Imagine That
but just as it is written, “Things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard,
And which have not entered the heart of man, all that God has prepared for those who love Him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9 NASB
Have not entered – Another disappointing day. Another round of the routine. Another onerous obligation. I imagine life without these annoyances. Swinging in a hammock between two palms overlooking the bright blue waters of a warm sea, a refreshing drink in hand, laughter of enjoyable company, free of physical pains. And that’s just the start. I can imagine quite a bit more. Opulence. Strength. Insight. The joys of mind and heart. I can quite easily construct the imaginary world where I feel at home, cared for and sufficient. This makes me wonder what Paul could possibly have in mind when he tells me that the things God has prepared have not even entered my heart. I have a very robust and active imagination. How is it possible that God’s intentions are so incredible that I haven’t even come close to picturing them?
Perhaps we’re on the wrong track completely. Paul’s reference to the Tanakh is a loose reference to Isaiah 64:4 (64:3 in the LXX). But the Isaiah passage is not about some wonderful “heavenly” circumstances still to come. In fact, while the Isaiah passage is in a future tense, Paul’s citation changes it to a past tense. The Isaiah passage seems to be directed specifically to men in Isaiah’s time while Paul expands the range to include everyone. So Paul isn’t really using Isaiah as a “proof text.” He is merely using Isaiah as a springboard to introduce a new thought. What is that new thought? It is not that God’s eventual reward is so marvelous that we can’t even comprehend what is in store for us. That is an ego-driven wish-fulfillment aberration. God probably doesn’t have a black Lamborghini in store for me. What Paul is talking about is the revelation of the mysterious way God accomplished salvation. That is what men couldn’t imagine! The dramatic intervention of God was something no human being could have ever conceived. Furthermore, Paul’s reference to the passage in Isaiah adds one other important point. Understanding what God actually did is not a function of intelligence. God has revealed this amazing mystery to those “who love Him.” It is love and devotion, not cognitive apprehension, that allows us to experience something hidden in the divine plan.
I have often read this verse as if there is a great treasure in store for me, something far beyond my wildest imagination. I have read this verse as if it were God’s promise to give me more than I could want. In other words, I let my ego determine that God is a personal genie, ready and willing to grant me more than I can dream. But that is a mistake. God has already provided what I could not imagine. He rescued me. At the core of my being I could never have imagined that rescue could happen for me. But it did. Amazing!
Topical Index: have not entered, imagination, rescue, Isaiah 64:4, 1 Corinthians 2:9
It has crossed my mind more than once that one of the prime reasons for eternity will be for us to grow enough, understand enough, expand our capacity enough, to learn enough to comprehend ever more and more the mystery of our salvation. We need eternity to do it, for we will never come to a full grasp of it. Eternity is still just not long enough for some things. One of those things is the ability to comprehend Who God is. Salvation is another. Why we think we have enough capacity now to casually sling around imperative statements about either with our present (non)capacity and (non) comprehension floors me sometimes.
I was recently doing a search through your website to find any TW’s on this passage and here it is this morning! I was wondering if there was something deeper we were missing in this passage because of course in my church’s bible study it was still explained as this awesome personal treasure in store for us. Thank you Skip
This causes one to think about faith without it no one will see God could it also include would not see the kingdom or his righteousness but faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of Things Not Seen. I know we can tear these versus apart and dive into deeper understanding of the words but the concept Yahweh has giving us things to reach for that that were Impossible in an Earthly Kingdom but the kingdom to come everything we hoped and longed for according to his word will be fulfilled No More Tears the streets of Jerusalem will be full of children singing and dancing no one will need to ask who God is because all will know him Etc. Just a thought or question to ponder what God has in store in the hearts of those who believe longing for prophecy to be fulfilled and he does fulfill them in his time.
A hearty amen, Brother Brett. Why is it tthat we think we can narrow salvation down to a particular frame of reference (ours) or a particular time event (cross) when it is clear that salvation has to encompass all of creation from the inception of it to all eternity? Everything is changed because we sinned, but also all has changed -from it’s retroactive beginning to infinity – because of our redemption, too. That salvation will stretch to all eternity. For all eternity, even if all streets were paved with gold, what is really going to matter is our Saviour, Who will forever bear those wounds. Forever will He continue to be our Salvation, and forever that will be all that truly matters, for then we will see all as it really is, and nothing else will truly matter in comparison to Him Who is altogether lovely and worthy. Salvation is a Person, and He is our all in all. Forever Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.
Couldn’t agree more. Our love for Him opens the door.
And to know that He first loved us opened the floodgates
in the first place.
Skip
I read this references a bit different… God has prepared something for those that seek His will in their lives. Yeshua or salvation or rather what Paul also declares… The living apostleship, the path that has been prepared and opened by Yeshua for the followers Paul was addressing.
Given we need to understand from these founding principles. When we do Torah, promote Torah, guide others through a life of love we find something more than those that were before. The change as depicted in Job’s etc. Life..
How I desire to experience such a life. But Egypt is still luring. Babylon has not yet fallen so we still do cognitive living not guided living…
Please forgive my late response even before Jeshua’s time on Earth the path was always open the way was known two people before the Incarnation wasn’t sure if you knew that or not?
Good day Brett
No answer is too late. Except if the undesired consequence was already manifested…
You are correct the path was always open, as then the struggle is still the same today, were the followers applying the path or was it only the 40 plus individuals you read of in the OT all the others were just attending to the rituals… A big difference of me adhering to the rules and applying the rules as I agree with them…
When we agree with the rules we adapt our lives as we benefit from the application. When we adhere to the rules we fear the result of the non-adherence. For me the attitude is Christ the will of God not the laws of Moses. The laws of Moses chastise us into Christ. A big difference the one guides towards, while the other is the result of.
I am still struggling to follow the path as I do not agree with 60% of the laws as I cannot find their application in our modern society including the sacrifices. Those I appreciate the application of I easily adapt as they benefit the relationship and society as a whole. the Hebrew time line of life evolving into that what God desires from us.
The anointed Paul (Apostle / sent / ambassador etc not rabbi) refers to this as showing us an even better way…
Thank you Seeker you clarified my question. Yahweh the same yesterday today and forever. Amen
Maybe our rabbi Paul was using Isaiah to have our imaginations explore all the possibilities that our LORD has for us starting with His Salvation through Yeshua. I will take whatever He has for me knowing it will be very good.