One thing that truly astounds me about the scriptures is incredible symbolism that is so frequent throughout. It is almost a testimony to me of the divinity of the scriptures because I don't think anyone could have made all of the symbolism up and have it be so beautiful and whole.
My favorite part of reading the New Testament this week has been looking up every reference that is made to something that was written previously by past prophets. After focusing on the Old Testament last year I have a lot more context to put these verses into. One of the most interesting verses was Matthew 2:15 where Joseph took his family to Egypt after being warned by an angel. This verse comments that now "it might be fulfilled, which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son." I had no idea where this was in scripture but after searching the phrase on the internet I found a cross reference in Hosea 11:1 and some wonderful commentary by a believing Christian writer here: http://www.iclnet.org/pub/resources/text/m.sion/oegcason.htm.
On first glance at this verse it appears that Matthew might be misquoting the passage as Hosea is clearly referencing a history that has already happened with the children of Israel but Matthew is talking about a prophecy being fulfilled. Upon analysis of the Greek word for fulfillment, πληρόω - pronounced plero-o , we can see that another definition of this word may also be "to be made perfect." Surely the children of Israel being called out of Egypt were imperfect as the next verse in Hosea tells us they sacrificed unto Baalim. However, unlike the children of Israel Christ made the phrase "Out of Egypt I have called my son" perfect as he was perfect in His obedience to His Father.
My favorite part of reading the New Testament this week has been looking up every reference that is made to something that was written previously by past prophets. After focusing on the Old Testament last year I have a lot more context to put these verses into. One of the most interesting verses was Matthew 2:15 where Joseph took his family to Egypt after being warned by an angel. This verse comments that now "it might be fulfilled, which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son." I had no idea where this was in scripture but after searching the phrase on the internet I found a cross reference in Hosea 11:1 and some wonderful commentary by a believing Christian writer here: http://www.iclnet.org/pub/resources/text/m.sion/oegcason.htm.
On first glance at this verse it appears that Matthew might be misquoting the passage as Hosea is clearly referencing a history that has already happened with the children of Israel but Matthew is talking about a prophecy being fulfilled. Upon analysis of the Greek word for fulfillment, πληρόω - pronounced plero-o , we can see that another definition of this word may also be "to be made perfect." Surely the children of Israel being called out of Egypt were imperfect as the next verse in Hosea tells us they sacrificed unto Baalim. However, unlike the children of Israel Christ made the phrase "Out of Egypt I have called my son" perfect as he was perfect in His obedience to His Father.