How do we generally interpret scripture?

People tend to apply the words directly to them, but sometimes they go overboard. God has let us know how He thinks and what He promises, through the Bible. There are definitely words that were specific to a given time, but you'll get the feel of that as you keep reading.

It helps me to listen to the Bible on tape occasionally because it goes faster and I get a better idea of the context in which something was said -- what happened before and after, and whether it was a human reaction or something God asked them to do.

The verse about the commandments was followed much later in the book with a command to keep commandments for all generations. The laws were given to the Hebrews excaping exile, traveling out in the desert with no government and no land, but God told them not to stop once they'd planted themselves on solid ground.

These laws helped them operate a community with equity and justice, providing for the poor and the foreigners, defending downtrodden. If everyone followed the law, it would help ensure that everyone was treated fairly.

The promises that came with them -- some were very practical, natural results. If the people followed the laws, God would plant them in the land -- which is true... if people are not out for themselves, they are better able to dwell in unity and help each other.


But there are also confusing passages like the one about cutting hair -- this was written in a letter from one individual to a church representative, discussing how to address a local custom of pagan temple prostitution... that believers should not look like they also participated in that.

Specific prophecies, like God promising to free the people from Babylon, would of course not be taken literally, but can be encouraging. (Actually, there might be hostages in Babylon...). Most Christians do use these the way you're asking, applying it to their lives.

The Psalms, which were very honest outpouring of David's heart (and other writers), are almost always taken with personal application. If we didn't do some of that, imagine what our faith would be like.


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