The Teaching Tools of Scripture
The Scripture often establishes patterns in the narrative. Sometimes the repetition is enough to draw our attention to the fact that this cannot be coincidence; Scripture is trying to make a point about something. Sometimes, however, the pattern is broken, to draw attention to the break, because God is trying to teach us something important. Repetition is similar to pattern, in that if a single word, or phrase, or theme is repeated again and again, that is our clue that this is not a coincidence, God is purposely seeking to establish His point.
Examples:
Genesis 1:1-2:3. Repetition in the creation account
Genesis 2:4-3:21, Break in pattern in the creation account
Genesis 5, Enoch walked with God and did not die
Genesis 31 and 32, The repetition teaching tool
Exodus 28:6-29:46, Aaron shall bear
Leviticus 18, Repetition and Break in Pattern
Leviticus 26 and 27, My soul shall not abhor you
Numbers 16:1-18:32, Chiastic structure
Deuteronomy 17 and 18, Establishing authority
Job 1 and 2, Break in pattern
Psalm 9, YHVH, the righteous Judge
Psalm 76, Chiastic structure
Matthew 24, Repetition reveals keys
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