For those who read the Bible....
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I strive to read as much of both. While reading a chapter or 2 of NT, i read alongside the OT, plus something from Psalms and Proverbs. The latter are my most-read books, aside from the NT which i rotate reading. But some time other books are finished, i like to return to Psalms and Proverbs. So i read Proverbs again a few times a year, taking notes again even if i have noted down some before=). I could take more effort to memorize/recite more, but am glad to have hidden Word in my heart, as when learning Scripture songs. W/ my old Bible, it is quite easy to locate certain passages for the many times i have read thru Proverbs w/ underlines and highlights
Sincerely hoping those who fear, worry, hurt, and doubt continue asking, seeking and knocking thru God's treasures to be found right in His Word.
Sincerely hoping those who fear, worry, hurt, and doubt continue asking, seeking and knocking thru God's treasures to be found right in His Word.
The bible was written by men who lived as much as 6,000 years ago. It tells of eternal truths, truths that never changes but by men who thought and acted in a different time. We need know what the words they used meant to them in order to learn the eternal truths the bible speak of.
Also, the one who actually gave the substance of the bible is a spiritual being, not a mortal man. This spiritual God used man to put down God's thoughts. Sometimes these thoughts are put down exactly and we are told "God said" but sometimes he is putting God's thoughts in language he understands. We need to note the difference.
Something else we need to be aware of is that most of those who put down the thoughts of God used the Hebrew language to put them down. If they didn't write them, originally, in Hebrew they were men who had studied God's word in Hebrew. So sometimes you need to understand some key words of Hebrew like Shalom or Torah. These words can't be accurately transcribed into another language. As an example the word Torah is usually transcribed as law and law is a very inadequate translations that lacks much in meaning.
The men who wrote down what God told them sometimes uses saying that were completely understood at the time but have been lost over the years. As example is "an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth". It is like our saying "don't burn you bridges" that has nothing to do with bridges. We need to spot these saying, so for example we know that scripture is talking about justice, not about taking out eyes or pulling teeth.
Also, it is a wonderful help to read with an explanation of scripture that consists of using history and all of scripture to explain, not his personal interpretation. Hard to find but possible. The OT is fulfilled in the NT. God did not divide his word, man did. So this commentary needs to include showing how the testaments work together.
We need to know all scripture works together, one verse never makes another verse not true any more. Many changes happen over the 6,000 years of scripture. For instance Christ's blood was only symbolically given for 4,000 years, but we need to keep our minds on what didn't change. The giving of blood is required for our salvation, that didn't change. A good commentary would point this out.
So with these truths in mind, you are off into learning the most important, fascinating, and wonderful things that any study can be.
Also, the one who actually gave the substance of the bible is a spiritual being, not a mortal man. This spiritual God used man to put down God's thoughts. Sometimes these thoughts are put down exactly and we are told "God said" but sometimes he is putting God's thoughts in language he understands. We need to note the difference.
Something else we need to be aware of is that most of those who put down the thoughts of God used the Hebrew language to put them down. If they didn't write them, originally, in Hebrew they were men who had studied God's word in Hebrew. So sometimes you need to understand some key words of Hebrew like Shalom or Torah. These words can't be accurately transcribed into another language. As an example the word Torah is usually transcribed as law and law is a very inadequate translations that lacks much in meaning.
The men who wrote down what God told them sometimes uses saying that were completely understood at the time but have been lost over the years. As example is "an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth". It is like our saying "don't burn you bridges" that has nothing to do with bridges. We need to spot these saying, so for example we know that scripture is talking about justice, not about taking out eyes or pulling teeth.
Also, it is a wonderful help to read with an explanation of scripture that consists of using history and all of scripture to explain, not his personal interpretation. Hard to find but possible. The OT is fulfilled in the NT. God did not divide his word, man did. So this commentary needs to include showing how the testaments work together.
We need to know all scripture works together, one verse never makes another verse not true any more. Many changes happen over the 6,000 years of scripture. For instance Christ's blood was only symbolically given for 4,000 years, but we need to keep our minds on what didn't change. The giving of blood is required for our salvation, that didn't change. A good commentary would point this out.
So with these truths in mind, you are off into learning the most important, fascinating, and wonderful things that any study can be.
I read the bible to understand my God. So I use a commentary by someone who relates the old and new testament to each other and has spent many years devoted to learning all about scripture. He shows how scripture verses relate to each other.
I have finished reading the Torah (1st 5 books of the bible) this way, it was so involved because it gave history of the times and how the NT fulfilled the scripture that it took several years and many hours to complete. Right now I am doing a study of Matthews. Matthews was a very learned Jew and his gospel is showing how Christ fulfilled the OT and the OT background of the work of Christ.
I have finished reading the Torah (1st 5 books of the bible) this way, it was so involved because it gave history of the times and how the NT fulfilled the scripture that it took several years and many hours to complete. Right now I am doing a study of Matthews. Matthews was a very learned Jew and his gospel is showing how Christ fulfilled the OT and the OT background of the work of Christ.
The new testament is the new covenant and the old testament is the old covenant. I read both the same although my reading is more based on old testament, which is strange because i used to think God was evil and caused suffering. I understand now that it is the devil who also exists through the bible himself. He isnt eternal but he is tireless in his approach in destroying mankind.
Put it this way: Salvation since Christ's resurrection can only be found in practical terms, in the New Covenant. Paul says that the New Covenant was hidden before Christ, and included salvation for the Gentiles. He goes on to say in Galatians 1: 11, 12. that the New Covenant included a vast store of information, including gifts and power for believers, that the Church, (Christ's body, and not any particular denomination) would experience. The old covenant contains "types and shadows of spiritual realities", but the new, the reality of those things in experiences. Spend one year, in the New Testament exclusively, and spiritual growth, including doctrinal clarity will blossom far beyond the time spent in the old. Too much preaching is expounded ABOUT THEM, and very little concerning US as found in the New Covenant, and is not being emphasized by most our preachers and teachers to make us ready to meet Christ.