We often quote individual Bible verses totally out of context, especially if they appear to express a thought we would like to believe in. Consider this saying often found on plaques written in pastel and pink that seems to point to the same rosy future for all believers: “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not harm you. Plans to give you a hope and a future.”
The problem is that these words were addressed to a people defeated by the Babylonians who would soon be forced to leave their homeland, and go in bondage and uncertainty into a foreign land where they would all die without ever returning.
The plans for the future referred to the long term future of Israel as a whole, where their children would eventually return from exile. It is a complete error to apply this verse out of context to the belief that God has individual plans for each of us which will clearly be worked out within our lifetime without any harm or distress happening to us in the meanwhile.
Sorry to burst anyone's balloon.
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment
Comments