On the subject of scripture reading in the assembly we might want to ask what place should there be in our meetings for the simple reading of scripture. Do the ready availability of Bible copies and the common ability to read remove the need for public reading in the assembly? What would be the purpose, what would be accomplished? Does it meet Paul's test---does it edify?
"Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. To draw near to listen is better than to offer the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they are doing evil." ------Ecclesiastes 5:1
Preaching is filtered through the preacher. It is a collection of his thoughts and his understanding of what the word means. It is the preacher speaking, not God.
The public reading of the Word in our assemblies will provide opportunity to show the esteem in which the Word is held by these people of God.
"Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching. [14] Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you." ---1 Timothy 4:13, 14
"They read from the book, from the Law of God, clearly, and they gave the sense, so that the people understood the reading." ---Nehemiah 8:8
The reader must first understand the message. The reading describe by Nehemiah was done by Ezra and the Levites. They were professionals trained in this skill. Paul instructed Timothy to devote himself to the public reading of scripture, as well as to preaching and teaching.
It is difficult to give a reading the inflections, pauses, and emphasis that will give meaning unless the reader has first gotten the meaning. It is difficult to convey to others a meaning that is not perceived by the reader. Stumbling over words, pauses in the wrong places, and incorrect emphasis all show that the reader did not respect his take enough to properly prepare to lead the congregation in showing esteem for the word of God. This is not to say that mistakes will not be made. But it is to say that the general level of performance of the reader will be a reasonably good gauge of the importance placed upon the reading of scripture by that congregation. Scripture is to be read clearly and in a way to give the meaning.
The reader stands between God and the people, and the people are either helped or hindered in getting God's message by the skill of the reader. Our assembly is to edify. Malachi had strong words for the priests and people of his day who offered inferior sacrifices to God.
Malachi 1:7-8
By offering polluted food upon my altar. But you say, 'How have we polluted you?' By saying that the Lord's Table may be despised. [8] When you offer blind animals in sacrifice, is that not evil? And when you offer those that are lame or sick, is that not evil? Present that to your governor; will he accept you or show you favor? says the Lord of hosts.
"By offering polluted food upon my altar. But you say, 'How have we polluted you?' By saying that the Lord's table may be despised. [8] When you offer blind animals in sacrifice, is that not evil? And when you offer those that are lame or sick, is that not evil? Present that to your governor; will he accept you or show you favor? says the Lord of hosts." --- Malachi 1:7-8
We are careful to select people to lead our singing who have both the skill and the maturity to help us approach God in singing. Both the lyrics and the music of the songs are written by men. Should we use less care in selecting those who read the holy scriptures to us?
Regards,
John Jenkins
865-803-8179 cell
Entropy, It ain't what it used to be.
