These things are being taken figuratively:
Summary: Figuring out what history means is best done with the guidance of God.
How do we know when something is more than it appears to be?
The distance between literal and figurative can be a long way. Sometimes, the figurative meaning of a story is so far in the future that we can’t see it.
Throughout history, God has met the challenge of communicating with humanity by using figurative illustrations. When Jesus was with us on earth, he made a point to always speak to the people in parables (Matthew 13:10-17).
God understands the power of stories. For example, the story of Jonah is both historical and figurative. The historical part is about a man trapped inside a large fish (Jonah 1:17-2:10). The figurative meaning of the story foreshadows Jesus’ death on the cross (Matthew 12: 38-42).
When Jesus tells the story of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32), he presents a story about a young man who leaves home. The story is a figurative rendering of repentance and forgiveness. At the end of the story, we discover the story also reveals something about life and death (Luke 15:32). Being God, he is able to pack stories within stories.
When Paul looks back on the historical account of Abraham’s first two sons, he sees more than a history of Abraham, Sarah, and Hagar. By the power of God, he can see the meaning behind what happened.
Why didn’t people see this meaning before? The simple answer is that it wasn’t yet time for the meaning to be revealed. The longer answer is that the meaning had to do with Jesus.
Even though there are clues about Jesus in the Old Testament writings, most people in those days did not understand God’s plan. It was too obscure. Only after Jesus had lived, died, and risen from the grave did God’s plan begin to come into focus. Now that it has come into focus, Paul can explain the meaning behind the story.
More than anything else, it is important to realize that God is the Author. Not only is he the Author of the earth and all that is in it, he is the Author of all that is good. Even though Abraham and Sarah had tried to force God’s hand by having Ishmael through Hagar, God is able to use that event as a metaphor for something bigger.
Application: Scripture has multiple layers of meaning.
Food for Thought: What is required for us to understand the figurative meaning of something?
God’s word sometimes tells us the meaning – just like Paul did in our passage today. Jesus taught in parables but often explained the meaning later to His disciples, such as in the parable of the sower. We get that information too – at least what is recorded in Scripture. And if we are listening with a desire to know truth, seek God, and be led by the Holy Spirit, then we will more likely be shown truth by the Author.
Rich,
Thank you for your comment this morning. When I wrote the question I could hear your voice saying, “Context, context, context!”
🙂
What is required for us to understand the figurative meaning of something?
One thing I would have to say is familiarity. Figurative language then becomes “a staircase to understanding.” If the speaker says something figuratively, but the listener has no idea of that the speaker is talking about, then it is lost.
Another is direct correlation. If the figurative language doesn’t match up with the literal at its basic points, then things are added to or taken away from the message by both the speaker and the listener.
I agree with Rich. When it comes to understanding both the literal and the figurative in the Bible, an open heart seeking truth through the Holy Spirit will be given that truth to apply to their lives.
Matthew 7:7-8 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.”
Thanks Chris!
I am in agreement with both you and Rich on this. We need an open heart towards God so that we can hear and receive his wisdom and guidance (James 1:5).