Studying the Scriptures
[Jesus said], “These are the very Scriptures that testify about me.” John 5:39
READ John 5:39–47
J. I. Packer (1926–2020), in his classic work Knowing God,
spoke of four well-known believers in Christ whom he called “beavers
for the Bible.” Not all were trained scholars, but each one exercised
great care to know God by gnawing into the Scripture, like a beaver digs
in and gnaws away at a tree. Packer further noted that knowing God
through Bible study is not just for scholars. “A simple Bible reader and
sermon hearer who is full of the Holy Spirit will develop a far deeper
acquaintance with his God and Savior than a more learned scholar who is
content with being theologically correct.”
Unfortunately, not all who study the Bible do so with humble hearts
with the goal of getting to know the Savior better and becoming more
like Him. In Jesus’ day there were those who read the Old Testament
Scriptures, yet they missed the very One they spoke of. “You study the
Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal
life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me, yet you
refuse to come to me to have life” (John 5:39–40).
Do you sometimes find yourself stumped as you read the Bible? Or have
you given up studying the Scriptures altogether? Bible “beavers” are
more than Bible readers. They prayerfully and carefully gnaw away at
Scripture in ways that open their eyes and hearts to see and love
Jesus—the One revealed in it.
By Arthur Jackson |
What are some Old Testament Scripture
passages that you recognize as “testifying” about Jesus? What better
habits do you need to develop to become a better student of the
Scriptures?
Father, open my eyes to see Jesus in all of Scripture so that I might love, obey, and serve Him more. | | | | |
SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
In John 5:39, Jesus stresses the importance
of studying Scripture because it points to Him. Both the Old and New
Testaments declare Scripture’s impact. In 2 Timothy 3, Paul encourages
Timothy to continue in the Scriptures, and he notes that “all Scripture
is God-breathed” and trains and equips us for personal growth in
holiness and to serve others (vv. 16–17). Before installing Joshua as
the new Israelite leader, God urged him to “meditate on [the Law] day
and night” so that he’d be obedient and successful (Joshua 1:8). In
Psalm 19, David declares that the words of God refresh the soul, make
wise the simple, and give joy to the heart and light to the eyes. By
them we’re warned and find great reward (vv. 7–11). Through keeping and
treasuring Scripture, we’re blessed, and God makes our way clear (Psalm
119:1–3, 105; Proverbs 2:1–5).
Alyson Kieda
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