Two situations lead me to this text today:
\nThe more important first, a talk with my young adults about the relevance of the Bible in today’s world and culture and secondly a rather simple article, nevertheless catching my attention with the title:\u00a0 “Seven mistakes I made in my twenties”.<\/p>\n
Here a few of the mistakes I’ve made reading the Bible.<\/p>\n
Good Monday Morning to this week 44 of 2019<\/p>\n
1. Looking for insight rather than a personal application.
\nFor where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them. – Matthew 18:20
\nA great verse for all small group leaders, pastors and gatherers of people!<\/p>\n
Although God is always with us when believers gather together, it doesn’t mean that He is not with us when we are alone because God is omnipresent meaning He is always with us no matter the circumstance.<\/p>\n
2. Failing to research the context.
\nAnd if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched.” (Mark 9:43)
\nThe Broadman Bible Commentary nicely writes: \u201c\u2026 if what you desire to do, or the places you long to frequent, or the things you are greedy to possess\u2026 would entice you into a path departing from the way of life, whatever sacrifice is necessary must be made to return to the path of life!<\/p>\n
3. Sticking to only one translation. (this now comes so much easier now with so many translations available on the internet) 4. Thinking the only way to read the Bible is by looking at the words on a page. 5. Not using the Bible to help interpret itself! 5. Not forming your own interpretation. Some questions to ask as you form your\u00a0 interpretation in prayer and in the company of the Holy Spirit:<\/p>\n What do I learn about God in this passage? How would I say this verse in my own words? Formed in my own words:\u00a0Be an honest person of integrity, this will keep you on track, all else will destroy you. <\/span>This is a verse where an infinite, all-powerful God meets very finite, not-so-powerful human beings. Sure, the possibilities are endless with God. The spiritual gifts, holy callings and life journeys available to the Jesus follower can be endless. The keyword is simply\u00a0can<\/em>. Do you see the words\u00a0should<\/em>\u00a0or\u00a0will?\u00a0<\/em>Isn’t the emphasis on the infinite God and not on us here?<\/p>\n I’ll conclude with Deuteronomy 31.6 (NIV the interpretation that I grew up with!)<\/p>\n Be strong and courageous.\u00a0Do not be afraid or terrified\u00a0because of them, for the\u00a0Lord<\/span>\u00a0your God goes with you;\u00a0he will never leave you\u00a0nor forsake\u00a0you.\u201d<\/p>\n Moses sharing this with Joshua at the age of 120, knowing he won’t continue to the promised land as a consequence of his own sin, yet knowing a God that has lead him faithfully in all his ways, he now lays this promise on Joshua. \u00a0Moses animates the people to the perseverance of hope when God declares that He will be their helper even to the end. Faith corresponds with God\u2019s promises, and is, in harmony with them, it, therefore, extends itself to our whole life, even beyond death itself; for God removes all doubt as to the future by these words, \u201cI will not leave thee nor forsake thee.\u201d<\/p>\n Wishing you a blessed week! Two situations lead me to this text today: The more important first, a talk with my young adults about the relevance of the Bible in today’s world and culture and secondly a rather simple article, nevertheless catching my attention with the title:\u00a0 “Seven mistakes I made in my twenties”. Here a few of the mistakes … <\/p>\n
\nWhen Saul realized that the LORD was with David and that\u00a0his daughter Michal<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0loved David. (NIV) 1 Sam. 18:28
\nBut when Saul saw and knew that the LORD was with David, and that\u00a0all Israel<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0loved him. (RSV)
\nQuite a difference here!<\/p>\n
\nAnd Moses said unto Aaron, and unto Eleazar and unto Ithamar, his sons, Uncover not your heads, neither rend your clothes; lest ye die … meaning: “Don’t tear your clothes”, if you only read the words on the page it leads to a strange interpretation.
\nIt’s good to be sensitive to distinctions between\u00a0Israel\u00a0and the Church and Old Covenant and New Covenant eras\/requirements.<\/p>\n
\nInterpretation, based on the author\u2019s intention of meaning and not the reader.
\nGet into the author\u2019s context, historically, grammatically, culturally and the literary forms and conventions the author was working in.\u00a0Interpretation in the context of the passage.\u00a0Interpreting of Bible not only literally, allowing for\u00a0normal use of\u00a0figurative language.<\/em>\u00a0 For example,\u00a0Isaiah 55:12<\/a>\u00a0states the trees of the field will clap their hands. Since trees do not have hands or clap this must be a figure of speech.
\nInterpretations come to life, once in the context of the passage, as with the trees of the fields clapping their hands!<\/p>\n
\nWhat do I learn about people?
\nWhat do I learn about relating to God?
\nWhat do I learn about relating to people?<\/p>\n
\nThe integrity of the upright guides them,\u00a0<\/span>but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity. Proverbs 11.3<\/p>\n
\n<\/span><\/span><\/span>
\n6. Sometimes I look for verses that “only” fit the topic or theme I have in mind:
\nI can do all things through him who strengthens me. <\/span>Philippians 4:13<\/p>\n
\nPhilemon\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/h2>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"