The different layers of Scripture

 

We call it ‘Holy’, and at AFC we begin most services walking up the aisle behind it; Scripture is precious to us and we are grateful for it.  Yet, it has struck me this week that we can, and do, engage with it at many different levels.  That’s because on Sunday we had the story of Noah during an All Age Service at church, and yesterday evening we looked at the same story during our Manse Life and Faith Group.  One story examined in two very different contexts.

On Sunday we inevitably focused on the animals going in two by two!  How could we not, it’s what this story is so famous for!  Indeed, a teacher among us, says that in her Primary School this is the most famous of all the bible stories.  (Interesting that it’s better known than the stories of Jesus – I suspect it’s all those mobiles and playmats from Mothercare that contain pictures of an ark and animals.  From a very early age we learn about Noah!)

Our All Service also had an environment focus, and the story of an ark as a floating ‘Eco System’ restart fitted in well.

However, last evening we thought of the second half of the narrative as well, the part that contains Noah drunk and disillusioned.  So, we thought not only of his courage but also his vulnerability.  We also discussed the Nature of God, the God who allowed such cataclysmic destruction, alongside the idea that maybe it’s best to read this story rather like we do the New Testament Parables, looking for broad meanings rather than getting stuck in the details.

I’d like to think that at both church and house group we took this story seriously, even if we treated it differently.  And that is surely the value of Scripture, that it has many layers.

We sometimes talk a lot about the Inspiration of Scripture, yet the Reception of Scripture is equally important.  How we receive it will probably depend on our age and situation. Yet we rejoice that again and again the whisper of God breaks through and touches our hearts and minds when read words on a page that the Holy Spirit takes and uses to train, challenge and comfort us. 

For the Word of the Lord: Thanks be to God!