My first Narcegesis blog post was about how the Bible is not about me, but rather for me.
Another vitally important aspect of biblical exegesis in properly understanding the Bible is distinguishing between the descriptive and prescriptive parts of Scripture.
Descriptive passages of the Bible describe or recount, in narrative form, what happened in the past. These passages describe events that took place in history and do not mean that we must do the same today.
Descriptive passages tell us what happened.
Prescriptive passages, on the other hand, are normally in the form of instructions or commands, and they do call us to action. A prescriptive passage sets forth guidelines to be followed.
Prescriptive passages tell us what should happen.
What Has Happened
The following are examples of descriptive passages:
1. Moses
Moses was called by God to save His people out of Egypt. God appeared to Moses in a burning bush that was not consumed and spoke audible words to him. Moses supernaturally led the Israelites through the Red Sea on dry ground.
Do not expect God to appear to you in a burning bush or to speak audible words to you. Do not expect to part the Red Sea while on holiday in Egypt.
Moses points us to Jesus. You are not Moses.
2. The Various Old Testament Prophets
God spoke to the prophets in many and various ways but has now spoken to us by His Son (cf. Hebrews 1:1).
You are not Samuel, Elijah, Isaiah, or Jeremiah. Do not expect to hear God’s voice in new revelation. Do not call yourself “the man of God.”
The prophets prepare us for Jesus. You are not a prophet.
3. The Accounts of Jesus in the Gospels
God revealed Himself in a unique way in Jesus. Jesus is God with us. He came to give His life as a ransom for many—a completely unique ministry.
Therefore, do not expect to cast out demons, heal the sick, multiply food, walk on water, or raise the dead. All these signs confirmed that Jesus is God’s King and that we should put our faith in Him (cf. John 20:30–31).
The person and work of Jesus was and is utterly unique. You are not Jesus.
“What Would Jesus Do?” is probably not the best question to ask.
4. The Ministry of the Apostles
The signs and wonders of the apostles confirmed their unique calling as official spokesmen for Jesus who spoke and wrote with the same authority as Christ (cf. 2 Corinthians 12:12).
Notice that in Acts 2:43 the signs and wonders done in the early church were performed by the apostles, not by ordinary Christians.
The apostles carried out a unique, foundational ministry. You are not an apostle.
All the above texts, along with many other passages (e.g. David & Goliath), are descriptive and have important implications for us. We should carefully consider how to understand them properly through biblical exegesis and a gospel lens.
What Should Happen
Much of the Old Testament is descriptive, and all of it must be understood through the gospel lens, lest we become Pharisaical legalists or Seventh-day Adventists.
However, we can read the Ten Commandments in the Old Testament as prescriptive, since Jesus confirmed and intensified the moral law. Much of the prophets’ teaching is also prescriptive in that they call God’s people back to ethical and holy living in light of His rescue. But even these Old Testament passages must be read through the gospel lens.
As a general New Testament guideline, much of what occurs in the Gospels and the Book of Acts is descriptive, while much of the New Testament Epistles is prescriptive. The Gospels and Acts record history, whereas the Epistles provide instruction. There are exceptions, for example, the Sermon on the Mount etc.
The following is an example of a prescriptive passage:
Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming. In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its Creator.”
(Colossians 3:5–10)
Knowing the difference between descriptive and prescriptive passages is crucial for properly understanding the Bible.
Confusing the two will lead to unmet, unrealistic, and unworkable expectations for the Christian life, resulting in long-term hurt and harm.
The Bible is for you, not about you.