Have you ever wondered…“Why is the Bible so Hard to Understand?” Many of us have certainly discovered by reading and studying the Bible, that everything that is presented in the Bible, is not always clearly perceived or self evident.  In other words, everything in the Bible is not easily understood using natural human reasoning or logic.  I am personally convinced that the Bible contains many outstanding truths. There is a challenge that we all face in reading and understanding the Bible.

Ephesians 6:19 (NIV) Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel

In Ephesians we are told that the Gospel of Jesus Christ was a mystery.  Even Jesus confirmed this reality when he told the Jews to search the scriptures because these were words that testified about him (John 5:39).  If they had to search to find Jesus it is very clear that Jesus was hidden in the words that were written in the O.T.

Romans 16:25 (NIV) Now to him who is able to establish you in accordance with my gospel, the message I proclaim about Jesus Christ, in keeping with the revelation of the mystery hidden for long ages past,

In this letter to the church, God declares that which was being preached came as a result of a revelation being given.  A revelation is a revealing of that which was hidden from plain view.  It was written in their language, but they did not see it or perceive it.  Why is that so important to understand?

Proverbs 25:2 (NIV) It is the glory of God to conceal a matter; to search out a matter is the glory of kings.

Here is an Old Testament reference that describes the nature and character of God. This verse declares that it is to God’s glory to conceal or hide information.

There are a large number of reasons that I believe God has hidden information in the Bible. One reason is to give man a choice in what they believe. Still another reason for hiding information is to allow God to reveal the information at the right time so as to apply it better to our lives at the appropriate time.  There are certainly other reasons for God doing this, but as long as you see and understand that He has done it, you will at least be far ahead of others.

Every word in the Bible is clearly readable by anyone that picks the book up, but every word is also equally hard to understand because of the methods and techniques that God has selected to record His words in a book format. It is much like a game of hide and seek where everyone that you are looking for is out in the open in plain view, but many of them are wearing camouflage and have blended into their surroundings so that you don’t see them clearly.  They are there right in front of you, yet you walk right by them.  So it is with the Bible.

In reading Proverbs 25:2, it reveals to us one of God’s intentions and purposes for giving us the Bible. This verse specifically informs us that it is God’s Glory to conceal information.  This Hebrew word translated as “conceal” means to keep secret, or to hide from plain view. To me this points to God’s desire for us to search for Him and draw us into a relationship with Him.

The Bible Codes are to me just an additional proof that God exists and He has written something for us to come to know who He is and what He is like, something that only He could have done. To those who don’t believe in God, it is a sign that someday they will understand.

Proverbs 2:1-8 (NIV)

My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you,turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding— indeed, if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. He holds success in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones.

So did God encode things in the Bible for us to discover?  What are your thoughts on this? Please leave your comments and thoughts on this below!

Conceal