Secondary Application

Dr. Couch, there seems to be a lot of verses in the OT that are spoken to Israel but have a secondary application to our day. Do you agree? ANSWER:  Yes, indeed! For example, Isaiah 22:12-14. God called Israel to be weeping and wailing for their sins (v. 12), but instead, the Lord heard "gaiety and gladness, killing of cattle (for a banquet), the eating of meat and drinking of wine (v. 13a). The Jews were saying "Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we may die"! (v. 13b).    Our nation is full of sins and evil from the presidential office on down, and what is worse, watching television one sees nothing but entertainment, fun, and people doing everything to ignore what is happening in our nation and in the world! The average citizen cares less! Few know what is going on!    The Lord revealed Himself to Isaiah and said, "Surely this iniquity shall not be forgiven you [the nation]. The nation will die!" (v. 14). America has crossed the line, there is no turning back. Judgment is certain. In verse 14 God describes Himself as "The Lord of hosts," or "The Lord of the armies" of heaven. He is going to make war with this sinful nation, as He made war with the Jews over their sins.    In a brilliant description of these verses, Unger writes: "Their giving themselves instead to merrymaking and revelry and to the expression of a hedonistic and pagan philosophy attests to their reckless abandonment of faith in God. Such iniquitous unbelief, it was revealed to Isaiah, shall not be purged (forgiven) ... till you die, the ultimate in God's chastening of His own people."    This is America, music, dancing, football, sickening sin, stupid advertising, outright paganism, sensuality, etc. Our people will smile and dance all the way to the pit! When the sickening commercials come on television, my wife, Dr. Lacy Couch, says "We play!"    For an example of what's going on, in a small town in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area the school board decided to have nothing about Christmas this year in their schools, but instead, to have a Hindu celebration in its place. We are sick and it is terminal!    Another passage that is so pointed is Isaiah 30:9-14. There the people plead with the ministers of Israel to stop saying words of judgment. The people are described as "a rebellious people, false sons, sons who refuse to listen to the instruction of the Lord: who say to the prophets, "You must not see any more visions," and, "You must not prophecy to us what is right, speak to us instead pleasant words, prophecy illusions."    Then the people add, "Get out of the way, you prophets, turn aside from the path, let us hear no more about the Holy One of Israel!"    God answers: "Since you have rejected this word, and have put your trust in oppression and guile, and have relied on them, this iniquity will be on you like a ... high wall, whose collapse comes suddenly in an instant." When America collapses, it will be like the breaking of pottery, the smashing of the potter's jar. Not one piece of pottery will be found! (v. 14).    Unger again writes: "God's holiness had become so unpalatable to those unholy rebels, they beg Him to 'get out of our presence,' let us hear no more about the Holy One of Israel."    Thanks for asking.    Dr. Mal Couch (September 2009)