Where do you start when you begin the process of teaching someone the truth?
We have to understand certain things before we can begin to find the truth within scripture. The Bible is a very large book. It is not read quickly . . . or easily. There is an abundance of figurative language within its pages. These facts would almost make it appear that God wanted to make it difficult to come to a proper understanding of what he requires of us & what he offers us. Let’s explain it this way . . . Jesus always spoke in parables: All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables; and without a parable spake he not unto them (Matt. 13:34). Jesus explained these parables to his disciples only. They con-randy had to ask him for the meaning If the parables he told. They finally asked him why he spoke in parables. That’s certainly a fair question. Why couldn’t he speak more plainly . . . & why isn’t the Bible smaller & easier to read? Jesus told them: Therefore I speak to them in parables: because they seeing see not; & hearing they hear lot, neither do they understand. In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah . . . by hearing ye shall hear & shall not understand, & seeing ye shall see & not perceive: for this people’s heart is waxed gross, & their ears are dull of hearing & their eyes they have closed best at any time they should see with heir eyes„ & hear with their ears, & should understand with their heart, & should be converted, & I should heal them (Matt. 13:13-15).
The parables of Jesus were to separate those who really wanted to believe from those who were looking for some excuse not to believe. God coated scripture with a mirror-like surface . . . if we want to be satisfied with looking on the surface of scripture, we’ll only see what we want to see. If we dive below the surface of scripture we can find the mind of God & become a reflection of him rather than trying to make him a reflection of us. Since this is the case . . . that the Bible is purposely written so that it is more difficult to read & understand, then we have to try harder. We have to ‘listen’ intently. We have to strain our eyes to see beyond the surface. This was part of the important lesson that Elijah learned at Sinai. He saw that God was not in the strong wind hurling rocks through the air; God was not in the earthquake rending the mountain; God was not in the raging fire; God was in the small voice. The Hebrew presents a picture of a thin, crushed whisper. That’s where God was. If we expect to ‘hear’ the voice of God . . . if we expect to understand the Bible . . . it cannot be a casual effort, something only attempted when convenient. We will never find God if this is our attitude. Solomon says: Incline thine ear unto wisdom, & apply thine heart to understanding . . . after knowledge, lift up your voice for understanding . . . seek her as silver, search for her as for hid treasurer. (Prov. 2:2-4).
If we wish to find the truth within scripture, it cannot be a casual effort. We will have to dive below the surface of scripture . . . examining & cross-examining . . referencing & cross-referencing & using every tool at our disposal.
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One