These events were not intended to be spiritualized into oblivion and dissected as lessons about raising kids or starting businesses. Something so much greater is underway in these sacred pages. Our approach is about the same as looking for stock tips in the sonnets of Shakespeare. The meanings and applications we’ve given these events have nothing at all to do with what’s going on in the true story. Fact is, the same sort of life lessons could be derived from any contemporary biography or history. Usually this is because it’s all we know to do with them. The lessons we typically draw out of the biblical stories are secondary observations at best. All these events and people lead us to the person of Jesus. Or to be more specific, I missed the point. I used to approach the Bible the same way. You may think I’m crazy, but stick with me. None of these interpretations are remotely close to the real point of the events themselves. ♺ young unnamed paralytic dropped through a roof at the feet of Jesus by four men becomes a lesson on the value of friendship. The story of a caring Samaritan is a model of how we should reach out with compassion to those of other races and classes.Jesus’ testing in the wilderness in a template for how we resist temptation.Jonah, a prophet miraculously swallowed by a fish and vomited out on a specific shoreline, becomes an example of the futility of resisting God’s purpose in your life.♽avid’s encounter with the fighting champion of a hostile nation becomes a lesson in overcoming our greatest personal challenges (“giants”). The prayer of Jabez becomes a lesson about expanding our personal influence.Gideon becomes an example of how to determine the will of God.Moses before a burning bush becomes a prototype for decision-making.♺braham’s attempted sacrifice of his only son becomes a lesson in trusting against all odds for God to provide, or how we should all surrender our children to God. ♼ain’s homicidal rage becomes a lesson on avoiding sibling rivalry. ♾ve’s decision to eat of the fruit and the subsequent disintegration of humanity becomes a lesson on the effects of negligent leadership and an absentee husband. It’s very much like walking out into the night sky and assuming all the stars showed up to look at us. No question could push us further from the real story. What’s the first question we ask of the Bible in our personal reading times or church services? “How is this relevant to me?” This is the wrong question entirely. Unfortunately, we’ve been conditioned to read ourselves onto the pages and into the events of Scripture. When you see it from here, the Bible opens up in ways you’ve never imagined. In the Bible we are watching as redemption comes to pass on the pages of Scripture, one unbelievable event after another, eventually leading to Christ. Who else could take the unbelievable episode of Moses and the burning bush and bend it back toward our everyday experience? Or, the life of Joseph and draw out principles for effective management? Your life and happiness are not adequate points of reference for the scope of what God has done and is doing. We are seriously self-absorbed when it comes to our Bibles. But, this is usually where we take the story. The Bible is not a story of God determining in eternity past to send His Son to earth to create a more satisfactory existence for you. It is not a spiritual handbook and it is not a guide to determining God’s will for your life. Specifically, it was not written to improve the quality of your daily existence (in the way you think). I hate to disappoint you, but the Bible is not about you.
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