.htm

The Teacher with Authority
... His parables, however, were sometimes used to baffle the ... of Jesus' teaching are not
more remarkable than the ... writers both in and out of the Old Testament. ...
/.../rhees/the life of jesus of nazareth/ii the teacher with authority.htm

Extent and Character of Chrysostom's Exegetical Labors.
... the Homilies on Matthew; the most remarkable is, however ... from his trustworthiness
as an Old Testament expositor ... him in commenting upon the parables, the miracles ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/ii extent and character of.htm

Thoughts Upon the Appearance of Christ the Sun of Righteousness ...
... the Gospel to the People, by Parables, and Similitudes of ... Instances; but one of the
most remarkable is that ... of all the Prophets in the Old Testament, he shuts ...
/.../private thoughts upon a christian life/thoughts upon the appearance of.htm