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Last Updated on : Saturday, October 11, 2014

 

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selah

 

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Chapter 2

Setting Objectives


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WE must have purpose in our reading. So many read the Bible aimlessly. They do it as a duty, or, perhaps, because they love the Book. But they are not seeking for something as they read; they have no plan in mind. They do a lot of reading, but they gain little knowledge.

For years I have adopted a practice in Bible reading that I have found to be of great help. I follow the Bible Companion reading chart, but I am always searching for references to support other subjects. Each year I decide upon a subject, and any time I come upon a reference to it in the daily readings, I note it in a book that I always have with me. In addition, when a new book of the Bible is commenced, I might set myself the task of looking for references that show how that particular writer treats with a specific subject. This task has a two-fold effect: (1) I dare not miss a chapter in the daily readings in case it contains some reference to the subject I am following; (2) The reading becomes intensely interesting, like a treasure hunt, for I do not know what each day will bring forth. No longer does my mind wander on to other things; I read with a purpose in mind, and thus have to concentrate on the matter in hand.

One year, I set myself the task of noting all the places in the Bible where reference is made to the House of Prayer to be erected in Jerusalem, in the Age to Come. Each verse was carefully scrutinised for hidden or open references to this subject, with the result that I not only found many references to the Temple that I never knew existed previously, but I also derived much more pleasure and profit from every verse I read. I next wrote all these references out in full in a book (there were well over a hundred of them), ready to sectionise them; and as I did this, my knowledge of the subject was advancing all the time. Instead of the Temple being something vague and indefinite, it assumed shape and substance in my mind, and became a thrilling subject to think upon. On another occasion, when commencing to read the Prophecy of Jeremiah, I decided to take note of all references made therein to the future of Israel. Again the result was a revelation, as I pondered verse after verse. As an example, consider Jeremiah 3:21 to Ch. 4:2. This Scripture undoubtedly refers to the future redemption of Israel as the context clearly shows. But when these verses are carefully considered, what a revelation they give. Notice v.22, and the invitation of Yahweh: "Return, ye backsliding children, and I will heal your backslidings." Notice the response of Israel in that day: "Behold, we come unto thee; for thou art Yahweh our God" (v.22). Notice the recognition of past blindness, and the humbling of themselves before Yahweh, and confession of sin in vv. 23-25. Notice the conditions then set before Israel for their acceptance again into favour, contained in Jer. 4:1-2. So there is built up in the mind a graphic picture of how Israel will be grafted in again, at the appearing of the Messiah; a picture that when linked with other Scriptures becomes more boldly defined in outline.

The first essential in the pleasureable and profitable study of the Word is to have an objective, and aim for it. Do not read this wonderful Book aimlessly. Always have a subject in mind when you turn to it. Always have a notebook and pencil at hand as you read. If you find a verse you do not understand, make a note of it, and do not be satisfied until you have an explanation of it. Set out to cover a subject, or to study in detail a whole book. By these means your pleasure and profit from Bible study will grow, and you will come to delight in that which previously may have been a boredom to you. -- H.P.M.

The Bible never grows stale, also does not open its treasures to the careless and casual reader.

 

 


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