Bibl 110 - Interpretations Challenges

Interpretations Challenges 1

Maurice Harris

BIBL 110

July 20, 2015

Interpretations Challenges 1

We have learned this week that as we study through God words that there may be some interpretive challenges. As we read we can understand that there are certain things that God and the writers are trying to relay to the people that they are writing to, but also a message that we can use today to better understand God’s desire for us.

When you read Matthew you will discover the parable which is an Illustration of the two servants. When we read our bible we should understand that it is made up of “small stories that together form a larger story” (Scott, Hayes 2008). In Matthew 24; 45-51, I believe that Jesus wants us to be prepared for God’s return. In this passage the evil slave represents an unbeliever who refuses to take the promise of the Christ return seriously. Jesus is trying to show us that there is no proper time or we don’t have an exact time that Christ will return so we need to be prepared at all times. We know that scripture tells us that “But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven but my father only” (Matthew 24:36).  I believe the gospel writer wants us to know that we are responsible for our own preparedness for the day of Christ return. I believe the gospel writer is saying that we are in charge of the things that God has entrusted us with that would include our time, our talent, our wealth and possessions. These things must be in order, every aspect of our lives must be in order for God’s Christ return.

Matthew 25:1-13, I would call the parable of the ten, in these passage you will read about the ten virgins. Five of these virgins were foolish and five of the virgins were prudent or wise. Five were prepared and five were unprepared, when the bridegroom came the five that were foolish were off trying to get oil for their lamps, so he only took the five prudent or prepared ones. When finally the five foolish virgins were prepared they quickly realized that it was too late. God’s ultimate message in this passage would be that even if there is delay you still must be ready because once again no one will know the day or the hour of Chris return. It is important to note that we don’t know the day or the hour, even if there are signs and wonders there could be a delay or he could come early. The fact that they all had the lamps but some did not have what it took to light the lamps, showed me that just being a Christian is not enough, to enter into the kingdom of heaven, we must be fully prepared a fully equipped. In this passage I believe the writer is trying to drive home the importance of not knowing the day or hour, it could be earlier or later than we think or know. The writer wants us to know that our preparation can’t depend on others, that we can’t make it to heaven off of someone else preparation.