Understanding God's Interpretation of Scripture
There are many interpretations of Scripture; mine, yours and others'. But is there a way to better understand God's Interpretation? Yes . . . Welcome to the thematic approach. Read about it!
So, how does one seek God’s interpretation of Scripture? We seek His interpretation by studying and analyzing His word as He wants—thematically. Studying thematically is a Holy Spirit–inspired method of Scripture interpretation where we make thematic connections between passages. We make connections (associations) between Scriptures by noting similar words, themes, subjects, situations, events and/or circumstances in those passages. Once we make a connection, we compare and contrast those two passages with the goal of determining how this process sheds new light on each passage. Adonai (the Lord) is constantly trying to get us to make these types of connections and associations! Think of how often the Bible uses metaphors and similes to communicate its truths. Metaphors and similes connect different words with the goal of bringing new information/understanding to light. For example, in John 15:5, “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing,” we are told that Yeshua is the vine and we are the branches. By using this metaphor, Yeshua has made a thematic connection between 1) Himself and a vine, and 2) believers and branches. But why did He do this? Yeshua was endeavoring to explain to His disciples something that is potentially very difficult to understand—how we, as His disciples, are to relate to Him. He did this by thematically connecting Himself and us to two objects we are all familiar with—a vine and its branch. All that is required is that we already understand how a branch relates to a vine. Herein lies the beauty of teaching using metaphors and similes. In the present metaphor, Yeshua made connections between Himself and believers to a vine and branch, respectively. Because of our knowledge of how branches relate to vines, we are able to understand our relationship to Yeshua, which was His goal.
This simple example of how thematic connections help us gain new understanding is the basis for how the entire Bible “works.” Similes and metaphors appear all throughout Scripture. Yet they represent only a fraction of the types of thematic connections Adonai wants us to see. Some of the most dramatic (and instructive) thematic connections occur between passages scattered in various places throughout the Bible. Sometimes thematic connections occur between isolated verses. For example, Genesis 3:6 is thematically connected to I John 2:15-16!
So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate. (Genesis 3:6)
15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. (I John 2:15-16)
Please note the following thematic connections:
saw that the tree was good for food = the lust of the flesh
that it was pleasant to the eyes = the lust of the eyes
and a tree desirable to make one wise = the pride of life (Greeks seek wisdom, 1 Corinthians 1:22)
Through this association we see that the deep spiritual lesson John conveys in 1 John 2:15-16 has already been taught in a very down-to-earth manner by Moses! Furthermore, we gain an appreciation for the fact that, although the Old Testament and New Testament writings may seem different, in actuality, they have one and the same message!
At other times, we may find two stories that have numerous thematic connections between them. When we compare the story of Moses’ birth (Exodus 1-2) with Yeshua’s birth (Matthew 2), we can immediately perceive the divine stamp of association.
In Exodus 1–2, Pharaoh made a death decree upon all the male children born to Israel. In Matthew 2, Herod made a death decree upon all the male babies two years old and under in Bethlehem and its environs.
In both stories, a despotic ruler made a death decree concerning Israel’s male children at the time that her deliverer’s birth was at hand.
In the book of Exodus, the one to be destroyed (Moses) was destined to rule and exercise authority over Israel. In Matthew 2, the one to be destroyed (Yeshua) was destined to rule and exercise authority over Israel.
In Exodus 1–2, Pharaoh tried to destroy Moses at his birth. In Matthew 2, Herod tried to destroy Yeshua soon after His birth.
In Exodus 1–2, Moses, the deliverer, was supernaturally preserved by Adonai. In Matthew 2, Yeshua was supernaturally preserved by Adonai.
Moses and Yeshua were both born at a time when Israel was ruled by her enemies.
Moses and Yeshua both had a close relative named Miriam (Mary).
According to Exodus 2:2, Moses’ mother knew there was something special about her child. According to Luke 1:26-38, Yeshua’s mother knew there was something special about her child.
These thematic connections are obvious and intentional. But what are we to learn from them? I would suggest that we are to see Moses as a prophetic picture of Messiah Yeshua! Furthermore, we should understand that Moses’ birth is a prophecy of Yeshua’s birth. The parallel circumstances regarding their births makes it clear that Moses’ birth is a prophetic picture of what would later happen at the birth of the Messiah. Thus, Moses’ birth teaches us the following facts about Messiah’s eventual birth: 1) Messiah will be born at a time when Israel is living under domination by another ruling country, 2) there will be an attempt to murder the Messiah near the time of his birth, 3) other male babies will be wrongfully slaughtered at the time of Messiah’s birth, 4) the Messiah’s life will be supernaturally preserved by Adonai, and 5) Messiah’s mother will know there is something special about His life. This is what I mean by interpreting Scripture the way Adonai wants us to interpret it. Adonai provides clues to His interpretation of the story of Moses’ birth by thematically connecting this story to that of Yeshua’s birth through very specific and objective thematic connections. Therefore, all that is needed is to see the connections the Holy Spirit has placed clearly before our eyes and use those connections as the basis for formulating an interpretation. By making thematic connections, we place ourselves in a better position to receive wisdom from on high and understand Adonai’s interpretation of a passage.
More coming soon!
Shalom,
Tony Robinson