Anyone who wishes to understand the Bible needs both.
We use expressions like, “You can’t see the forest for the trees,” or “A bird’s eye view.” In both cases the idea is that a person has to step back and view things from a distance to gain a proper perspective.
The famous French painter Georges Seurat gave us a splendid illustration in his masterpiece Sunday on the Island of La Grande Jatte. It is one of the most famous examples of pointillism, a style of art in which Seurat used tiny dots to compose his painting. Up close, you see dots...just dots; but when you step back at a distance you see many people enjoying a sunny day beside a river in a beautiful park-like setting.
More sobering is the example of the Pharisees of Jesus’ day who scrutinized over details in the Law of Moses. Jesus rebuked them saying…
Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cummin, and have neglected the weightier provisions of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness; but these are the things you should have done without neglecting the others.—Matthew 23:23 (NASB95)
The Pharisees had focused on the details of tithing (even their spices!) while overlooking more important people matters. They were focusing on the dots and could not see the big picture.
When we study the Bible it is imperative that we see the big picture. We need to understand God’s overall plan for man, the overall purpose and general content of His revealed word. Only then will individual books of the Bible make sense. Only then will we begin to see the relevance of the many events and characters recorded in Scripture. Only then will we be able to understand some of the imagery in the New Testament that is rooted in the events of the Old. Only then can we fully embrace the value of prophecy and its fulfillment. You get a bird’s eye view by reading large portions of scripture in one sitting, entire books when possible.
Of equal importance is detailed study. This may involve reading the same chapter or passage or verse many times while giving yourself time to process and ponder its meaning. You may choose to commit portions of it to memory. You will also consider personal application.
In this kind of study you might spend time in a Bible dictionary. If possible, you might locate resources that provide additional insight on Hebrew and/or Greek terms.
This kind of study may focus on a specific Bible concept such as redemption or judgment or the Sabbath. It might focus on a specific chapter or shorter passage or just a phrase.
As an example, I was surprised to read that God forgave us “for His name’s sake.” (1 John 2:12) Again, surprisingly, I found similar expressions in other passages. I gave careful attention to when and how this expression was used and It opened up to me a whole new perspective about God.
There is wisdom in getting a broad, big picture understanding. Yet, concentrated, focused study yields many benefits. You might consider alternating between longer readings and focused study.
When we study the Bible it is imperative that we see the big picture. We need to understand God’s overall plan for man, the overall purpose and general content of His revealed word. Only then will individual books of the Bible make sense. Only then will we begin to see the relevance of the many events and characters recorded in Scripture. Only then will we be able to understand some of the imagery in the New Testament that is rooted in the events of the Old. Only then can we fully embrace the value of prophecy and its fulfillment. You get a bird’s eye view by reading large portions of scripture in one sitting, entire books when possible.
Of equal importance is detailed study. This may involve reading the same chapter or passage or verse many times while giving yourself time to process and ponder its meaning. You may choose to commit portions of it to memory. You will also consider personal application.
In this kind of study you might spend time in a Bible dictionary. If possible, you might locate resources that provide additional insight on Hebrew and/or Greek terms.
This kind of study may focus on a specific Bible concept such as redemption or judgment or the Sabbath. It might focus on a specific chapter or shorter passage or just a phrase.
As an example, I was surprised to read that God forgave us “for His name’s sake.” (1 John 2:12) Again, surprisingly, I found similar expressions in other passages. I gave careful attention to when and how this expression was used and It opened up to me a whole new perspective about God.
There is wisdom in getting a broad, big picture understanding. Yet, concentrated, focused study yields many benefits. You might consider alternating between longer readings and focused study.
Getting the big picture is imperative, but the dots provide rich substance.
Mark Stinnett
October 1, 2023
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