Living the Dream: Courage
The Bible contains a number of passages that are particularly difficult to understand, much less apply to our daily lives: Below I have listed three considerations in how to approach particularly difficult parts of the Bible:
- Context: Though context is always important in reading the Bible well, it is especially important with difficult passages. To read “in context” is to read what is around the particular passage being studied. In the case of Genesis 38, we can gain insight into why this chapter shows up where it does when we take time to read the chapters before and after it. In ch.37 we see the beginnings of Judah’s corruption as he instigates selling his brother into slavery. In ch.39 we see Joseph, in contrast to Judah, practice sexual integrity and faithfulness to the Lord.
- Cultural Distance: The Bible can sometimes be difficult to understand because its events occurred in times and places very different from our own. For instance, the practice of “levirate marriage,” by which a next of kin would marry the wife of a relative who had died, is a practice very unfamiliar to us. However, in the culture of biblical people, this practice was very important, so that the widowed spouse would not be abandoned and uncared for. Understanding this is a key component of understanding both Judah’s sin and Tamar’s risk.
- Community: Healthy Bible reading cannot be done in isolation; rather, it is intended to be a community practice, and this is even more important when trying to understand particularly difficult passages. When preparing to preach to Genesis 38, I took some time to get guidance from the elders on how to best approach the sensitive content of this chapter in a preaching setting. Their thoughts and suggestions were very helpful in figuring out how to present this passage in a way that was both faithful to the text, yet also appropriate for all ages. By the way, Sunday School is a great way to read and discuss the Bible with others!
Posted in Digging Deeper
Recent
Archive
2024
July
Being Smart with Smart PhonesFighting for Joy During the HolidaysThe Patriarch of PeaceMe and MaxChrist our ShepherdPromises of PeaceGrief and the HolidaysWhy the Old Testament is ImportantWalking Through PainBiblical Sexuality: Further ResourcesThe Sin of SodomSexuality ResourcesWhy a Fall FestivalSexuality and the GospelPlanning for PeopleThreat or Opportunity20 Traits of Biblical CommunityPeace Through Scripture MemoryThe Rat Race RiskWho I Am In ChristChild-like HumilityAn Animated Tour of PhilippiansDiscovering Spiritual GiftsPsalm 33Living the Dream: Repurposing SinLiving the Dream: ProsperityPancake DelightLiving the Dream: Cultivating FaithfulnessLife TogetherShould I Forgive an Unrepentant Person?Advent Booklet: Devotions for the Advent SeasonPractical PrayerAdvent | Comfort in SalvationComfort in AfflictionRemember That God RemembersA Theology of Racial ReconciliationA Practice of Racial ReconciliationQualifications of an ElderLook UpChasing EternityChasing Eternity: WisdomThe Season of LentChasing Eternity: TimeLiving the Dream: GuiltLiving the Dream: Forgotten?Faithfulness in Times of PlentyLiving the Dream: TestingLiving the Dream: CourageLiving the Dream: The Joseph StoryWhy a Spring Fling?Chasing Eternity: WorkChasing Eternity: Life and DeathPiano LessonsChasing Eternity: Wise WordsPreparing to ShareConversations With ChristBible Reading ResourcesThe Cure for LonelinessThe Loneliest Time of the YearSpending the Day with GodCreation Points us to ChristChrist's Offer of EternityIn EverythingRemembering God in the MessBeing Real About our StrugglesYou FailedUnderstanding GloryA Great Big Thank YouThe Treasure of LightAn Open Letter LifePictures of God's StrengthOverwhelmed Before the LordLove as a DebtResources on God and GovernmentGifts of GraceWhen Things are HardJesus v. Paul?The "One Anothers" of RomansHashtag Holy SpiritLittle Parts of a Larger StoryRemember the Larger StoryFamilies: Struggles and Blessings in Times of TroubleLearning from Racial SinSeeing ClearlyPraying with NehemiahDrawing Your Self-PortraitJesus Style CommunityEncouraging EldersA "One Another" LifeLearning from Physical StrugglesParents Being ParentedWhat We Know About End TimesI Love Youth RetreatsDoes God Hear My Prayer?Humility: The Key to the KingdomBlessing OthersHow the Cross Changes UsJesus Used Technology