Principle 3...Bible reading week 31, day 1

Our devotional today is another in the series on how to find meaning in the Bible.  We will be back to Zechariah 4 on Wednesday.

We have been raising some questions like, “What is the meaning of the text?” or “What do we mean by the word “meaning?”  We also have been working with this definition.

The meaning of a text is what the author intended to communicate by his words.

We have two principles so far and we will add a third today.  The first priniciple is:

The Bible assumes it.  The Bible corrects when error occurs because the readers are interpreting the text not as it was intended by the author.  The Bible sets things right and this is its practice to keep with the author’s intent communicated by the author’s words.

The second principle is:

The Golden Rule.  As a reader, do unto authors as you would have readers do unto you as an author.  Flip the roles and you become the author and you don’t want readers of your words twisting them.  You want them to know what you mean.

Let’s go onto the third principle, which is:

Reading a text in order to discover the author’s intention is the humble path to greater knowledge and true wisdom.  Flip this principle over and it would imply that is it arrogant to ignore or discount the author’s intention, assuming you have nothing to learn from others.

Again we go to Scripture to see this principle played out.  Let’s look at Psalm 25:9 which reads,

He leads the humble in what is right and teaches them his way.

The humble are the ones who are getting what is right and God’s way.  The humble are the ones being led and taught by God.  The humble say, “I need to be taught and led.”  The prideful say, “I do not need to be taught and led.”

Proverbs 11:2 says,

When arrogance comes, disgrace follows, but with humility comes wisdom.

Pride or arrogance brings disgrace.  Humility brings wisdom.  Which do you want, disgrace or wisdom?  This is a pretty straight forward verse.

Proverbs 1:5 says,

...let a wise person listen and increase learning, and let a discerning person obtain guidance--

The wise hear and increase in learning.  The discerning or wise obtain guidance.  The author has something to teach us readers and those who are humble hear while the prideful rebuff it or redefine it.  I need to be humble to listen and I need to be humble to accept direction.  Both of these activities are something that is coming from outside of myself and to my self.  It is not coming from me.

Proverbs 9:9 says,

Instruct the wise, and he will be wiser still; teach the righteous, and he will learn more.  

The wise receive instruction and they become even wiser.  The righteous receive teaching and they become even more knowledgeable.  Do you want to be wiser and have more knowledge?  You need to be humble to be instructed and taught.

Proverbs 2:3-5 says,

...furthermore, if you call out to insight and lift your voice to understanding, if you seek it like silver and search for it like hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the LORD and discover the knowledge of God.

How do I understand God and how do I discover His will?  I need to be humble and be on the humble path.  I am calling out, lifting my voice, seeking it, and searching for it.  This is also an “if, then” statement.  If I want the “then” then I need to do the “if.”  To call out, lift your voice, seek it, and search for it are all actions that show that you are in need of something that you don’t have.  The quality of what you are seeking is the greatest because you are wanting to understand God and have more knowledge of Him.

To summarize, the humble says, “I need” while the prideful says, “I already know.”  So Peter finishes out his book and says to this principle in 2 Peter 3:18,

But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  To Him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity.

The Apostle Peter is telling us to continue to grow in grace and knowledge of Jesus.  This does not happen with a prideful heart but only a humble one.  Are you growing in Christ?  If so, it is coming by a humble action of allowing the author’s intention of the text be your guide rather than a prideful action of coming up with your own meaning.  

The Bible assumes it; the Golden Rule; and now the humble path of seeking out what the author intents helps us to understanding the meaning of a text.  Let us pray.

“Lord, we seek to know the answers but may we never be the one who has all the answers because that would put us above You and not in need of You.  May we be humble as we approach Your word and receive what the humble are promised.  May our desire be for something beyond ourselves, namely to know more of Your grace and more of who You are.  Amen.”

Pastor Adam