This is what Hermeneutics taught me, Bros and Sis

This is from my morning devotion

One of the lessons that we learn in Bible Interpretation (Hermeneutics) while doing our Masters programme at the seminary is to look at the CONTEXT (both historical and socio-political & cultural context of the day). 

        Take for example, Matthew 11:2-6

Now when John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?” And Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.

        Here, we look at the socio-political context where John was coming from. Rome was in control of the land of Israel. Judea was ruled by an Edomite puppet Herod appointed by the Romans. The Herod during Jesus' times was more interested to please the Jews so that he could remain in power. People like John the Baptist who was seen as "radical" like the other freedom fighters was put in prison for offending the wife of the Herod. John the Baptist ended up in prison for speaking against the Herod for marrying his sister-in-law.

        For someone like John the Baptist who was living in the wilderness for many years, where he had the freedom to eat or drink anything that he wanted, life in prison was tough. In his bitterness, John had started questioning whether his cousin was indeed the coming Messiah who was promised by the Old Testament prophets. 

        The messiah that God promised was not like one of the judges who delivered Israel from the hands of its oppressors. Instead, this Messiah rode on a donkey, unlike the commanders of armies who wrote on powerful horses. 

        We all encounter momemts of doubt in our lives. But the Lord will never abandon us. He reassures us that His role is to deliver us from the greater "incarceration" of our souls due to greed, ego, and hatred, than the imprisonment of the physical 'us.' The Lord had, in fact, just taught His disciples: 

And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Matthew 10:28.

        This is what we learn in Hermeneutics. Take time to attend the classes, and if possible sign up as a credit student. Do your assignments and you will enjoy it.