Understanding the Bible

 

1 Chronicles 11–12; Amos 7; Luke; Hebrews 13

Today’s readings point to three reactions to the Word of God. The first one is Rejection. Amos warned Jeroboam king of Israel, saying he would die by the sword and Israel would be exiled. Amaziah the priest of Bethel didn’t listen and instead told the prophet: “O seer, go, flee away to the land of Judah, and eat bread there, and prophesy there, but never again prophesy at Bethel, for it is the king’s sanctuary, and it is a temple of the kingdom.”

Amos answered that he was a mere “herdsman and a dresser of sycamore figs” when the Lord told him to prophesy. His reply to Amaziah was strong: “You say, ‘Do not prophesy against Israel, and do not preach against the house of Isaac.’ Therefore thus says the Lord: “ ‘Your wife shall be a prostitute in the city, and your sons and your daughters shall fall by the sword, and your land shall be divided up with a measuring line; you yourself shall die in an unclean land, and Israel shall surely go into exile away from its land.’ ” (Amos 7:10–17) Rejecting what God said brought judgment against the people who would not listen.

Another reaction is Listening and checking it out. This happened at the birth of Christ:

When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. (Luke 2:15–19)

I added italics to highlight a particular Greek word: “rhema” which means ‘a word spoken that fits the occasion and is a matter that is thought about’ — The people hearing it somehow understand that God is speaking and they pay attention!

A third response is Hearing but not understanding. This happened when Jesus stayed in the temple as a youth and his parents could not find Him. He said, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” And they did not understand the saying that he spoke to them. (Luke 2:49–50)

I relate to this. Before Jesus came into my life, I read the Bible for about seventeen years and didn’t understand any of it. For me, it was just words. It was not until the Holy Spirit granted faith and began using those words in His special way (rhema) that they began to make sense.

The wonder of God speaking to the human heart through His book never fails to amaze me. Not only that, this makes me cautious about how I respond to other words. Rhema is an act of grace on His part. Grace can be defined as a revelation from God that changes lives — certainly rhema is part of that. It is also the reason for warnings like this:

Do not be led away by diverse and strange teachings, for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods, which have not benefited those devoted to them. (Hebrews 13:9)

Diverse and strange teachings can be understood but if they are not from God and not of grace, then they have no benefit. It is the power of the Holy Spirit that makes truth (not lies) understandable. He transforms His people by grace, the grace of revealing Himself (truth) to us and speaking to our hearts — graciously at our times of need.

Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. (Hebrews 13:20–21)

APPLY: I was saved reading the old KJV. Now I often wonder about the value of making ‘easy to read or understand’ translations. Without the power of the Holy Spirit, how can God be heard and understood? Relying on human understanding can lead to misinterpretation. When God speaks “rhema” and I know He is speaking directly to me, I must accept it is from God (even if I don’t like it). Giving thought to the matters He speaks about is vital to my spiritual growth. He also tells me not to worry about matters that are unclear. The Holy Spirit will make them plain when I need to know them!