How to read Scriptures?
What does the Bible teach us about reading? learning?
A Bible is a compilation of scriptures.
Scriptures are God breathed/inspired messages.
Whatever is God breathed is superior to normal/natural things/making; therefore is to be listened to, studied with much attention, to be respected, and to be upheld.
Scriptures are therefore supernatural in origin and effect.
To be set apart, to be Holy. (Being set apart is being Holy).
The followers of scriptures are to be a holy people. Unlike unbelievers.
Many have wondered how they ought to study the Word of God, the Way of God. The Lord must have instructed His people.
So, let us turn to His inspiration for instruction and guidance and truth.
For there is no other way! Let us trust Him and obey Him.
Exodus 24v7 - ASV
7. And he took the book of the covenant, and read in the audience of the people: and they said, All that Jehovah hath spoken will we do, and be obedient.
We first come to the books/words of Moses, which is Ha/The Torah/Way. The authority of God, His covenant in the Old Testament.
It is to be read and listened to, and to be followed. No need for more explanation.
The book of the covenant is first written, to be finalised as a tangible document of words. It is then read to the people which is the audience. The people are to listen to the covenant and put it to heart and practice. No doubt about understanding the plain words in front of the power of God.
And the reply of the people as recorded is that they listened, received, understood and vowed that they will do according to the words read to them and be obedient.
So, the people of God are to be obedient to Jehovah, as a duty and condition to the covenant.
No delay by excuses of research and lack of understanding. No debate necessary.
It is final. To be carried out throughout the generation.
As clear as the Lord God intended it to be. And sufficient for understanding and following.
Dt 17v19 - ASV
19. and it shall be with him, and he shall read therein all the days of his life; that he may learn to fear Jehovah his God, to keep all the words of this law and these statutes, to do them;
The condition about following the covenant and scriptures and the Law is that each must/ought to read therein all the days of his life.
Reading brings understanding, and clarification. The reader is reminded.
So, the people of God must/ought to read of the law all days of their lives.
This exercise teach him to learn to fear Jehovah his God. It does not do if he does not fear God.
So, to them God is real. It is not about finding God or studying Him. It is about fearing the God they know.
All the words are for keeping. No room for doubting anything therein. There is no degree of conservation. All are vital and equally righteous and weighty and binding.
The doers are those who practice the law. They are justified thereby. They are blessed thereafter.
The true and complete listeners are those who do it all after listening it all. This is the part of the covenant to men.
Nothing else is written or read therein. No liberal. No wise-guy. No scholar.
Dt 31v11 - ASV
11. when all Israel is come to appear before Jehovah thy God in the place which he shall choose, thou shalt read this law before all Israel in their hearing.
God chooses the whereabout. Not any man.
God chooses where He will reveal Himself. Scriptures do not require the revealing of God to be kept and read by men.
The reading part is not supernatural.
All Israel, all the people of God are to be read the law, so that they may be taught, reminded and brought to renewing their spirit, their hope, their comfort.
God is faithful. And so should Israel.
Jos 8v34,35 - ASV
34. And afterward he read all the words of the law, the blessing and the curse, according to all that is written in the book of the law.
35. There was not a word of all that Moses commanded, which Joshua read not before all the assembly of Israel, and the women, and the little ones, and the sojourners that were among them.
All the words was read for total comprehension.
The understanding is to be in accordance to all that is written in the book of the law.
No indulgence in prophesy or other spiritual songs.
All is to be read out and listened to. Time is not a factor to change this practice.
All in the household of Israel, including the sojourners, those who passed by and take refuge in Israel, have to have the law read to and listened to the whole of it. This is more important than the commands of the king.
2Kings 5v7 - ASV
7. And it came to pass, when the king of Israel had read the letter, that he rent his clothes, and said, Am I God, to kill and to make alive, that this man doth send unto me to recover a man of his leprosy? but consider, I pray you, and see how he seeketh a quarrel against me.
Nothing to do with a lack of understanding.
The king believed in the letter he read. No room for doubting a letter.
2Kings 19v14 - ASV
14. And Hezekiah received the letter from the hand of the messengers, and read it; and Hezekiah went up unto the house of Jehovah, and spread it before Jehovah.
Letters are for reading. Reading requires knowing the meaning of the words forming letters and conversation and sentiment and motive first. Education is necessary.
The letter is the document of the covenant, binding and abiding(its effect).
Hezekiah spread it before God, so that the case is stated in front of them both.
2Kings 22v8 - ASV
8. And Hilkiah the high priest said unto Shaphan the scribe, I have found the book of the law in the house of Jehovah. And Hilkiah delivered the book to Shaphan, and he read it.
The law is to be placed and found in the house of the Lord. It is the document of God, divine significance, and holiness.
It is for reading and to be read in all.
We should understand it when we read it all.
2Kings 22v10 - ASV
10. And Shaphan the scribe told the king, saying, Hilkiah the priest hath delivered me a book. And Shaphan read it before the king.
The book is the binding document.
The king listened to the reading. He need not read it himself. But none the less he need to listen to it and understand it, before acting upon it.
2Kings 23v2 - ASV
2. And the king went up to the house of Jehovah, and all the men of Judah and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem with him, and the priests, and the prophets, and all the people, both small and great: and he read in their ears all the words of the book of the covenant which was found in the house of Jehovah.
The king set an example, forming leadership absolute in Israel.
All the words had to be read to all the people. This shows its importance to be heard and to act upon.
This is the document from the house of Jehovah. Holy and acceptable.
2Chr 34v18 - ASV
18. And Shaphan the scribe told the king, saying, Hilkiah the priest hath delivered me a book. And Shaphan read therein before the king.
This narrative refers to the previous one, that reading therein signifies no addition. All are from the word.
Nevertheless the whole thing was read. But nothing else.
2Chr 34v30 - ASV
30. And the king went up to the house of Jehovah, and all the men of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and the priests, and the Levites, and all the people, both great and small: and he read in their ears all the words of the book of the covenant that was found in the house of Jehovah.
All needed to listen to the words of the law, from the book that is found in the house of Jehovah.
No other document is to be regarded with the same degree of diligence. Not even the decree of the king.
Ezra 4v18 - ASV
18. The letter which ye sent unto us hath been plainly read before me.
The words need to be plainly read.
No more conjecture. No more research. No doubt.
It is simply regarded as trustworthy.
Ezra 4v23 - ASV
23. Then when the copy of king Artaxerxes' letter was read before Rehum, and Shimshai the scribe, and their companions, they went in haste to Jerusalem unto the Jews, and made them to cease by force and power.
The letter of the great king was only read to some immediate officials.
Only those who would be affected, to take action according to the words have to listen to the letter.
So, all people of God must listen to the word of God. It affect them, and caused them to take action in life.
Neh 8v3 - ASV
3. And he read therein before the broad place that was before the water gate from early morning until midday, in the presence of the men and the women, and of those that could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive unto the book of the law.
The broad place - a place for congregation in front of the water gate, the most significant place concerning life. No water means no life. Everyone fetched water at the water gate. No other place is so termed as to confuse people of their source of life.
Time is taken to read the document. From morning until midday, all the time people would come early for water of the day.
The reading of the word is not to be hidden to mankind.
Understanding is required to listen to the words.
All the people paid attention to the reading. This is relevant to them all. No mentioning about questioning.
Neh 8v8 - ASV
8. And they read in the book, in the law of God, distinctly; and they gave the sense, so that they understood the reading.
Reading is from the book, which is (not just represents) the law of God.
Distinctly - a difference by degree of seriousness is made and mentioned and recorded for our beacon, guidance, instruction, guild-line.
The sense is given; and decision made, following the translation.
No more research and wait. No more unbelief.
Neh 8v18 - ASV
18. Also day by day, from the first day unto the last day, he read in the book of the law of God. And they kept the feast seven days; and on the eighth day was a solemn assembly, according unto the ordinance.
The book is read day by day. Not just sometime.
Continuation is important.
There is a solemn assembly as to differentiate with common assembly. Christian churches are Christian assemblies for God. Believers are assembled out from the general matters of the world.
They are to set themselves apart as a holy people. Even people of the Old Testament are to set themselves apart for the Old Covenant. They must not be just like their non-believing neighbours. They are a people for God, chosen with an inheritance.
People did according to the ordinance, according to what is written down. No room for questioning and disobedience.
Time passed, but customs remained unchanged.
Neh 9v3 - ASV
3. And they stood up in their place, and read in the book of the law of Jehovah their God a fourth part of the day; and another fourth part they confessed, and worshipped Jehovah their God.
Jehovah is their God.
Half of the day is used for reading of and responding to the word/book of God.
No modernism after the exile.
Neh 13v1 - ASV
1. On that day they read in the book of Moses in the audience of the people; and therein was found written, that an Ammonite and a Moabite should not enter into the assembly of God for ever,
Those who kept their identity that is to be rejected by God have to stay out. For the people of God is set apart for God and their inheritance.
The word of God is not watered down with time. No modernism. No dis-belief.
Es 6v1 - ASV
1. On that night could not the king sleep; and he commanded to bring the book of records of the chronicles, and they were read before the king.
Books are for reading and listening to.
Anyone needs to be reminded.
Is 29v11,12 - ASV
11. And all vision is become unto you as the words of a book that is sealed, which men deliver to one that is learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee; and he saith, I cannot, for it is sealed:
12. and the book is delivered to him that is not learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee; and he saith, I am not learned.
Only the person authorised, empowered, can open a seal and read a sealed document with due authority.
Much learning is not required for reading. Understanding is another matter.
Understanding is however required in reading.
Is 34v16 - ASV
16. Seek ye out of the book of Jehovah, and read: no one of these shall be missing, none shall want her mate; for my mouth, it hath commanded, and his Spirit, it hath gathered them.
The book is THE reference point - The authority of the covenant of life and death.
Speech does not gather.
It is the Spirit of God who gathers.
Is 37v14 - ASV
14. And Hezekiah received the letter from the hand of the messengers, and read it; and Hezekiah went up unto the house of Jehovah, and spread it before Jehovah.
Believers may reason with the Lord according to the word/covenant.
No mentioning of a lack of understanding.
Jer 29v29 - ASV
29. And Zephaniah the priest read this letter in the ears of Jeremiah the prophet.
It is about reading to an audience. Reading and listening. Nothing to do with more studying and reasearch leading to understanding.
The subject read out can be understood. That is the purpose of it(the letter).
Even great prophets need to have the word of God read to. They do not represent all of the word.
Jer 36v6 - ASV
6. therefore go thou, and read in the roll, which thou hast written from my mouth, the words of Jehovah in the ears of the people in Jehovah's house upon the fast-day; and also thou shalt read them in the ears of all Judah that come out of their cities.
Jer 36v10 - ASV
10. Then read Baruch in the book the words of Jeremiah in the house of Jehovah, in the chamber of Gemariah the son of Shaphan, the scribe, in the upper court, at the entry of the new gate of Jehovah's house, in the ears of all the people.
Jer 36vv13-15 - ASV
13. Then Micaiah declared unto them all the words that he had heard, when Baruch read the book in the ears of the people.
14. Therefore all the princes sent Jehudi the son of Nethaniah, the son of Shelemiah, the son of Cushi, unto Baruch, saying, Take in thy hand the roll wherein thou hast read in the ears of the people, and come. So Baruch the son of Neriah took the roll in his hand, and came unto them.
15. And they said unto him, Sit down now, and read it in our ears. So Baruch read it in their ears.
Scriptures are to be read out and heard by many. People need to pay attention to what is read. Belief comes from the listening to scriptures/the word; not seeing, reading or after being entertained by drama and entertainment.
There is an importance attached to the reader, being the bearer of the truth.
The princes would choose to listen to the words read out, not insisted in reading the scroll/book themselves. Pay attention while you can.
Jer 36v21 - ASV
21. So the king sent Jehudi to fetch the roll; and he took it out of the chamber of Elishama the scribe. And Jehudi read it in the ears of the king, and in the ears of all the princes that stood beside the king.
The king would listen to the roll read out, rather than reading it himself.
Jer 36v23 - ASV
23. And it came to pass, when Jehudi had read three or four leaves, that the king cut it with the penknife, and cast it into the fire that was in the brazier, until all the roll was consumed in the fire that was in the brazier.
Seeing can be believing. So the king heard and burned the roll, while not reading it with his bear eyes.
When there is no scroll there is no reading. So it is important to have the book. Human testimony is not enough.
Jer 51v61 - ASV
61. And Jeremiah said to Seraiah, When thou comest to Babylon, then see that thou read all these words,
62. and say, O Jehovah, thou hast spoken concerning this place, to cut it off, that none shall dwell therein, neither man nor beast, but that it shall be desolate for ever.
Here, it speaks of the importance of reading all the words by oneself, to execute what is written therein.
The reader shall be the judge, spectator of the fulfulment of the prophesy.
Da 5v7,8 - ASV
7. The king cried aloud to bring in the enchanters, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers. The king spake and said to the wise men of Babylon, Whosoever shall read this writing, and show me the interpretation thereof, shall be clothed with purple, and have a chain of gold about his neck, and shall be the third ruler in the kingdom.
8. Then came in all the king's wise men; but they could not read the writing, nor make known to the king the interpretation.
Apply your hearts to the interpretation of the written words.
Power is required of God to understand. Seek God! Prepare yourselves to meet God and to listen to Him.
The Lord has spoken. Who can, but prophesy?
Da 5vv15-17 - ASV
15. And now the wise men, the enchanters, have been brought in before me, that they should read this writing, and make known unto me the interpretation thereof; but they could not show the interpretation of the thing.
16. But I have heard of thee, that thou canst give interpretations, and dissolve doubts; now if thou canst read the writing, and make known to me the interpretation thereof, thou shalt be clothed with purple, and have a chain of gold about thy neck, and shalt be the third ruler in the kingdom.
17. Then Daniel answered and said before the king, Let thy gifts be to thyself, and give thy rewards to another; nevertheless I will read the writing unto the king, and make known to him the interpretation.
Make sure you are worth the interpretation. Make sure you have reverence for the word.
Live for God. Not for shortlived glory.
Matt 12v3 - ASV
3. But he said unto them, Have ye not read what David did, when he was hungry, and they that were with him;
You ought to know, if you have revered the word, applying yourselves diligently to the study and understanding of it.
Seek God and He will reveal to you.
It is a shame to speak without acquiring the knowledge first.
Matt 12v5 - ASV
5. Or have ye not read in the law, that on the sabbath day the priests in the temple profane the sabbath, and are guiltless?
More so, the whole book is the law, the testament, the covenant. Not just the 5 books of the Torah.
Matt 19v4 - ASV
4. And he answered and said, Have ye not read, that he who made them from the beginning made them male and female,
Read, take in, so that you can be reminded of it.
God made the wholeness, the perfection.
Read, understand, and apply.
Matt 21v16 -
16. and said unto him, Hearest thou what these are saying? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea: did ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou has perfected praise?
Dwell on the prophesies. Expect to find fulfilment.
Enjoy the show. Give Glory to God.
Matt 21v42 -
42. Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, The same was made the head of the corner; This was from the Lord, And it is marvelous in our eyes?
Authorities is in the scriptures.
The argument is not on how many books there ought to be; but whether you have read in the scriptures and put them in your hearts.
Live on scriptures.
Matt 22v31 -
31. But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying,
What is written in the scriptures, represents the words spoken by God. Very solemn. Very authoritative.
Matt 27v37 -
37. And they set up over his head his accusation written, THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS.
Proclamation is written in forms understandable by many(the public).
One story, but many ways and channels to tell it.
Mk 2v25 -
25. And he said unto them, Did ye never read what David did, when he had need, and was hungry, he, and they that were with him?
Jesus very very often remind people what they ought to have read, studied and understood.
What is the point of embracing scriptures if you do not read it or understand it?
Mk 12v10 -
10. Have ye not read even this scripture: The stone which the builders rejected, The same was made the head of the corner;
Even a scripture as common as this, have you not read it?
Do not make excuse of not having read some unattainable texts. Know what you already have.
Mk 12v26 - ASV
26. But as touching the dead, that they are raised; have ye not read in the book of Moses, in the place concerning the Bush, how God spake unto him, saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob?
You ought to have known from reading the book of Moses.
The reference of God is written therein. It is to be understood therefrom.
Mk 15v26 - ASV
26. And the superscription of his accusation was written over, THE KING OF THE JEWS.
from GSN1909 and GSN1125; to inscribe (physically or mentally):
Strong's Ref. #9999 Added for clarity.
The superscription can be read. It is of significance.
Lk 4v16 - ASV
16. And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and he entered, as his custom was, into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up to read.
Reading the scriptures proclaim understanding and remind people the faithfullness of God in/from His words.
Lk 6v3 - ASV
3. And Jesus answering them said, Have ye not read even this, what David did, when he was hungry, he, and they that were with him;
You ought to have read and know.
We stand by what is written, the word of God.
Lk 10v26 -
26. And he said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou?
How do you read and understand what is written, that very written law you ought to have read and understood, and followed?
Jn 19v20 -
20. This title therefore read many of the Jews, for the place where Jesus was crucified was nigh to the city; and it was written in Hebrew, and in Latin, and in Greek.
People could read and knew what was the significance of this cricifixion.
3 popular languages were used to make it clearer than just obvious. The message is screaming out.
Acts 13v27 -
27. For they that dwell in Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they knew him not, nor the voices of the prophets which are read every sabbath, fulfilled them by condemning him.
What is read and commanded an understanding is the voices of the prophets, that is the words said/revealed by God.
Prophesies will come to fulfilment. Scriptures will come to fulfilment, therefore binding and abiding with the people, the world. It will not pass away before the events that will take place.
The end things are yet to come to pass.
Acts 15v21 -
21. For Moses from generations of old hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath.
The reading of the word of God is to take place every sabbath in the meeting.
People are taught and reminded of the law weekly in the assemblies.
Acts 15v31 -
31. And when they had read it, they rejoiced for the consolation.
The fact is made known after reading.
Acts 23v34 -
34. And when he had read it, he asked of what province he was; and when he understood that he was of Cilicia,
Read to know. Read to learn.
2Co 1v13 -
13. For we write no other things unto you, than what ye read or even acknowledge, and I hope ye will acknowledge unto the end:
All that was read is all that was written. No extra revelation. No extra comfort is needed.
Hold fast to the end.
2Co 3v2 -
2. Ye are our epistle, written in our hearts, known and read of all men;
The truth is made known and witnessed by the believers.
By reading, people perceive the truth, the witness.
2Co 3v15 -
15. But unto this day, whensoever Moses is read, a veil lieth upon their heart.
Moses, the OT law is read. The meanings thereof is opened to those who have the veil lifted from their hearts.
Understanding is caused by God, superior power. Not straightly a human exercise.
Eph 3v4 -
4. whereby, when ye read, ye can perceive my understanding in the mystery of Christ;
Perception comes from reading alone. No more research is required.
Col 4v16 -
16. And when this epistle hath been read among you,
cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans;
and that ye also read the epistle from Laodicea.
The letter/epistle is to be read by them all. And it is instructed to be read also in other churches.
Letters ought to be crossread by churches. They are sent/transported amongst the churches.
They are not made popular to outsiders in the first place, for a believing heart is required in the first place before one can trust in the content.
It is not a matter of research before belief.
1Thes 5v27 -
27. I adjure you by the Lord that this epistle be read unto all the brethren.
The letter of Paul just like all other scriptures are to be read to all Christians.
All the brethren should listen to them. No exception.
It is for their benefit.
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