J07 That's not how I see it

Isaiah 7:9: "If you will not believe, surely you shall not understand. " [LXX]

"If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all." [NIV]

Basil the Great: (1) "For one must believe in the scriptures with the simple faith that they are 'inspired by God and useful' and then go on to examine subtly and enquiringly the meaning contained in them." [Commentary on Isaiah 7.197]

Reflection: This is a powerful truth, not reduced in any way by translation issues. If you do not accept the Word of God in its forms (Jesus and the Holy Spirit), or it's principle manifestations (Creation and the Holy Scriptures), you will not be able to understand the revelations they have for you.

God's point of view is different from a man's. As it says elsewhere, it is foolishness to the unbeliever. It is like one of those optical illusions, where an image can be perceived as either of two distinctly different objects. As we approach one of these illusions, our minds instantly "see" only one of the possibilities -- but after reflection, the other becomes just as obvious.

What is my point of view? Is it the world's, or is it God's? The believer has a new frame of reference, and an appreciation for scale. If we look at an elaborate model railroad layout, we are fascinated by both the similarities and the differences to the real world. It is a 'simulacrum.' A photo of the model gives no clue to the size of it -- is it a scaled -down, -up, or actual size representation?

We need a reference point -- a 'place to stand' --to perceive the model correctly. Else we will be deceived. The world is like that. We need a point of view that takes us outside of the "diorama" in which we live. Even modern science can't see into the so-called "dark matter" which composes most of the cosmos. How sad that the original name for the Higgs Boson has been forgone: "The God Particle." (2)

My Prayer today: Oh Lord, release me from the anchor of my world view, and let me see and understand You as the creator and keeper of all.

Editorial comment: The reading of the Septuagint was not corrected until Erasmus (1515) -- so the church fathers understood this verse differently than now commonly accepted. Augustine read this verse as Basil did, and so quoted it in sermons and commentary.

(1) Commentary on Isaiah 7.197, IVP Ancient Commentary on Scripture, OT Vol X, McKinion, Ed.

(2) An early concept to explain why the nucleus of an atom does not fly apart. See Hebrews 1:3 (He holds the universe together by His own mighty Word).