Some passages of the holy scriptures are soooo slippery that the pagan finds it an utterly dead book. He neither understands it nor is held by it. He manifests no interest in it. He yawns his way past it—and yet the same Book is a treasure trove of fascinations to the believer. It is a phantasmagoria of hidden insights, spiritual pleasures/delights, intrigue, wonder and astonishment.
The difference? It must be read via the agency of the Holy Spirit. Since it was wholly (and holy) written through the hand of man moved by the Holy Spirit, it takes the agency of the same Holy Spirit to unveil it to the mind of the reader.
How is it slippery?
Verses can sometimes refer to near events and far events simultaneously. Juxtaposed scriptures sometimes make no sense...seemingly darting hither and skither between subjects that appear unrelated. Some texts can seem to say opposing things. Some texts are woefully vague. They could be called "huh? texts." But there are answers to these things. Deep, awesome answers.
Two possible reasons why some scripture seems slippery:
Perhaps the text is obscured to keep the enemy of our souls, the devil, from fully understanding/knowing spiritual matters and spiritual timing, thus keeping that wild "wrecking ball" from doing even more damage to the sons of men.
Further, it seems that the text is obscure so that God may reward His believers as they struggle to search it out. "He is a rewarder of them who diligently seek him" (Hebrews 11:6). "It is the glory of God to hide a matter and the glory of kings to find it out" (Proverbs 25:2).
The Bible is truly a supernatural book. Dynamite in one's hand. Every line of it is hot-wired. "Heaven and earth shall pass away, but My Word will stand forever" (Matthew 24:35).
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For thoughts on how to draw your young child(ren) into a lifelong love of studying the Word of God, see our short item on How to Cultivate a Lasting Love of the Bible in Your Children.
