I’m going to do something that is rare and some of you might want to save this url on your favorites because of it.I’m going to defend President Barack Obama’s botching of Isaiah 40:31 at a recently held prayer breakfast.
As a seminarian a few credits away from a masters degree in Bible Exposition, I have some expertise in these matters.
First of all, misquoting a verse of Scripture is is no big deal provided that the essence of the intended message is delivered. I’ve done it myself plenty of times while preaching. I’ve seen seasoned pastors do it as well without the church going up in flames.
The important thing is the overall message of the Good News of Christ.
Now Fox Nation made a point of President Obama mangling Isaiah 40:31. According to Fox Obama said this:
"Those who wait on the Lord will soar on wings like eagles, and they will run and not be weary, and they will walk and not faint,"
But Fox Nation also points out that the verse actually reads:
"But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint."
Obama simply misquoted the verse but the essence of his misquote still gives the same message namely that those that believe in the Lord will reeive a spiritual strength that will never die and only grows within them.
Again, Obama should not be faulted for this because he delivered the proper message.
However, along comes Media Matters, that Far Left blog with its only mission in life being to pounce and misrepresent whatever Conservatives like Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hammity and others have to say.
The byline written by 20-something Ben Dimiero says
Attention Fox Nation: There Is More Than One Version Of The Bible
When I read this I immediately knew that this Liberal writer didn’t know anything of the Bible either. But that didn’t stop him from jumping to Obama’s defense with utter nonsense mixed with Bible illiteracy.
He goes on to say:
Somewhat ironically, while Fox Nation appears to be positioning themselves as the arbiters of authentic Christianity, they seem unfamiliar with the fact that there is more than one version of the Bible.
Obama was quoting from the New International Version, while Fox Nation was pointing to the King James Version to "debunk" him.
This would be funny if it weren't so pathetic.
What’s pathetic is Mr. Dimiero’s argument
Here are NIV and KJV of Isaiah 40:31
NIV
Isaiah 40:31 (New International Version, ©2010)
31 but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
KJV
Isaiah 40:31 (King James Version)
31But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
Now, I would guess that Obama was trying to quote the King James version because he used the words “wait on the Lord” as opposed to “hope in the Lord” which is how the NIV version starts.
Either way he just mucked up the quote a bit but its nothing to make a big deal over in his defense.
But, to say he was quoting from the NIV is absolutely incorrect and shows how inept the writers at Media Matters truly are.
So, there! No once can say I never defended Obama.
Memeorandum
