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To understand this whole subject of exile and restoration we need to first establish a pattern from the scriptures.
We also need to understand that historical events in the bible are interpreted theologically.
For example Jesus died on the cross-. Yes that is an historical event.
But we interpret that event in terms of Gods activity. So therefore the cross which is an historical event is interpreted theologically.
To make it simple for those who have not grasped this point, all historical events must be interpreted with our God glasses on.
When we come to the New Testament we put our Jesus glasses on.
Therefore we can make the Old Testament into Christian literature.
The reason we can do this is because the New Testament writers themselves make the story of Israel the story of the Christian church. A case in hand is Hebrews 3&4 where the wilderness wanderings of the Israelites are applied to Christians. here again we have a historical event interpreted theologically with our Jesus glasses on. we are told to beware of falling into unbelief like the Israelites in the desert when God tested them. we are warned of falling short of God's rest and not obtaining the promises of the Promised Land. it is very interesting that we (Christians) are told that they had the same gospel preached to them, just as we have had it preached to us . Well now you may ask the ?, they didn't have the cross and resurrection of Jesus preached to them. you are right they didn't. but they had the gospel preached to them in the promises made to Abraham. the promises are found from Genesis 12-17. |