Context: 4 types and how they've helped me in studying Scripture

Recently I've had several conversations regarding the issue of context.  Some about Scripture and Biblical teachings and some about current events as related to or contrasted with historical events.  I love history.  I love reading about it, watching documentaries, talking to other history enthusiasts.  I often tell my kids that the more you learn about history the more you realize that truth really is stranger than fiction.  I'm certainly no expert in either the Scriptures or history; but one of my frustrations is seeing comments where the person clearly has no, or very little, understanding of Scripture or history. Or they try to understand them by only looking at a small piece or comparing them to how the world is today.   One of my favorite history writers is David McCullough he writes:  

This quote is a great summation of why context is so important to understand.  I've found that there are 4 types of context that are important to evaluate for a more full understanding of what I'm reading.  Also, these are a good "check" to make sure I'm not taking a verse out of context; which is dangerous since we should always be seeking to understand what God is saying and not bend Scripture to what we want it to say.  These have really helped me in understanding Scripture and history; here I'm going to use some examples from Scripture.

1) Literary Context - Literary context asks the questions: who is writing?  who are they writing to?  what is the passage? what is the overarching message/main idea? 

An example of this would be to look at Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." this is a verse that seems to be taken out of context a lot.  This verse is in the middle of a message Jeremiah is giving to the Israelites who are in captivity in Babylon.  The overarching message of this passage is that they will be in captivity for 70 years; God's plans are good for them and He will bring them out of captivity but there are consequences for their disobedience that they will have to endure.  This verse does not mean (as so often I've seen it portrayed) that life will be a bed of roses once we accept Christ and we will never face any bad things because "God has plans to prosper" (NIV translation)  this also does not mean that we will have monetary prosperity.  

2) Historical Context - Historical context asks the questions: where does this take place? what was the world like?  what was happening politically & socially?

So, in the case of the verse above (or the whole chapter) Jeremiah is writing in Israel warning the people what will happen if they don't turn back to God, and then what will happen now that they didn't turn to God.  Some are captives in Babylon while others are kept as captives in Israel.  Israel was overthrown by Babylon, they had been worshiping idols and disobeying the rules God had set out for them as a nation.  God had warned them before they entered the Promised Land that if they turned from Him they would be overthrown and taken captive.  (See Deuteronomy 4)

3) Cultural Context - Cultural context asks questions like: what was the culture like?  what were the societal norms of the time?  

One of the most frequent bashes against the Bible that I see from unbelievers is that they pull out a verse, typically from the Old Testament, and mock the guidelines given.  A favorite to bash is the one that says you shouldn't wear clothes of mixed materials or sow your fields with two types of seed. (I found a good summary of explanation for these commands Here .)  Many of these commands were often in response to the culture and how Israel would be distinct from the pagan nations around them.  One example of this from the New Testament is found in 1 Corinthians 11 where Paul talks about a woman covering her head.  Now, to us in our culture and time this may seem odd but in Corinth, at the time that Paul was teaching, a head covering for a woman was a sign that she was married so to go without one was to dishonor her husband and to announce she was available.  Paul is also addressing some of the underlying attitudes from this that were causing issues in the church at Corinth.   (a further explanation of the cultural guidelines around head coverings and some of the attitudes causing issues can be found Here ) 

4) Scriptural Context - Scriptural context asks the questions: what are parallel verses or passages to what I'm reading?  Are there other Biblical teachings or standards regarding this?  where does this fit into the overarching message of the Bible or this passage?

One passage that I was recently pointed to regarding this (thanks to Warren Wiersbe's study on 1 Corinthians titled "BE Wise")  is 1 Corinthians 13. Again, another passage that is often taken out of context.  Yes, it speaks to the qualities of showing genuine love; but in this particular passage Paul is speaking to Corinth about the proper place for spiritual gifts.  Our gifts are to be used for the common good of the church body and for building each other up. (See Philippians 2, Ephesians 4, Romans 14). If we preach, teach, minister, show hospitality or exercise any other spiritual gifts without love, they become as annoying as a loud clashing sound and can drive people away from rather than towards the Gospel. 

God is God and Truth is Truth and they never change; so yes, we can absolutely learn from, be encouraged by and grow from all of Scripture.  Yes, we can trust that God has good plans for us (see Romans 8:28-29 for a New Testament parallel; also note that God's goals for us are always eternal so His good plans often look very different than what we might imagine) but we must also see the context surrounding these verses and passages.    When we evaluate Scripture in context it becomes much richer and we learn so much more.  Culturally, today in the U.S., a woman not wearing a head covering isn't dishonoring her marriage; however, we do need to be mindful of other cultural things that we should not be conforming to, so that we are a light shining Truth to our world and not just blending in with society.  By putting passages into their literary, historical, cultural and Scriptural context we see more clearly the beauty and consistency of the Bible.  We can understand more fully the wisdom of God's commands and His great love and care for us.  We also see how we can better live for Him, glorify Him and share the Gospel with others.

A bit of crafting in 2021

 I thought I'd share the projects I've finished so far this year.  

This Bible cover was my first project this year.  The edges of my Bible are getting

a bit worn so I thought I'd try a cover.  I like how it came out and 

the color blends nicely with my Bible.

 

This blanket was requested by my 2nd daughter who loves all things to

do with foxes.  I had never done a fully single crochet blanket and I'm happy

with the detail.

This little rocket was a bit of a joke.  My husband asked me to make it 

based on something happening on a website he reads.  I ended up

having someone request to buy it so it worked out well. 

This hat was supposed to be for me.  I checked my gauge and went up a hook 

size to meet the gauge but it still ended up being too small.  She loves it so it 

has now become her's. 

What projects have you started?  Completed?  Or are hoping to work on this year?

First Importance

God has done it again. :)  I've had a blog post rattling around in my head for awhile now.  I jotted down some notes about a month or so ago regarding this subject but never had it all come together in my mind enough to feel that I could flesh it out into a full post.  Well, this past Sunday our Pastor preached a message with a similar message.   He preached on being Redeemed by Grace.  I was reminded of the notes I had jotted down and so I'm finally putting this post together. 

Paul's teaches in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 what is to be our primary message to the world and what is to be of "first importance" in our own lives:

                                                        "Now I would remind you, brothers, of the 

gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by 

which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you --

unless you believed in vain.  For I delivered to you of first importance what I 

also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 

that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day 

in accordance with the Scriptures,"

Notice Paul's words here; the Gospel, Jesus crucified as payment for our sins and raised in victory so we also can have victory over sin and death through Him, is what, through our believing and receiving brings us salvation (see Romans 10:9 & 13, Ephesians 2:8-9) but it is also what we as believers are to stand on as the foundation for everything in our lives and we are to hold fast to the Gospel!  Over and over Paul reminds the Corinthians to keep the focus of their lives on Jesus and on the Gospel.  In Chapter 1 Paul talks about how distractions are causing divisions within the church and how that we need to depend on God's wisdom and not our own.  He begins Chapter 2 by reminding them of what is really important...what the church is all about; WHO is to be its focus. 

"And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming 

to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom.  

For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.  

And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, 

and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, 

but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith 

might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God." (vs. 1-5)

 It wasn't how great Paul could write a sermon or how wise or educated he was.  Paul said Jesus crucified, the testimony of God, the Spirit, power and wisdom of God; these are what are most important. 

What are we telling the world (by actions or words) is of first importance?  Dressing a certain way?  Attending church? Being part of a certain political party?  Having it all "together" so no one sees your sin? Or maybe even that certain sins are acceptable but others aren't so they just need to make sure they stay within the certain acceptable sins?  Are we more concerned with judging the sins of unbelievers or preaching the Gospel?  What have we let distract us?  The Devil knows that Jesus is the Key!  If he can distract us from sharing the Gospel, if he can keep us running in circles discussing political issues, if he can keep us focused on earthly things then the Devil knows our effectiveness for the Gospel will be greatly decreased if we even have any effectiveness at all.  Matthew 6:21 reminds us that "Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."  Where is your heart's focus?  On modifying someone's behavior or sharing the Gospel so that Jesus can give them a brand new heart? 

Two final thoughts on all of this. First: in chapter 5 of 1 Corinthians Paul scolds the church for judging the actions of unbelievers while allowing sin to go unchecked within the church; in verses 12-13 Paul says:

"For what have I to do with judging outsiders?  Is it not 

those inside the church whom you are to judge?  God judges

those outside.  "Purge the evil person from among you.""

The world is in darkness, those without Christ are blind to the Truth; we need to be a witness to them, lets make sure we are being a testimony for Christ with our own lives and shining His light into the darkness...they don't need our judgement and condemnation...they need Jesus! 

Second, this does not mean that we don't speak truth, but I'm concerned that we (myself included, and something I'm prayerfully working on) have become so caught up in speaking truth that we forget that Jesus Himself was not only truth but grace.  John 1:14 reminds us:

"And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we 

have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of 

grace and truth."

"You're not doing me any good if all you do is grace me and I know no truth; but if I got me some truth but I don't have any grace how will I ever have the dignity to get back up again after the pit I have been in, I gotta have a Savior who is full of grace and truth." ~ Beth Moore

Our world is full of people trapped in a pit of sin, many believers have been in a deep dark place of sin.  Paul addresses those believers in sin in the verses about from Chapter 5.  We all need both Jesus' grace and His truth; then we need to shine that grace and truth of Jesus to the hurting world around us because the truth is that it is only through grace that there is salvation....and that my friends...sharing the Gospel for the salvation of souls is what is the to be of first importance!  

Ephesians 2:8-9

"For by grace you have been saved through faith.  And this 

is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works,

so that no one may boast."

Glimpses of Heaven...here on Earth

Do you know why Satan loves to isolate us from other Christians?  Do you know why he attacks our thoughts; trying to convince us that we shouldn't "bother" others with our problems?  That we're a burden to others?  Do you know why God commands us to not forsake gathering together with other believers? (Hebrews 10:25), To share each others burdens? (Galatians 6:2) 

I think there are several reasons for why Satan attacks in specific ways but one thing to remember is that Satan was in Heaven...he knows the perfect communion we will have with God and each other and he knows that here on Earth one of the gifts God gives us...one of the glimpses of Heaven here on Earth is gathering together with other believers; building relationships with them...for encouragement (1 Thessalonians 5:11), for accountability (Luke 17:13 & James 5:16), to "sharpen" each other  (Proverbs 27:17) and so much more....  I remember several years ago, attending a small concert at Gordon College.  My sister joined me even though she wasn't very familiar with the group or their songs.  At one point she commented that even though she didn't know the songs she was enjoying the concert because she was hit with the fact that worshiping together is a hint of Heaven...people from all backgrounds who may know nothing about each other will raise voices together praising the God that we all love and serve.  Christ desires unity; Satan desires division...Christ desires community; Satan desires isolation.

The book of Revelation gives us other glimpses into Heaven; a glimpse of the majesty, glory and greatness of Christ's home; God in His true position of King.  There are two songs that have lyrics regarding this that I just love.  One is called "O Praise the Name"; there is one line that says "the angels roar for Christ our King" speaking of the resurrection; now there is no specific verse in the Bible that speaks to the angel's reaction to the resurrection but when Jesus was born there was a whole host of angels that proclaimed His birth, (Luke 2:8-10) and Jesus Himself also tells us that when one person accepts Christ as Savior there is rejoicing in Heaven (Luke 15:10).  Can you imagine what it's like to hear thousands upon thousands of angels rejoicing? Can you imagine the roar; the cheer that went up when death was defeated?  When Christ accomplished the task of redeeming us?  It's so cool to think about the perfect worship and joy we will have in Heaven.  Another line regarding Christ's return says "And I will rise among the saints, my face transfixed on Jesus' face"  What a thought!  To look into the very face of our Savior!

The second song is called "Is He Worthy" and the lyrics are taken from John's vision in Revelation chapter 5.  The song starts by asking the question posed in Revelation 5 "Who is worthy to open the scroll?" (vs 2)  in verse 4 John says he was weeping because no one in Earth was able to open it...but then in verse 5 John is told "weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the root of David has conquered, so that he can open the scroll"!  The victory belongs to Jesus...HE IS WORTHY!! Here on Earth we worship Christ but how much greater it will be to worship Him perfectly in His very presence!  

So as believers living here on Earth let us keep our focus on our home...and more importantly on the One who has conquered the grave; who has provided salvation!  "O Praise the Name of the Lord our God; O Praise His Name forevermore, for endless days we will sing Your praise, O Lord, O Lord our God"...

Tuesday Thoughts

 I love listening to podcasts; here are just a few quotes that caught my attention over the past week.  

"In the natural you see then believe; in the supernatural you believe then you see." ~ Tony Evans (in a message on the raising of Lazarus)

"If his (the devil's) lies become your "truth" you feel his feelings." ~ Tony Evans (in a message on breaking emotional strongholds)

"The primary purpose of prayer is not to get something but to know Someone." ~ David Platt (in a message on worship)

"Quit giving sin permission to do what it lacks the position to do." ~ Beth Moore (in a message on Romans 6 and how sin no longer reigns in us)

Do you enjoy listening to podcasts?

Which podcasts do you enjoy?

What messages have you heard recently that God has used to speak to specific areas of your life?

What Bible studies are you starting off 2021 with?

And of course I have to share another "new-to-me" song with you all.  The lyrics are based on Psalm 91. 

Quick lessons from Moses

As mentioned in my previous post I'm reading through the Bible again this year.  I always love how, no matter how many times I read the Bible, God reminds me of a truth or reveals something new to me.  Yesterday and today there were two passages that stood out to me.  The first was one that "hit" me last year and the second is a "new hit" this year.  :)  Yet they both speak to the same lesson God was trying to teach Moses.

The first passage is in Exodus 3:11-12 "But Moses said to God, "Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?" He said, "But I will be with you, and this shall be a sign for you, that I have sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain."  Moses asks God "who am I?"  God reminds Moses that it's not about Moses it's about who God is; God is the One who will do the work.  What is most important is that God will be with Moses.  God then gives Moses a promise...a sign...Moses will worship God again, with the freed Israelites on that very same mountain.  

In Exodus 4:10-13 Moses again questions his ability to succeed at the task God is asking him to do.  "But Moses said to the LORD, "Oh my Lord, I am not eloquent, either in the past or since you have spoken to your servant, but I am slow of speech and of tongue." Then the LORD said to him, "Who has made man's mouth? Who makes him mute, or deaf, or seeing, or blind?  Is it not I, the LORD? Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall speak.  But he said, "Oh, my Lord, please send someone else." God again reminds Moses that it is God who does the work, not Moses.  God equips for the tasks He sets.

Looking at the verses in Exodus 4 I noticed something interesting.  God refers to Himself as LORD, this is the English translation for the name Yahweh; while Moses refers to God as Lord, which is the English translation for Adonai.  The difference in these names is very telling about God's perspective vs. Moses perspective.  Moses uses the name/title Adonai which is a general term for lord meaning "master, one who has rule over you"  Moses recognizes that he is under God's rule but God reminds Moses of just WHO that Ruler is; Yahweh means "the one who brings into existence", I've also seen it referred to as God's covenant name because when God makes a promise in Scripture He uses the name Yahweh as the name He swears by (see Hebrews 6:13, Genesis 15:7).  God was telling Moses that He, as the promise-keeping God with all authority, would bring this freedom for the Israelites into existence.  Yahweh is the One Who equips, Yahweh gives purposes for each person.  How much greater is our God than what Moses was thinking...how often we are just like Moses; making our God small, relying on our own abilities...but that's not how God works.  He uses the weak, foolish things of this world to show how Great He is! (1 Corinthians 1) 

Psalm 139:16 Tells us that God has a purpose and plan for each of us "Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there were none of them."  Just like Moses we can fall into thinking that our purpose depends on us being strong enough, good enough, "fill in the blank" enough...that God gives us a task but then is hands off.  But God says no, that's not how He works.  God will be with us every step of the way, He will equip us for whatever He has for us to do.  The most important thing is the stay in His presence and seek His guidance every step of the way.  

A bit of this and that

Just a few things on this Saturday:

1) Do you ever choose a word of the year?  I've done this the past few years and post Bible verses related to that word on a letter board I have in our entryway.  I change out the verse each month; it's a great way to keep focus on Scripture.  My "word" for 2019 was joy and for 2020 it was peace.  I've always found it interesting to see how God uses these words & verses to keep my focus on Him in circumstances throughout the year.  This past year it was especially helpful to have a verse about peace - finding peace in God - to read several times a day as I walked past the letter board.  This year the words "thankful/gratitude" are what I'm focusing on.  2020 was challenging but God also blessed in many ways and I want to remember to focus on gratitude even when things aren't the way I'd choose.

2) I've missed the past couple weeks of the Thankful Thursday posts; which is a bit ironic seeing as that's my "word".  I'm definitely thankful for much but my focus these past weeks has been on a few other offline things so I've chosen to not stress about posting.  

3) I use the Goodreads app/website to keep track of books I want to read, those I'm reading and those I have read.  It's a great resource as I can also see what friends are reading or what they thought of a particular book.  Here is my summary of what books I read in 2020: Books of 2020 .  Another feature that I love about Goodreads is that if there is a book my kids want to read we can check reviews on Goodreads to see if it's any good or if there is anything inappropriate in the book. 

4) Last year I shared that I was reading through the Bible using a Historical Sequence plan.  I truly enjoyed reading it that way and am planning to repeat that plan sometime in the future.  This year a friend mentioned she was using a plan that has you read through the Bible in the Tanakh order.  The Tanakh is the traditional Jewish order for the Old Testament organizing the books into three sections: the Law, Prophets and Writings.  So I'm trying that plan this year.  No matter how you read the Bible, whether cover to cover, studying a particular book or topic the important this is to be in the Bible each day!  

5) Your turn:  What books are you reading or hoping to read in 2021?  What are your plans for Bible reading?  Do you choose a "word" for each year?  

6) Another "new-to-me" song I wanted to share: I'm so thankful that there is Never a Time when God is not God and is not with us...