Leviticus 26:13-14 I am the Lord your God, which brought you forth out of the land of Egypt, that ye should not be their bondmen; and I have broken the bands of your yoke, and made you go upright. But if ye will not hearken unto me, and will not do all these commandments;

While exhortation is a New Testament word, I understand that God examples for us in the Old Testament His understanding. Here in the opening verse I have found what I consider a better understanding of exhortation by God.

“Walk with Me.” LPV

Vine’s definition of exhort G3870 is primarily, “to call to a person” (para, “to the side,” kaleo, “to call”), denotes (a) “to call on, entreat;”

Examples of exhortations were often accompanied with behavioral intent.

“And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.”

“Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord.”

“Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren, that they would go before unto you, and make up beforehand your bounty, whereof ye had notice before, that the same might be ready, as a matter of bounty, and not as of covetousness.”

“Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more.”

“Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.”

For the essence of exhortation is walking with God and understanding that in His presence there is an expectation of faithful performance. Without that fearful understanding, how can we call another to our side to walk with us in doing good?

Exodus 17:14 And the Lord said unto Moses, Write this for a memorial in a book, and rehearse it in the ears of Joshua:

These are the first words in the bible indicating that what Moses wrote was God inspired and that it was to be shared with those who needed to hear it. Rehearse breaks down to re-hear, over and over again.

Isaiah 30:8 Now go, write it before them in a table, and note it in a book, that it may be for the time to come for ever and ever:

The prophets were also inspired by God to write what they were given, as a memorial that would last through all time.

Isaiah 10:1 Woe unto them that decree unrighteous decrees, and that write grievousness which they have prescribed;

The enemy, being one to copy God’s methods, helped author grievous prescriptions. I am not going to name names or make recommendations about what to read and what not to read. I will however suggest how to read the bible.

Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

You have access to the author by faith. He has given you His translator.

John 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

What is your favorite bible translation? If your primary language is English you have many to choose from. There are many translations and if you are fluent in other languages you have the rare opportunity to do bible studies with others in their native tongue. Why do you have a favorite? Is it authorized by a foundation of great reputation with many learned scholars that have studied Hebrew and Greek for decades and dedicated their lives to truth, accuracy and clarity?

Do you know anything about the author of your favorite? If it were Satan, would you recognize his influence?