Okay, so in Part 1 we agreed to identify what Jeremiah was saying to his original audience (the "interpretation") before we try to determine its implications for us (the "application"). But, this procedure assumes there is something for us in Jeremiah 29:11. Is this a legitimate expectation? I saw an advertisement for a cutesy plaque to hang in baby's room that says, "It's all about ME!" Aren't we doing something similar when we exclaim that every passage in the Bible has something to say to ME?" It stretches the limits of credulity (I like saying "credulity" - don't you?) to think that we can read someone else's mail, someone who lived millenia ago in a completely different culture, and propose he is saying something to US!
Normally, this would indeed be a credulity-buster. (That was fun, too!) But the nature of the Bible is anything but normal. Unlike any other human literary production, this book has God's stamp on it that says, "These are my words to you." Here's a key passage: All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work (2 Tim. 3:16-17 - NASB95). The Bible is "God-breathed," meaning that God is its source. Because of this fact, the Scriptures are capable of a wide range of powerful influences ("teaching," "reproof," etc.) making it possible for any "God's man" to receive from them all he needs to do what is right in every situation. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 tells us that God intended for us to get something out of Jeremiah 29:11. It would indeed be arrogance of the first order to assume Jeremiah. 29:11 was written for our benefit, except that God says it was!
Look at the left column on the chart. It describes how God is working along every step of the growth chain which is His truth delivery system for our hearts and hands. He is the One who declared the truth, who inspired authors of the books of the Bible to capture in words what He said,and who has superintended the process by which those original writings are made accessible to us. As we read God's Word, He opens our minds to grasp what the human authors said to their original audiences, then He opens our eyes to see ways the message has implications for us, and finally, He empowers our hearts to respond by translating those implications into action.
By the way, there are a batch of theological terms that go with each step in the growth chain. You can use them to impress your friends and neighbors. (They are fun to say, too, like saying "credulity!") I have aligned these terms with the relevant steps on the growth chain and put them together on a very handy 3-column chart you can download.
Because of God's role, it is not just legitimate to say Jeremiah 29:11 has something to say to us, it is of vital importance to figure out what that something is. So let's look at the interpretation of Jeremiah 29:11 (what Jeremiah intended his original audience to understand) in part 3. Then we'll discern the implications for us in part 4. As we do, we are divinely authorized to explore Jeremiah 29:11 for valid principles and insights that outfit us for every good work.
You scared me with the first paragraph! The way I was reading the Word was turned on its ear momentarily until I read the next paragraph.
I'm looking forward to the rest of the discourse, not because I want to rub God's belly and treat him like a Genie but because I'm looking forward to applying it for God's glory.
Posted by: Jeff | November 01, 2007 at 05:16 PM