Those Difficult Texts

by an Old Disciple

“…even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things [hard to be understood].”~ 2 Pet. 3:15-16

“Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an [hard saying]…From that time many of His disciples went back, and walked no more with Him.”~ Jn. 6:60,66.

In our two textual references above it is plain Peter didn’t stop reading Paul’s writings because there were some hard-to-understand sayings, unlike some of the disciples of Jesus’ day who gave up on Jesus teachings because some were hard to understand. God’s Word is for seekers and searchers, not simpletons! 

No amount of “Kiddy Translations,” can go deep enough in their shallow pool to discover the great treasures that lie deep in the ocean of God’s true and only Word. The Bible (except for John) was written for Spirit-filled believers. It is the Spirit who searches the deep things of God, making them known to us.

Jesus on one occasion told His followers concerning an obscure text, “But go ye and learn what that meaneth,”~Matt. 9:13. Daniel had his troublesome texts in his life. He and his three godly companions prayed God would open the scripture, and He did. Joseph tells us, “Do not interpretations belong to God?”~ Gen. 40:8. Not to intellects or scholars!

I personally have waited days, weeks, months, and yes, even years in a few cases for God to show me the meaning of a text. 

What is one to do while waiting for The Holy Spirit to make plain the hidden truth? Well, I follow the advice of the old preacher who said concerning those dark sayings, “Its like eating fish: when you come to a bone, lay it aside and keep eating.”

Go by the light you have for more light. “In thy light shall we see light.”~ Psa. 36:9

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