Very little -- I rarely, if ever, read the Hebrew text.
Some -- I sporadically read my Hebrew.
Often -- I read the Hebrew every day.
Very often -- I am a Hebrew fanatic.
Shouldn't we use what we once worked so hard to acquire? If we would take the time to at least consult the Hebrew, God will give us plenty of blessings to take with us.
I mention all this because this Tuesday and Wednesday I'll be back at Liberty University's Rawlins School of Divinity to speak in several classes. One of them is called "Advanced Exegesis of Esther." No one is probably more unqualified to speak in a class on Esther than me. I can't even pronounce Ahasuerus. Hebrew? I'm no expert. But I love Hebrew -- and I do read it almost every day. One of the topics in that lecture will be "How Hebrew Helps Me Better Understand My Greek New Testament." Semitic constructions are on every page of the New Testament. When you think about it, that was practically inevitable considering that the New Testament authors (save one) were all Jews. When you begin to read your Greek New Testament, it isn't very long before these "Semitisms" leap out of the forest, bare their fangs, and gobble you up if you don't understand that you're really reading Hebrew in Greek clothing. Without exception, reading Hebrew (including my Hebrew New Testament) has become more and more sweet to me as the years roll along. This much is sure: It's not God's will for us to be sloppy, lazy readers of his word. I have no inclination to believe that God loves Hebrew and Greek more than he loves, say, English, but I do believe that he loved his children so much that he gave us his words in languages we can learn and read.
What if reading Hebrew became a way of life? That would make me very happy as a Greek teacher.
Lord, every good and perfect gift is from above. Grant me the wisdom to remember that you are the source of Scripture. Help me to remember that Hebrew and Greek are a safeguard that can help me to avoid reading into your word what your Holy Spirit never put there in the first pace. Likewise, Lord, make my tongue and pen a tree of life for others. Even in my talks this week.
In your precious name, amen.
