Studying the Scriptures 查考圣经
Dexu Xia
[Jesus said], “These are the very Scriptures that testify about me.”John 5:39
J. I. Packer (1926–2020), in his classic work Knowing God, spoke of four well-known believers in Christ whom he called “beavers for the Bible.” Not all were trained scholars, but each one exercised great care to know God by gnawing into the Scripture, like a beaver digs in and gnaws away at a tree. Packer further noted that knowing God through Bible study is not just for scholars. “A simple Bible reader and sermon hearer who is full of the Holy Spirit will develop a far deeper acquaintance with his God and Savior than a more learned scholar who is content with being theologically correct.”
Unfortunately, not all who study the Bible do so with humble hearts with the goal of getting to know the Savior better and becoming more like Him. In Jesus’ day there were those who read the Old Testament Scriptures, yet they missed the very One they spoke of. “You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life” (John 5:39–40).
Do you sometimes find yourself stumped as you read the Bible? Or have you given up studying the Scriptures altogether? Bible “beavers” are more than Bible readers. They prayerfully and carefully gnaw away at Scripture in ways that open their eyes and hearts to see and love Jesus—the One revealed in it.
What are some Old Testament Scripture passages that you recognize as “testifying” about Jesus? What better habits do you need to develop to become a better student of the Scriptures?
Father, open my eyes to see Jesus in all of Scripture so that I might love, obey, and serve Him more.
耶稣说]，给我作见证的就是这经。—约翰福音5章39节
神学家巴刻（1926-2020年）在他的经典著作《认识神》中，提到四位著名的基督徒，并称他们是“如河狸般勤奋读圣经的人”。他们并非全都是受过训练的学者，但每一位都像河狸啃咬树干一般，锲而不舍地“挖掘啃咬”圣经、热切寻求上帝。巴刻进一步指出，不是只有学者能透过研读圣经认识上帝，一个被圣灵充满、单纯读经听道的人，比那些只满足于拥有正确神学知识的学者，更能深入地认识这位上帝和救主。
令人惋惜的是，并非所有研读圣经的人都会以一颗谦卑的心，想要更认识这位救主且学习更像祂。在耶稣的时代，有些研读旧约圣经的人，却与圣经所预表的弥赛亚擦身而过。就像耶稣对他们说：“你们查考圣经，因你们以为内中有永生；给我作见证的就是这经。然而你们不肯到我这里来得生命。”（约翰福音5章39-40节）
当你读圣经的时候，可曾感到经文深奥难懂？还是你已彻底放弃研读圣经？像“河狸”这样的读经者不只是一般的读经者，他们会敬虔且仔细地勤读圣经、力学不倦，以致他们的心眼得以明亮，能看见并爱慕耶稣，也就是圣经所见证的这一位。
你能认出哪些旧约圣经的经文是预表耶稣的吗？
你要培养哪些好习惯，使你能更用心地研读圣经？
天父啊，求祢开我的眼睛，让我从整本圣经中看见耶稣，好叫我能更爱祂、更顺服祂，也更乐意事奉祂。