Welcome back for Psalm 1 and the “beginning of knowledge”.
REVIEW
The Prayerful “IOUS”
· Incline my heart to God’s word (Psalm 119:36).
· Open my eyes to behold the wonder of God’s word (Psalms 119:18).
· Unite my heart to keep me from being distracted from your word (Psalm 86:11).
· Satisfy us with your steadfast love (Psalm 86:11).
Analysis (5Ws & The H): who, what, when, why, where, how
The Psalms provide many things, but they are primarily worship music for the temple. Like good hymns, they tell us of God’s nature, God’s promises, key tenets of theology, historical highlights, and human nature. They are especially known for providing comfort in times of despair and adversity.
SPIRITUAL
Approach Your Bible Humbly
When was the last time the Bible astonished you?
Maybe you give your Bible distant reference and have a “I’ll get around to it attitude”?
The existence of the Bible – God’s Word – tells us many amazing things to include His nature.
· God exists.
· God wants to connect with us and explain His plan.
· God is talkative.
· This goes beyond what is required, because we are both creatures and traitors (sinners).
“Any authentic knowledge of God hinges on His generous self-disclosure to us. Only through His words can we discover who He is, what He’s like, and what He’s after, and how we can know Him. This ought to humble us deeply.
The Bible you possess is evidence that God loves you and wants a relationship with you. No matter who you are or how many times you’ve spurned his love, He is still moving toward you, still talking to you – still befriending you through [His] book” (Smethhurst, 2019).
ANALYTICAL
It’s important to know what type of literature you’re reading in the Bible. The different types by book are shown below. The genre in which you’re reading affects interpretation of the material being read.
Accurate interpretation requires one to consider the purpose and style of a given book or passage. In addition, some verses are meant figuratively, and proper discernment of these is enhanced by an understanding of genre. An inability to identify genre can lead to serious misunderstanding of Scripture.
The summary below shows the differences between each genre and how each should be interpreted:
Law: The purpose of law is to express God’s sovereign will concerning government, priestly duties, social responsibilities, etc. Knowledge of Hebrew manners and customs of the time, as well as a knowledge of the covenants, will complement a reading of this material.
“Most Christians have a distorted view of the law and think it does not apply to us. Jesus repeated and affirmed the Ten Commandments and the Law of Moses. The law points to our depravity and need for a Savior. Without the law, there would be no relationship to God or need for Christ to save us. Christ fulfills the law and thus we are not bound to its curse, but we must acknowledge its role in our lives as the pointer to the Cross and the mirror to our soul” (Krejcir, 2009).
History: Stories and epics from the Bible are included in this genre. Almost every book in the Bible contains some history, but some are primarily history texts. Knowledge of secular history is crucial, as it dovetails perfectly with biblical history and makes interpretation much more robust.
Wisdom: This is the genre teaches the meaning of life and how to live. It also warns us of our evil nature and desires. Some of the language used in wisdom literature is metaphorical and poetic, and this should be taken into account during analysis.
Poetry: These use rhythmic prose, parallelism, and metaphor. Because poetry does not translate easily, we lose some of the musical “flow” in English. Nevertheless, we find a similar use of idiom, comparison and refrain in this genre as we find in modern music. Language is more figurative than specific, realistic.
Narrative: The primary books in this genre are the Gospels, though some include OT books Ruth, Esther, and Jonah too. A reader may find bits of other genres within the Gospels, such as parable (Luke 8:1-15) and discourse (Matthew 24), these books primarily tell the story of a person or persons.
Epistles: An epistle is a letter, usually in a formal style. There are 21 letters in the New Testament from the apostles to various churches or individuals. These letters have a style very similar to modern letters, with an opening, a greeting, a body, and a closing. Epistles clarify prior teaching, rebuke, explanation, correction of false teaching and a deeper dive into the teachings of Jesus. “Most challenge the congregation to wake up out of their selfish ways and to concentrate on Christ in specific ways and clarifications” (Krejir, 2009). Readers should understand the cultural, historical and social situation of the original recipients in order to get the most out of an analysis of these books.
Prophecy and Apocalyptic Literature: Prophetic writings include predictions of future events, warnings of coming judgment, and an overview of God’s plan for Israel. Apocalyptic literature is a specific form of prophecy, largely involving symbols and imagery and predicting disaster and destruction.
The Prophetic and Apocalyptic books are often subjected to faulty eisegesis and personal interpretation based on emotion or preconceived bias. However, Amos 3:7 tells us, “Surely the Sovereign LORD does nothing without revealing his plan to his servants the prophets.” Therefore, we know that the truth has been told, and it can be known via careful exegesis, a familiarity with the rest of the Bible, and prayerful consideration. Some things will not be made clear to us except in the fullness of time, so it is best not to assume to know everything when it comes to prophetic literature.
Understanding the genres is vital for the Bible student. If the wrong genre is assumed for a passage, it can easily be misunderstood or misconstrued, leading to an incomplete and fallacious understanding of what God desires to communicate. God is not the author of confusion (1 Corinthians 14:33), and He wants us to “correctly [handle] the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15).
Also, God wants us to know His plan for the world and for us as individuals. How fulfilling it is to come to “grasp how wide and long and high and deep” (Ephesians 3:18) is the love of God for us! (Lightly adapted from Gotquestions.org),
Hermeneutical Rule #1 – It’s that author; not you.
“Interpretation must be based on the author’s intention of meaning and not the reader. This means we must get into the author’s context, historically, grammatically, culturally and the literary forms and conventions the author was working in” (Davis, 2013).
APPLICATION
· How does the truth revealed here affect my relationship with God, my relationship with others, me, and/or my response to the enemy, Satan?
Got.questions.org. 2020, Jan. 02. “How should the different genres of the Bible impact how we interpret the Bible? Retrieved Jan. 30, 2020 from https://www.gotquestions.org/Bible-genres.html.
PSALM 1 (Day 2)
Welcome back for Psalm 1 and the “beginning of knowledge”.
REVIEW
The Prayerful “IOUS”
· Incline my heart to God’s word (Psalm 119:36).
· Open my eyes to behold the wonder of God’s word (Psalms 119:18).
· Unite my heart to keep me from being distracted from your word (Psalm 86:11).
· Satisfy us with your steadfast love (Psalm 86:11).
Analysis (5Ws & The H): who, what, when, why, where, how
The Psalms provide many things, but they are primarily worship music for the temple. Like good hymns, they tell us of God’s nature, God’s promises, key tenets of theology, historical highlights, and human nature. They are especially known for providing comfort in times of despair and adversity.
SPIRITUAL
Approach Your Bible Humbly
When was the last time the Bible astonished you?
Maybe you give your Bible distant reference and have a “I’ll get around to it attitude”?
The existence of the Bible – God’s Word – tells us many amazing things to include His nature.
· God exists.
· God wants to connect with us and explain His plan.
· God is talkative.
· This goes beyond what is required, because we are both creatures and traitors (sinners).
“Any authentic knowledge of God hinges on His generous self-disclosure to us. Only through His words can we discover who He is, what He’s like, and what He’s after, and how we can know Him. This ought to humble us deeply.
The Bible you possess is evidence that God loves you and wants a relationship with you. No matter who you are or how many times you’ve spurned his love, He is still moving toward you, still talking to you – still befriending you through [His] book” (Smethhurst, 2019).
ANALYTICAL
It’s important to know what type of literature you’re reading in the Bible. The different types by book are shown below. The genre in which you’re reading affects interpretation of the material being read.
Accurate interpretation requires one to consider the purpose and style of a given book or passage. In addition, some verses are meant figuratively, and proper discernment of these is enhanced by an understanding of genre. An inability to identify genre can lead to serious misunderstanding of Scripture.
The summary below shows the differences between each genre and how each should be interpreted:
Law: The purpose of law is to express God’s sovereign will concerning government, priestly duties, social responsibilities, etc. Knowledge of Hebrew manners and customs of the time, as well as a knowledge of the covenants, will complement a reading of this material.
“Most Christians have a distorted view of the law and think it does not apply to us. Jesus repeated and affirmed the Ten Commandments and the Law of Moses. The law points to our depravity and need for a Savior. Without the law, there would be no relationship to God or need for Christ to save us. Christ fulfills the law and thus we are not bound to its curse, but we must acknowledge its role in our lives as the pointer to the Cross and the mirror to our soul” (Krejcir, 2009).
History: Stories and epics from the Bible are included in this genre. Almost every book in the Bible contains some history, but some are primarily history texts. Knowledge of secular history is crucial, as it dovetails perfectly with biblical history and makes interpretation much more robust.
Wisdom: This is the genre teaches the meaning of life and how to live. It also warns us of our evil nature and desires. Some of the language used in wisdom literature is metaphorical and poetic, and this should be taken into account during analysis.
Poetry: These use rhythmic prose, parallelism, and metaphor. Because poetry does not translate easily, we lose some of the musical “flow” in English. Nevertheless, we find a similar use of idiom, comparison and refrain in this genre as we find in modern music. Language is more figurative than specific, realistic.
Narrative: The primary books in this genre are the Gospels, though some include OT books Ruth, Esther, and Jonah too. A reader may find bits of other genres within the Gospels, such as parable (Luke 8:1-15) and discourse (Matthew 24), these books primarily tell the story of a person or persons.
Epistles: An epistle is a letter, usually in a formal style. There are 21 letters in the New Testament from the apostles to various churches or individuals. These letters have a style very similar to modern letters, with an opening, a greeting, a body, and a closing. Epistles clarify prior teaching, rebuke, explanation, correction of false teaching and a deeper dive into the teachings of Jesus. “Most challenge the congregation to wake up out of their selfish ways and to concentrate on Christ in specific ways and clarifications” (Krejir, 2009). Readers should understand the cultural, historical and social situation of the original recipients in order to get the most out of an analysis of these books.
Prophecy and Apocalyptic Literature: Prophetic writings include predictions of future events, warnings of coming judgment, and an overview of God’s plan for Israel. Apocalyptic literature is a specific form of prophecy, largely involving symbols and imagery and predicting disaster and destruction.
The Prophetic and Apocalyptic books are often subjected to faulty eisegesis and personal interpretation based on emotion or preconceived bias. However, Amos 3:7 tells us, “Surely the Sovereign LORD does nothing without revealing his plan to his servants the prophets.” Therefore, we know that the truth has been told, and it can be known via careful exegesis, a familiarity with the rest of the Bible, and prayerful consideration. Some things will not be made clear to us except in the fullness of time, so it is best not to assume to know everything when it comes to prophetic literature.
Understanding the genres is vital for the Bible student. If the wrong genre is assumed for a passage, it can easily be misunderstood or misconstrued, leading to an incomplete and fallacious understanding of what God desires to communicate. God is not the author of confusion (1 Corinthians 14:33), and He wants us to “correctly [handle] the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15).
Also, God wants us to know His plan for the world and for us as individuals. How fulfilling it is to come to “grasp how wide and long and high and deep” (Ephesians 3:18) is the love of God for us! (Lightly adapted from Gotquestions.org),
Hermeneutical Rule #1 – It’s that author; not you.
“Interpretation must be based on the author’s intention of meaning and not the reader. This means we must get into the author’s context, historically, grammatically, culturally and the literary forms and conventions the author was working in” (Davis, 2013).
APPLICATION
· How does the truth revealed here affect my relationship with God, my relationship with others, me, and/or my response to the enemy, Satan?
· Is there a memory verse or verses for you here?
· Is there something to share with others?
REFERENCES
Davis, James. 2013, Nov. 6. “Lesson 6: Principles of Biblical interpretation.” Retrieved Jan 30, 2020 from https://bible.org/seriespage/lesson-6-principles-biblical-interpretation.
Deffinbaugh, Bob. 2019.” The significance of the Psalms.” Bible.org. Retrieved Jan. 21, 2020 from https://bible.org/seriespage/1-significance-psalms
Got.questions.org. 2020, Jan. 02. “How should the different genres of the Bible impact how we interpret the Bible? Retrieved Jan. 30, 2020 from https://www.gotquestions.org/Bible-genres.html.
Krejir, Richard. (2009). “What are the types of literature in genres in the Bible?” Retrieved Jan. 30, 2020 from http://starwire.com/CC/article/0,,PTID34418_CHID784254_CIID2285932,00.html.
Smethhurst, Matt. 2019. Before you open your Bible: Nine heart postures for approaching God’s word. 10 Publishing.