Joshua 1 verse 8: ‘This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.’

Once again I welcome you to another powerful discussion in our series on how to study the Bible in practical terms. Our focus has been on the laws of scriptural interpretation and today we will be going further by looking at some other laws of scriptural interpretation. So here we go!

HOW TO STUDY THE BIBLE:

7. Engage the Laws of Scriptural Interpretation in your studying of the Bible:

VI. The Law of Types and Shadows. This law helps to interpret the Bible by understanding how Old Testament events and people foreshadow New Testament realities particularly Christ. It’s like seeing a reflection or shadow of something real with the type being prefiguring and the antitype being the fulfilment or the real thing. This law is also known as Typology. (It helps to understand the Bible by recognizing how events and figure in the Old Testament foreshadow or prefigure events and figures in the New Testament. 

Below are some examples of the above Law:

• The Passover lamb (Exo12) is a type of Christ who is the lamb of God (1Cor5v7)
• Adam is a type of Christ with Adam’s fall representing the fall of humanity and Christ obedience leading to salvation (Rom5v14-17; 1Cor15v22, 45, 47, 49)
• Moses and Joshua: Moses who gave the Law and Joshua who led the Isrealites into the promise Land can be seen as type of Christ (i.e. Christ who fulfils the law and lead Believers into the Kingdom of God.
• The Symbolism of the Oil. In the Bible oil holds significant symbolic meaning such as; The Holy Spirit (Matt25v1-13). Anointing and consecration (1Sam16v13; Exo30v22-30), Healing and Restoration (Jam5v14; Lk10v34), Abundance and Blessing (Ps23v5; 2Ki4v1-7), Joy and Gladness (Isa61v3; Ps45v7).  

So my dear friends, I hope you can see how this law helps in understanding the scriptures better and there are several examples of types and shadows that time won’t allow us to consider. But I believe God will use this examples to kick start your understanding of this law in Jesus name, amen.

VII. The Law of Historical Setting or Background. This law has to do with existing or prevailing culture of the day. The interpreter must have some awareness of the life and society of the times in which the scripture was written. With this in mind, it will help you to know what the writer had in mind when he wrote (without adding any excess baggage from your own culture or society. This will essentially help to capture the true thought of the scripture resulting in an accurate interpretation.

A classic example for us to study is 1Cor11v1-16 (There are a lot of issues to consider but it is important to also note that the culture of the day had something to do with what Apostle Paul was saying here). So my dear friends, using this law in understanding 1Cor11v1-16, we can decide the following:

• That Apostle Paul was not laying it upon all women everywhere and for all time the command to wear the veil or keep their heads covered in church services by this, he was deferring to the prevailing custom of that time in Corinth. Among the Greeks it was a universal custom for women to appear in public with their heads covered. Again in Corinth, men with long hair was seen to be a sign of sexual perversion whereas in many cultures, long hair on men is considered honorable and masculine. Moreover in Corinth, women with short hair were labelled prostitutes. The issue is similar with head coverings considered to be a sign of rebellion in Jewish culture. So in talking about head coverings and length of hair, Paul is saying that believers should look and behave in ways that are honorable within their own culture. Obviously he is not saying that we should adopt all practices of our culture but we should avoid appearances and behavior that would distract us from believable witnesses for Jesus and also demonstrating our faith. Hence the reason why Paul thought it’s wise to abide by the custom. (Again the veil here was a symbol of subjection to her husband and a badge of seclusion. It was a badge which proclaimed that she was private, not a public person finding her duties at home, not abroad; in the household not in the city. – source Marcus Dodd).

So my dear friends, I hope you can see why this law is very important in understanding the Bible better. I pray that God will continue to give you further understanding in Jesus name, amen.

Other Scriptural References: Ps119v18-19, 130-131; Eph1v18-19; Col1v9; Lk24v45: 9v44-45; 2Tim2v7.

Prayer for Today: Lord open my eyes of understanding that I might comprehend your words in Jesus name, amen.

CONFESSION: Thank you Father, for this precious and gracious truths. Thank you for this powerful insights and truths. I receive grace to be doer indeed in Jesus name.