Reading God's Word with superficially or Deep

It's very moving to see how God is devoted to place in each of the books of the Scriptures, many details of his wonderful plan of salvation (1), however, these beautiful truths were wise and wisely hidden from superficial view of the reader researcher or careless or dogmatic.

So a person can read the whole Bible and stay, however, without seeing her beauty or comprehend its deep and hidden meaning, or see its close relations with the plan of salvation (2), while another person after study a few verses, you can find the pearl of great price, gold refined by fire, and bright rays emanating from the plan of redemption in Christ Jesus.

In this sense, the Gospel of Luke reports that Jesus, after he rose, he opened their minds of the disciples to understand everything that was written of him in all the Scriptures (cf. Luke 24:27, 44-49). So the disciples, like all the other Israelites, for the life they had read the holy scriptures in a perfunctory way, and now the Lord Jesus could open minds to read them in profound ways.

The great theologian and scholar Saul of Tarsus also did the same. Saul blinded by the dogmatic teachings learned at the feet of Gamaliel, he saw Jesus as the fulfillment of all scripture, or even less, as the promised Messiah, until the day he had a personal encounter with Jesus Christ. Then Saul fell prostrate at the feet of the Master, he understood everything that Jesus was written in all scriptures. That is why Paul said, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man the things which God hath prepared for them that love him: but God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God (cf. 1 Corinthians 2:9-10). Now the apostle Paul could see the invisible, hear the inaudible, and perceive the imperceptible.

Only the Holy Spirit can open the human mind to see what the naked eye can not see, to hear what the naked ear, not hear, and to understand what at first reading, is not understood. The Holy Spirit is the only creature that can illuminate the human mind to find Jesus in each of the books of the Word of God. Jesus is carved into each chapter, perfuming each event, and giving meaning to every story and prophecy. That is why Jesus said: But the Comforter, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said (John 14:26). The Spirit of truth, he will guide you into all truth: He will not speak of their own, but will speak whatever he hears, and make it known. He shall glorify me: for he shall take of Mine and declare it to you (cf. John 16:13-14).

Faced with these emphatic biblical statements, we might ask: Why, Paraquad, and how the Lord hid his beautiful truths of sight, hearing, and the compression surface of the reader or the investigator neglected or dogmatic?

Why? For the heart, ie the minds of superficial readers, philosophical, ecclesiastical and dogmatic, is waxed gross, ie, it has been sclerosed (Matthew 13:10-15). In other words, neurons and brain arteries are spiritually thickened, sclerotic and blocked by superficial concepts and doctrinal preconceptions. As in atherosclerotic disease, thick plates of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and calcium, blocking the arrival of blood and oxygen to the brain, in the same way, spiritual sclerosis, human concepts pre plates, obstruct the arrival of the slain lamb's blood and air from the breath of life. So seeing, see not, and hearing they may not hear or understand. Paul says: But their minds were made dull, because until today, when they read the old covenant the same veil remains will not pull back, which is removed by Christ. And even to this day when Moses is read, the veil is upon their heart. But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. The Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord, there is liberty (2 Corinthians 3:14-17).

Just as diamonds and pearls are hidden deep within the earth and sea, in the same way, the wonderful truths of the plan of redemption are hidden deep in the Word of God. God hid behind every event, episode, history, ceremony and prophecy (1).

So the Word of God can be read as superficial or deep. In a superficial way truths are written in letters by way of beautiful stories, interesting stories, amazing events, romantic poetry, rigid laws, or shocking prophecies, all of them written in ink handwriting. On the other hand, the eternal truths are spiritually written in blood and Spirit. Blood from the lamb slain from the breath and spirit of eternal life.

That is why the apostle Paul wrote: God made us competent as ministers of a new covenant, not of letter but of spirit, for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. The letter condemns, but the Spirit justified. The letter perish, but the spirit remains (cf. 2 Corinthians 3:6). We fix our eyes not to be seen, but unseen, For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal (2 Corinthians 4:18). For God, who commanded the light shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts to give the light of knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 4:6). We preach not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord (2 Corinthians 4:5 pp.).

So below each parable, illustration, symbol, allegory, history, storytelling, poetry, law, ceremony or prophecy, is the beautiful truths of the wonderful plan of redemption in Christ Jesus. Also, the love and the great creative and redemptive power of God are written in a superficial and deep in every cell and animal or vegetable each mineral particle. The grace and glory of God is written in every flower, every tree, every bird, every spring, river or lake, each hill or montanea, each sunrise or sunset, and each star or galaxy in the immeasurable universe. In Jesus Christ were all things created, that are in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers-all things were created through Him and for Him (Colossians 1:16). Even the invisible things of God as his eternal power and divine nature are clearly seen from the creation of the world, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse (cf. Romans 1:20). No excuse superficial readers, or atheists, and evolutionists. The two great books of God, His Holy Word and nature, to bear witness to the creative and redemptive power of God.

The prophet Isaiah tells us that God said, Behold the former things (surface), therefore God announce new things (deep) and that they spring forth before God makes known (cf. Isaiah 42:9) .

Things first (superficial): Adam, Eden, sacrifice of the lamb, skin used to cover the nakedness, the snake, The Flood, the ark of Noah, the rainbow. Circumcision, the faith of Abraham, the attempt to sacrifice Isaac, Jacob's ladder, the dreams of Joseph, the Exodus and Moses, the law of Sinai, the sanctuary and its services. The universal empires, the statue, the beasts, the 70 weeks, the 2300 days, 1260 years, the seven churches, seven seals, seven trumpets, seven bowls, animals, and pests (cf. Daniel, Revelation, Matero 24).

Things New: The birth of the second Adam as the promised Messiah, victorious life, his atoning death on the cross of Calvary freeing us from the slavery of sin, his glorious resurrection, His ascension to heaven, his second coming in glory and majesty, and his third coming as the supreme ruler of all the universe (Genesis-Revelation).

Like today's scholars, intellectuals of yesteryear knew by heart every detail of the Word of God, many of them were doctors in the law, experts in the Scriptures, scholars, theologians, priests understood, learned high priests versed Pharisees, Sadducees and lawyers expert scribes. On the other hand, the people actively engaged in weekly religious festivals held in the synagogues and in the solemn annual festivals held in the temple of Jerusalem. All the Israelites worshiped the patriarchs and knew who was Adam, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, David, Daniel, Annas and Caiaphas. But very few knew who Jesus was.

In fact, with four thousand years ahead of God announced that old serpent the Lord Jesus Christ would bruise his heel as He hung upon the cross erected in the desert Calvary, and that Jesus would destroy the snake while claiming it is finished, and in your hands I commend my spirit, however, scholars did not notice (Genesis 3:15). Three thousand years in advance God had announced the birth of Noah salivary true humanity from the clutches of universal destruction, however, the sages did not notice. With two thousand years in advance God had announced it would offer in sacrifice his beloved son at the summit of Mount Moriah, however, the learned theologians did not notice. With 1500 years of anticipation had announced that God would be born the real Moses who would deliver his people from the bondage of sin, however, scholars did not notice. With twelve years of anticipation had announced that God would be born in true David, who would destroy the giant Goliath, however, the sages did not notice. With seven years in advance, the prophet Isaiah described numerous details related to the life, passion and death of the Lord Jesus, including his baptism, and some aspects of his public ministry, saying, Behold my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights I have put my Spirit on him and he will bring justice to the nations (Isaiah 42:1), but scholars did not realize that when Jesus went to the river Jordan to be baptized, John the Baptist inspired by the Holy Spirit said, Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.

Then the Holy Spirit descended on Jesus like a dove and then heard the voice of the Father, saying, This is my beloved son (my choice) in whom my soul delights, hear ye, because he will bring justice to the nations ( Luke 3:21-22). Neither scholars realized that King David and the prophet Isaiah had predicted each of the episodes occurred in Gethsemane to Calvary (eg, Psalm 22-24, Isaiah 52:13-53:1-12). Finally, five hundred years in advance God had revealed many other details of the conception, birth, life, death and resurrection of the promised Messiah, but no one noticed.

Today, most scholars and students know who ruled in the world through history, however, only few know that the Lord God governs all the infinite universe, and that very soon, will also rule on earth. Many Christians know the story of Genesis, Adam and Eve, Eden, Noah and the Flood, the Tower of Babel, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses and the Exodus, Sinai, and its laws, Leviticus, the sanctuary, the temple and its services, Sinai, and all moral laws, ceremonial Levitical and legal, but very few come to Jesus written on every page of Scripture. Why?, Because Jesus does not cry, nor lift his voice, or is heard in the streets (Isaiah 42:2). Jesus can be found when the Spirit of God enlightens the understanding to see what the naked eye, not seen, nor heard, nor understood, nor is perceived.

By his knowledge my righteous servant justify many, and they shall bear their iniquities (Isaiah 53:11). However, just perished, and no man takes it (Isaiah 57:1).

Jorge R. Talbot

Biblical Research Society

1. Talbot, J.R. (2011). The Scriptures were written for the Messiah. Lulu eds.

2. White, E. (1892). Steps to Christ, (OFFP eds.). The Way to Christ (CESA eds,).