As we come to a close for YHWH’s Feast Days 2024, what would you say has been the most valuable blessing for you? For many, it’s the opportunity to be in The Word. But what does this look like? What does it truly mean to be “In” the “Word.”
During the Sukkot season, groups gather to read, listen, and dialogue about Scripture with other believers. At times, strong opinions are voiced over certain Biblical topics. How words are heard or how certain texts align with personal belief can throw a wrench into the discussions, causing the “in” to become an “out.” Will this ever change? I surely hope so, in that our words can affect those who are “babes in the Word.” As the Apostle Paul states:
“All things are permitted, but not all things are of benefit. All things are permitted, but not all things build people up.” I Corinthians 10:23
When I was taking my graduate work in Biblical Research, I viewed the Scriptures as something I could use when I needed to support a particular topic. It was kind of a cut-and-paste approach. Looking back, I don’t think I was “in The Word”, but was instead, trying to prove “The Word.” In doing so, I missed out on some valuable and wonderful insights.
Later in life, I met someone who encouraged me to just sit down and read the Bible with no agenda. This meant, not stopping to consider what I was reading, but just letting the words of Scripture run through and over me. As you might imagine, this method inevitably put me to sleep. Was this a bad thing? For me, not really. Falling asleep in the arms of The Word helped me to wake up with a much better attitude.
Reading The Word can also take on a more educational approach to find full context. Some use the SQ3R approach: Survey, Question, Read, Recite, Review. What does this look like?
Most Bibles, include titles at the top of the page, like, “dwelling place of the Levites” or “David mourns.” By taking a survey of these topic headers within a book, you can begin to prepare yourself for what might be in store. Moving forward, you would then ask questions. This can be done by asking: “What will David be mourning about, or why are the Levites dwelling somewhere?” From here, you can even ask more in-depth questions; “When was this particular book written, why was it written, or was there a preferred audience?”
The last part of this method involves reading closely to find your answers to the questions. Some of the answers may surprise you. If it does, prepare yourself to recite your most favorite part or make a note of what was unique. Finally, review or repeat what you found to others so you can remember what you found. However, if you find words that don’t make sense to you, look them up in Hebrew, by using the Interlinear Bible, where each word is given a number that aligns itself to Strongs Concordance. From here you can sort out the contextual meaning of a word.
My favorite method for being in the word centers around the Ruach HaKodesh, the Holy Spirit. From my point of view, The Word offers us life and is indeed living. So, before I begin reading, I pray; asking to be led by the Spirit in the areas of understanding and wisdom to grow my faith towards Kingdom action. Sometimes the information gathered is for my personal use and sometimes I am encouraged to share. But, if a “new light” is shown to me, I seek counsel based on two to three witnesses. This would include elders or people who are “In Messiah.” The Apostle John reminds us to “test the Spirit” in I John 4:1-3.
“Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God.”
Finally, when all is said and done, ask yourself one more important question, “How will my study help improve my life and the lives of others? Am I reading to prove my theological brilliance, or am I reading to encourage, uplift, and edify?” Your choice!
Be blessed,
Rollyn