Sabbath: Symbolic Acts
Read for This Week’s Study: Gen. 4:3-7, Num. 21:1-9, Isa. 29:16, Rom. 9:18-21, Jeremiah 19:1-15, Heb. 5:14, Jer. 13:1-11.
Memory Text: Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?
(Romans 9:21).
Every student of the Bible knows that it is filled with symbols, things that represent concepts and ideas other than themselves. The entire earthly sanctuary service, for example, was a symbolic prophecy of the plan of salvation.
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The significance of the Jewish economy is not yet fully comprehended. Truths vast and profound are shadowed forth in its rites and symbols. The gospel is the key that unlocks its mysteries. Through a knowledge of the plan of redemption, its truths are opened to the understanding.
-Ellen G. White, Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 133. Through the symbolism of the earthly sanctuary, or the symbols of prophetic books (such as Daniel Chapters 2, 7, 8, and Revelation), and in many other ways, the Lord has used symbols to convey truth. Meanwhile, Jesus Himself, with His parables and object lessons, used symbols to explain deep truths.
The book of Jeremiah itself is rich with symbolism and imagery. This week we’re going to take a look at a few of these symbols, what they were, what they meant, and what lessons we should take away from them for ourselves.
Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, November 7.
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One of the beauty of symbolism was that it was understood by its audience once it was clarified to them. So we should study them diligently with an Hebrew mind or thinking for it was primarily given to them though some had universal application. Revelation is full of it and thus it is only imperative that all bible worker and missionary and that includes all baptized members should be well versed on these symbolism. Looking forward to this weeks lesson and must thank the principal contributors and the committee for the timely study of Jeremiah. Shalom Shabbat from the isles of Fiji to the rest of the worldwide church.
Symbolism as well as the simple straight testimony in scripture, studied with the aid of the Holy Spirit and a humble disposition opens to the seeker of truth treasures which may not be found elsewhere (Proverbs 2:2-6).
Jesus especially used symbols to communicate truth in part because simple everyday objects which could be easily visualized would tend to form a more lasting image in the mind and the connected lessons would remain with the believer. As well the lessons of eternal value would thereby be simplified.
At the same time the arch deceiver through false teachers have found in symbols an easy way to lead people astray. Particularly in symbolic prophecy it becomes the student of scripture to tread cautiously in interpretation of images used to represent physical and spiritual realities. Always keep the big picture in mind, the restoration of God’s image in mankind and the role of Jesus.
Try to focus on the context even if tempted to make loose connections with other passages not clearly related. The Spirit has not hidden anything critical to an individual’s salvation in any complex symbolic prophecy which is so difficult to understand the meaning must be accepted purely on the say so of another.
Be wary of complex explanations which are confusing and require a lot of cut and paste to work, while creating unexplained contradictions. As well be mindful not to spiritualize away the meaning of symbols; for substitution may rob a prophecy of its value and conceal important truths. Many in the Christian world have done this to get around the Creator’s requirements.
While some symbols in the Bible were intended to conceal information from the unrighteous (Mark 4:10-13), the Lord wants His people to understand His way. Pray and search diligently (Luke 10:21).
Tx i need to talk few word about symbolic acts,thus we have seen in this paragraph,indeed help the students to understand easily but we must go carefully because the gospel of God is not easy like we think. Tx we love this website so much.
Symbols are mainly used for two reasons;
We use symbols sometimes as a way of illustrating a view point or make it relevant to our surroundings (especially when explaining things which may not be available to our locality).
We sometimes use symbols to disguise certain messages when those that we do not want to understand are present.
In the same light, Jesus explained heavenly creation or events that will happen through symbols so that listeners would understand. Sometimes he would use symbols to confuse his detractors
Should the fact that God used everyday objects to illustrate divine truths teach us something about how to approach people with the truth for this time?