A ‘Water Gate’ Scandal!

I remember a TV preacher from years ago, (during the Nixon presidency) saying that the Bible predicted the Watergate scandal…quoting passages such as Nehemiah 8:1, 3 which only contained the words “water” and “gate” in them, without regard for the context in which ‘water’ and ‘gate’ were found.

Nehemiah also mentioned the HORSE gate; the FOUNTAIN gate; the REFUSE gate, the VALLEY gate OLD gate, FISH gate, SHEEP gate, EAST gate, INSPECTION gate, OLD gate, GATE of EPHRAIM and GATE of the GUARD in Nehemiah chapter 3. These were simply the various ENTRANCES (gates) of the city of Jerusalem. WATER gate was one of the entrances to the city, NOT a prophecy of political scandal to occur in the 1970’s, as this preacher applied it.

A similar DISREGARD for CONTEXT could be made from a statement of Job. “If I have looked at the sun when it shone…that…would have been an iniquity…for I would have denied God above.” ~ Job 31:26-28. Without regard for CONTEXT, some might conclude that looking at the sun would be a sin…

However, if you read the missing words in these 3 verses (vss. 26-28), as well as the entire chapter, Job’s words are a declaration that he has NOT concealed his sin by doing any of the “if’s” in this chapter.

Also, by consideration of earlier chapters in the book, Job’s friends had accused him of this very thing…secret sins. This is why a study of context is crucial to teaching truthfully from the Bible.

CONTEXT MATTERS!
Jesus taught:
“Take heed WHAT ye hear” ~ Mark 4:24
“Take heed HOW ye hear” ~ Luke 8:18

If context is perverted; doctrine will also be perverted. CONTEXT makes a difference, because DOCTRINE MATTERS!

8/12/2020

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