Hearing His Voice #54

Jesus took them through the writings of Moses and all the prophets, explaining from all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.

Luke 24:27

Hebrew Scripture had been scrutinized for centuries. Some parts of it were older than others, but it had all been the subject of intense study among Jews long before the time of Jesus. Yet Jesus was somehow able to unveil meanings in Scripture that applied to Him and that no one had yet understood. The Messiah had been hinted at, symbolized, foreshadowed, and foretold for hundreds of years, but no one had seen Him clearly in God’s Word. The plain meaning of the text had not been all that plain.

Many today argue that the meaning of Scripture is clear, and in many respects it is. God’s plan of salvation and His general will for our lives are spelled out in simple terms. But when people argue that all the meaning is on the surface and urge others to quit looking for deeper truths, they are denying the layers in which God speaks. Rabbinic interpreters have long seen at least four approaches to the Word: (1) a literal, surface meaning; (2) a deeper meaning often found in hints and nuances of words; (3) a metaphorical or allegorical meaning taken from symbolism in a passage; and (4) a hidden, subjective, mystical interpretation. Whether every passage is subject to all four approaches is open to discussion, but God has shown Himself capable of embedding truth at multiple levels in Scripture, which is why commentators are still uncovering the meaning of certain symbolic expressions in ancient texts. God’s voice is able to express infinite truths in a finite number of words. He can creatively apply His words to a variety of situations at one time.

Always embrace the plain meaning of Scripture, but also hear God’s voice between the lines, underneath the stories, through the symbols and images, and behind the printed words. He is communicating more than meets the eye.

Lord, heighten my senses to hear deeper truths, see bigger visions, and feel the weight of Your voice. Let Your Spirit explain the Scriptures to me personally and specifically.