God's genius in inspiration

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God” (2 Timothy 3:16). Consider the Lord's job here, to write something that at some level could be understood by all people at all times, by cultures ancient and modern, by the wise and the unwise, by the rich and the  poor, by the intellectual and the uneducated.  At might want to say that He did a poor job, especially in the early chapters of Genesis, because clearly there is no part of Scripture that is more controversial, less understood,  and so widely ridiculed and dismissed than these chapters. Nevertheless, in my opinion He accomplished what He purposed.

We need to start by admitting that there can be a big difference between what Scripture says,  and what it means (interpretation). Jesus, for example, told us that unless we hate mother and father we cannot be his disciple (Luke 14:26). It’s hyperbole, exaggeration not meant to be taken literally. It means we are to love Him so much more than any earthly relationship. But if what I say is right how come there are so many different contradictory interpretations?

There's a principle here, “it is the glory of God to conceal a matter, but the glory of kings (believers - Revelation 1:6) is to search it out” (Proverbs 25:2). Searching for the truth has more to do with obedience and the heart, than with the intellect (Jeremiah 29:13; John 8:31, 32; Romans 1:18).  And along these lines, Jesus thanked the Father, the Lord of heaven and earth, that He has hidden these things from the wise and prudent and has revealed them to babes (Matthew 11:25).  Little children know, or perhaps feel,  what they are intended to know,  namely that they are loved, valued and secure, that life is good,  that it has meaning and purpose and, in the Father's love,  all is well. Little children don't get hung up on whether a day in the first chapter of Genesis was a literal 24 hour day,  or an period of time (as in “my father's day”). They don't get hung up on whether Adam and Eva are allegorical or literal. They don't judge whether someone is a true believer or not, according to whether they have “my”  interpretation of these things. They know intuitively that God created perfection, and that it was we who messed it up, and that somehow He has provided a way for us to get right with Him.

Little children then, do no get hung up on arguments about words which, among other things, come from pride (1 Timothy 6:4). Concentrating on such things actually prevent us from seeing and/or communicating the deeper truths. They are to miss whole point of what is written, namely to bring us into relationship with God (see John 5:39, 40; 1 John 5:13). I am not saying we should not be fully convinced in our minds about these things (Romans 14:5).  I'm also not saying we need to throw away reason and logic in order to believe. That would be to disobey the commandment to love God with all of our mind (Mark 12:30). And it seem the smarter you are,  the more work you have to do here. But if you truly love Him,  you will do that work!

Father,  we seek You and find You when we seek You with all of our heart (Jeremiah 29:13). It is a promise!  Hiding is part of Your genius in inspiration. It's the divine romance. You hide for us, not from us (Proverbs 25:2). And truly, You are not far from any one of us (Acts 17:27). Hiding also has to do with Your mercy, for we are responsible for the light we're given (Luke 12:48). But Lord, it's not Your desire that any should perish, but all come to life in You (2 Peter 3:9). Thank You Lord in Jesus Name Amen