Crossing the Obstacles to Understanding – Part II

(Lesson Three)

Before beginning this lesson it is suggested that one should complete the previous lesson.  As well and from memory reproduce the following diagram which is how the last lesson was ended.

 If you cannot reproduce the diagram from memory, take a few minutes to study it and to get a feel for the layout of the various constituent parts of the Old and New Testaments.  Such will be important as we continue our travels through the Bible.  Also take a minute and look at the Table of Contents in the front of your Bible and see how the layout of the books compares to the diagram.

 Continuing the Look at Differences

In the previous post, consideration was given to the difficulties of crossing Language Obstacles, Cultural Obstacles, with the comment that further items would be considered in this lesson.

3.       TIME:  Time is also of concern when it comes to crossing from the times of the Bible to present day understandings.  Take for example the Gospel accounts of Jesus life.  We with our 21^st Century need for chronology see the chronological differences as inconsistencies. 

Said another way, writing in the manner of the West and of the Greek meant utilizing a linear format.  Such was not a high priority in that time and culture.  It is not so much that it did not matter but that arranging events in such a way to support the narrative was of higher priority.

4.       SETTINGS:  All of the writings of the Scriptures were within not just a cultural context but also were set in the real lives of people.  As well they were set within geographic settings.  Sometimes it was a combination of the two. 

An example is found in the City of Jerusalem.  It is the high point of Israel so it is that people went up to Jerusalem or when leaving went down to such and such a place.  Of course in our way of thinking up is not to a particular place but to the north.

You can see that crossing these challenges to understanding would be quite an undertaking.

Making the Scriptures Come Alive

Now to the Bible. In spite of these challenges, the Bible remains understandable to us today. Of course if one reads much of the background, it enlivens one's understanding but the basic and essential truths of the Scriptures may be grasped by any or all who care to read them. It is in every sense a breakdown of truth to suggest that one cannot understand the essential truths as set forth in the Scriptures.

Having said that then, it is equally true that there is a wealth of understanding available if one will take but a few minutes to seek understanding of the language, culture, times, etc. With the advent of the WWW, there is much available that will enhance one's understandings of the times, cultures, etc. in which the various books of the Bible were written.

God has a Dog in the Hunt

Maybe you’ve heard it said, “I don’t have a dog in the hunt.”  This in no way is meant to make trivial God’s interest in the Scriptures and in the individual but “God does have a dog in the hunt.”  He is invested in the project to make Scripture available to any and all who care to study.

Why is the Bible so available to us today? Another illustration will help with that question. Imagine that you write a love letter to someone dear to you. Would you not want them to be able to read and understand it? Well, suppose you couch your feelings in terms they cannot understand.

How preposterous a thought. Well then, consider that the Bible is the Word of God written to all mankind--those He loves--His love letter to each and every person on earth. Simply from the human view, were it beyond understanding would it not be like the just mentioned love letter?

From the child learning to read to the Godly scholar, the miracle of the Living Word being revealed in the Written Word is that it may be understood by all who will take time to read it!

 Looking Deeper

In terms of the diagram attention will now focus only upon the Old Testament. Again the graphic is going the change.

 To understand this diagram you will need to be looking once again at the index in your Bible.  What you will see is that the Old Testament list of books can be comfortably divided into two cycles.  However not every era is represented in both cycles. 

Cycle One:  Genesis through Esther.  Notice that in the first cycle the Period of the Dispersion is not represented in the listing.

Cycle Two:  Job through Malachi.  Notice that there is but one book (Job) in the Period of the Pentateuch and the Period of Entrance is not represented.

Assignment

The assignment this time is not so much to memorize the new material but simply to gain a feel for the material by making some general observations.  Look down the listing of Old Testament books in your Bible's Table of Contents and see if you can identify the following things. 

First, notice the two cycles.

Second, notice what book likely fit into which period in each cycle.

Third, notice which cycles are not represented.

It is not so much a matter of whether you can do it or not but that you are gaining some familiarity with the layout.  Do not worry nor feel overwhelmed if it still seems a bit mysterious.  By taking “baby steps” and reviewing, you will get there.