Why should we study the Bible?
A. Introduction
Is
it not sufficient just to read the Bible?
Is
it really necessary to study and research, which requires much
effort?
Yes. It is absolutely
necessary because:
1. It
is an inexhaustible treasure
Read
Psalm 119:162 and Job 11:7-9
a) Treasures are seldom found on
the surface. You must dig for them.
b) You will find, as Job did,
that there are no limits when you search for the deep things of God.
c) The Word of God is the
greatest, most valuable, treasure on earth.
Illustration:
For how much silver and gold would you sell your Bible, if you were
never allowed to have another one?
I would not sell it for all
the gold in the world!!!
2. It
is a divine revelation
Read
2 Timothy 3:15-17
It is the only book in man’s
possession "written" by God and revealing His will.
In it we find God's revelation
about man, sin, death, hell, about the way of salvation, eternal
life, heaven, about the Christian life, the church, the future - yes,
about anything concerning life and godliness.
It is God Himself reproving,
correcting and instructing. His purpose is to keep us on the straight
road - in His perfect will.
If we allow the Word to do its
work, we will be complete (perfect) and thoroughly equipped for every
good work. Verse 17.
3. There
is great joy and benefit in studying God's word.
Read
Psalm 1:2-3.
a) "Like a tree" which
constantly drinks the living water.
b) Notice - we
should "meditate" on His Word day
and night.
Meditate means "to think deeply about".
c) The result
will be growth
and plenty
of fruit,
a life that will prosper in the will of God.
Read Psalm
119
a) This is the longest chapter
in the Bible, having 176 verses.
b) Almost
every verse mentions the Word of God and the wonderful benefit there
is for the one who studies and keeps it. (N.B. It is enough if God
says something once
only. Don’t allow the advertising syndrome of repetitiveness to
determine your spiritual life).
c) Go through each of these
verses (in your own time) and you will be completely convinced of the
blessing and importance of studying the Word of God.
Read
Joshua 1:7-8.
a) Here the Lord Himself commands
Joshua to read and meditate on His Word day and night.
b) It is clear
here, that the study of the Word has an exact purpose: that
we may carefully do everything written in it.
The result of this will be that we may prosper and be successful.
A parallel Scripture in the New
Testament (2 Tim 3:17) tells us “that the man of God may be
perfect and fully equipped.”
Symbols
for the Word of God
The many "symbols" used
in the Bible for the Word of God also indicate some of the powerful
results of studying the Word. Let's look at some of them:
1. A
lamp and a light
Read
Psalm 119:105
a) Right from the first page of
the Bible, where darkness is upon the face of the earth, we see that
God’s Word brought forth light.
b) In the first chapter of John's
Gospel we read that Jesus, as the Word, shines into darkness and
overcomes it. Verse 5.
c) All unsaved
people are in spiritual darkness. Satan has blinded their minds so
that the
light of the gospel
cannot
shine upon them. 2 Cor 4:4
d) But:
"God has delivered us from the power of darkness and translated
us into the Kingdom of His dear Son". Col 1:13.
e) For the child of God, the Word
is a wonderful guiding light. "We would do well if we heed it."
2 Pet 1:19.
Illustration:
If a ship’s captain heeds the guidance of the lighthouse he will
do well. If he ignores it, he will end in great disaster! The same
is true for any person who ignores the Word of God!
3. A
mirror
Read
James 1:22-25
Who do I see when I look into a
mirror? I see myself! The Word shows me "what I really look
like". But it also encourages me to correct my appearance. If I
do, the Word says I will be blessed.
Read
2 Corinthians 3:18
The Word also shows us Jesus in
all His glory. As we keep on looking at Him in "the mirror"
we are transformed into His likeness, from one degree of glory to
another. Just as we use the natural mirror several times a day - let
it be the same with the spiritual mirror. We are encouraged to
meditate on the Word day and night.
4. A
Bath
(washing with water)
Read
Ephesians 5:26
Physically we know how important
it is that we wash daily.
Spiritually it is the same -
there is an ongoing washing process needed. The Word is a wonderful
cleansing water that washes our soul, as we study it under the
guidance of the Holy Spirit. The Word introduces the blood of Jesus
which washes away stains, wrinkles and blemishes. It makes us
radiant, holy and blameless.
As we study and apply the Word we
are being changed from glory to glory into a radiant "bride".
5. Food
Read
Hebrews 5:12-14
As our physical body cannot
function without food, so our spiritual life needs the food of the
Word. It must be a balanced diet fit for the level of maturity of the
person.
"Milk" is the wonderful
gospel and the foundational teachings found in Hebrews 6:1-2. "The
solid food" is the study of the deep wonderful truths of the
Word of God.
If we study and apply the Word,
we will grow in maturity and will be able to teach others.
6. A
sword
Read
Ephesians 6:17 and Hebrews 4:12
The Word is a wonderful weapon to
defeat the enemy - the very weapon Jesus used when tempted by Satan.
Luke 4:4 and 8.
The Word has also the ability to
cut right into the very core of our being. See for example the
account of the day of Pentecost. Acts 2:37.
A natural warrior needs daily
training to be really skilled with his sword. The same applies to a
spiritual warrior.
7. Seed
Read
Luke 8:11
There is life and great potential
in the Word. The better prepared the soil of the heart is, the more
effective and fruitful the Word becomes in our lives.
8. There
are several other symbols
which
show the powerful effect of the Word. We will not discuss them here
in detail, but some of them are:
a) Rain and snow: Isaiah
55:10-11.
b) A hammer: Jeremiah 23:29.
c) Fire: Jeremiah 20:9.
