אבנימ

Biblical Hermeneutics Part Second Chapter 18

In continuing the study of the interpretation of symbols, Terry now turns to what he terms symbolico-typical actions. In this kind of prophetic act the message of God is communicated through specific actions which the prophet is commanded to perform. His deeds are symbolic of unseen truths, and are also typical inasmuch as they are representative actions intelligently carried out to point to future events. In contrast to prophetic visions where the prophet is the seer, in symbolico-typical actions the prophet is the doer.

Terry reviews some of the major symbolico-typical actions found in Scripture. These include Ezekiel’s laying on his side in the mock siege of Jerusalem for 430 days, and Hosea’s marrying the harlot Gomer. He answers the objections of interpreters who affirm that such events never actually happened. Terry produces several sound arguments, but chief among them is that the prophetic power of the message consists in the fact that these events actually occurred, and thereby commanded the attention of God’s intended audience.