Reading the Bible Carefully

Reading the Bible Carefully
Over the last several weeks we have looked at different aspects and details to be attentive to when reading the Bible. Knowing the genre gives great clarity. Understanding different parts of speech helps us to know what is literal and what is not. So, in some ways, we read the Bible as we would any other book, while acknowledging that it is not like any other book. Therefore, while it is helpful to have certain things understood when studying the Bible, we do not approach it any way we would like. Rather, we approach it in a way we do not approach any other book.

When we seek to read the Bible carefully we ought to approach the Bible with prayer. Just as the writer of Psalm 119 prays that his eyes would be opened to behold wonderful things in God’s law, so we also pray. We ask the Lord to open our eyes to behold wonderful things when we read His word. Oh, that we would behold more of Christ, more of who He is and how we are to know Him. In knowing Him more, we  will strive to walk in obedience to all of His commands. 

In carefully reading the Bible we also come to the word with a sense of humility. We must recognise that I am not the standard or arbiter of truth. “Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgements and how inscrutable His ways'' (Rom. 11:33). God’s wisdom, knowledge, and judgements are far greater and higher than our own. Therefore, we must come to His word with humility. I must not come to the Bible and simply assume that I have it all figured out. Rather, I must come in humility seeking to learn from the Lord who gives knowledge and wisdom. 

So, in sum, we read the Bible carefully. We read it as it has been given to us by the Lord. We pay attention to details, grammar, genre, and more. At the same time, we come to the Bible, looking to our gracious God for help in understanding. For we indeed need the Holy Ghost to open our eyes to behold wonderful things in the word.