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.’
Today, by his grace we will be looking at the of laws of scriptural interpretation. So without much ado let’s go into the business of the day.
HOW TO STUDY THE BIBLE:
1. The Law of Progressive Revelation. This law recognizes that Biblical truth is progressively revealed throughout the Bible with later revelation building on earlier ones. It is a movement from truth to more truth and so to full truth. The idea is that God gradually, reveals himself, his plan and his will over time. The Old Testament is the beginning of God’s progressive revelation of himself. Some classic examples of this law are as follows; The plan of salvation for humanity. Gen3v15; Deut18v15; Isa7v14: 53v1-5: Lk1v30-35: Jn1v29; 1Jn3v8): The Gift of the Holy Spirit (Lk24v49; Acts1v8: 2v49: 2v17-21; 1Cor14v2, 14-15, 19). My dear friends, I believe that this law is quite simple to understand, if you come to terms with the fact that whatever you know is in part and that as you grow in him you get to know him more. So let the Holy Spirit lead you on your understanding of his word.
2. The Law of Consistency: This law means interpreting biblical passages in a way that aligns with the overall message and teachings of the Bible. This involves considering the context of a passage, its relationship to other scriptures and the consistent themes that run throughout the entire Bible. It also means avoiding interpretation that contradict other biblical truths or create internal inconsistencies. For example the concept of “Salvation”. The Law of consistency would require that your interpretation of different verses about salvation (e.g. Salvation by faith, work, grace) align with the broader message that salvation is a gift from God and is not earned through human effort. Eph2v8-9; 2 Cor5v21; Rom5v1-2; Tit3v5-7; Rom3v24- You can see from these scriptures that our salvation is not by own efforts but strictly by his grace (This is in line with the Law of Consistency). My dear friends, this is one of the essential law of scriptural interpretation that you need to hold in high esteem because it will help you in staying on course and keep things relevance in your life and work in Jesus name, amen.
Other Scriptural References: 1The5v21; Eph5v10; Pro4v20-22; Jan1v22, 25; Jn13v17; 2Tim2v15.
Prayer for Today: Heavenly Father, thank you for entrusting me with all this insights. I receive grace to be a doer indeed in Jesus name, amen.
CONFESSION: I decree that my Bible study life will never be same again, because God has furnished me with the essential tools and keys for transformation and lifting. Therefore things will never be the same again. I too will never be the same again for my change has come. Halleluyah!
Yemi Adeoti is a pastor, teacher, life coach and mentor & also a prolific writer.
Praise God