Are we Commanded to Read the Bible?

[Guest Zayit]

That's good Keith, I hadn't thought of that one, how do you suppose that they could do this, I mean they didn't all have torah scrolls, right?

Joshua 1:8 says: "This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

[Pipit]

I don't ever remember reading anything in the Bible that COMMANDS us to read it (Deauteronomy 11:18-23 is the closest we get, but that was a command to Isreal regarding God's law, which He was about to pass down to them--but it is still a good passage of scripture, as its message echoes true today that we are to obey God's commandments and laws).

So, though we are not commanded to read the Word, it is beneficial for us to read. Also, we are commanded by the Word to obey what it says--so, reading the Word is a good way to find out what the Word (and more so, God, who gave us His Word) commands us to do.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Greetings Pipit,

I spent 21 years in the Navy. During my time I worked with many Admirals, Generals and Secretaries of the Navy and the Assistant Secretaries. More Captains and Kernals than you can shake a stick at. Now if my chief was to make a suggestion to me, I may or may not do it, just depends. But if one of the above high muckey-mucks were to make a "suggestion" to me, I would certainly do it unless it was against Navy regulations and they suggested that I do some evil.

So what do you think this means:

2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Do you take that as a COMMAND? How about a "SUGGESTION"? But even a SUGGESTION coming from the inspiration of God should be enough to cause you to DO WHAT IT SAYS. Don't you think?

Blessings,

Dad Ernie

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I completely agree with you, that we should do what the Bible says (never said anything to the contrary) and I believe that, like Job, we should esteem the word more then our necessary food (Job 23:21).

In regards to 2nd Timothy 2:15, I can see how it can be applied as a command, but also a 'suggestion'--Paul telling Timothy that if he were to study God's Word (unlike those who would rather quarrel and chatter and teach ungodly things, as the context of 2nd Tim. 2:14-26 focuses on), it would be beneficial for him, allowing him to rightly understand the word (and thus rightly teach it), and showing himself approved or acceptable to God. A better verse to use would be Ephesians 6:17--where we are told to take up the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God (and in light of what verses 10 to 18 says, to add on many other things so we can stand firm). Oh, by the way, in saying that, I also admit I had been hasty in my statement about Deuteronomy 11:18-23 being the closest we get...

I think that what we can both say is that reading the Bible is ultimately benificial and a requirment for us to be fully equiped as a Christian (2nd Timothy 3:16-17), and that we are definately told/commanded to obey what we read. I think we can also agree that if we choose not to read the Bible, we cannot claim ignorance if we disobey what the Bible says by claiming we did not know it.

Also, I think we can agree that regardless if we are commanded or not to read the Bible, we have the option to read it or not to, and sadly, too many people take the later option and don't read it.