Session
1: Section 2
The
Bible Interprets itself
We need to realize that the key to easier (not easy)
understanding of the Bible is found in its own pages.
Our tendency is not to look far enough for answers inside
the book when we find something that we do not understand.
A basic principle in reading the Bible more effectively
lies in the simple fact:-
Your questions about what the Bible teaches are
answered in the Bible.
This
cannot be emphasized too much. Sometimes, instead of
looking to the Bible, we ask others for help. This can
lead us in wrong directions. Remember, the Bible is
the inspired Word of God. Bible commentaries and other
books are not inspired and so we should not give them
the same respect as the Bible.
The
explanation of a problem is sometimes to be found in
the same chapter in which it occurs, or in a chapter
nearby. Let’s look at a couple of examples:-
 |
Look
at Matthew 13 v 1 to 9 |
In
this chapter we are presented with the parable of
the sower. If you keep on reading, starting at verse
18, you find that you are given a complete explanation
of the parable.
Another
example of the Bible explaining itself is found in the
prophecy of Isaiah.
|
Look
at Isaiah 14 v 12 |
Many
statements have been made about this verse, but if we
just look at verse 4 of the same chapter, which introduces
the section, we see that, clearly, it is talking about
the king of Babylon.
Sometimes
the answers or explanations are to be found in different
books of the Bible.
Bible
Echoes
One
very good way of reading the Bible effectively is to listen
for "Bible echoes". Whenever you read the Bible keep asking
yourself, "Where have I heard that word or phrase before?"
When you have difficulty in understanding a section, look
for these "Bible echoes" in other parts of the Bible.
We will show you how to track down these "echoes" when
we look at the use of a concordance later.
One
chapter in the Bible that has "echoes" throughout the
rest of the Bible is Isaiah 53.
|
Read
Isaiah 53 |
On
first reading it is clear that the whole chapter is
describing someone who was to suffer terribly. Verses
4 to 6 would seem to indicate that these sufferings
are relevant to us. If we look at the "echoes" in the
rest of the Bible it becomes clear who this chapter
is talking about.
|
Read
Matthew 8 v 14 to 17 |
The
last verse of this passage clearly tells us that when
Jesus healed people he was fulfilling the first half
of Isaiah 53 v 4.
|
Read
1 Peter 2 v 21 to 25 |
Verse
22 of this passage "echoes" the second half of Isaiah
53 v 9.
The
first half of verse 23 "echoes" Isaiah 53 v 7.
Verse
24 "echoes" Isaiah 53 v 4, 5 and 11.
The
first half of verse 25 "echoes" Isaiah 53 v 6.
These
references again tell us that Isaiah 53 is talking about
the Lord Jesus Christ.
|
Read
Matthew 26 v 62 and 63
Mark 14 v 60 and 61
John 19 v 9
|
These
passages "echo" the fact that Isaiah 53 v 7 talks of
remaining silent despite provocation.
|
Read
Acts 8 v 29 to 35 |
Again
there can be no argument that verses 7 and 8 of Isaiah
53 are talking about Jesus Christ.
|
Read
Matthew 27 v 57 to 60 |
The
events described here "echo" the phrase "they made his
grave... with the rich at his death" in Isaiah 53 v
9.
|
Read
Romans 8 v 34 |
The
end of this verse "echoes" Isaiah 53 v 12 in the reference
to "making intercession".
All
of these "echoes" point clearly to the fact that Isaiah
53 must be talking about Jesus Christ. This is just
one example of how listening for "echoes" lets the Bible
explain itself.
There
are in fact many more "echoes" in this chapter. We will
show you how to find "echoes" in the "Concordances"
and "Cross references" sections.
Summary
of Do’s and Don’ts
Do:-
- Look
first to the Bible for answers to your questions.
- Listen
for “echoes” to find answers to your questions.
- Write
down your questions that you cannot answer immediately
(It may be a while until you “hear the echo” giving
the answer).
Don’t:-
- Expect
quick answers.
- Look
at isolated passages and draw conclusions.
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