The Seven Speeches of the Bible

It is an interesting observation, when we are able to see, that the Bible speaks unto us in seven different ways. I don’t mean in verbal language, as Hebrew, Greek, or Latin; but rather, in Seven rhetorical speeches such as

(1). Symbolism: the study of a thing that is presently known to you. It is the method of taking that thing and its characteristic, to portray a spiritual truth. By this method, there is no need for a lengthy, worded presentation. A picture is worth a thousand words. Therefore, symbolism is a process of making complex things to be understood in a simple way. Example Daniel 7:1-8.

(2). Figurative: the art of using words of a literal speech to teach a secondary meaning. Example (Matthew 8:21-22)

(3). Literal: a statement that simply means what it said. In addition, it is spoken to suggest no other point than that which is spoken. Example (Matthew 5:1; Acts 2:38)

(4). Parables: The greatest method of teaching that Jesus used was Parables. The use of parables is one of the simplest and yet profound way of teaching. By this method the simplest minded or unlearned person who had not yet been exposed to a subject, can immediately grasp an understanding with parables. A parable is a story told to make a point. Example (Matthew 13:3-8; 10-13) 

1. The Sower The preacher

2. The seed The Word

3. The ground The heart

4. The fowls The enemy

5. The sun Trials

6. The weeds Cares of life

7. The fruit Another soul

(5). Allegories: Some Scriptures were used in such incident that happened in history to teach an Allegorical lesson. This is slightly different from a parable, which deals with the law of a thing that does happen. An Allegory deals with a certain event that did happen. Example (Galatians 4:22-24). This Allegory is a well-fixed historical event and deals with the event that happened. However, a parable deals with a well-understood law, it works the same way each time.

(6). Biblical Contrasts: To study Biblical Contrasts, is an effort to look at a subliminal message. (Luke 3:2) Annas and Caiaphas are contrasted with John the Baptist. The subliminal message is this: Inasmuch as Annas and Caiaphas are priests, the Word of God should have been with them. But rather, it came to John in the wilderness (Mal.2:7-8).

(7). Biblical Implications: The term Biblical Implication, is another aspect where the speech of God is silently spoken.

 (Genesis 2:16) Here is the point of Implication: Inasmuch as God said that man can eat of every tree of the garden; however, he restricted him eating from only one tree, which was the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. But by implication, he wanted man to eat of the tree of life. However, God did not directly tell him to go quickly and take of the tree of life, and live forever! But it is implied.