I cannot say for sure, in the sense that we ourselves can bring forth thorns (not being fruitful) in that sense, then we have the picture of people (likewise) being the same ( even as you show it) . Then what we see as given to Paul (a thorn in) the flesh (as if unrelated to either or) but is still referred to as a messenger of Satan right? So even if we might say, wait a second Paul also spake of an inifimity (in his flesh) of some kind (but is somewhat unclear) we have that also which was by Satan in the woman who had a spirit of inifirmity (in her flesh) which could also be understood to be a messenger of Satan in that regard as something sent and by Him (but which is also inclusive of an infirmity of the flesh) of some kind. In her case Jesus says its a spirit of inifirmity (although she is still a daughter of Abraham) before Jesus looses her from this thing (which thing was not removed from Paul) These seem to keep them unable to "lift themselves up" in either case (phyisically or spiritually so)
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That's why I originally mentioned 2 Corinthians ch. 11, (the chapter before Paul spoke of the "thorn in the flesh.") Because who speaks of many circumstances where he suffered.
2 Corinthians 11:22 Are they Hebrews? so am I. Are they Israelites? so am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? so am I.
2 Corinthians 11:23 Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft.
2 Corinthians 11:24 Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one.
2 Corinthians 11:25 Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep;
2 Corinthians 11:26 In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;
2 Corinthians 11:27 In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.
2 Corinthians 11:28 Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.
2 Corinthians 11:29 Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is offended, and I burn not?
2 Corinthians 11:30
If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities.
2 Corinthians 11:31 The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which is blessed for evermore, knoweth that I lie not.
2 Corinthians 11:32 In Damascus the governor under Aretas the king kept the city of the Damascenes with a garrison, desirous to apprehend me:
2 Corinthians 11:33 And through a window in a basket was I let down by the wall, and escaped his hands.
DesiredHaven,
But then we have what Paul calls the "temptation in his flesh" see how that is worded? But things of all three it seems as if they can be of one thing looking at all the examples given us. First called , a messenger of Satan (so it is sent) of Satan (so permitted, as it was in Jobs case). Second, we have an infirmity (which Paul says he had) then look at the spirit of inifirmity and that brings in the messenger of this thing (something sent, into the flesh) by another. Just as Satan was allowed to touch Jobs flesh (with his expressed intention to tempt Job) thus a temptation in Jobs flesh (in that way, as I am seeing it). Whether he touches flesh and bone or flesh or bone. Like the woman bent over, with a bad back, being unable to lift herself up (for 18 years). Her bone would seem more like that which was touched (and herself bound by Satan there) by a spirit of infirmity (in just that thing).
But back to Job the temptation (as sent into Jobs flesh) comes by the mouth of Satan (towards you) God-ward that if Job's flesh (and/or bone) were touched that he would what by it? Curse God to his face (the temptation in his flesh then). The more I look at it the more I received and it seems to be speaking of these in combination. See how all three pictures combine together to show a bigger thing (together)?
This also reminds me of the wilderness tempation of Jesus. (Luke 4: 4) This didn't involve any natural person: Luke 4:2 Being forty days tempted of the devil. And in those days he did eat nothing: and when they were ended, he afterward hungered.
Of course we know that even after that, Jesus still faced persecution, even to the cross.
Luke 6:44
For every tree is known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes.
Matthew 7:16
Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
I just caught the fact the his wife (who is Jobs flesh and bone also) was whispering the same thing in his ear Satan desired of Him when she said, hold fast to thine integrity? Curse God and die! And so I have been puring through various verses where you can somewhat see how his own wife was taken captive at his will (in this situation) which is the snare of the devil in this. He seems to go after the wives in these things to snag the men huh?
Very good points with the example of Job. His friends also stood in that place and were corrected at the end of the chapter.
I've always found that amazing..for several reasons...but I'll leave that for another discussion.
Job 42:7 And it was so, that after the LORD had spoken these words unto Job,
the LORD said to Eliphaz the Temanite, My wrath is kindled against thee, and against thy two friends: for ye have not spoken of me the thing that is right, as my servant Job hath.
Job 42:8
Therefore take unto you now seven bullocks and seven rams, and go to my servant Job, and offer up for yourselves a burnt offering; and my servant Job shall pray for you: for him will I accept: lest I deal with you after your folly, in that ye have not spoken of me the thing which is right, like my servant Job.
At the end Job prays for his friends, and there's the mercy and forgiveness. Jesus showed that great mercy even to the cross, "Father forgive them for they know not what they do."
Anyway, I had thought of those verse on one level many years ago, but I wasnt getting it to mesh together and the other places where really unifying for me and now I sort of see these coming together much differently, and you always know your on the right path as everything begins to interlock and fold in together and contradictions fade and bigger pictures emmerge (and all of that). Now I am really bad at articuling things into my own words (and sort of hate to do that) I feel the scriptures are more precise, and I have these in just scripts alone, but they are a tad hard to follow if you dont see them as putting them together as one thing.
Agreed, I love when that happens! Part of continuing, seeking, knocking and asking. Waiting on the Lord to bring it together in His timing. That always reminds me of when Jesus said:
John 16:12
I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.
I believe that is precisely the reason Jesus said that "if we continue in His word we are His disciples indeed, and we shall know the truth, and the truth shall make us free."
Still prayerfully examining these different passages as well.
Thanks for sharing your insights. It's so nice to discuss the scriptures as they are without debate and strife. So much more ground is gained that way.
God bless