“And Philip ran thither to him and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest?” (Acts 8:30).
The eunuch from Ethiopia had been to worship in Jerusalem (cf. Acts 8:27) but was still interested in a study of the Scriptures. This is a tremendous quality that ultimately led to his being blessed. There are several truths about reading the Bible that aid in a proper grasp of the text and its application. Consider three.
1. Read with a Pure Purpose. People read all kinds of things for all kinds of reasons. Some may read the scriptures simply to say that they have read the entire Bible in a set time. Some may read to seek to justify some lifestyle. Some may read to try to prove someone wrong. It is possible to read the Bible and not see its truths because the motive is not right. Jesus dealt with such in his day when he said to certain Jews, “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life” (John 5:39-40). Again, “Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuseth you, even Moses, in whom ye trust. For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me. But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words?” (John 5:45-47). Paul wrote of this same kind of thinking, “But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ. But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart. Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away” (2 Cor. 3:14-16). The eunuch was reading from a heart that was pure yet still needing to understand.
2. Read to Perceive. The pure heart of the eunuch led to his statement, “And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him” (Acts 8:31). The eunuch was not reading Isaiah to merely be reading. He wanted to understand but knew his limitation. Philip took the place where he was reading and “preached unto him Jesus” (Acts 8:35). The eunuch had honestly asked for clarification of the person to whom Isaiah was writing (cf. Acts 8:34). Understanding is a Bible principle when it comes to reading God’s word. Jesus said on a certain topic, “But when ye shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not, (let him that readeth understand,) then let them that be in Judaea flee to the mountains:” (Mark 13:14). Paul wrote, “Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ” (Eph. 3:4).
3. Read to Practice. The eunuch followed up his pure purpose in reading to understand the text with the intent to practice what was needed. When they came to a certain water, the eunuch said, “See, here is water, what doth hinder me to be baptized?” (Acts 8:36). Heeding the word of God is key to being blessed (cf. Matt. 7:24-27; James 1:23-25). Jehoiakim despised the written word from Jeremiah and would pay dearly for such an attitude (cf. Jer. 36:22-32). One must always remember that to obey and hearken to God is better than any offering to God (cf. 1 Sam. 15:22).
Jimmy Clark