Jeremiah 29:11 - OUT OF CONTEXT SCRIPTURE

Hermeneutics - the science of interpretation. What "formula" or approach do you use when interpreting a given scripture? Is the Bible just a bunch of quaint sayings we apply to life, or is it a story that had meaning in it's historical context? Sadly, so many treat it as the former.

Christians need to stop looking at the Bible as if it was a book of good sayings and individual verses of encouragement. I believe this practice stems from a lack of Christians reading the Bible through in its entirety and doing so on a frequent basis anymore these days. It seems people do not view the Bible as a large interconnected story, but rather see it as a bunch of single books of sayings and wisdom type literature that can be used to guide mankind through life.

True, the scriptures are wisdom and do serve as a guide for our living, but this is only truly accomplished when Scriptures are read and understood in their correct context and proper application to their original audience - audience relevance being a key part of hermeneutics.

A true understanding and meaning can only be acquired by properly interpreting the original meaning, and only then can a passage be perceived and properly applied to daily living.

Context and audience relevance are the two key concepts that are required for any Bible readers who seek to handle the word of God accurately, and are sadly ever considered by the average reader.

As many of us were taught in grammar class, the reading and understanding of the Bible also benefits from applying the five Ws of grammar - Who - What - When - Where - Why? Before applying a verse to some universal situation, seek to ask these questions to ensure your interpretation holds up.

In this edition of my Out of Context series we examine Jeremiah 29:11 which is used quite often by Christians as a word of encouragement to other believers. It says:

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord , plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. (Jeremiah 29:11 ESV)

Saying this to another believer sounds encouraging and pleasant, true, but is that what this verse is meaning - is that why it was written and recorded in Scripture? Reading the whole chapter where this verse appears, or better yet, the entire book, would answer many answers, but lets start with the basics. Who was this written to, and what was it talking about? Who - What - When - Where - Why?

Who is speaking? Yahweh. This is known by backing up one single verse:

For thus says the Lord... (Jeremiah 29:10 ESV)

Who is He speaking to? To those sent into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon.

"Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, to all the exiles whom I have sent into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: (Jer 29:4 ESV)

 What is He speaking of here? He is speaking of a promise involving and regarding them and their situation:

When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will visit you, and I will fulfill to you my promise and bring you back to this place. (Jeremiah 29:10 ESV)

When was this written? Back in the 6th century BC - when Jerusalem was destroyed (586 BC) and the people were captive in Babylon (29:4).

Where was it written? It was written and sent to Babylon where the people were:

The letter was sent by the hand of Elasah the son of Shaphan and Gemariah the son of Hilkiah, whom Zedekiah king of Judah sent to Babylon to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon. (Jer 29:3 ESV)

Why was it written? To show that God keeps His promises.

For thus says the LORD: When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will visit you, and I will fulfill to you my promise and bring you back to this place. For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the LORD, and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you, declares the LORD, and I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile. (Jer 29:10-14 ESV)

So hopefully you can see from just this cursory examination of the text in its context that it is dealing with a specific situation for a specific people in a specific time, and is not a general statement from Yahweh for all mankind to grab for themselves.

Yahweh is speaking to the exiles, people who had turned from his covenants and sinned greatly, and who were being judged by him by having their temple destroyed and the people led away as slaves. Yahweh is telling them that though he has brought this judgment upon them, He will not forsake and forget them.

He promises that when seventy years of exile are complete, he would restore them to the land and would hear them when they prayed and sought Him. And why would he do all of this? Because he knows the plans He has for them - those people, at that time, who he is directly addressing with this promise.

So, the declaration of welfare and hope is speaking specifically to these surviving people of exile. To seek to quote and apply this verse to every Christian as a general promise from God to bless them, is to misapply the original intent and ignore the audience and their message and promise being stated here. This just distorts the biblical text and application of it, and seeks to make Scripture just a bunch of disjointed motivational sayings.

Until Christians return to a proper handling of the Word of God, and refrain from abusively using it in this manner, the church will continue to be confused, and less effective and less influential to the world around it.

Conclusion: this promise in Jeremiah is not for you, or anyone beyond the intended people addressed. So what can we take away from this for our lives today? Yahweh is a God who makes and keeps His promises. 

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Mizpah (Genesis 31:49) - OUT OF CONTEXT SCRIPTURE!

The story contained within the whole of Scripture is just that - a STORY, a single interconnected story. Sadly, way too many church-goers make it a practice to treat God's Holy Scripture as a buffet of quaint sayings from which they can pick, choose and use in any way imaginable, even if the result is in no way related to the original intent of the verse in its context.

The Bible is not made up of thousands of disjointed pieces of "wisdom" and motivational sayings that we can choose and use to make a point or to produce feel good statements as desired. There are many parts of Scripture that when used out of context may still produce a valid point that doesn't stray too far outside the realm of the original intent, but then there are others that cannot, and they end up becoming twisted and distorted so much that they imply almost the opposite of their original meaning.

Do You Read the Bible Entirely? Challenging All Christians!

Christians stand on the Word of God - or at least they should if they don't. They live based on the teaching found within the 66 books of the Scriptures, and base much of their belief of Christianity on that book. So, the question of the day, do Christians consistently read their Bibles since it is so important to the lifeblood of their belief and practices?

Unfortunately, Christians can be quick to argue over understandings of the Scripture. A good question to ask when this happens is, "Have you read the Bible through in it's entirety?" Sadly most have not, and so it seems baffling as to how they can argue over parts of it, if it is possible that the answer to the argument is contained in that portion of Scripture that they have not ever read - yet it happens.

God's Word shall not return void... - OUT OF CONTEXT SCRIPTURE!

Time for another episode of...OUT OF CONTEXT. This one is probably pretty obvious to most people who know their Bible, but I am amazed at how many times I have still heard people throw this phrase out and attempt to use it in a manner that was never intended. The scenario usually goes something like this. A group has gathered in some evangelistic effort, and in the "pre-game" discussion, whether in prayer or just in the spirit of getting the juices flowing for action, the people are prompted to speak boldly, and are assured to have faith in whatever transpires, for they know that God's Word will not return void, but will accomplish something.

Now, there is nothing really wrong with such a statement, as we know that the Word of God usually does have some effect, whether good or bad, on whomever hears it. It is the basis and Scriptural support for such a statement that is erroneously used in most cases. It has been said and passed on, and repeated so often, that most people these days do not even know the reference, or what is actually said. The reference comes from Isaiah 55:11, but just a simple cursory reading is almost enough to clear up the misuse, but putting it back into the context even more so:

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

So the thrust of what is being said here is that when the Lord says something, when he sends forth his word, when he sets forths his word to do something, it will be done and will in no way be thwarted or return unto him void.

So while we can stand firm on a belief that the Word of God is indeed powerful, using this verse as some kind of blanket assurance or defense that no matter how we put God's Word out there, it will work, as is commonly done, is to offer false assurance and is a mishandling of Scripture.

I did not have to look far after a quick Google search on this phrase, to find posts that misused it. As expected, one such post used it as a blanket statement for all of Scripture, and especially the words of Christ, in saying:

This verse along with many others in the bible explain the fact that Jesus power is everywhere. He does not have to be present for you to receive His Gift. His Grace and His word is sufficient to deliver all that you need. In other words if Jesus said it, then it is so and whatever you ask in his name, so shall you have. Once the word of the Lord is sent out, it will not return void.

This is a spiritual truth that many believers have used over the years, by memorizing and saying the words of Jesus, many have been healed of afflictions, many have overcome some of the most dire circumstances imaginable...

You must release the power of Jesus within you and through you when confronting the dangers of this satan filled world. His word as given to us in the Bible will never, ever return void and unfulfilled. You can bank on that revelation for eternity.

It just pays to stop and examine any such "pet" verses we may find always on the tip of our tongue. Take a quick look at the context of the Scripture, to make sure we are not using things out of context to say something we want, rather than what it is actually saying.

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Where two or three are gathered....? - OUT OF CONTEXT SCRIPTURE!

Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them. (Matthew 18:19-20)

If I had a nickle for every time I heard someone use this verse to claim some kind of special presence or assistance from Christ whenever two or more Christian brethren assembled in agreement with each other for some reason, I could definitely enjoy quite a few Venti Starbucks beverages.

What exactly is being said in this verse that is so often used out of context? In order to grasp the context, you must start at the beginning of the topic, back at verses fifteen. If you have a Christian brother who has sinned against you, you are to go and tell him. If he he won't listen to youAgain I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.
, then you are to:

...take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. (v. 16)

So right here we see why the two or three are mentioned to begin with, for the sole purpose of being witnesses against the sin of the brother in question. This standard practice hearkens back to the ancient Jewish practice and law established in Deuteronomy:

On the evidence of two witnesses or of three witnesses the one who is to die shall be put to death; a person shall not be put to death on the evidence of one witness. The hand of the witnesses shall be first against him to put him to death, and afterward the hand of all the people. So you shall purge the evil from your midst. (Deut. 17:6-7)

A single witness shall not suffice against a person for any crime or for any wrong in connection with any offense that he has committed. Only on the evidence of two witnesses or of three witnesses shall a charge be established. (Deut. 19:15)

Part of a legal hearing requires two or three witnesses for a case to be established. In Matthew 18, we are dealing with a case against a brother who has sinned. He has been approached by the one sinned against, then he has been approached with two or three others to witness his stubborn rebellion against repentance in the matter, and after those steps have been taken, by the word of the two or three witnesses, his sin is made public to the whole church body, and if he still is in rebellion and won't listen, then he is to be cast out, excommunicated from the body, and treated as one outside the faith, a pagan.

So, the two or three gathered together are not asking God for favors or prayers, but are in agreement over a judgment in the body. The Apostles were given the keys to loose and bind things on earth, and this is an example of that power in action. If you, as a member of a church, are processed legitimately through the Matthew 18 process, and are cast out, then it is indeed a fearful thing for you, as you have legally, by the very power and presence of Christ found present among the words of the two or three witnesses, been removed from the body of Christ for your rebellion.

One commentator states is clearly:

This is connected with the previous verses. The connection is this: The obstinate man is to be excluded from the church. The care of the church — the power of admitting or excluding members — of organizing and establishing it — is committed to you, the apostles (Mt 18:18). Yet there is not need of the whole to give validity to the transaction. When two of you agree, or have the same mind, feelings, and opinion, about the arrangement of affairs in the church, or about things desired for its welfare, and shall ask of God, it shall be done for them. See Acts 1:14-26, 15:1-29. The promise here has respect to the apostles in organizing the church. It cannot, with any propriety, be applied to the ordinary prayers of believers. Other promises are made to them, and it is true that the prayer of faith will be answered; but that is not the truth taught here. (Barne's Notes)

Many today have ignored the power the local, legitimate church body was given to bind and loose such things, pertaining to your very standing in the eyes of God.

Today, if someone disagrees with a church, they simply leave and move on to find one they agree with more fully. But don't be fooled, God doesn't look so simply at rebellion and lack of repentance as we might. If you leave a church in a rebellious manner, without resolving the issue via Matthew 18, your very salvation may be in question before God.

Matthew 18:19-20 is not a comfort for anyone that Jesus is present when they met; it is a call of judgment against those rebellious to the legal offices of the church established by Christ and the Apostles.

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All Things to All People? - OUT OF CONTEXT SCRIPTURE!

I really wish some publisher would produce a good "reading" Bible. What I mean by that, is a Bible with no chapter/verses numbers and divisions, but written in letter form like most originally were. I feel that the verse numbering has given us a history of people taking verses out of context and building whole theological views on these sections. In this little subsection of my blog, I wish to reveal some of the uses of Scripture that I commonly hear that are used just like that...out of context.

For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them. To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law. To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law. To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings. (1 Cor. 1:19-23)

Here is an example that I have heard personally quite often. I started hearing it more back in the days when I spent more time with Christian hard rock musicians. When people would ask why they had long hair, sang such loud music, had so many tattoos, etc. it was common to hear them explain how they were "becoming all things to all men" by taking on the look of those they were trying to reach.

Unfortunately, I think they read right over what is being said. It said I (Paul) have become all (multiple) things to all (multiple) people; it does not say he became one specific thing to reach one specific group. In order for people to use this verse in such a manner, they would need to show how they have made themselves (in presentation and actions) to be multifaceted. A large, tattoo covered, long haired, fully body pieced individual may associate with a crowd of like manner, but how would that person come across if they were to go do work with the elderly, or any group outside of that realm they normally seek to reach?

The moral of the story...don't arrange your lifestyle and physical appearance to focus on one group of people and then defend it with these words of Paul...that is not what Paul was saying. Don't "limit" yourself to how God can use you. Get out of your comfort zone occasionally, and become someone to somebody you normally may not fit in with.

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