Friday, November 5, 2010

How Our Own Experience Affects What We Notice in the Bible

Scripture Verses that Caught my attention today: Job 28:3-4 Miners put an end to darkness,
and search out to the farthest bound
the ore in gloom and deep darkness.
4 They open shafts in a valley away from human habitation;
they are forgotten by travelers,
they sway suspended, remote from people.

Observation: Experience does affect what we notice in the Bible.
Application: I’ve been following my current Bible reading plan for between seven and eight years. So although there have certainly been a few missed days here and there, I’ve still read the entire Old Testament at least seven times and the New Testament at least 14 times, not counting the few times that I read through the whole Bible in earlier years following other reading programs.

Never, however, did I notice this passage on Miners. This year, however, the passage caught my eye and attention immediately. Why? Because the international story of the rescued Chilean Minors from a month or so ago is now a part of my collective memory. I’m now connecting the dots between the miners of today and the somewhat surprising account of mining operations in Old Testament times, even though the Job story is not primarily about miners.

Yes, our personal experience isn’t dropped off at the door when we enter a room to read the Bible. We bring it with us and it does have an affect on what we notice in the book that we say is inspired by God. And this is why it is helpful encounter the same Scriptures with others, especially those from different backgrounds and experience than our own. We can learn what captures their attention and why. This is not to suggest that one interpretation is necessarily better than or more authentic than another. But it is to say that the interpretations of others can help us better reflect on our own interpretations and, perhaps, notice something that we might have originally missed.

Prayer: Lord, thanks for the reminder that our own personal experience does affect how we encounter and your Word. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

(Readings today included: Job 28-29 and Galatians 1-2)

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