TK Torah Keepers

A foolish woman is clamorous: she is simple, and knoweth nothing. ¹⁴ For she sitteth at the door of her house, on a seat in the high places of the city, ¹⁵ To call passengers who go right on their ways: ¹⁶ Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: and as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him, ¹⁷ Stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant. ¹⁸ But he knoweth not that the dead are there; and that her guests are in the depths of hell. (Proverbs 9:13-18 KJV)

The warning at the end of Proverb 9 is an important one.  The Proverb begins with an anthropomorphic description of wisdom as a woman who has built her house solidly and tends to her household’s needs.  It concludes with this contrasting description of a foolish woman who sits in the gates inviting people in to dine with her, drinking stolen water and eating meat in secret. While there are numerous applications of this proverb, the one that I want to focus on involves stolen water and meat eaten in secret. 

There are many students of the Bible (and even some scholars) who are forever searching for some new revelation, some newly discovered detail, some revolutionary discovery that will redefine the definition of “truth,” radically transform the faith, and make a name for them-selves.  While the endless pursuit of truth and understanding is indeed a virtue that we should all faithfully encourage one another in, we must be careful that we do not become so enamored with the “hunt” that we forget what we are hunting for!  Biblical-Studies is a vast field of study, which involves the study of language, etymology, scriptology, linguistics, anthropology, archeology, history, and many other important disciplines.  There is no way possible for one person to master all of the fields that play a significant role in the field of Biblical-Studies.  This should not, however, prevent any of us from taking our search for biblical truth and understanding seriously. 

It is always exciting when we do stumble upon some new revelation or detail that deepens our understanding of who the Sovereign Creator of the Universe is and what he desires from his creatures.  The search for truth and understanding can be a long and arduous path.  Seeking for understanding can lead us down many rabbit trails and dead-ends.  In most cases, our studies will raise more questions than answers.  It is in these dark, difficult, arid moments in our studies that we become vulnerable to the temptation to listen to the foolish woman sitting in the gate offering us stolen water and secret bread. 

In the course of study, many students stumble upon some new book or writing that they have never heard of before, such as the Book of Enoch, or the Book of Jasher, or the Gnostic Gospels, or other such “lost books of the Bible”.  Upon reading this material, all manner of excitement is generated.  Clearly this is new revelation!  Instantly the student wants to jump into this new material and re-translate all of scripture by it.  Oh how exciting it all is.  The same may be said about such teachings as the “Lunar Sabbath.”  One or two people find an obtuse quote outside of scripture and suddenly want to re-interpret all of scripture to fit their new found novelty.  These “mysteries” and “secret texts,” which have been hidden from believers for centuries are the equivalent to stolen waters…and meat eaten in secret.  Those that re-introduce these ancient and rejected teachings to yet another unsuspecting, uninformed and undiscerning audience of believers rejoice in being the one who “discovered” this novel revelation.  Armed with their new revelation these revelers quickly become the self-appointed leaders of a new reformation movement within the body of Messiah. 

But note carefully what the proverb warns….

¹⁶ Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: and as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him, ¹⁷ Stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant. ¹⁸ But he knoweth not that the dead are there; and that her guests are in the depths of hell. (Proverbs 9:13-18 KJV)

This stolen water and secret bread, while promising to be tasty and stimulating ultimately lead to death not to life!  Many, who fall prey to the desire for novel revelation and excitement in their search, ultimately become disenfranchised, frustrated, and hopelessly lost in what was once their pursuit of truth.  We must be cautious and discerning in what we read and study carefully, thoughtfully, and prayerfully.  We must be sure that we are indeed seeking truth and understanding and not simply excitement, or worse yet a name for ourselves. 

There is indeed much that we have not yet discovered about the Bible.  Almost every day scholars and archeologists discover new artifacts that change or add to our understanding of the scriptures.  We must, however, learn to distinguish between fact and the interpretation of fact.  We must also learn to listen to what the Spirit of the Holy One is speaking.  The Bible is, in its self not the Word of God, but the testimony to the Word of God which is living.  Therefore, everything we study in the written word must be confirmed by the Spirit of the Holy One.  Everything received by the Spirit should likewise be confirmed by the testimony of the scriptures.  We should not simply accept everything we read as being truth.  We should question everything and prayerfully search the scriptures for ourselves. We must also consult with our brethren that we not become entangled in our own private interpretation.  We should also pray ardently for wisdom before making any change in our lives or walk.  Be not easily misled by what may at first appear logical or practical.  Instead, faithfully question and search out the matter in word and prayer.  While there is much we do not know there is nothing beyond the Father’s knowledge.  Therefore before accepting anything new, go to the Father and ask for his confirmation upon what you have discovered.  Do not change anything until it has been confirmed.  Do not swallow a teaching or revelation simply because it tickles the ears, is “new,” or “novel,” or promises to be sweet.  Truth is always better even when it is sometimes dull or bitter.