Opus 2026-244: Another Case Ignored

I know a fair number of believers who like to ignore the if/then portions of scripture.  It would make sense to assume that the word “forever” means forever.  Generally that would be true but how often have you used a word like that and known that it probably is not literally true.  How many young lovers have promised to love someone “forever”?  Have you seen the acronym “BFF”?  You can always hope but probability not.

We run into this in scripture when people talk about the “forever” promises made by God to David, Solomon and Israel in general.  The thesis is that God will never turn His back on His chosen people.

What do you do with this?

2 Kings 23:27 (KJV) And the LORD said, I will remove Judah also out of my sight, as I have removed Israel, and will cast off this city Jerusalem which I have chosen, and the house of which I said, My name shall be there.

What fascinates me is the people who claim to want to take scripture literally but they only do it when it meets their system.  God is going to do with Judah, the southern kingdom, what He did with Israel, the northern kingdom.  In case you were not paying attention, at this point in scripture they have been relegated to the dust bins of history for a couple of hundred years.  Even today we still wonder about the Lost Tribes.  He is also promising to do away with Jerusalem.

It is necessary for us to allow figures of speech to be figures of speech.  Take for instance this statement,

1 Chronicles 14:17 (KJV) And the fame of David went out into all lands; and the LORD brought the fear of him upon all nations.

I have no confusion myself what this means.  I also know what it does not mean.  I don’t think that the Olmec got the message.  I doubt if China read the memo.  Obviously it is a figure of speech.  Go to the NT.

Luke 2:1 (KJV) And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.

Again, I don’t think that the Bantus of Africa got the word.  We all understand that this means all of the Roman Empire, not what it says.

Think of all the cultural statements we make.  Ancient cultures were no different.  Have you noticed how often the number 40 comes up?  Does it mean a literal 40 or is it a similar statement that I might make at the doctor’s office, “I have been waiting forever.”  If we lived in ancient Israel we might say, “I have been waiting 40 days.”

Always read with your mind turned on. It sometimes also helps to listen to others.

homo unius libri