READ THE CONTEXT
1. Some within the church quote or use Amos 6:5 when discussing instrumental music in worship.
2. The prophet said, woe to them that invent for themselves instruments of music, like David.
3. This passage has been quoted or read during sermons.
4. Bible class teachers have used this verse.
5. More than a few Christians have said that Amos 6 shows God’s displeasure with musical instrumental.
6. When discussing the type of music that should be offered to God I do not use Amos 6.
7. When I hear someone use this passage to fault instrumental music in worship I try to correct them.
8. Each passage in the Bible has a context.
A. If we take a passage out of its context the meaning is usually lost and is probably distorted.
B. This is true even in life.
C. Amos 6 has context.
D. A little later in this lesson we will explore this context.
9. For now I want to affirm that the misuse of Amos 6 is simply one example among many.
10. People frequently cite a passage but do not pay any attention to the context.
11. In fact, many are actually surprised when they find out what a certain passage actually teaches.
12. Taking the time to understand the context of a verse makes the Bible an even more wonderful book.
13. TONIGHT I WANT TO LIST A FEW PASSAGES WHERE PEOPLE FREQUENTLY DO NOT PAY ATTENTION TO CONTEXT. THE FIRST EXAMPLE IS FOUND IN 1 PET. 3.
A. 1 Pet. 3:3 has been used to condemn the wearing of jewelry.
B. Let’s see what Peter really said, READ 1 Pet. 3:3.
C. The context does not forbid the wearing of jewelry.
D. The context (which is found in verses 1-4) involves the behavior of wives.
E. The context describes a Christian woman who is married to a non-Christian man.
F. Paul said that wearing expensive jewelry will not help save a non-Christian mate.
G. There is nothing wrong with jewelry, but this is not the way to save a soul.
H. The context shows what Peter meant.
14. Every time I use a certain bank I see a screensaver on a bank computer.
15. This screensaver has Phil. 4:13 scrolling across the screen.
16. Phil.
17. Many read this verse and find that it helps them.
18. I am sure some of those bank tellers have some difficult days and customers.
19. That screensaver is either a real encouragement to someone or they don’t know how to change it.
A. Verses like Phil. 4:13 give people strength and optimism.
B. Unfortunately the context gives us a meaning that is different than what people think.
C. Listen to the context of Phil. 4:13.
D. The context is in the preceding two verses. READ VERSES 11-12.
E. Paul had in mind good times and bad times.
F. There were occasions when he had all of life’s necessities and perhaps more than he needed.
G. There were also times when Paul was hungry, without proper clothing, and had no home.
H. Phil. 4:13 means that whether Paul had the necessities or not the Lord would see him through.
I. Yet, most today believe that verse 13 teaches they can do nearly anything if they only believe.
J. Perhaps we could make a broader application of Phil. 4:13. I do not deny that.
K. However, this verse is generally cited without giving any consideration to its context.
20. When we speak of studying a verse in its context we might think of a series of circles inside each other.
A. There is the “immediate context” of a verse (this would be the innermost ring).
B. When we want to know what a verse means look at the material before and after the verse.
C. See what the preceding and following verses say. Then see what the chapter is about.
D. The circle that is third closest to the middle of our imaginary ring is the context of the book.
E. Before we use a passage from a book know how it relates to the entire book.
F. Romans discusses justification by faith. Thus, passages in Romans are related to that theme.
G. The book of Hebrews shows the superiority of Jesus and the New Testament.
H. The letter to the Colossians establishes the supremacy of Jesus.
I. We need to be familiar with the themes of the individual Bible books.
J. In order for the theme of the book to be understood the books need to be read.
K. At the present time we live in a “hurry up” society.
L. We have people who want to pick up the Bible, find a verse for something, and say “that’s it.”
M. We can microwave meals but that is not the right approach to take with scripture.
N. To understand some passages we must read the whole book to understand the overall context.
O. Reading scripture to find the context is a job that is best done in a single sitting.
P. In some cases reading the book one time to figure out the context is not enough.
Q. As one reads through the book it is usually helpful to make an outline of the book.
R. If we are unwilling to do that or we feel we are too pressed for times there is an alternative.
S. Many religious writers in and out of the church have outlined all the books of the Bible.
T. There are times when I look at and use an outline put together by someone else.
U. At times I combine outlines from different sources.
V. Outlines are invaluable and necessary because each passage somehow fits into the context of a book.
W. If we do not read the book we will not know how the passage is related to the whole.
21. When we think about Bible books we often think about 66 different books.
A. This is one way to look at scripture.
B. Another way is to say the Bible is to say it is one book with “66 chapters.”
C. That is, each book may be viewed as a chapter.
D. Here is another ring in our imaginary circle.
E. We first look at the verses before and after the text we are studying.
F. We then look at the entire chapter. Then we look at that entire book or letter.
G. The next circle (ring) to look at is the entire Bible.
H. Think of the time when Satan quoted scripture to the Lord.
I. Jesus answered the devil by quoting another part of the Old Testament.
J. Jesus knew that some passages have a “remote context.”
K. There is a context in the sense of “What does the entire Bible teach on this matter?”
L. A good illustration of this is found in the word faith.
M. Some see the word faith and apply their own definition to it.
N. The word faith has a context that extends all the way back to the Old Testament.
O. The Hebrew writer said that Abraham acted by faith.
P. Abel was someone who acted by faith.
Q. Noah, Moses, and others acted by faith.
R. Faith is by no means limited to the New Testament.
S. If we want to understand this word we must use the context of the entire Bible to understand it.
T. Someone has compared the context of the entire Bible to a jigsaw puzzle.
U. We can pick up a puzzle piece and admire it.
V. It may have beautiful colors. The shape may intrigue us.
W. The piece is only fully appreciated and understood when it is put into the entire puzzle.
X. The word context is composed of two words.
Y. The word con (together) and textus (woven) means that things are woven together.
Z. When we look at an individual Bible verse it is somehow connected to the rest of scripture.
AA. This is the right way to study the Bible.
22. Sometimes the overall context of a book is easy to identify because of a single statement.
A. The book of Revelation says that the things in this book were to happen soon (Rev. 1:1).
B. Thus, the statements in this book are closely tied to that statement.
C. Jude said that people needed to earnestly contend for the faith (Jude 3).
D. This statement gives a context that helps interpret the rest of that book.
E. The book of Genesis uses the expression, “The generation of” (Gen. 5:1; 6:9; 11:27, etc).
23. Today people make wild predictions from the Old Testament because context is neglected.
24. The Bible writers recognized the importance of context.
25. Think of how the book of Luke opens.
26. Luke said he was writing so a man could “know for certain” things about Jesus (Lk. 1:3-4).
27. This statement has a bearing on all 24 chapters in Luke.
28. Statements relating to context are sometimes found at the start of a book.
29. Sometimes these statements are found somewhere else.
A. Towards the close of John’s gospel (20:30-31) John made a statement that related to context.
B. He said the miracles in his book were written so people would believe.
C. When we read, quote, or study from John we need to keep this statement in mind.
D. Sometimes the context of a book or passage is established by special words or a repeated phrase.
E. Amos said “for three transgressions yea for four” several times.
F. If we understand this expression we have a piece of context that helps us understand the text.
G. In the book of Romans Paul often said, “What shall we say then?”
H. This question had a specific meaning.
I. When we understand what this question meant we will have a tool to better understand Romans.
J. The book of Ruth uses God’s name 25 times in 85 verses.
K. This reveals that what is said in this book are very closely linked with God.
L. Context is a key to good and fruitful Bible study.
30. Let’s see if we can use this information given tonight and apply it to Amos 6.
A. If we wanted some help in outlining this book here is one resource (Halley’s Bible Handbook).
B. Mr. Halley’s outline begins on p. 359.
C. He says the first 2 chapters describe the doom of Israel and neighboring nations. This is right.
D. He says the third chapter condemns the luxurious palaces that were in Samaria.
E. He says the 4th chapter may be summed up as “Prepare to meet your God.”
F. Chapter 5 is described as “the day of God.”
G. Israel had escaped from a lion and a bear but a snake would bite her.
H. The day of God was indeed coming.
I. In the 6th chapter Amos said that captivity was getting closer and closer.
31. We have a basic outline of the book of the first six chapters in this book.
32. With this outline we are now ready to study the text.
A. Amos 6:1 said that some were “at ease” in Zion (the southern kingdom).
B. Others felt “secure” in Samaria.
C. These statements are further explained by the context.
D. Notice verse 4.
E. The people had “beds of ivory.”
F. If we studied the entire context of the Bible we would learn some things about ivory.
G. 2 Chron. 9:21 shows that ivory was imported. It was expensive.
H. These people didn’t want a bed. They wanted the finest of beds.
I. The 4th verse also says that the people also “stretched out on couches.”
J. What is wrong with stretching out on a couch? Notice the context – 7b.
33. These people drank to the point where they collapsed on couches.
34. Perhaps their arms and legs draped over the furniture in drunken stupors.
35. The people were living lives of luxury and sensuality.
36. In addition to the fine furniture the people wanted the best food (4b).
37. The people wanted lambs and calves from the “midst of the stall.”
38. Perhaps these animals were being taken from the poor.
39. At the very least the people who heard this message had no concern for the poor.
40. They only wanted to fulfill their own lusts and make life one big party.
41. The 5th verse speaks of “idle songs.” These people didn’t want to work.
42. They wanted to sit back, take it easy, and always indulge themselves in pleasure.
43. They wanted to sit around drinking liquor till they passed out on their couches.
44. These people drank a lot. Notice verse 6.
45. Most drink wine from goblets. These people used bowls.
46. If this had been a beer party each person would have had their own keg.
47. With this context in mind we are ready for the information in 5b.
48. The people made instruments of music like David.
49. What did Amos mean?
50. The point is NOT that David made instruments of music, he used them in worship, and he sinned.
51. The point is that these people wanted the best of everything.
52. Even the instruments they used had to be the best. They needed to be fit for a king.
53. This passage has no bearing on using instrumental music in New Testament worship.
54. In and out of the church people mishandle God’s word because they ignore context.
55. If we desire to be a Christian we must handle the word of God correctly.
56. Part of this proper handling comes by paying attention to context.