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Jan. 9, 2006
Foundations of Reading
Exo 24:7 And he took the book of the covenant, and read in the audience of the people: and they said, All that the LORD hath said will we do, and be obedient.
On top of Mt. Sinai, God delivered the law to Moses by His own hand. Moses did not take dictation. He did not attempt to memorize all that God had to say. God wrote His word with His very finger in tablets of stone and gave them to Moses to deliver to the people. Here is a site that explains the historic significance of the tablets well. Moses read this to the people and their immediate response was to pledge their obedience.
I think it is no coincidence that the second time reading is mentioned in the bible, it again relates to the law. Now, however, the people are not the audience.
Deu 17:19 And it shall be with him, and he shall read therein all the days of his life: that he may learn to fear the LORD his God, to keep all the words of this law and these statutes, to do them:
The intened audience is the future kings of Israel. They are not above the people, for they, too, must read and adhere to the law. And so long as the people are educated in the law, they will know that their king is no greater in the eyes of the Lord than any of His faithful believers.
The ability to read is vital to Christianity. God wants a personal relationship with each of us. We do not gain access to Him through a priest, a saint or any other man. He has created positions of authority in His church to help guide us, but our relationship is to Him personally. We are accountable directly to Him. How do we know if our desires, dreams and goals are of God? By testing them against scripture. We have liberty because we can read for ourselves of our liberty in Christ.
When the Israelites were returned to Israel from their exile in Babylon, education in the law of the Lord again received great attention. I imagine these Jews carried much of Babylonian custom and belief with them back home. But by the reading of the law, Ezra founded a great revival.
Neh 8:3 And he read therein before the street that was before the water gate from the morning until midday, before the men and the women, and those that could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive unto the book of the law.
If we desire a "cultural revolution" or a "returning to our Christian roots" in this nation, it will begin when we return to the reading of the law. That was Torah, but now that is Christ, For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. (Rp,ams 10:4). I find the word "end" interesting. The Greek is "telos" which means, to set out for a definite point or goal; properly the point aimed at as a limit, that is, (by implication) the conclusion of an acto ro state, result, prupose, continual, custom, end, finally, uttermost. Think of the word "telescope." It contains the same root, "telos" also implying a point aimed at. The law is aimed at Christ, bringing Him into sharp focus.
But first, our children must know how to read.
Some statistics say 1/5 of our adult population cannot read well enough to cope successfully as workers, parents and citizens. Without this vital skill, up to 20% of our population is wholly dependent on other people for their lives and even to a great extent for their own thoughts. (Others place it at 1/20...results vary widely depending on the population surveyed. Prison populations are researched heavily because of the ease of testing, but they are obviously not representative).
Our chilren must recognize the value of reading scripture. They must understand how to reason for themselves and apply scripture to every aspect of their personal life. They must be able to organize their thoughts and speak and write clearly. Without the ability to read, we will give up our liberty because we will not be able to judge for ourselves whether something is permissable under God's law.
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