I often have discussions with my brothers in Messiah over what is essential to study within Scripture and what is simply "fun discussion." One of my sisters in Christ, Kasey, who runs an incredible blog called "Lessons From Ivy" (see the link to the right) recently wrote a wonderful article of how she was not an expert of the Bible simply because she was in a specific teaching position. I too, feel that I should not be considered an expert in Scripture or Jewish Christian affairs simply for being a saved Jewish minister.
Yet, as 23-year Bible student, a Jewish believer in Messiah, an orthodox Scripture translator and the 11 year president of The Road to God Ministry I feel I can say with some conviction that there are some truths that Adonai (the Lord) expects us to study whereas there are others which are simply not important for our sanctification in Christ.
This is not to say that there is not a purpose for every word in Scripture, this is what the Apostle Paul tells us in 2 Timothy 3:16, "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness." Yet, often times throughout the Bible people, whether they are students, historians, etc., have become fixated upon various particular items or verses of interest. Fir example, we will find the last verse of the story of Noah's Ark and it's final landing on Mount Ararat, in Genesis 8:4, "And the ark rested in the seventh month, on the seventeenth day of the month, upon the mountains of Ararat.". Yet, for, countless eons people have spent all their time and energy searching for Noah's Ark. This same time and energy could have been spent on studying the relevant and important sections of Scripture that would have lead to further salvations and their own sanctifications. There are so many other items within Scripture that people have been led astray by. Items like: the Ark of the Covenant, the Shroud of Turin, the location of Mount Sinai, false gospels and epistles, even the seach for the Patriarch tombs have lead some from true Scripture.
Thus when I am asked, "if nobody has found these items, where can they be?" I always give the same and honest and true answer, "I have no idea, and it really does not matter." If Adonai wanted us to know where any one of these items where, He would show us where they were, not hide them for millenia. No, I believe these are "red herrings", specifically placed to hinder individuals, to filter out the faithfully weak, those looking for quick and interesting items instead of the one true God.
Our God is not about items of interest. Our God is above the sculpture placed on top of the Ark of the Covenant. Our God is above Mount Sinai. Our God is above all names, places and items and we must be looking past these items to find the truth that lies at the core of what He is. When we read Scripture we must take it in equally, as a whole. We must never, never, never believe that one verse, chapter or book is more important then another. We must never think one author or Apostle is above another. All are equal in the Bible. All are saved under Jesus the Christ.
Yet, as 23-year Bible student, a Jewish believer in Messiah, an orthodox Scripture translator and the 11 year president of The Road to God Ministry I feel I can say with some conviction that there are some truths that Adonai (the Lord) expects us to study whereas there are others which are simply not important for our sanctification in Christ.
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| Mt. Ararat from Genesis 8 |
This is not to say that there is not a purpose for every word in Scripture, this is what the Apostle Paul tells us in 2 Timothy 3:16, "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness." Yet, often times throughout the Bible people, whether they are students, historians, etc., have become fixated upon various particular items or verses of interest. Fir example, we will find the last verse of the story of Noah's Ark and it's final landing on Mount Ararat, in Genesis 8:4, "And the ark rested in the seventh month, on the seventeenth day of the month, upon the mountains of Ararat.". Yet, for, countless eons people have spent all their time and energy searching for Noah's Ark. This same time and energy could have been spent on studying the relevant and important sections of Scripture that would have lead to further salvations and their own sanctifications. There are so many other items within Scripture that people have been led astray by. Items like: the Ark of the Covenant, the Shroud of Turin, the location of Mount Sinai, false gospels and epistles, even the seach for the Patriarch tombs have lead some from true Scripture.
Thus when I am asked, "if nobody has found these items, where can they be?" I always give the same and honest and true answer, "I have no idea, and it really does not matter." If Adonai wanted us to know where any one of these items where, He would show us where they were, not hide them for millenia. No, I believe these are "red herrings", specifically placed to hinder individuals, to filter out the faithfully weak, those looking for quick and interesting items instead of the one true God.
Our God is not about items of interest. Our God is above the sculpture placed on top of the Ark of the Covenant. Our God is above Mount Sinai. Our God is above all names, places and items and we must be looking past these items to find the truth that lies at the core of what He is. When we read Scripture we must take it in equally, as a whole. We must never, never, never believe that one verse, chapter or book is more important then another. We must never think one author or Apostle is above another. All are equal in the Bible. All are saved under Jesus the Christ.
And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him, Which is the first commandment of all? And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. Mark 12:28-30 (KJV)
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