Biblical Hermeneutics

PRINCIPLES OF BIBLICAL HERMENETICS ; M. M. NINAN
Examples of the Breach Principle
1. Breaches of Promise
It must be kept in mind that God keeps His promises. These are two immutable things
concerning God; that He is His own person and His own word. It is impossible for God to lie
(Heb.6:13-20). However, there are apparent ‘breaches of promises’ which are caused by
unbelief and disobedience on the part of recipients. What is important to remember is that
promises are based on conditions not unconditional because the purpose of the promise is not
to pamper the receipients but was for a wider long term purposes of God's plan. The Plan will
go on inspite of the break of time and space. Here are a few examples:
(a) Breach of Promise Concerning Entering Canaan
God had promised the land of Canaan to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and their seed (Gen.15:
13-21; 22:16-18; 28:13-15; Ps.105: 8-12; Ex.3:15-17). However, the first generation
refused to enter the canaan being unwilling to face the mighty men of the land. As a result
Israel experienced God’s breach of promise for forty years in the wilderness. This unbelief in
the power of Yhvh led to a gap of 40 years for its fulfilment.
The Lord said to Moses, "[Tell them], 'In this desert your bodies will fall - every one of you
twenty years old or more … who has grumbled against me. Not one of you will enter the land
… except Caleb … and Joshua (Gen 14:29-30). Your children will be shepherds here for forty
years, suffering for your unfaithfulness, until the last of your bodies lies in the desert" (Gen
14:33).
(b) Breach of Promise Concerning Dominion in Canaan
God promised Abraham, Isaac and Jacob that their seed would also have dominion in the land
over the Canaanites (Gen.15: 18-21; 22:16-18; 24:60). They were to possess the gate of
their enemies. This promise was confirmed to the nation through Moses (Deut.28:14; 30:1-
20), and Joshua (Josh.1:1-9; 21:43-45). All was dependent upon faith and obedience to the
law of the Lord.
Judges 2:18-19 ‘Whenever the LORD raised up a judge for them, he was with the judge and
saved them out of the hands of their enemies as long as the judge lived; for the LORD had
compassion on them as they groaned under those who oppressed and afflicted them. But
when the judge died, the people returned to ways even more corrupt than those of their
fathers, following other gods and serving and worshiping them. They refused to give up their
evil practices and stubborn ways.’
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