Quote:
Originally Posted by Truthseeker
So God used something sinful to describe something figuratively for Isreal?
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Truthseeker, your honest search for real answers is awesome. I wish more people took that approach instead of tossing the baby out with the bathwater as we see way too often.
I do not believe that God used something sinful to describer something figuratively for Israel. Jewelry is not sinful, but we do understand that jewelry is a visible and outward sign to the world, who understands it as a representation for wealth.
We understand that God "adorned" or BLESSED his people with great wealth so that the heathen nations around Israel would see the blessings he bestowed upon them. Clearly those blessings led Israel to complacency.
Scripture teaches us that Israel is a type and shadow of the church. We see then that God's action of blessings on Israel is a cautionary tale for us. God wants to bless His people but we must remember that those blessings can lead to comfort which can further lead to complacency and stagnation.
We know that God dealt with Israel in a vastly different manner than He deals with the New Testament church. We see this in many different areas. We also know that we have been enjoined to avoid wearing jewelry in the New Testament.
Now if Israel is a Type and Shadow of the New Testament Church, we understand that Israel is a FIGURATIVE example. If then, God blessed Israel with REAL jewelry and costly array; does that not then translate in the same way? If Israel is a Type and Shadow, or a figurative example for the church, then we understand that God does even now BLESS His Church. Israel was a physical example for the spiritual that was to come…and now is.
Truthseeker, in simple terms, what God did in Blessing Israel, He does now with the Church. But what was literal for Israel, is spiritual for the church today. That is a principle that we use ALL of the time, is used throughout the writings of the Apostles, and is a standard in all Christian denominations. God adorned Israel. God adorns His church. Then with natural jewels, now with spiritual. We know this because we are enjoined by both Peter and Paul to not wear jewelry. We are enjoined to be in this world but not of it.
I hope this gives you a better understanding. I hope I didn’t ramble too much. Keep seeking!
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