The biblical understanding of various instances in the physical setting, such as nature, culture, geography, customs, and archaeology, helps us better understand the application of biblical instances to lives. Understanding the physical setting of the biblical instances improves the understanding of the Bible and helps us discover the intentions and the background of the biblical instances. Some of the significant examples presented by Professors Garcia and Notley related to physical setting instances include the story of:
- The archaeological and architectural design of the Israelite house. Israelite houses were uniquely designed, where the backrooms were used as sleeping rooms, and the immediate room in the entrance was an animal pen. Jephthah made a vow to God and said that if God gives him victory over ammonites, whoever comes from his door will offer it as a burnt sacrifice (Lockwood and PETER,214). Jephthah expected an animal would be forth from the door to meet.
- The geographical position of the Herod temple in Jerusalem. The Jerusalem temple was strategically positioned in the center, where many people could access it. Professor Garcia outlined that, during Pentecost, people assembled in the upper room from the larger part of Israel so they could receive the holy spirit.
- The fountain of living water and the broken cisterns. Jeremiah described how people forsake the living spring due to fear of the spring drying up and opt to believe in the cistern to store water. When Israelites encountered bitter water in Marah, and thus they could not drink it.
The fountain of living water and the broken cistern is a notable instance that helps me understand the biblical story about trusting in God. The living spring is used to signify God, the source of refreshment and external life (McIvor and Méadhbh,345). The cistern is used to show people without faith who opt to store water on broken cisterns, which eventually leak. Jeremiah was advising people to trust the source of the spring other than storing water in a cistern in fear of the spring drying up. Professor Notley described broken cisterns as implicating people with less faith in God and often have a measured relationship with God. The spring signifies God’s grace and faithfulness that is always there and never disappoints compared to Marah’s bitter water.
Works Cited
Lockwood, Peter F. “Jephthan’s Daughter: Awake to Her Wicked Father (Judges 11: 29-40)’.” Word & World vol.40, no.3, 2020, pp. 210-218.
McIvor, Méadhbh. “Human Rights and Broken Cisterns: Counterpublic Christianity and Rights-Based Discourage in Contemporary England.” ETHNOS vol.84, no.2, 2019, pp. 323-343.