Scripture Reading: Nehemiah 8:1-12

Hermeneutics (Part 1)

Come to the Knowledge of the Truth

Intro.

1. This lesson begins a brief series on understanding the Bible.

2. God made man in His image w/ an intelligent/rational mind, capable of communicating & understanding by means of words (Gen. 1:26-28).

3. God has always spoken to men in the words of men so as to be understood by men:

a. Adam & Eve understood from the beginning (Gen. 2:16-17; 3:1-3).

b. Israel understood both the spoken & written word from the time God gave it to them - (Exo. 20-23) Exo. 24:3-4, 7, 12; 25:8-9.

c. “The book of the law of Moses” could be plainly understood 1,000 years after it was given to man by God – Neh. 8:1-3, 7-8.

4. God’s determined wish is that we come to know truth – 1 Tim. 2:3-4.

5. Men who sincerely try to understand God’s word can understand – Jno. 8:31-32; Acts 8:30-31; 17:11; Eph. 3:3-5; 2 Tim. 2:15.

I. HERMENEUTICS: WHAT IS IT?

A. The Science (principles) of Interpretation. (Acts 14:12)

1. Hermes – Greek messenger of the gods & interpreter of Jupiter.

2. How to go about interpreting the Bible to understanding it.

B. God Expects us to Use His Book to Know His Character & to Know His Will - Psa. 119:11-16.

1. Go about understanding the Bible like we would other books.

a. The true principles of understanding the Bible are the common principles of human language & understanding (who is speaking, to whom; when; context; literal; figurative; poetry, prose, history, biography, letter; statement, example, implication).

b. Used unconsciously every day. Should be conscious of these principles in our study & understanding of God’s word.

2. God does not inspire our interpretation (2 Tim. 3:16).

a. God chose the word-method of revelation & communication (Heb. 1:2; 1 Cor. 2:12-13; 2 Pet. 1:21). (This method brings its own particular strengths & weaknesses re. interpretation.)

b. Cf. Jno. 14:26 (remembrance) w/ Eph. 3:3-4 (read to know).

II. THOSE IN ANCIENT TIMES BELIEVED THEY COULD GAIN KNOWLEDGE OF GOD’S WILL.

A. “To the Law & to the Testimony” – Isa. 8:19-20.

1. By applying the same methods of interpretation used in any other branch of knowledge, knowledge of God’s word obtained.

a. Ezra 7:10 – Set heart: Seek…obey…teach (cf. Jno. 7:17).

b. Deut. 29:29 – Things revealed belonged to them to do!

2. Neh. 8:1-8 – Law of God read – taught – understood (8:12).

B. Like Them, We Must Read, Study, Meditate in order to Understand & Obey God’s Word – Psa. 1:1-2 (cf. Lk. 16:29-31; 1 Tim. 4:13, 15).

III. WHY MUST WE BE CONCERNED WITH USING CORRECT HERMENEUTICS (principles of interpretation) IN BIBLE STUDY?

A. It Shows Respect for God’s Word – 2 Tim. 2:15.

B. To Not Be Led Away into Error & Lose our Soul – 2 Pet. 3:16-18.

C. To Help Promote Unity & Heal Division Among Believers – Eph. 4:3; Jno. 17:20-21.

1. Jesus prayed for unity, his apostles condemned division.

2. Only truth of Christ can unite us with God & with each other!

3. Improper interpretation accelerates division! (2 Pet. 2:1-2)

D. To Correctly Answer Truth Seekers &/or Skeptics (1 Pet. 3:15).

1. Acts 8:30-31, 35 – Philip accurately preached Jesus because he accurately understood the word of God!

2. Acts 17:2-3 – From the scriptures Paul showed the purpose & work of the Christ – His hearers could understand them! The answers we must give so people can understand God’s will for them!

E. To Know the Way to Heaven.

1. Acts 16:30 – Bible answers the question of how to be saved!

2. Answers to man’s pardon from sin, life of righteousness & hope of eternal life found in God’s word! – cf. Psa. 19:7-11

3. If we misinterpret scripture, we lose our way! (Jno. 14:6; Matt. 7:21, 24)

4. God does not want us to be ignorant! (1 Ths. 4:13)

Conclusion

1. We are under obligation to understand God’s will – Eph 5:17.

2. How we obtain our understanding of the Bible will determine whether we are approved & received or rejected by God! – 2 Tim. 2:15; Jno. 8:31-32