Understanding the Bible Part 2–Why Should Believers Read the Bible?

Opening Scripture Passage: Hos 4:1-6 KJV

The Moedim Conference–United in Torah–May 1-3, 2015 in San Diego, CA.

Featured Guests:

Psalmstress Elisha

Rico Cortes–Founder Wisdom in Torah Ministries

Brad Scott–Wildbranch Ministry

Rob Skiba–Author & Speaker

Arthur Bailey with David Salinas–Overseer House of Israel, author, speaker

Naturalist Paul Nison

Zachary Bauer

Hebrew Roots Band Teshuva

Ralph and Mindy Seta–Messianic Dance Camps International

Psalmster Mason Clover

Monte Judah–Lion and Lamb Ministries

This past Monday evening, April 20th, over the land of Israel, the renewed moon was sighted. Therefore, at sundown in the West this past Monday marked the beginning of the 2nd Biblical Month in the year 6015 FC. At the time of this recording, according to the Creator’s Calendar as published by Michael Rood:

we are in the 14th day of the Counting of the Omer
we are at the 5th day of the 2nd Biblical Month (aka Iyyar)
Shavuot (aka Pentecost) is projected to occur sundown Sabbath, May 30th. Thus Shavuot will occur on May 31st

Understanding the Bible Part 2

(Why Should Believers Read Their Bibles)

Is understanding of the Bible still relevant to Believers of the 21st Century?

It is importance of understanding “good and evil” in order to avoid becoming prey to the evil in the world. Knowing what is sin is acquired through knowledge of the Word

Deu 1:39
Rom 3:20
I Cor 15:34

When we reject the Bible, we are in effect telling Yehovah to depart from us; we are electing not to know His ways

Job 21:14, 22; 22:17
Pro 1:29

Failure to read and understand our Bibles may result in us living with a reprobate mind that is devoid of knowledge of the things of Yehovah. We are in effect choosing to focus our attention on the things of this world over the things of Yehovah

Rom 1:28

One can not expect to have a true relationship with the Most High unless he/she is knowledgeable of His ways. The Creator’s ways and expectations for mankind are contained only in the Bible

Jer 4:22

The desire of the true child of Yehovah is to learn the ways of Yehovah. We see this demonstrated in the life of David and Solomon

Psa 119:66
Pro 22:17

Knowledge of Yehovah and His ways is a very precious thing that must never be taken for granted by the child of the Most High. It is a thing of value beyond measure

Psa 139:6
Pro 8:10-12
Rom 11:33

A true believer of Yehovah begins his or her journey/walk in Messiah with an understanding of the existence and identity of Yehovah. It is this understanding that prompts the believer to seek wisdom and instruction in the ways of Yehovah through a continuous reading and study of the Word of God. We do this, not just for purposes of knowing right from wrong, learning the ways of Yehovah for their lives, but also to please the Father and to avoid offended Him

Pro 1:7; 9:10

One who despises the Bible and the gaining of knowledge about the Creator is deemed a fool, for knowledge of Yehovah is found only in His Word and through revelation of His Rauch Kodesh.

Pro 1:22

Ignorance of the ways of Yehovah breeds improper behavior and living on the part of men. Such living is contrary to the ways of Yah. There comes a time when calamity may strike men, especially those who have rejected the Bible. Out of fear these will call upon Yehovah, but there is no deliverance to be had

Pro 1:28
Isa 5:13
Hos 4:6

Those who diligently seek understanding through consistent and daily reading of the Word of God will realize rewards–maybe not money or riches or fame–but rewards of knowledge, wisdom and understanding. These have no equal in terms of value in this life

Pro 2:1-10; 14:18
2 Pet 1:2-8

There is coming a day when the knowledge of Yehovah will fill the entire earth. That being the case, Yehovah is clearly saying to us that knowledge of His Word is essential to the existence of mankind. If we know that Yehovah is going to make His Word known throughout the entire earth in His coming Kingdom, why would we resist gaining that knowledge today?

Hab 2:14

Yehovah will not leave us to fend for ourselves regarding the acquisition of knowledge from His Word. He will provide individuals to augment our acquisition of knowledge

Jer 3:15
Luk 1:67-77

Yeohovah desires mercy/goodness/kindness and knowledge of Him over any sacrifices or burndt offerings we may make. He prefers obedience over any sacrifice. Now we don’t offer sacrifices or burnt offerings today, but we still do things we feel honors the Most High such as attending church on Sundays, giving offerings and donations to various charities, etc. Although nice, Yehovah would much prefer that we go about doing good and gaining knowledge of Him through His Word–which should leave naturally to obedience

Hos 6:6
I Sam 15:22

Yehovah desires that all men know Him and this is achieved only through His Word

I Tim 2:3, 4

So we can clearly see from the very instrument that men resist reading on a consistent basis (even believers) that Yehovah requires that we gain an full understanding of Him. Yehovah, in His infinite wisdom, has elected to reveal Himself through His Word. He revealed Himself to the world via other means throughout time. However, for us today, the only true means of understanding the Father is through the Word of the Most High.

Part 2: How bad is the Bible illiteracy problem?

1. Let’s examine just a few examples from a Google Search on the internet regarding Biblical Illiteracy. I conducted this search last week and was not surprised at what I found
  1. “Poll: Americans Love the Bible but don’t Read it Much”–Caleb K. Bell–4/4/2013. This poll was conducted by the American Bible Society
  2. “80% of Churchgoers Don’t Read Bible Dailey, LifeWay Survey Suggests”–Jeremy Weber–9/7/12
  3. “The Scandal of Biblical Illiteracy: It’s Our Problem”–Albert Mohler
    1. Include readers’ comments

STAR 12–Understanding the Bible Part 2 (Why Should Believers Read Their Bibles)