DAILY BIBLE READING:
Job 4:1–7:21
1 Corinthians 14:18-40
Psalm 37:30-40
Proverbs 21:27
TODAY'S BIBLE VERSE(S):
Proverbs 21:27 (NLT) "The sacrifice of an evil person is detestable, especially when it is offered with wrong motives."
REFLECTIONS ON TODAY'S BIBLE VERSE(S):
When we read our Verse for Today, we may be tempted to simply write it off as irrelevant. After all, we don't offer sacrifices anymore, right?
So, let's take a moment to talk about the 3-Step Process to Understanding the Bible and then get back to our Verse for Today as we show its relevance.
The Three Step Process to Bible Study
1. Observation - "What does it say?"
The first step in Bible study should be to look at the text as a student or detective.
Ask it the basic questions: Who, What, When, Where, Why, & How.
Don't try to look for it's application just yet because you may come to some wrong conclusions. Simply study the text to see what it meant to its original audience. (Hint: If you spend much time and effort in this step, the next two steps should take much less time.)
2. Interpretation - "What does it mean?"
This second step in Bible study is when we take what the passage said to the original audience and lift out the general principles. We look for the overarching truths in the text that could apply to all peoples at all times.
3. Application - "How does it work?"
This final step in Bible study is when we take the first two steps ("What does the passage say?" and "What does the passage mean?") and drop the truth down into our own life.
OK. Let's look back at our Verse for Today and work through these three steps:
1. Observation - "What does it say?"
Proverbs 21:27 (NLT) "The sacrifice of an evil person is detestable, especially when it is offered with wrong motives."
In Solomon's time (the one who compiled this book), sacrificing animals was an act of worship. It was the way God had determined for sin to be dealt with. It was intended to show just how serious and offensive sin was to a holy God.
Yet, in our verse, it is made clear that offering up a sacrifice for sin wasn't simply a mindless ritual. While sacrifice was God's prescribed way of worship and dealing with sin, God's eyes were also fixed on the worshiper's heart. If they continued to harbor unconfessed sin in their heart or if they had wrong motives, their sacrifice would be detestable to God.
2. Interpretation - "What does it mean?"
Proverbs 21:27 (NLT) "The sacrifice of an evil person is detestable, especially when it is offered with wrong motives."
Animal sacrifices were mandated in the Old Testament. Yet, Jesus' sacrifice of Himself on the cross eradicated the sacrificial system (John 1:29; Hebrews 7:27; 9:24-28; 10:12; 1 Peter 3:18).
So, we need to 'lift' out the general principle found in this verse...
Since sacrificing was an act of worship to bring the person back into right standing with God, we can substitute "worship" for "sacrifice."
We might even rewrite the verse to show the overarching principle this way: "The worship of an evil person is detestable, especially when it is offered with wrong motives."
3. Application: "How does it work?"
Proverbs 21:27 (NLT) "The sacrifice of an evil person is detestable, especially when it is offered with wrong motives."
When we realize that any act of worship that is offered up by a person who is evil (despises the Lord / His truth) or a person with unresolved sin or with wrong motives, we are prepared to do some serious introspection with application questions.
On and on we could go with application questions but you get the idea.
So, when you approach God's Word, use this three step method to find out what God is saying to you. Spend MUCH time observing the text to find out what it says; then look for the overarching, general principles; and then you will be prepared to apply the truth to your life.
So, let's take a moment to talk about the 3-Step Process to Understanding the Bible and then get back to our Verse for Today as we show its relevance.
The Three Step Process to Bible Study
1. Observation - "What does it say?"
The first step in Bible study should be to look at the text as a student or detective.
Ask it the basic questions: Who, What, When, Where, Why, & How.
Don't try to look for it's application just yet because you may come to some wrong conclusions. Simply study the text to see what it meant to its original audience. (Hint: If you spend much time and effort in this step, the next two steps should take much less time.)
2. Interpretation - "What does it mean?"
This second step in Bible study is when we take what the passage said to the original audience and lift out the general principles. We look for the overarching truths in the text that could apply to all peoples at all times.
3. Application - "How does it work?"
This final step in Bible study is when we take the first two steps ("What does the passage say?" and "What does the passage mean?") and drop the truth down into our own life.
OK. Let's look back at our Verse for Today and work through these three steps:
1. Observation - "What does it say?"
Proverbs 21:27 (NLT) "The sacrifice of an evil person is detestable, especially when it is offered with wrong motives."
In Solomon's time (the one who compiled this book), sacrificing animals was an act of worship. It was the way God had determined for sin to be dealt with. It was intended to show just how serious and offensive sin was to a holy God.
Yet, in our verse, it is made clear that offering up a sacrifice for sin wasn't simply a mindless ritual. While sacrifice was God's prescribed way of worship and dealing with sin, God's eyes were also fixed on the worshiper's heart. If they continued to harbor unconfessed sin in their heart or if they had wrong motives, their sacrifice would be detestable to God.
2. Interpretation - "What does it mean?"
Proverbs 21:27 (NLT) "The sacrifice of an evil person is detestable, especially when it is offered with wrong motives."
So, we need to 'lift' out the general principle found in this verse...
Since sacrificing was an act of worship to bring the person back into right standing with God, we can substitute "worship" for "sacrifice."
We might even rewrite the verse to show the overarching principle this way: "The worship of an evil person is detestable, especially when it is offered with wrong motives."
3. Application: "How does it work?"
Proverbs 21:27 (NLT) "The sacrifice of an evil person is detestable, especially when it is offered with wrong motives."
When we realize that any act of worship that is offered up by a person who is evil (despises the Lord / His truth) or a person with unresolved sin or with wrong motives, we are prepared to do some serious introspection with application questions.
When I worshiped in church on Sunday, was I appearing holy to those around me while I know good and well that I was harboring anger in my heart toward someone who offended me? If so, my worship is not pleasing to the Lord and I must confess it as sin and seek to make it right very soon.
When I live this day (I should worship every moment of every day), am I trying to point others to Jesus with how I live my life or do I simply want them to be impressed with my perceived spiritual maturity? If my motives are impure, then my worship is not pleasing to the Lord and I must adjust them quickly.
On and on we could go with application questions but you get the idea.
So, when you approach God's Word, use this three step method to find out what God is saying to you. Spend MUCH time observing the text to find out what it says; then look for the overarching, general principles; and then you will be prepared to apply the truth to your life.
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