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A reasonable person could look at this situation and say God has declared that all will
be safe, everyone survives, and God’s will cannot be overthrown. So does it matter if
they abide in the ship or not? We might need some understanding on God’s decreed

will and God’s permissive will. God’s statement doesn’t always point us to the final
result. Here’s an example worthy of more study:

David Seeks Answers from the Lord

1Sa 23:9 And David knew that Saul secretly practised

mischief against him; and he said to Abiathar the priest,
Bring hither the ephod.

1Sa 23:10 Then said David, O LORD God of Israel, thy

servant hath certainly heard that Saul seeketh to come to
Keilah, to destroy the city for my sake.

1Sa 23:11 Will the men of Keilah deliver me up into his

hand? will Saul come down, as thy servant hath heard? O
LORD God of Israel, I beseech thee, tell thy servant. And
the LORD said, He will come down.

1Sa 23:12 Then said David, Will the men of Keilah deliver me and my men into the
hand of Saul? And the LORD said, They will deliver thee up.

David asks two specific questions and the Lord answers them both honestly. Will
Saul come down and get me – Yes. Will the people of the city deliver me into the
hand of Saul for my certain death? Yes.

Private Interpretation Leads to Bad Doctrine

We have an enemy in our ranks that takes license with our liberty in Christ. They
have taken a doctrine that we love and cherish and have added their own interpreta-
tion to it.

“Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpreta-
tion.” 2Pe 1:20