However, I also strongly agree with 1000 Silverlings that prophesy contains descriptions which are metaphorical as well as literal. For instance (emphasis mine)
O my God, I cry in the daytime, but thou hearest not; and in the night season, and am not silent. But thou [art] holy, [O thou] that inhabitest the praises of Israel.
Our fathers trusted in thee: they trusted, and thou didst deliver them. They cried unto thee, and were delivered: they trusted in thee, and were not confounded.
But I [am] a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people. All they that see me laugh me to scorn: they shoot out the lip, they shake the head, [saying], He trusted on the LORD [that] he would deliver him: let him deliver him, seeing he delighted in him.
But thou [art] he that took me out of the womb: thou didst make me hope [when I was] upon my mother's breasts. I was cast upon thee from the womb: thou [art] my God from my mother's belly. Be not far from me; for trouble [is] near; for [there is] none to help. Many bulls have compassed me: strong [bulls] of Bashan have beset me round. They gaped upon me [with] their mouths, [as] a ravening and a roaring lion.
I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint: my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels. My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; and thou hast brought me into the dust of death.
For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet.
I may tell all my bones: they look [and] stare upon me. They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture.
But be not thou far from me, O LORD: O my strength, haste thee to help me. Deliver my soul from the sword; my darling from the power of the dog. Save me from the lion's mouth: for thou hast heard me from the horns of the unicorns.
I will declare thy name unto my brethren: in the midst of the congregation will I praise thee.
Ye that fear the LORD, praise him; all ye the seed of Jacob, glorify him; and fear him, all ye the seed of Israel. For he hath not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; neither hath he hid his face from him; but when he cried unto him, he heard.
My praise [shall be] of thee in the great congregation: I will pay my vows before them that fear him.
The meek shall eat and be satisfied: they shall praise the LORD that seek him: your heart shall live for ever.
All the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the LORD: and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before thee. For the kingdom [is] the LORD'S: and he [is] the governor among the nations. All [they that be] fat upon earth shall eat and worship: all they that go down to the dust shall bow before him: and none can keep alive his own soul.
A seed shall serve him; it shall be accounted to the Lord for a generation. They shall come, and shall declare his righteousness unto a people that shall be born, that he hath done [this]. – Psalms 22
As to metaphor, on the Cross, Jesus was surrounded by literal beings who were metaphorically bulls and dogs. Other literal fulfillments are readily visible, e.g. piercing of hands and feet, casting lots.
Like so many other prophesies in Scripture, Psalms 22 glimpses into the future in more than one era.
It for instance speaks to the time when every knee bows and every tongue confesses that Jesus Christ is Lord. It speaks of us and our testimony. And it speaks to Christ’s reign on earth.
The Jews of course could not and do not see the whole prophesy because they are focused only on the earthy reign of the Messiah, one part of it.
Likewise, if we concentrate only on a certain era or element of prophesy – or insist that a prophesy is all metaphor or no metaphor – then the rest of the prophesy may be missed.
To God be the glory!
As to metaphor, on the Cross, Jesus was surrounded by literal beings who were metaphorically bulls and dogs. Other literal fulfillments are readily visible, e.g. piercing of hands and feet, casting lots.
Like so many other prophesies in Scripture, Psalms 22 glimpses into the future in more than one era.
It for instance speaks to the time when every knee bows and every tongue confesses that Jesus Christ is Lord. It speaks of us and our testimony. And it speaks to Christ’s reign on earth.
The Jews of course could not and do not see the whole prophesy because they are focused only on the earthy reign of the Messiah, one part of it.
Likewise, if we concentrate only on a certain era or element of prophesy – or insist that a prophesy is all metaphor or no metaphor – then the rest of the prophesy may be missed.
To God be the glory!
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VERY STRONGLY agree. Thanks much for your insights Dear Sister IN THE LORD.