lobo-hotei Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> JimLewandowski Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
>
> > Example:
> >
> > And David put his hand in his bag, and took
> thence
> > a stone, and slang it, and smote the
> Philistine in
> > his forehead, that the stone sunk into his
> > forehead; and he fell upon his face to the
> earth.
> >
> > ***
> > IMO, there are 5-6 (depending on where you
> draw
> > the line) pieces of symbolism in the above
> verse.
> > Think about WHY the scribe has used certain
> > descriptive terms when others would suffice.
>
> Hmmmm a small guy reached into his ammo pouch and
> took out a bullet

***
Stone.


and loaded his weapon(sling). He
> shot the the big attacker in the head killing him
> instantly.

***
It says "the stone sunk in his forehead". Think about it. Two pieces of symbolism have been provided.


The big guy fall down and go BOOM!!!
> I don't see much symbolism

***
Precisely my point. What is the reason for this? Can you provide me an example of anything in the bible that you DO think is symbolic?


there just an accurate
> description of what happens when someone gets
> killed instantly and "falls upon his face on the
> ground" due to not being alive to break his fall
> with his hands/arms.

***
Why would he fall face first? Isn't it possible that he would crumple to the ground rather than "fall"? And, the word EARTH is used, not ground. Think about it.


>
>
> > For example, instead of "he fell upon his
> face to
> > the earth", he could have said "he died" or
> "he
> > fell down and died". But the scribe DIDN'T
> for
> > very, very obvious reasons. He has added 2
> pieces
> > of symbolism that speak to the consistent
> identity
> > of God (and Jesus).
>
> Then all the newspaper stories I read where
> someone gets knocked out in a fight, or gets shot
> dead, and "falls flat out" or "falls face first
> into the ground" are speaking of the identity of
> God/Jesus? Gotcha!

***
The bible isn't a newspaper (i.e. it's not journalism but BELIEFS). I thought that much would be obvious.


>
>
> > Why all this falling on one's face? It adds
> > NOTHING to the story if it's taken
> semi-literally
> > (historical, narrative). The scribe simply
> could
> > have said "kneeled" or "hid his face from
> God".
> > But no. The scribe is very, very precise in
> what
> > he's trying to get across to those that can
> > understand the symbolism. Think about it.
>
> It explains the dude, or dude-ette, is a penitent
> worshipper and wants to get down on the ground
> quick before they are "smitten" by their vengeful
> god!

***
They never kneel or lay down. It's always "fell on their face".


> Pretty much the same thing that happens when Dad
> says "Do what your mother told you to do!". You
> don't ask why, or continue to sit in the chair
> ignoring him. You move as fast as possible!
>
>
> > WHY would the scribe decide to add the
> elements of
> > Moses standing on a rock (verse 21)? It
> adds
> > NOTHING to the story UNLESS it means
> something
> > other than a literal attribute. The scribe
> could
> > have said "Moses stood near God" or "Moses
> stood
> > on the ground" or "Moses sat on the ground"
> or
> > "Moses waited". Instead he chose the element
> of
> > rock (consistently used).
>
> Again Hmmmmm. Maybe, just maybe, he was on a
> mountain which would have rocks all over it.

***
Why would it be important to FURTHER describe the mountain when EVERYONE knows what a mountain looks like (i.e. or the story wouldn't be able to relate to the intended audience/reader)? The bible is littered (pun intended) with references to rocks/stones/hail/hailstones normally in conjunction with God being nearby or present.


>
> I've seen better symbolism in Winnie-the-Pooh
> books!

***
Maybe you don't understand symbolism? Or, maybe you don't think it is valid (evidence) to show the consistency of the use of the terms rock/stone/hail/hailstone in the bible?

JL

>
> Regards,
> Lobo-hotei
> lobo
>
>
> Moderator
> The Hall of Ma'at
>
> Treat the earth well, It was not given to you by
> your parents, It was loaned to you by your
> children.
> Native American Proverb




Shephard of Hermas - 2[79]:2 Now this rock was ancient, and had a gate hewn out of it; but the gate seemed to me to have been hewed out quite recently. And the gate glistened beyond the brightness of the sun, so that I marvelled at the brightness of the gate.