Context Is Important

Context Is Important

By Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe

One of the blessings in our lives, particularly in difficult times, is to declare the Word of the Lord over our lives.  One of the greatest deceptions in our lives comes when we declare the Word of the Lord out of context. 

In that light, I feel prompted by the Holy Spirit to issue a caveat concerning a scripture brought to my attention and quoted out of context today, Psalm 91:10.  An acquaintance called to tell me that he wasn’t following any of the COVID-19 safety precautions because no plague can come near him.   We must look at the context.

Psalms 91:1-4: “He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.  I will say of the Lord, "He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.'' Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler And from the perilous pestilence.  He shall cover you with His feathers, And under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler.”

Dwelling in the secret place of the Most High indicates a deeply personal relationship with the Lord.  Being covered with His feathers and taking refuge under His wings pictures being in His arms and covered by His tallit, His prayer shawl. The prayer shawl is a place of intimate conversation with Him.  It is a place where we listen Him. It is a place where we are obedient to Him.  He still speaks to us and has spoken directions to protect us in this pandemic.

Both Exodus 15:26 and Deuteronomy 7:15 discuss obedience to God as a prerequisite to protection and blessings.   That obedience included more than the 10 Commandments.  It included dietary, sanitary and health laws that included quarantine and separation.  On the first Passover, the people had to both put the blood over the door and be inside the house to be passed over by the death angel.

Satan quoted Psalm 91:11-12 out of context during the Temptation.

Luke 4:9-11:  Then he brought Him to Jerusalem, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down from here. "For it is written: `He shall give His angels charge over You, to keep You,' "and, `In their hands they shall bear You up, lest You dash Your foot against a stone."

The Lord’s response says it all:  Luke 4:12. “And Jesus answered and said to him, "It has been said, `You shall not tempt the Lord your God."

 We cannot allow out of context declarations of the Word to become idle words for which we will be called to account.  (Matthew 12:36)