Yes, it is essential to understand the audience to correctly interpret Scripture and avoid misapplying Israel-specific instructions to believers today.
Les Feldick emphasizes that the whole secret to understanding the Bible is to always remember to whom a particular portion is written. God spoke to Israel in the Old Testament and the Gospels under the Law, while Paul's letters are addressed to the Church, the Body of Christ. Failing to distinguish these audiences leads to confusion and misapplication.
Romans 1:7 — Paul addresses his letter to 'all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints,' showing the specific audience of his epistles.
The Bible itself reveals different audiences. In the Old Testament, prophets like Isaiah wrote to the nation of Israel. In the Gospels, Jesus ministered to Israel under the Law. In the Epistles, Paul explicitly addresses believers in various churches, such as 'to all that be in Rome' (Romans 1:7). This shows that God's messages were given to specific people at specific times.
Les Feldick teaches that the 'whole secret' to understanding the Bible is to always remember to whom a particular portion is writing or speaking. He stresses that we cannot bring what God said to Israel and automatically apply it to today. However, God's character is unchanging—what He hated then, He hates now. The key is to separate Israel from the Church, the Body of Christ, in our study. When reading Romans through Hebrews, we should read as if God wrote it to us personally, but the Old Testament was given to Israel. This separation makes the Bible sensible and resolves contradictions.
Les Feldick uses the example of Peter's words in Acts 3, where Peter addresses 'ye men of Israel' and says 'ye denied the Holy One.' He points out that a pastor would not say this to a modern congregation because it was spoken to Israel, not to the Church. This shows that ignoring the audience leads to inappropriate application.
Les clarifies that while the audience changes, God's nature does not. He emphasizes that the God of the Old Testament is the same God we deal with today. What He hated in Genesis—sin—He still hates. The difference is not in God's character but in the circumstances of His dealings.
Les explains that Paul's letters are written to 'you and I' today, so we should read them as if addressed to us personally. In contrast, the Old Testament was written to the nation of Israel, so we should not try to put it directly into our lives today. This distinction is crucial for proper understanding.
The Secret to Understanding
Les states that the 'whole secret' is to always remember to whom a portion is written, and warns against applying Israel-specific teachings to today, while affirming God's unchanging character.
Paul vs. Old Testament Audience
Les contrasts Paul's letters addressed to us today with the Old Testament addressed to Israel, urging readers to read Romans through Hebrews personally.
Separating Israel and the Church
Les teaches that separating Israel from the Church in Bible study makes all contradictions and major questions disappear.
God's Unchanging Nature
Les reiterates that God has not changed, and what He hated in the Old Testament He still hates today, even though we are under grace.
Applying Audience to Acts
Les uses Peter's address to 'ye men of Israel' to illustrate that some passages are not spoken to us, and a pastor would not apply them directly to a modern congregation.
Gospels as Israel's Context
Les notes that in the Gospels, Christ deals with Israel under the Law, and while moral lessons can apply, the flow of Scripture is about Israel's covenants.
Prophets Wrote to Israel
Les reminds that Isaiah wrote to Israel, not to Romans or Greeks, reinforcing that Old Testament writings were exclusively for Israel.
Consistency of God's Hatred for Sin
Les reiterates that God's hatred of sin hasn't changed, and even under grace, the same moral standards apply.
Romans 1:7: To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Shows Paul's specific audience, the believers in Rome, indicating his letters are addressed to the Church.
No. Les teaches that God has not changed. What He hated in the Old Testament, He still hates today. The difference is in the circumstances of His dealings, not in His character.
Les advises reading the Old Testament as written to the nation of Israel, not directly to you today. However, you can still learn moral lessons from it, understanding the historical context.
Les teaches that when reading Romans through Hebrews, you should read as if God has written it to you with your name and address on it, since Paul is addressing the Church today.
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