We believe that the Bible is the inspired word of God - it is infallible but how should we deal with difficult passages that seems to have apparent errors or contradiction in it. This weeks SSlesson will discuss some important insight on the study of the Bible with the right attitude. These includes: A. Logic, B. Honesty, C. Humbleness, D. Perseverance, E. Prayer.

Memory Text:

And account [that] the longsuffering of our Lord [is] salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;

As also in all [his] epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as [they do] also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. (2 Pet. 3:15, 16)

Prayer Thought:

• Whenever the study of the Scriptures is entered upon without a prayerful, humble, teachable spirit, the plainest and simplest as well as the most difficult passages will be wrested from their true meaning. . . . The Word of God is plain to all who study it with a prayerful heart. Every truly honest soul will come to the light of truth. "Light is sown for the righteous." Psalm 97:11. And no church can advance in holiness unless its members are earnestly seeking for truth as for hid treasure. {Mar 132.5}

A. Logic

“Solemnly charge them before the Lord not to wrangle over words. […] teaching the message of truth accurately.” (2 Timothy 2:14-15 NET)

1. Inspired Interpreter as Human Instrumentality

Let now no one deceive himself by thinking that the Bible Itself is the active Spirit of Prophecy. Let us be God's real people, logical thinkers, not bait hunters. The Bible, you know, without the human channel, is as inactive as though It were but ink and paper. Moreover, the Spirit, too, apart from man, is also inactive: He, too, works through the human agent. Hence, without an inspired interpreter the concealed prophecies and the Spirit that unfolds them are inactive. Moreover, how could it be said of one particular group having the Spirit of Prophecy, when all the sects in Christendom have the Bible? (2TG 24.23)

a. Study Zech. 4 - The Golden Bowl

Read and study the fourth chapter of Zechariah. The two olive trees empty the golden oil out of themselves through the golden pipes into the golden bowl, from which the lamps of the sanctuary are fed. The golden oil represents the Holy Spirit. With this oil God's ministers are to be constantly supplied, that they, in turn, may impart it to the church. "Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts." God's servants can obtain victories only by inward purity, by cleanness of heart, by holiness. {RH, December 22, 1904 par. 7}

b. The Golden Bowl - https://sites.google.com/view/meatindueseason/11-the-golden-bowl-zec-4?authuser=0

c. The Universal Dairy - https://sites.google.com/view/meatindueseason/11-1-the-universal-dairy?authuser=0

2. Illogical if lack of Knowledge

Logic without knowledge, almost invariably proves illogical instead of logical. In the present case, we must understand why that, in the first three sections, the length of time, in the anti-type, is found by employing a multiplier, before we can understand why that the time of the last two sections remain literally the same as in the type. (2SC 12.5.1)

However, we need not base our position entirely on logic. The Scriptures abundantly evidence the fact that Jesus is to dwell in the midst of His People at a time before every case is decided. We quote Zech. 2:10, 11 -- "Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion: for, lo, I come, and I will dwell in the midst of thee, saith the Lord. And many nations shall be joined to the Lord in that day, and shall be My people." (1SC 7.9.1)

3. Threefold Proofs: History, Logic and Scripture

Since, therefore, history, logic, and scripture combine their evidences to prove unconditionally that God has preserved the genealogy of the chosen branch of the human race forward from Adam to Noah (Matt. 1:1-17), and backward from Jesus to Adam (Luke 3:23-38).

• CONTRADICTIONS

— How many blind men did Jesus heal in Jericho? How many demon-possessed men were there in Gadara (Mt. 8:28; Lk. 8:27)? Who tempted David to take a census (2S. 24:1; 1Chr. 21:1)?

— Most of the apparent contradictions the in the Bible are found in parallel passages.

— When two people tell the same event, they usually recall different details, even if both witnessed it at first hand. This happens because different things caught the attention of each person. Logically, this results in differences between the two accounts.

• ERRORS OF COPYISTS

— One of the most evident errors of copyists is found in some translations of 1 John 5:7-8. In this case, the marginal note of a copyist was included by other copyists as part of the original text.

• TRANSLATION ERRORS

— Sometimes, the error of a copyist may result in translation errors, like in Revelation 22:14.

— Some Greek manuscripts use an expression (HOIPOIOUNTESTASENTOLAS) that translates as “those who do His commandments” (NKJV). Other manuscripts use a different expression (HOIPLUNONTESTASSTOLAS) that translates as “those who wash their robes” (NIV).

— We must check these passages against similar ones to understand which interpretation is the right one. These errors are human, they have nothing to do with the divine inspiration of the Bible.

B. Honesty

“He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk uprightly.” (Proverbs 2:7)

1. Honest Inquirer for Truth

Only Bible truth and Bible religion will stand the test of the judgment. We are not to pervert the word of God to suit our convenience, and worldly interests, but to honestly inquire, "What wilt thou have me to do?" "Ye are not your own, for ye are bought with a price." [1 Corinthians 6:19, 20.] And what a price! Not "with corruptible things, as silver and gold, . . . but with the precious blood of Christ." [1 Peter 1:18, 19.] CE 119.2

2. Honest Seekers for Truth

They were not revealed in such a way as to perplex and mislead the honest seeker after truth. Said the Lord by the prophet Habakkuk: "Write the vision, and make it plain, . . . that he may run that readeth it." Habakkuk 2:2. The word of God is plain to all who study it with a prayerful heart. Every truly honest soul will come to the light of truth. "Light is sown for the righteous." Psalm 97:11. And no church can advance in holiness unless its members are earnestly seeking for truth as for hid treasure. {DD 7.5}

3. Honesty for Truth Prevails Over error

The Jewish leaders thought that if they could by whatsoever means but get rid of Christ, His work of reform and advanced light on the Word of God would then come to an end, but it was after they crucified Him that His work brought forth fruit and that thousands accepted the teachings of Christ. Likewise, as the false charges, and cruel unChrist-like actions against us in the past have worked out for the advancement of the cause of God, this one will also. Truth, honesty, and integrity, in time, always prevail against error, falsehood and impropriety. (2SC 7,8.4)

• We may find some passages that we cannot understand or explain.
• In those cases, we should be honest and acknowledge that we are not able to solve the problem.
• If we know that an explanation may be wrong, it's a serious mistake to embrace it as true. It's even worse to introduce this explanation with the intention of deceiving others, making them believe something we know the text does not actually support.

C. Humbleness

But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: 'God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.’” (James 4:6)

1. Reward for the Humble

The development of truth will be the reward to the humble-hearted seeker who will fear God and walk with Him. The truth that the mind grasps as truth is capable of constant expansion and new development. . . .As the mind grasps it in its preciousness, it becomes elevated, ennobled, and sanctified.—Manuscript 143, 1897 (Manuscript Releases, vol. 16, pp. 122, 123). {CTr 299.6}

2. Full Understanding for the Humble Seekers for Truth

In your study of the word, lay at the door of investigation your preconceived opinions and your hereditary and cultivated ideas. You will never reach the truth if you study the Scriptures to vindicate your own ideas. Leave these at the door, and with a contrite heart go in to hear what the Lord has to say to you. As the humble seeker for truth sits at Christ's feet, and learns of Him, the word gives him understanding. To those who are too wise in their own conceit to study the Bible, Christ says, You must become meek and lowly in heart if you desire to become wise unto salvation. {MYP 260.1}

3. Holiness and Justice for Humble Seekers

The moment the humble seeker sees God as He is, that moment he will have the same view of himself that Daniel had. There will be no lifting up of the soul unto vanity, but a deep sense of the holiness of God and of the justice of His requirements.--Review and Herald, Feb. 9, 1897. {YRP 27.5}

• What about those passages that seem to go against something we believe it's true? What if those passages are pointing out something we're doing as sin?
• Pride may prevent us from admitting we're not right. We may try to find an explanation to make the passages support our "truth" or sin at any cost, no matter how twisted the explanation.
• On the other hand, a humble spirit will help us to accept the truth as written in the Bible, and let God mold our lives according to that truth.

D. Perseverance

“And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.” (Galatians 6:9)

1. Saved in the Kingdom: Those Who have Perseverance

It will require tact, zeal, deep thought, much prayer, and perseverance through all obstacles and hindrances; but the joy of seeing souls saved in the kingdom of God, will be our great reward. May the Lord help us to work while the day lasts. {RH, October 14, 1884 par. 17}

2. Put the Whole Armor of God

And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God: praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints." {RH, August 5, 1909 par. 9}

3. Employ Time for Diligent study and Persevering Effort

Arise early and economize your moments so you have time for Bible study.--By rising early and economizing their moments, ministers can find time for a close investigation of the Scriptures. They must have perseverance, and not be thwarted in their object, but persistently employ their time in a study of the Word, bringing to their aid the truths which other minds, through wearing labor, have brought out for them, and with diligent, persevering effort prepared to their hand. (PaM 81.2)

4. Avoid Despising Small Things

We are not to despise the day of small things; but by a diligent care and perseverance, we are to make the small opportunities and talents minister to our advancement in divine life, and hasten us on to a more intelligent and better service.—Review and Herald, May 1, 1888. {BLJ 87.4}

5. Molded after the Divine Model

To study and understand their varied characters, and day by day to mould them after the divine Model, is a work demanding great diligence and perseverance, and much prayer, with an abiding faith in God’s promises.—(Signs of the Times, May 4, 1888.) {Pr 251.2}

• We must take time to perseveringly study some difficult texts. We may even have to set them aside for some time, until God gives us more light to understand them.
• The time we devote to a matter is directly proportional to how interested we are on it. Therefore, be persistent and patient in Bible Study.

E. Prayer

“These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual.” (1 Corinthians 2:13)

1. Season of Prayer for strength and enlightenment

With Bible Study.--Let small companies [in our publishing houses] assemble together in the evening or early morning to study the Bible for themselves. Let them have a season of prayer that they may be strengthened and enlightened and sanctified by the Holy Spirit. This is the work Christ wants to have done in the heart of everyone who is engaged in any department of the publishing work. If you will do this a great blessing will come to you. . . . What testimonies you should bear of the loving acquaintance you have made with your fellow-workers in these precious seasons when seeking the blessing of God. Let each tell his experience in simple words. This will bring more comfort and joy to the soul than all the pleasant instruments of song that can be produced in the tabernacle. Let Christ come into your hearts.-- Letter 2, 1900, pp. 3,4. (To Brother and Sister Sisley, January 3, 1900.) {9MR 98.1}

2. Setting Aside Time for Prayer

Guard jealously your hours for prayer, Bible study, and self-examination.--In the great conflict before us, he who would keep true to Christ must penetrate deeper than the opinions and doctrines of men. My message to ministers, young and old, is this: Guard jealously your hours for prayer, Bible study, and self-examination. Set aside a portion of each day for a study of the Scriptures and communion with God. Thus you will obtain spiritual strength, and will grow in favor with God. He alone can give you noble aspirations; He alone can fashion the character after the divine similitude. Draw near to Him in earnest prayer, and He will fill your hearts with high and holy purposes, and with deep, earnest longings for purity and clearness of thought.--GW 100. {PaM 21.4}

3. Bible Should be Studied with Prayer

The Bible should be studied with prayer. We should pray as did David, "Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law." No man can have insight into the word of God without the illumination of the Holy Spirit... And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance." God is willing to give us a similar blessing, when we seek for it as earnestly. {RH, June 4, 1889 par. 6}

• We can ask the author of the Bible directly when we don't understand something. God gave us prayer to communicate with Him.
• We should never study the bible without praying. We must let the Holy Spirit guide us into all truth (John 16:13).

From the Pen of Inspiration:

• We shall advance in true spiritual knowledge only as we realize our own littleness and our entire dependence upon God; but all who come to the Bible with a teachable and prayerful spirit, to study its utterances as the word of God, will receive divine enlightenment. There are many things apparently difficult or obscure which God will make plain and simple to those who thus seek an understanding of them. {5T 704.1}
• It is sometimes the case that men of intellectual ability, improved by education and culture, fail to comprehend certain passages of Scripture, while others who are uneducated, whose understanding seems weak and whose minds are undisciplined, will grasp the meaning, finding strength and comfort in that which the former declare to be mysterious or pass by as unimportant. Why is this? It has been explained to me that the latter class do not rely upon their own understanding. They go to the Source of light, the One who has inspired the Scriptures, and with humility of heart ask God for wisdom, and they receive it. There are mines of truth yet to be discovered by the earnest seeker. Christ represented the truth as treasure hid in a field. It does not lie right upon the surface; we must dig for it. But our success in finding it does not depend so much on our intellectual ability as on our humility of heart and the faith which will lay hold upon divine aid. {5T 704.2}