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God's Interpretation
"What's the right interpretation?"
"Well, that's just your interpretation."
"There are many possible interpretations."
Have you ever heard those things? Have you ever said those things?
Even between two people, unless one tells the other how to interpret their communications, those things are indeed true. When I tell someone "Let's go to the match," they may have a very different interpretation of the activity "go to the match" that may not line up with the idea in my head when I say those words. I mean arrive hours ahead of time and soak up the atmosphere and welcome the squad, etc. Another person may just think "be present inside the stadium at any time during which soccer is being played." These are different interpretations of a single statement.
So, if two humans can be so far apart interpreting their own personal communications, how are we supposed to successfully interpret the Bible? Do 7 billion people have to put their heads together to figure out the "correct" interpretation? Or, worse, do we all just agree that there is no "correct" interpretation?
God is not a God of confusion, and He has given us both His word as well as the instruction we need to know how to interpret it.
Changing of the priesthood
Hebrews 7:11-14
Now if perfection was through the Levitical priesthood (for on the basis of it the people received the Law), what further need was there for another priest to arise according to the order of Melchizedek, and not be designated according to the order of Aaron? For when the priesthood is changed, of necessity there takes place a change of law also. For the one concerning whom these things are spoken belongs to another tribe, from which no one has officiated at the altar. For it is evident that our Lord was descended from Judah, a tribe with reference to which Moses spoke nothing concerning priests.
The Hebrew writer is right in the middle of explaining a massive repercussion of Jesus being made our High Priest, namely, that it requires the Mosaic Law to have been superseded. But, that's not our focus. We're going to take this passage out of its context and learn a small truth that plays a role in the writer's logic. The crux of that truth is really found in vs. 14, "a tribe with reference to which Moses spoke nothing concerning priests."
God is interpreting His word right before our eyes. He's saying "I said this, and here, in detail, is what I meant when I said it."
That is huge for two reasons.
First, it means we don't have to argue with each other about how to approach the scripture. He showed us.
Second, it means that He demands that we approach His word and understand as He intended when He relayed it to us. It matters how we interpret!
Technically, this is called "strict interpretation," as opposed to "loose interpretation."
What does that mean? Look at the case the writer is making.
Another Priest has been named.
He's not a Levite.
This means the priesthood has changed entirely.
This means the Law has changed entirely.
This all seems logical until you try to apply a loose interpretation to the Mosaic Law. A loose interpretation would permit priests from Judah in addition to priests from Levi because priests from Judah ARE NOT SPECIFICALLY BANNED OR CONDEMNED IN THE LAW.
So, now we have a tool, a paradigm, we can use to approach everything God has said. What gives this paradigm power is the coupling of what God has communicated as well as His silence about alternatives. He doesn't have to mention His disapproval of alternatives once He has spoken His will.
My hope in this is that I've reminded you how God intends His word to be interpreted and helped prepare you to help others understand the necessity of using a strict interpretation with scripture ... not because that's my chosen method but because God has made absolutely plain that's the method He intended.
