Understanding the Scriptures
I love the story in Nehemiah 8. The Jews had recently returned to Jerusalem
after many years in captivity to the Babylonians and Persians. They needed to be taught the law of Moses and
so Ezra “brought the law before the congregation both of men and women” and he “read
therein before the street… from morning until midday” (Nehemiah 8:1-3). The people literally gathered together outside
in order to hear Ezra read from the law of Moses. What I think is instructive is the emphasis
that was placed upon the people understanding
what was read to them from the scriptures.
Ezra read so that “all could hear with understanding” (Nehemiah 8:2). The leaders with Ezra “caused the people to understand the law…. They read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading” (Nehemiah 8:7-8). When they gathered again the next day, it was with the goal “to understand the words of the law” (Nehemiah 8:13). Ezra and his associates were not simply trying to mark off a check box saying that they read the words in the book to the people; they sought real understanding of the law by the people. We find this same emphasis on understanding the scriptures (not just reading them) in other places in holy writ. Mormon gave us this invitation: “And now, whoso readeth, let him understand; he that hath the scriptures, let him search them” (3 Nephi 10:14). We need to read the scriptures, but that is not enough: we must seek to search and understand them. When the Savior taught his apostles after his resurrection, he opened “their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures” (Luke 24:25). They had been familiar with the scriptures prophesying of Christ’s death and rising from the dead, but it took more experience and teaching to finally understand them. When Philip met “a man of Ethiopia” he found him “sitting in his chariot” reading the book of Isaiah. Philip asked him this important question: “Understandeth thou what thou readest?” (Acts 8:30). Philip then taught him and helped him understand the scriptures concerning Christ, after which he wanted to be baptized. Today we have almost universal access to the scriptures and words of the prophets, something unprecedented in all of history. But having them is not enough; we must seek to understand and ultimately apply them like this Ethiopian. Elder Richard G. Scott made this comment: “Who could have imagined not very many years ago that the full standard works and years of general conference messages would fit into your pocket? Just having them in your pocket will not protect you, but studying, pondering, and listening to them during quiet moments of each day will enhance communication through the Spirit” (General Conference, April 2013). We need to move past our focus on simply reading scriptures and seek to study, ponder, and understand them like the people of Ezra.
Ezra read so that “all could hear with understanding” (Nehemiah 8:2). The leaders with Ezra “caused the people to understand the law…. They read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading” (Nehemiah 8:7-8). When they gathered again the next day, it was with the goal “to understand the words of the law” (Nehemiah 8:13). Ezra and his associates were not simply trying to mark off a check box saying that they read the words in the book to the people; they sought real understanding of the law by the people. We find this same emphasis on understanding the scriptures (not just reading them) in other places in holy writ. Mormon gave us this invitation: “And now, whoso readeth, let him understand; he that hath the scriptures, let him search them” (3 Nephi 10:14). We need to read the scriptures, but that is not enough: we must seek to search and understand them. When the Savior taught his apostles after his resurrection, he opened “their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures” (Luke 24:25). They had been familiar with the scriptures prophesying of Christ’s death and rising from the dead, but it took more experience and teaching to finally understand them. When Philip met “a man of Ethiopia” he found him “sitting in his chariot” reading the book of Isaiah. Philip asked him this important question: “Understandeth thou what thou readest?” (Acts 8:30). Philip then taught him and helped him understand the scriptures concerning Christ, after which he wanted to be baptized. Today we have almost universal access to the scriptures and words of the prophets, something unprecedented in all of history. But having them is not enough; we must seek to understand and ultimately apply them like this Ethiopian. Elder Richard G. Scott made this comment: “Who could have imagined not very many years ago that the full standard works and years of general conference messages would fit into your pocket? Just having them in your pocket will not protect you, but studying, pondering, and listening to them during quiet moments of each day will enhance communication through the Spirit” (General Conference, April 2013). We need to move past our focus on simply reading scriptures and seek to study, ponder, and understand them like the people of Ezra.
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