Turning Jordan

For some time I’ve pondered over 1 Peter 1.10-12.  It seems to be one of those key passages which helps us understand the relationship between the Prophets (OT) and the apostolic preaching of Jesus Christ (which would eventually become the NT).  The passage has been debated in recent years.  Some use it (as I will below) to show that the human prophets in the OT knew exactly what their prophecies meant.  In other words, the two authors (God and the prophet) meant the same thing in the text.  Others use the passage (IMO, erroneously) to support the idea that God’s intention was somewhat hidden from the prophets, and that they wrote down their prophecies not knowing exactly what to make of them.  It wouldn’t be until the first-century that any sense could really be made with them.  The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ is what gives sense to these ancient words.  In support of the former interpretation, I hope to show that this passage shows us that the prophets, though ignorant of parts of the prophecy, were not ignorant of the essential substance of their message.  Read more... (952 words, estimated 3:48 mins reading time)