Wed.3.18.15...Jonah 1...Interpretation

You are an Explorer like Indiana Jones

Yesterday you were a CSI investigator, as it were, investigating the disaster that came about on the high seas because of Jonah’s disobedience. Like Sergeant Joe Friday, you were after the FACTS. We gathered Fast facts, Asked questions, Checked for key words because they leave clues, Titled and then Summarized our CSI report. (This is what is involved in Observation - the first step of Bible study- What does it say? Now we’re going to implement the next step- Interpretation- What does it mean?)  

Today I want you to imagine you are an Explorer, like Indiana Jones. (Yes, you've worn his hat before. This is the work of Interpretation.) Imagine you’re exploring a secret passageway you discovered in a pyramid. 

To your delight, you see markings on one of the walls- some kind of message or passage. You get out your notepad, and by the light of a torch, you copy down FACTS about what you see. (Observation- What does it say?) But what do those markings mean? Now you have to go to work interpreting their meaning (Interpretation- What does it mean?) So what tools do you use to interpret the meaning of the markings- the passage you've discovered? If the passage before you was from Scripture, you’d use the tools expert Bible explorers use- Context, Cross references, Commentaries  and  Concordances. These will enable you to come up with a proper interpretation as to what those markings mean. Let’s use such today to dig out the meanings from the FACTS we gathered yesterday from Jonah chapter 1. Wait a minute Dave! What if I don’t have a study Bible with lots cross references? Or what if I don’t have Bible commentaries on Jonah or a concordance? No worries. Now you do! Watch the following YouTube video and you’ll get the tools that expert explorers/interpreters use-

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCJl7GAAbLM

For the rest of your days as a Bible explorer, you'll be able to use Biblehub.com to help you check the context, cross references, commentaries and concordances. So bookmark Biblehub.com. You'll use it again and again. I sure do.

1.-So now that you're equipped with such expert tools of Bible explorers, take any verse out of Jonah chapter 1 and type it into your Biblehub.com search bar. Then for starters, share with me and your fellow explorers, one great cross reference verse that you see on the right hand side of Biblehub, that speaks to the verse from Jonah 1 that you selected. (We are using a BIG Bible Interpretation Guideline we had noted before- Compare Scripture with Scripture because the Bible is its own best commentary.) So write out your verse from Jonah and then your cross reference verse as well. (A few of you have done this often before. Now all can easily do so.) 

2.-Write out your cross reference verse also on your MP3 card (Then do the Did it.)

Now please go to the GREAT scoreboard via the "Resources" tab and put your points on the board. Way to go! Please fill out your contact information on the bottom right Contacts tab, if you haven't done so yet. 

Thanks for giving lots of encouragement to our Pros and to each other. we all should be scoring big in this area with so many new Pros. Do you see anyone on the scoreboard that needs encouragement? Then you know what to do?

Here’s a summary of our BIG Bible Interpreting Guidelines we've discovered so far-

Ask questions!

Give careful consideration to what you read.  

The purpose of rightly interpreting the Bible is to rightly obey it.

The Bible is the best interpreter of itself. So compare scripture with Scripture.

Being prayerful is commendable but it is not a dependable replacement for the careful study of Scripture.

It’s imperative that we know what kind of literature we are reading to interpret it and apply it correctly.

Knowing the background to what we are reading helps us better understand the passage. Commentaries and online resources can help us with such.

Knowing the mood of the author helps you better understand his message.

The apostles often quoted the OT from the Greek version of it called the Septuagint; thus don't be surprised that it doesn't line up exactly with our OT translated from the Hebrew. Plus,they paraphrased at times, all under the inspiration of God.

Since the Bible is God’s perfect word, if you think you’ve found an error in the Bible, it’s your error, not God’s! Many people think they’ve found a contradiction, when it may only be a contrasting statement, not a contradictory statement.

“Humbly accept the word” We don’t stand in judgment on it, it stands in judgment on us.

Keep in mind that the grand theme of the Bible is Jesus.

Don’t spiritualize the Scriptures. Those who spiritualize tell spiritual lies. Don’t read spiritual hidden meanings about Jesus into everything.

The plain thing is the main thing. And the main thing is the plain thing.

Recognize the progress of revelation. The NT supersedes the OT.

Understand Hebrew poetry- the second line gives insight into the first line.

The context of a word determines its meaning. A text without a context is a pretext.

Words also need to be understood in their historical context.

Interpret difficult verses in light of clear ones.
Look for repeated words or phrases to help you discover what the author is emphasizing. The main thing is the plain thing. 

Look for major Bible themes as you read. 

God is the true hero of the book. 

The Key Components of Accurate Bible Study

1.-Observation- (What does it say?) Get the F.A.C.T.S. like a CSI detective- Fast Facts- Ask Questions, Check for key words, Title and Summarize your report.

2.Interpretation- (What does it mean?) Like an explorer, interpret the ancient passageway passage by studying the Context, Cross references, Commentaries and Concordances. Tools such as BIblehub.com can be a great help here.