Posted by jonvon on September 14, 2001 at 22:32:11:
In Reply to: Isaiah 30 posted by Pastor Steven on September 12, 2001 at 02:26:47:
: I think your somewhat-self-disclaimed interpretation is sound. (Hey John, from now on we'll call these jewels "S.S.D. Interpretations".)
I like it!
: Contextually the "towers" would refer to the citadels of strength; those majestic towers that symbolize a nation's great power. But whatever the context when the prophecy was written and whatever the accepted theological/eschatological interpretation is today can be completely irrelevant to what God may be speaking. God speaks to each of us individually through His Word, as evidenced by the moving of the Holy Spirit in our spirits. He often uses scriptures taken WAY out of historical context to communicate life-giving and powerful revelation to those who seek Him. One has only to read Matthew's interpretations of Old Testament Scriptures throughout his gospel to realize that he had little grasp of much of the context of these sacred writings.
WOW that is interesting.
: Was his interpretation flawed and invalid? Or was God speaking Truth that is in very essence higher than the various contexts in which it has appeared over and over? I have to believe the latter is true. I also believe you received a word from God when you sought it.
: After reading this chapter, I decided to reprint part of it here (NIV), beginning with verse 18:
THANKS for reprinting this. I was reading it in the new king james, which i like a good deal of the time, but the NIV you quoted here really works well, flows a lot better. maybe i had trouble reading it because it was 2 am, but anyway this translation made a lot more sense to me when i read it here. wow, that's good stuff. its quite bracing to say the least.
: I won't offer any S.S.D. interpretation. Literal interpetation is often over-rated. On the other hand, a real living word from God opens great and mysterious doors into realms of wonder and faith, though our understanding be never so comatose. Maybe such coma is oft a prerequisite?
If this is the case I'm ripe for plenty of wonder. Its been so long since i read isaiah i feel awkward even reading it. this stuff can be so strong sometimes - its like drinking a cup of hot joe on a frosty morning when you haven't had any in a long time and it smacks into you and your whole body feels alive. its like you are staring over the precipice into some deep cavern, the sun shining off the walls, birds are flying around down there, and it seems like soon you'll be going "poof" like poor old wiley coyote. :-)