January 26: God Is Speaking! Are We Listening?

God Is Speaking! Are We Listening? - The Interpretation of the Bible: Read, Study and Live in Order to Understand God's Revelation, II Peter 1:12-2:2

Revelation is the content of God's disclosure of Himself in the Bible.

 

Inspiration is the method that God used to provide His revelation.

 

Interpretation is the work done by believers to rightly understand and apply God's revelation.

1. Right interpretation comes from diligently reading and studying the Bible, II Peter 1:12-15 (See also I Timothy 4:13-14, II Timothy 2:15)

II.      Right interpretation comes out of an understanding that the Bible was written by real people, in real time and space, as eyewitnesses to the things they are writing, II Peter 1:16-19

1. Right interpretation begins with an acknowledgement that there is only one right interpretation. II Peter 1:20-21
2. Right interpretation will protect us against false teachers. II Peter 2:1
3. Right interpretation is hindered by bad motives. II Peter 2:2-3

Suggestions for good interpretation:

1. Read the Bible with the intent to understand what the text actually says.
2. Read the Bible systematically with the intent to understand the big picture.
3. Read the Bible with consideration of the different genres that are represented in the Bible.

4.       Read the Bible with an understanding of the cultures, languages, histories, and struggles of the authors of the Bible.

5. Read the Bible with a humble, contrite heart in order to hear from God from His Word.

--

Psalm 119:33-48

³³ Teach me, O Lord, the way of Your statutes, and I shall observe it to the end.

³⁴ Give me understanding, that I may observe Your law and keep it with all my heart.

--
³⁵ Make me walk in the path of Your commandments, for I delight in it.
³⁶ Incline my heart to Your testimonies and not to dishonest gain.

--
³⁷ Turn away my eyes from looking at vanity, and revive me in Your ways.
³⁸ Establish Your word to Your servant, as that which produces reverence for You.

--
³⁹ Turn away my reproach which I dread, for Your ordinances are good.
⁴⁰ Behold, I long for Your precepts; Revive me through Your righteousness.

--

⁴¹ May Your lovingkindnesses also come to me, O Lord, Your salvation according to Your word;
⁴² So I will have an answer for him who reproaches me, for I trust in Your word.

--
⁴³ And do not take the word of truth utterly out of my mouth, for I wait for Your ordinances.
⁴⁴ So I will keep Your law continually, forever and ever.

--
⁴⁵ And I will walk at liberty, for I seek Your precepts.
⁴⁶ I will also speak of Your testimonies before kings and shall not be ashamed.

--
⁴⁷ I shall delight in Your commandments, which I love.
⁴⁸ And I shall lift up my hands to Your commandments, which I love;
And I will meditate on Your statutes.

--

 

--

God Is Speaking! Are We Listening? - The Interpretation of the Bible: Read, Study and Live in Order to Understand God's Revelation, II Peter 1:12-2:2

--

Revelation is the content of God's disclosure of Himself in the Bible.

 

Inspiration is the method that God used to provide His revelation.

--

Interpretation is the work done by believers to rightly understand and apply God's revelation.

--

II Peter 1:20-21 But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.

--

1. Right interpretation comes from diligently reading and studying the Bible, II Peter 1:12-15 (See also I Timothy 4:13-14, II Timothy 2:15)

--

II Peter 1:12-13 Therefore, I will always be ready to remind you of these things, even though you already know them, and have been established in the truth which is present with you. I consider it right, as long as I am in this earthly dwelling, to stir you up by way of reminder,

--

II Peter 1:14-15 knowing that the laying aside of my earthly dwelling is imminent, as also our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me. And I will also be diligent that at any time after my departure you will be able to call these things to mind.

--

I Timothy 4:13-14 Until I come, give attention to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation and teaching. Do not neglect the spiritual gift within you, which was bestowed on you through prophetic utterance with the laying on of hands by the presbytery.

--

I Timothy 4:15 Take pains with these things; be absorbed in them, so that your progress will be evident to all. Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in these things, for as you do this you will ensure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you.

--

II Timothy 2:15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.

--

II.      Right interpretation comes out of an understanding that the Bible was written by real people, in real time and space, as eyewitnesses to the things they are writing, II Peter 1:16-19

--

II Peter 1:16 For we did not follow cleverly devised tales when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty.

--

II Peter 1:17-18 For when He received honor and glory from God the Father, such an utterance as this was made to Him by the Majestic Glory, “This is My beloved Son with whom I am well-pleased” and we ourselves heard this utterance made from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain.

--

II Peter 1:19 So we have the prophetic word made more sure, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts.

--

1. Right interpretation begins with an acknowledgement that there is only one right interpretation. II Peter 1:20-21

--

II Peter 1:20-21 But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, ²¹ for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.

--

1. Right interpretation will protect us against false teachers. II Peter 2:1

--

II Peter 2:1 But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves.

--

1. Right interpretation is hindered by bad motives. II Peter 2:2-3

--

II Peter 2:2-3 Many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of the truth will be maligned; and in their greed they will exploit you with false words; their judgment from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.

--

Suggestions for good interpretation:

1. Read the Bible with the intent to understand what the text actually says.

--

2. Read the Bible systematically with the intent to understand the big picture.

--

3. Read the Bible with consideration of the different genres that are represented in the Bible.

--

4.      Read the Bible with an understanding of the cultures, languages, histories, and struggles of the authors of the Bible.

--

5. Read the Bible with a humble, contrite heart in order to hear from God from His Word.