It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honor of kings is to search out a matter” (Pro. 25:2; KJV).

How’s your Bible Study life going these days? Good? Could be better? Bad? Non-existent?

Well, in today’s installment of the Messianic Torah Observer, I’m going to give you 10-things you can do (beginning today) that I guarantee will dramatically improve your understanding of the Bible; the things of YHVH and of His Torah; the teachings of Y’shua our Messiah; and even Paul’s writings and teachings. 

1. Read, read and read some more

There’s no way around it: we have to actually read our bibles in order for us to understand the things of YHVH our God (Elohim). And we must read our bibles on a frequent basis.

The other thing is we desire to be well versed in the Word, we must at times be willing to read beyond the pages of our bibles. What I mean by “read beyond the pages of our bibles is that we must get in the habit of reading extra-biblical books and publications. I recommend reading (biblical) scholarly works in particular.

Additionally, do not settle for just one bible teacher. Most bible teachers tend to limit their focus and understanding of the bible to just one or two main topic areas. Those who tie themselves to just one teacher run the risk of becoming myopic in their biblical understanding and perspectives.

Lastly, invest in your education. Identify those extra-biblical books that will help you in your studies and when you can afford it, buy it. Do not fear the author(s) denomination per se. If you are grounded in the essentials of the Faith you should be capable of separating the meat from the bones (ie., truth from error).

[I invite you to read or listen to my post entitled “Understanding the Bible Part-2-Why Believers Should Read Their Bibles” for a more in-depth examination on the importance of bible study.]

2. Contextually learn your way around the Bible

If possible, read the entire book that contains your target passage or verse. (A passage generally consists of two or more verses.)

Context is one of the most important elements to sound bible study. In fact, context is vital to any true understanding of Paul’s writings and teachings.

When we attempt to circumvent context in our studies, we run the risk of misinterpreting and misunderstanding our focus texts.

3. Consult multiple English translations

There are many options available to you as it relates to having access to multiple English bible translations. Some are free of charge online resources such as BibleHub. Others are paid resources that contain multiple English translations such as Logos Bible Study Software and WordSearch Bible Software.

I would recommend, however, using a sound English Bible translation as your main reference bible such as the ESV, CSB, NASB or the NET. I personally favor the ESV.

4. Have Access to Multiple Extra-Biblical Resources

Resources such as Hebrew and Greek lexicons, bible dictionaries, geographical references, online biblical resource sites and a general internet search engine can be vital to your understanding of Scripture.

We must never overlook the fact that the bible is a book containing ancient texts, written over roughly a 2-millennia period, covering some 3,500-years of Hebrew history. Given the antiquated nature of the bible, many of the ancient Hebrew, Greek and Aramaic words used by the authors of the original writings are extremely difficult to translate into modern English.

For instance: most of us living in 21st-century western society are ignorant of the geography of the Middle East and Palestine. So many of the places the authors recorded in their writings will be foreign to us. Additionally, many of the customs, cultures and practices of the ancient peoples of Palestine would be foreign to us as well. Thus, the aforementioned resources serve to inform us of the ancient people, their practices, culture, society, etc. that would not otherwise be revealed in the bible.

5. Time

It is a widely held understanding in our western society that the most precious commodity any of us possess today is time. Unfortunately for many of us, time is so precious that any time we would conceivably have for study of Yah’s Word is reduced or eliminated by the cares of life.

When asked by His disciples to explain to them the meaning of the Parable of the Sower (ref. Luk. 8:4-8) that described how some seed–seed illustrative of God’s Word–fell upon thorny soil.  Y’shua explained seed falling on thorny soil as would-be believers who fail to receive or implement Truth in their lives because they are hampered by the cares and riches and pleasures of this life (Luk. 8:14).

Our eternal security—our relationship with the Most High—the health of our relationships with others—our service to the Kingdom of YHVH are detailed in the pages of the Bible. We have little hope of ever realizing our true destiny as Children of YHVH unless we get our noses into our Bibles on a frequent basis. Sadly, finding the time to do so for many of us is not an easy thing to do.

Nevertheless, finding the time to do so is something we must work out.

I vividly recall having to find time to study the Word when I was working. Well, determined to fit study into my busy schedule, I started getting up earlier than I was normally used to. I was successful in getting my studies in. And I was tremendously blessed by that effort.

At the very least, I would devote most of my Sabbath to the study of Yah’s Word.

Seek Father for ways to carve out time to meet with Him in prayer and study of His Word.

6. Much prayer and fasting

Prayer and fasting are vital elements of our Faith walk. When we deny ourselves sustenance (ie., food) in exchange for seeking Yah’s Face in fervent and meaningful prayer, by default we focus our entire attention on Father. In focusing our attention onto Father, He is then able, through His Holy Spirit, to teach us and reveal things about Himself and His Word that you would not otherwise receive going through a normal day (reference: Psm. 35:13; Dan. 9:3; Mat. 17:21; Mar. 9:29; 1 Cor. 7:5).

7. Immersive meditation

Biblical meditation, as it relates to the Torah Observant Believer in Y’shua Messiah, is a “pondering for a proper answer (Prov. 15:28); talking about wise things or Yah’s righteousness (Psm. 37:30; 35:28; 71:24).

It is upon Abba’s Word that we are to ponder “day and night” (Jos. 1:8; Psm. 1:2).

Biblical meditation may involve indiscernible mutterings (often described as whispering) and musings on our part throughout the day as it relates to Yah’s Word. The writer of Psalms 63:6 and 77:12 wrote about meditation/pondering upon YHVH and His works.

8. Discuss-Accountability Partner

Each of us needs someone who is really grounded in the Faith we can trust to discuss the things of the Faith with. I call such people “accountability partners.”

When we are without an accountability partner and we are walking out this Faith alone, open ourselves to negative doctrinal influences. A good accountability partner helps keep us centered on the fundamental elements of the Faith and helps us resist falling for false teachings and doctrines.

9. Get Rid of the Old Garbage

In order to be good students of the bible, each of us must be willing to dispel old and even present religious, cultural and experiential mindsets and understandings about biblical concepts we may have brought over with us from our past lives. We must be willing and unafraid to question all that we’ve ever believed or even currently believe that is not supported by Scripture.

Of those Ephesian women who were delving into false teachings (which Paul described as myths and fables), Paul commented that they were “always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth” (2 Tim. 3:7; ESV). What Paul was getting at in this verse was that there were individuals in the Ephesian Assembly of Messianic Believers who were constantly latching on to the latest and greatest false teachings. These women (and we’ll talk more in-depth about this in part-10 of our Paul and Hebrew Roots series) refused to give themselves over to sound teaching of Torah and the Gospel. These grabbed just enough truth to get themselves into spiritual trouble while they held on to their old ways. In so doing, they attached the little new truth they acquired in the assemblies to their original religious beliefs and practices. In so doing, they created myths and fables, and a false understanding of the True Faith.

This remains a real danger even today when we fail to give ourselves over to sound teaching of the Word.

[For a more in-depth discussion on the importance of getting rid of the old way of thinking and following sound, biblically sound doctrine, I invite you to read or listen to my post entitle “Endure Sound Doctrine I will Not.”]

10. Share

We are called by our Master to share that which we learn with others. (This is apart from discussing it with your accountability partner(s)).

Accumulating head knowledge related to the things of our Faith without sharing it with others is, quite frankly, deplorable and in some cases even sinful.

It was during Master’s first “Sermon on the Mount” that He declared to the attendees (and by default to us living today):

“You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has lost its flavor, how shall the earth be salted? The salt is then good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. You are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Men do not light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand; and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven” (Rood, Mat. 5:13-16).

Call to Action

Unlike a dear Brother in our Faith who I totally admire and respect is famous for telling his listeners to “go home and read your bibles,” I say go home and be one with your Bible. Allow your Bible to become real to you. Allow YHVH to reveal Himself to you through the pages of His eternal Word. When we do this, we allow the Word to take us to the greatest heights and deepest depths than ever before.

Until next time, may you, your families and fellowships be blessed in Y’shua Messiah. Take care. Shalom.