The Bible is Not Written to You

Deuteronomy 5:3

Introduction

Having clearing shown that the Bible is meant for us to read and understand and apply, we now turn our attention to another side of that same coin.

We are not the original recipients of these words.

While that may sound like an obvious truth, it is one is easily forgotten in the moment.

It is a truth that when contemplated, can open up clearer understanding as we study God’s word.

The Audience vs. The Subject

The Bible is rarely written to the people it is about.

Sometimes, the text makes this clear (Gen. 2:24; Rom. 4:23-24).

Other times it takes more work to shift from subject to audience (1 & 2 Chron.)

This can cause major shifts in our understanding of a text (Jonah).

Sometimes the shift is more subtle, but still important (Matt. 8:5-13).

The Audience vs. Me

There are places where it is very easy to see that I am not the original audience (1 Tim. 4:13).

Other times, people insert themselves too quickly (Jer. 1:5).

We have to start by learning what we can about the original audience (Jer. 29:11).

Sometimes the audience isn’t completely clear (Hebrews).

If we skip this step entirely, you may not even know what words mean (Jn. 3:16).

Conclusion

Obviously, none of this means this isn’t for you as Marshall has pointed out.

The point is, to find out what is for you, you have to start by understanding what was for them. THEN you can move toward how this applies to me.

Reading an Old Testament story and coming away with a “moral to the story” may be (likely is) far short of everything God wanted you to learn from that story.

Often, the consequences aren’t that you end up with a false idea, but more that you don’t know nearly as much as you ought.

The Pharisees weren’t wrong about tithing, they were wrong in putting it at the very foundation of their relationship to God.