God wants us to know him.
He wants us to understand his ways. The simplest method to understand the Lord is through the bible. How?
First realise that God's actions, commandments, guidance and instructions are a primary insight (revelation) into his character, personality and mode of operation before they are anything else.
Understanding the Lord, therefore, means understanding that he speaks and acts from who he is. The word of God is God. (John 1: 1).
For example, the command "Thou shalt not steal" (Exodus 20:15), should be read as an insight into His nature first before being an instruction to the Jews. It shows us that God himself does not steal. According to Psalm 138:2 (CJB), the Lord has made his word [even] greater than the whole of his reputation. So he is not only bound to it but it is who he is.
We can understand Exodus 20:15 as being corroborated as the character of God by Jesus in John 10:10. Here we see that if anything is stolen from us, it is not Jesus doing but the devil's:
"The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly."
Since Jesus is the perfect insight into his Father (God), this scripture shows us that God's (Yahweh's) innate character is to give. Likewise, he never takes back what he has given especially without our consent - because that would be stealing and he does not steal.
"For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance." Romans 11: 29.
What about Job's comment in scripture "...the Lord gave and the Lord has taken away" (Job 1:21) you might ask?
This is a lesser revelation of the character of God that Job the man of God had. Over the ages, God has given people insights into himself progressively - in stages. He built it up till it culminated in his ultimate revelation of himself: Jesus Christ our Lord.
Another example of understanding our God through his word to us is Jesus' instruction on how to correct someone:
“If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’'
Matthew 18:15-16 NIV
Here we have insight into how God functions. Through this scripture, we know that if the Lord wants to correct or instruct just one individual, he himself will speak to him directly or send his messages directly to him. This means in the first instance, it will be private.
This knowledge is also helpful in understanding prophecy, or other workings of the spirit of God in His Church.
If a prophecy is given in the public domain, it means it is not targeted at just one individual. Most likely, it is for a group, the whole body or several individuals in that audience or community. Everyone's job, therefore, is to test the words spoken, and take whatever applies to them in that message for their own encouragement, building-up' guidance or instruction. Therefore, it is not so much so about whether the message/word is for your neighbour or someone else; Jesus will speak to your neighbour himself. The only part you should be concerned about is the part that applies to you: your own life, family, ministry, or business.
This understanding will help avoid confusion in understanding spiritual matters.
One more example of understanding God's ways through his word, is the discussion in Joshua 5:13-14:
"Now when Joshua was near Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with a drawn sword in his hand. Joshua went up to him and asked, “Are you for us or for our enemies?” “Neither,” he replied, “but as commander of the army of the Lord I have now come.” ...” Joshua 5:13-14a NIV
So, in any dispute, on whose side is God?
According to this scripture, he is on the side of his Word (will, instruction or promise) of course!
The commander of the Lord's Army in this passage is the Lord God himself. We know this because of what follows in that passage: he accepted worship and he commanded reverence : "where you (Joshua) are standing is holy". God's angels do not accept worship in scripture.
God does not take sides in human disputes - he is above our humanistic reasonings.
We serve the Lord and his instructions. He provides, protects and guides us but he does not serve our purposes outside of his Word. He is the Almighty God not us. All through scripture, we can see that all of his actions are carried out in order to bring to pass his word and promises to us only.
"...for I am watchful over my word to perform it." Jeremiah 1:12
This insight is further confirmed in the interaction of Jesus with a man asking him to settle a family dispute about inheritance in Luke 12:13 -20.
According to this interaction in John 12, Jesus view of their dispute is : there is more to this earth than money, if you are rich towards God, what is there to fight about? Instead, focus on the Lord and his word. This earth is passing away with everything in it so be rich towards God instead! God's word is his will and purpose for our lives, so in any dispute, his aim is to lift our thinking up to his own high plane of understanding. For it is only in that plane he stands.
This thinking shown by Jesus is God's plane of operation. He is only on the side of his highest truth and as long as we are on that same side with him, irrespective of the dispute, we are on the winning side. Because God is committed to fulfilling his word.
Hallelujah!
So pray for increased insight. And as you read the scriptures, read with the goal to understand the person and ways of the Yahweh our God and you will.
Amen.
......
"And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he (Jesus) explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself. ...Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures." Luke 24:27, 45 NIV
Commentaires