PAGING DR. JONES . . . DR. INDIANA JONES

November 23, 2017

PAGING DR. JONES . . . DR. INDIANA JONES

Proverbs 25:1-14

Kirk McGregor

Central Truth

God is omniscient (“all knowing”) and does not need to be held accountable for His plans. However, He has lovingly provided us with a way to search His thoughts. The Bible isn't just a book of “dos and don'ts," it’s the perfect resource to explore God’s omniscience.

It is the glory of God to conceal things,
but the glory of kings is to search things out.
(Proverbs 25:2)

More Proverbs of Solomon

1 These also are proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied.

2 It is the glory of God to conceal things,
    but the glory of kings is to search things out.
3 As the heavens for height, and the earth for depth,
    so the heart of kings is unsearchable.
4 Take away the dross from the silver,
    and the smith has material for a vessel;
5 take away the wicked from the presence of the king,
    and his throne will be established in righteousness.
6 Do not put yourself forward in the king's presence
    or stand in the place of the great,
7 for it is better to be told, “Come up here,”
    than to be put lower in the presence of a noble.

What your eyes have seen
8     do not hastily bring into court,^{1

25:8
Or presence of a noble, as your eyes have seen. 8Do not go hastily out to court}
for^{2

25:8
Hebrew or else} what will you do in the end,
    when your neighbor puts you to shame?
9 Argue your case with your neighbor himself,
    and do not reveal another's secret,
10 lest he who hears you bring shame upon you,
    and your ill repute have no end.

11 A word fitly spoken
    is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.
12 Like a gold ring or an ornament of gold
    is a wise reprover to a listening ear.
13 Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest
    is a faithful messenger to those who send him;
    he refreshes the soul of his masters.
14 Like clouds and wind without rain
    is a man who boasts of a gift he does not give.

Footnotes

[1] 25:8 Or presence of a noble, as your eyes have seen. 8Do not go hastily out to court
[2] 25:8 Hebrew or else

I remember it well. It was the summer of 1981, and my dad was excited to take the family to see Raiders of the Lost Ark. After watching it, I understood his excitement. It was a fantastic movie that had it all: action, adventure, romance, archaeology, and philosophy . . . . Wait, archaeology and philosophy? Yes! You see my father was a philosophy professor for over 25 years and enjoys reading about Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle. He also loves Harrison Ford movies. This movie was in his “Proverbial” (pun intended) wheelhouse.

If you think about it, when we read the Bible, we all become philosophers and archaeologists. We search for answers and truth within stories, poems, and letters that were recorded from the “beginning” (Genesis 1:1a).

Merriam-Webster’s online dictionary defines philosophy as “the study of ideas about knowledge, truth, the nature, and meaning of life, etc.” It defines archaeology as “a science that deals with past human life and activities by studying the bones, tools, etc., of ancient people.”

When I read the Bible, I am trying to understand God. Like Indiana Jones, the main character in Raiders of the Lost Ark, I find myself searching for the truth and answers to questions that have been asked for thousands of years: Did God really destroy the earth with a flood? How could a couple, over 90 years old, have children? Did Jesus really turn water into wine? How did Jesus walk on water?

You probably have heard many rumors about the Bible’s origin and maybe even questioned its authenticity. However, there is one fundamental question we all must answer: Is it truly the inspired word of God (2 Timothy 3:16) containing His infinite wisdom, or is it just an old book written by men for their own glory? There’s only one way to find out . . . .

Don’t forget to pack your leather jacket, sable fedora, bullwhip, and a map!

1. When reading your Bible, how do you address an interpretive challenge (i.e., a passage that is hard to understand or seems to contradict other passages)?

2. Have you ever discussed an interpretive challenge with your community group?

3. How do you address your children's questions about the Bible? Do you follow up with them to ensure their understanding is biblical?

4. If a stranger asked you the following diagnostic questions, could you cite biblical reasons to verify your answers?

On a scale of 1 to 10 (10 being absolutely sure), if you were to die today, how sure are you that you would get into heaven?
If you were to appear before God and He asked why you should enter heaven, what would your answer be?

Here are some links to “guides” that will help you on your quest: