Multi-Dimensional

(Psa 115:9 KJV)  O Israel, trust thou in the LORD: he is their help and their shield.

(Proverbs 25 also read)

I have a friend who constantly claims that the Old Testament was written to the Jews so it does not speak to us today.  He might use a verse like this, where the author addresses Israel to back up his position.  Fair enough but keep reading.

The next verse moves the focus from Israel to Aaron.  Let’s assume that the Israel here is the entire nation, not just the northern kingdom.  To whom is he writing when he says “Aaron”?  I would have to suggest he is talking about the priests.

Then in verse 11 the focus again changes.  The target audience in that verse is all people who “fear” (3372a) the Lord.  I think this opens it up to the entire world.  We see the pattern repeated in verses 12 and 13.

So?  We need to understand context when we study the Bible.  That applies in both the Old and the New.  Then we look at what it says and consider what it means.  I think we can rest assured that God oversaw the transmission of the entire Bible because it was all meant to be useful to us.