I like using a conversational voice when reading aloud. It makes us think about putting emphasis and emotion to the words. And God certainly is emotional.
My voice reading aloud carries more confidence and conviction than my voice reading in my head. In my head I can mumble and hurry my way through— much less so with reading aloud.
Reading the chapter is like making a declaration to the universe, to my soul, and to my mind. The other thing that struck me was that in our human weaknesses, we can choose faith and know that God will work, because God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect. We are part of His plan. Amazing!
Well, because I slowed down in order to read aloud, I took extra time to consider verses 39-40. To be honest, I have never really paid much attention to this, but my curiosity motivated me to do a little extra reading of commentary on these verses. If you would like to know some of the writings I found interesting, here ya go:
“While Old Testament saints were justified by faith, their salvation looked forward to Christ. They are brought to complete, final perfection (resurrection and full glorification) simultaneously with New Testament believers when the church is completed.”
“The verse emphasizes that believers in both Testaments form one body. The "better thing" means we live in the era of fulfillment, where we experience the reality of what they awaited by faith.”
The context is a call for Christians to continue in faith, knowing that the promise has been realized in Christ, rather than returning to old legalistic practices.”
I think verse 13 stood out today because a) I have pondered over its meaning during each reading of the chapter (never having really noticed or thought about it before), wondering just how God gave them glimpses, how they had seen it from afar (which is part of wondering how they even knew enough of God to have faith) and b) am just getting started with reading Michael Heiser's book. There is far more to God's word than we are accustomed to seeing in our surface reading.
When I read out loud I feel the weigh of the words. They’re less flippant. I’m less ‘in a hurry to complete my Bible study’ and more in awe of the living breathing words. They really do run through my heart like living water. Not just bouncing off the walls of my mind. lol
I think of a battle cry when I read aloud. How eager the early listeners would have been to catch onto the words, and how dedicated to obey. I think of soldiers receiving their commands and this is who I am in Christ and how I hope to always respond to His word. 🤍
Reading aloud does help you slow down and listen better. I especially thought about the strong faith of those persecuted. Some even refused to be released! I don’t think I have ever really singled that out before reading it aloud.
Reading Scripture aloud reminded me that God created everything by His Word and we experience God's Trinitarian nature when we speak the inspired (Holy Spirit-breathed) Word (made flesh in Jesus) of God (the Father). How awesome is that!
Also, while reading this time, I noticed all the references to "seeing" in the chapter.
Reading scripture out loud helps me tell me the story. I get to receive those truths as mines. Hearing it read out loud lodges a "blessed assurance" in my soul. Oh today has been one of my favorites. Reading it aloud in the J.B. Phillips translation just hit different this morning.
Reading out loud is like hearing it twice.
I like using a conversational voice when reading aloud. It makes us think about putting emphasis and emotion to the words. And God certainly is emotional.
My voice reading aloud carries more confidence and conviction than my voice reading in my head. In my head I can mumble and hurry my way through— much less so with reading aloud.
I agree!
Reading the chapter is like making a declaration to the universe, to my soul, and to my mind. The other thing that struck me was that in our human weaknesses, we can choose faith and know that God will work, because God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect. We are part of His plan. Amazing!
Reading out loud allows you to slow down and really listen to what God is saying in each passage.
Well, because I slowed down in order to read aloud, I took extra time to consider verses 39-40. To be honest, I have never really paid much attention to this, but my curiosity motivated me to do a little extra reading of commentary on these verses. If you would like to know some of the writings I found interesting, here ya go:
“While Old Testament saints were justified by faith, their salvation looked forward to Christ. They are brought to complete, final perfection (resurrection and full glorification) simultaneously with New Testament believers when the church is completed.”
“The verse emphasizes that believers in both Testaments form one body. The "better thing" means we live in the era of fulfillment, where we experience the reality of what they awaited by faith.”
The context is a call for Christians to continue in faith, knowing that the promise has been realized in Christ, rather than returning to old legalistic practices.”
I like your insights!
Reading aloud is always good.
I think verse 13 stood out today because a) I have pondered over its meaning during each reading of the chapter (never having really noticed or thought about it before), wondering just how God gave them glimpses, how they had seen it from afar (which is part of wondering how they even knew enough of God to have faith) and b) am just getting started with reading Michael Heiser's book. There is far more to God's word than we are accustomed to seeing in our surface reading.
When I read out loud I feel the weigh of the words. They’re less flippant. I’m less ‘in a hurry to complete my Bible study’ and more in awe of the living breathing words. They really do run through my heart like living water. Not just bouncing off the walls of my mind. lol
I think of a battle cry when I read aloud. How eager the early listeners would have been to catch onto the words, and how dedicated to obey. I think of soldiers receiving their commands and this is who I am in Christ and how I hope to always respond to His word. 🤍
Reading aloud does help you slow down and listen better. I especially thought about the strong faith of those persecuted. Some even refused to be released! I don’t think I have ever really singled that out before reading it aloud.
I don’t think I had ever singled that out either. It definitely stood out reading out loud!
And though Cain killed him, yet by his faith he still speaks to us today. Love that! Physical death is not the end.
Loved reading out loud! Adds so much!
Reading Scripture aloud reminded me that God created everything by His Word and we experience God's Trinitarian nature when we speak the inspired (Holy Spirit-breathed) Word (made flesh in Jesus) of God (the Father). How awesome is that!
Also, while reading this time, I noticed all the references to "seeing" in the chapter.
Reading scripture out loud helps me tell me the story. I get to receive those truths as mines. Hearing it read out loud lodges a "blessed assurance" in my soul. Oh today has been one of my favorites. Reading it aloud in the J.B. Phillips translation just hit different this morning.