Is a promise that was made to someone in OT times, also applicable
to someone else today? No? Maybe? Yes? Asked another way, can Christians today claim
OT promises that were made to other individuals or groups?
This may help to answer that. Realtors say there are three factors
that determine the marketability of a property, "location, location,
location." When it comes to hermeneutics, which is the art and science of
biblical interpretation, the top three words are "context, context,
context."
Unless we understand the context of an OT promise before lifting
it into our contemporary life situations, we may force a meaning upon the words,
which the Holy Spirit never intended to say through the original author. Once we do understand that one correct
interpretation, then we must ascertain whether there is a range of application
that reaches all the way to us. It certainly can. If within the promise of God
to an original audience, there is an integral communication about God's character,
which does not change, and His actions toward people in accordance with their relationships
to Him, then the promise is broadly applicable.
