Post by Josh on Jun 22, 2007 10:06:28 GMT -8
So, I'm not a natural Billy Joel fan. He's been an acquired taste for me, but, interestingly enough I feel that God has spoken to me several times through his lyrics.
I'm not saying that Joel intended these meanings, just that God superintends meanings everywhere... and we can't help tap into higher truths whether we intend to or not.
The parallels between romantic love and our relationship with God are endless (as Scripture points out). That's because romantic love is a copy or shadow of the ultimate intimacy that God offers us.
So, this week, God spoke to me powerfully (you know, one of those brought to tears moments) through Joel's song Innocent Man.
Here's a little exploration of the connections with Scripture I was making:
Innocent Man by Billy Joel
Some people stay far away from the door
If there's a chance of it opening up
They hear a voice in the hall outside
And hope that it just passes by
Revelation 3:20
Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.
Some people live with the fear of a touch
And the anger of having been a fool
They will not listen to anyone
So nobody tells them a lie
Matthew 24:11-13
...and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.
I know you're only protecting yourself
I know you're thinking of somebody else
Someone who hurt you
But I'm not above
Making up for the love
You've been denying you could ever feel
I'm not above doing anything
To restore your faith if I can
Some people see through the eyes of the old
Before they ever get look at the young
Matthew 18:3
And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
I'm only willing to hear you cry
Because I am an innocent man
Oh yes I am
Hebrews 4:15
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin.
Some people say they will never believe
Another promise they hear in the dark
Because they only remember too well
They heard somebody tell them before
John 3
Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish ruling council. He came to Jesus at night and said, "Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him."
In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again."
"How can a man be born when he is old?" Nicodemus asked. "Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb to be born!"
Some people sleep all alone every night
Instead of taking a lover to bed
Ephesians 5:31-32
"For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh." 32This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church.
Matthew 28:20b
"...And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
Some people find that's it's easier to hate
Than to wait anymore
I know you don't want to hear what I say
I know you're gonna keep turning away
John 6:66-67
66From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.
67"You do not want to leave too, do you?" Jesus asked the Twelve.
But I've been there and if I can survive
I can keep you alive
1 Corinthians 15:20-22
But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.
I'm not above going through it again
I'm not above being cool for a while
If you're cruel to me I'll understand
Matthew 12:32a
Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven...
Some people run from a possible fight
Some people figure they can never win
And although this is a fight I can lose
The accused is an innocent man
Oh yes I am
An innocent man
Matthew 27:12
When he was accused by the chief priests and the elders, he gave no answer.
You know you only hurt yourself out of spite
I guess you'd rather be a martyr tonight
There's a dramatic pause in the song at this point, which could be seen as highlighting the irony of Christ calling us 'martyrs'
That's your decision
But I'm not below
Anybody I know
If there's a chance of resurrecting a love
'Resurrecting a love'- nuff said
I'm not above going back to the start
To find out where the heartache began
Romans 5:18-19
Consequently, just as the result of one trespass was condemnation for all men, so also the result of one act of righteousness was justification that brings life for all men. For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.
Some people hope for a miracle cure
Some people just accept the world as it is
But I'm not willing to lay down and die
Isaiah 53:11
After the suffering of his soul, he will see the light of life and be satisfied ; by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities.
Because I am an innocent man
I am an innocent man
Oh yes I am
An innocent man
Thoughts? Any songs that God speaks to you through in some sort of inadvertent way?
I'm not saying that Joel intended these meanings, just that God superintends meanings everywhere... and we can't help tap into higher truths whether we intend to or not.
The parallels between romantic love and our relationship with God are endless (as Scripture points out). That's because romantic love is a copy or shadow of the ultimate intimacy that God offers us.
So, this week, God spoke to me powerfully (you know, one of those brought to tears moments) through Joel's song Innocent Man.
Here's a little exploration of the connections with Scripture I was making:
Innocent Man by Billy Joel
Some people stay far away from the door
If there's a chance of it opening up
They hear a voice in the hall outside
And hope that it just passes by
Revelation 3:20
Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.
Some people live with the fear of a touch
And the anger of having been a fool
They will not listen to anyone
So nobody tells them a lie
Matthew 24:11-13
...and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.
I know you're only protecting yourself
I know you're thinking of somebody else
Someone who hurt you
But I'm not above
Making up for the love
You've been denying you could ever feel
I'm not above doing anything
To restore your faith if I can
Some people see through the eyes of the old
Before they ever get look at the young
Matthew 18:3
And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
I'm only willing to hear you cry
Because I am an innocent man
Oh yes I am
Hebrews 4:15
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin.
Some people say they will never believe
Another promise they hear in the dark
Because they only remember too well
They heard somebody tell them before
John 3
Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish ruling council. He came to Jesus at night and said, "Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him."
In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again."
"How can a man be born when he is old?" Nicodemus asked. "Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb to be born!"
Some people sleep all alone every night
Instead of taking a lover to bed
Ephesians 5:31-32
"For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh." 32This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church.
Matthew 28:20b
"...And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
Some people find that's it's easier to hate
Than to wait anymore
I know you don't want to hear what I say
I know you're gonna keep turning away
John 6:66-67
66From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.
67"You do not want to leave too, do you?" Jesus asked the Twelve.
But I've been there and if I can survive
I can keep you alive
1 Corinthians 15:20-22
But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.
I'm not above going through it again
I'm not above being cool for a while
If you're cruel to me I'll understand
Matthew 12:32a
Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven...
Some people run from a possible fight
Some people figure they can never win
And although this is a fight I can lose
The accused is an innocent man
Oh yes I am
An innocent man
Matthew 27:12
When he was accused by the chief priests and the elders, he gave no answer.
You know you only hurt yourself out of spite
I guess you'd rather be a martyr tonight
There's a dramatic pause in the song at this point, which could be seen as highlighting the irony of Christ calling us 'martyrs'
That's your decision
But I'm not below
Anybody I know
If there's a chance of resurrecting a love
'Resurrecting a love'- nuff said
I'm not above going back to the start
To find out where the heartache began
Romans 5:18-19
Consequently, just as the result of one trespass was condemnation for all men, so also the result of one act of righteousness was justification that brings life for all men. For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.
Some people hope for a miracle cure
Some people just accept the world as it is
But I'm not willing to lay down and die
Isaiah 53:11
After the suffering of his soul, he will see the light of life and be satisfied ; by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities.
Because I am an innocent man
I am an innocent man
Oh yes I am
An innocent man
Thoughts? Any songs that God speaks to you through in some sort of inadvertent way?
and I too feel like that a couple of his songs, albeit unintentionally, have spiritual truths. One of the great things about music is that there is often room for ambiguity and while the songwriter(s) may have had one meaning behind the lyrics, the lyrics can often deliver a unique message to each listener based on that listener's circumstances. 
