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Levels of Interpretation
Three Lessons "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." (2 Timothy 2:15). George Kuzmin In examining the Book of Numbers we like to use a method employed by rabbinical scholars. They recognize four levels of scriptural interpretation. Each layer is deeper and more intense than the last, like the layers of an onion. (1) Pashat — this is the plain, simple meaning of the text. Understanding it in its normal sense using the customary meaning of the words. This is what it meant to the children of Israel when they first heard it. The Talmud states that, "no passage loses its pashat. Any interpretation that robs a passage of its plain meaning is error. If we discard the pashat we lose any real chance of accurately understanding the text" (b. Shab. 63a, b. Yeb. 24a). If the plain meaning is dropped, then we are left with imagination.(2) Remez — this is the implied meaning of the text, or the practical meaning of the text. An example of remez is Proverbs 20:10. The surface meaning tells merchants to deal honestly with their customers. Remez tells us that it is a principle that extends into all aspects of fairness and honesty in our lives.(3) Drash — this is the allegorical or messianic meaning of a given passage. Creativity is used to search and relate a passage to the rest of scripture, or to life itself, to derive the meaning of the text. An example of drash is indicated in Hebrews 10:1, that says the law is a shadow of the good things to come later.(4) Sod — this means hidden or sealed up. This is the secret or mystic meaning of a text. An example is discussed in 1 Corinthians 2:7,14 (NIV)."No, we speak of God’s secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began. The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them." Each level is a legitimate part of Bible study. Each level is a valuable phase of Bible study. The word of God is so rich that passages have the potential of speaking to us on all four levels. Using these methods in our Milwaukee class studies has enabled us to feed those young in the truth and to find gems for those with decades of walking with the Lord. [ 1]The Book of Numbers In beginning our study of Numbers, we found it useful to examine the text on levels one and two before moving to levels three and four. We looked at Numbers as a real message, to a real people, at a real point in time. This was the story of Israel’s struggles to walk faithfully with God during their wandering in the wilderness. Understanding their failings can help us here at this end of the age to avoid a repetition of their errors. Paul comments on the wisdom of this approach in Hebrews 3:7-13 ( NIV)."So, as the holy Spirit says: Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion, during the time of testing in the desert, where you fathers tested and tried me and for forty years saw what I did. That is why I was angry with that generation, and I said, Their hearts are always going astray, and they have not known my ways. So I declared on oath in my anger, They shall never enter my rest. See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness." In addition, we have found in witness opportunities that critics and skeptics attack the word of God most frequently on levels one and two. In looking at the first three chapters of Numbers, which lay out in precise detail the counting and ordering of the nation of israel, it is obvious that God was doing all this for a very special purpose. Israel was being prepared for the warfare they would face when they would enter the promised land. God set them in battle array by their tribes, behind their banners, in a formal order of march. This seems similar to what Jesus did on the night before he died, preparing his disciples for the rigors of the Gospel Age. He tried to prepare the apostles for his death, their persecution, and the experiences of the age before them. This preparatory stage might also be related to the preparation for the Kingdom work, in the age following this one. Bro. Frank Shallieu commented on this ordering in his study of Numbers. "From the methodical order set forth here, we can, by extension, draw a kingdom lesson. God has predetermined and made advance arrangements so that when the Ancient Worthies are brought forth, they will know how to proceed before the general resurrection begins. Order and organization will be established on the earth in regard to temporal matters. The lord is very orderly." [2]Three Lessons There are three lessons from Numbers that I have found most useful in my walk. The first two concern the life of Moses. (1) Suffering Accusation , Numbers 12: 3. "Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth." God has respect and praise for those with this trait. Christ is described as meek and lowly of heart. But, like Christ, Moses was accused of being proud by Aaron and Miriam. God’s anger was kindled against them and Miriam became leprous. Moses prayed for her and she was healed. "This is thankworthy, if a man for conscience ... endure grief, suffering wrong" (1 Peter 2:19).(2) Love of Mercy , Numbers 14:11-19. This account records Moses’ love of mercy. God’s anger had been kindled against Israel. God threatened to destroy the whole nation and make a new nation from Moses. Moses besought God. Israel was forgiven and saved as a nation. Moses became renown for mercy and for meekness.(3) Confidence in God , Numbers 13:33. The spies who gave an evil report described the inhabitants of the land as giants and themselves as grasshoppers. How often has the adversary attacks us with this line of thinking. To avoid this trap we do well to remember who our father is. Remember His power and His love. Then move forward with a holy confidence.__________ (1) This information is paraphrased from an article by Dr. James Trimm, entitled "The Four Levels of Understanding the Scriptures," June 26, 2002 (internet). (2) Bible Student Library, Commentaries, Books, Numbers, Chapter Two, Page 7. |