Psalm 119:130
Think of unwrapping a present. Most children dig right in, ripping paper off or pulling tissue out of a bag as fast as they can. Often the contents are revealed without notice and they are ready to dive into another present! Adults usually take a little more time, perhaps not wanting to seem too eager about their gift but filled with anticipation at the thought of something special. My Mom would meticulously remove the paper from a present and carefully refold the wrapping to be used again. Or, in the case of a gift bag, she would smooth out each individual piece of tissue paper then methodically fold it into squares before looking inside to discover her present. This seemed especially painful to watch at times because the giver was often as excited as the receiver! But she wanted to revel in the moment. Psalm 119:130 talks about “the unfolding of God’s words”.
Ps 119:130 The unfolding of Thy words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.
unfolding <pethach> opening, disclosure: entrance.
Unfolding something means to open it to view, revealing what is inside. The “entrance” of God’s words (KJV) is to move into His truths. Notice there is action involved. This is not just the act of physically opening the Bible, it is opening our hearts to accept the truths of the Gospel. Fact: Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth and the Light. There is no understanding apart from His death on the cross for our sin. John 3:16; John 3:36; John 6:40; Romans 10:9-11.
We read that “the unfolding of Thy words gives light”.
light <’owr> make luminous (as in the break of day); glorious, kindle, set on fire, shine.
Being luminous is to emit or reflect light. Think of the morning dawn as the first light of day swallows the darkness of night. The light of God’s words are not just any ordinary light. The words glorious, grandeur, splendor, brilliant, magnificent and even splendiferous – yes, that is a word – are a good description of the light emitted from God’s words.
Pr 6:23 For the commandment is a lamp, and the teaching is light; and reproofs for discipline are the way of life,
Ps 19:8 The precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.
Ps 119:105 Thy word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path.
Do you have a beautiful picture in your mind? Hold onto it and use it to paint the beautiful picture of Truth contained in scripture! It is an incredible, indescribable gift we have at our fingertips. Do you open God’s word with the anticipation of wonderful discovery? Do you hastily unwrap it without really seeing what is inside? Are you excited about it but afraid to let others know? Do you meticulously examine each treasure that it contains taking time to carefully discover and digest all God has for you?
The Strong’s Hebrew definition of light includes the words kindle and set on fire. Kindling stirs up a response. You can kindle a fire to set logs aflame. With words you can kindle or evoke a response of emotions or feelings that lead to action. God’s word sets our soul on fire to shine for Him.
What is the opposite of light – darkness, being blind to the Truth.
2Co 4:4 in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving, that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
2Co 4:6 For God, who said, "Light shall shine out of darkness," is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.
Eph 5:13-14 But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light. For this reason it says, "Awake, sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you."
“It gives understanding”
Think of the adage that says you never really understand something until you can explain it to someone else. What does it take to understand something?
understanding <biyn> to separate mentally (or distinguish); to attend, consider, be cunning, diligently, direct, discern, eloquent, feel, inform, instruct, have intelligence, know, look well to, mark, perceive, be prudent, regard, skill, teach, think, deal wisely.
Wow, read the above words again. So much meaning is contained in this one concept. Understanding takes time!! It takes diligent effort and discernment!
I’ve had others share with me that preparing multiple studies from God’s word takes too much time. It is difficult and most people won’t want to invest that much. That it is hard and the effort needed is not something others will want to embark upon. It’s been suggested that there is a limited amount of time that people are willing to sit and listen or study the word of God because our attention wanes. I would propose these questions to those concerns:
Who does your time belong to? What has been done for you to secure salvation? Are you able to sit through an hour and a half movie and pay attention?
It pains my heart when it seems we are only willing to sacrifice a piece of our life for God. We feel accomplished when we read a verse for the day. We have claimed time as our own instead of recognizing Who it truly belongs to. Familiar words to a song are “All I have is Christ. Jesus is my life”. Is this what we live? Or is it more like “Christ is part of what I have. Jesus is a piece of my life”?
To have understanding means we are able to see God’s truth. We recognize His ways and the difference between fact and error. How do we acquire understanding of His words? We enter or unfold scripture with a desire to know God more. Understanding of His words is God’s work. Are you a willing vessel?
Who does God give understanding to? The simple! This is especially great news for someone like me who has little formal higher education I don’t have to be especially smart or creative. No letters of degree completion after my name. This truth also begs the answer to the concern that it is too hard to understand God’s word.
simple <pethiy> silly, foolish
Our English definition for the word simple means having few parts; not complex, complicated or involved. Childlike simplicity and trust. Think wide-eyed, looking at something with eyes full of wonder.
Isn’t this a beautiful and encouraging picture! The only prerequisite for understanding God’s words is to come to Him with a sincere desire to know Him. He causes us to change, He causes us to understand.
Ps 19:7 The law of the LORD is perfect, restoring the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.
In the beginning of the book of Proverbs we read why God’s words are written:
Pr 1:2-4 To know wisdom and instruction, to discern the sayings of understanding, 3 To receive instruction in wise behavior, righteousness, justice and equity; 4 To give prudence to the naive, to the youth knowledge and discretion,
A statement in the Geneva Bible Notes is pretty straight-forward in the rendering of this verse:
“The simple idiots that submit themselves to God have their eyes opened and their minds illuminated, as soon as they begin to read God’s word”.
“when I open my Bible to read, light springs up in my mind. Every sermon, every prayer, every act of faith, is an opening by which light is let into the seeking soul.” Adam Clarke’s Commentary
“There is so clear a light in thy word, O God, that, upon the first sight thereof, it gives great knowledge and comfort to the beholder.” Hall’s Explication of Hard Texts
Lu 24:27;31 And beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures. 31 And their eyes were opened and they recognized Him;
Read one of my favorite verses; my prayer for myself and the dear sweet individuals God has placed in my life:
Eph 1:18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,
[Blessed be the Lord God of Israel] who gives to His people the knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God, with which the Sunrise from on high shall visit us, TO SHINE UPON THOSE WHO SIT IN DARKNESS AND THE SHADOW OF DEATH, to guide our feet into the way of peace." Luke 1:77-79
“The words of God enter the soul, when, being read or heard, they are understood, believed, stored up in the memory, and used to regulate the judgment and conduct. They then give a satisfactory light to the mind upon every subject on which they treat, and speedily communicate more useful knowledge upon the most important topics to the simplest believer, then the acutest philosophers have been able to develop through successive generations. ‘The simple idiots that submit themselves to God have their eyes opened, and their minds illuminated, so soon as they begin to read God’s word.—Thus will the scriptures give to the simple, in a few days, an understanding in those matters which philosophers for centuries sought in vain.’”—Bp Horne.
Joh 8:12 Again therefore Jesus spoke to them, saying, "I am the light of the world; he who follows Me shall not walk in the darkness, but shall have the light of life."
God’s word is the light that guides us; it is the light that teaches us in the ways we should go; it is the light that directs us to His glory. We have been given a most precious gift – God’s written word to His children. This gift needs to be opened frequently and when it is, our minds are filled with the light of understanding more about who God is, what He did and does, what He wants from us, and how we are to serve Him and others. You’ve heard of a gift that keeps on giving, what an accurate description of the Bible. Those who don’t know God hear the word with ears alone and it seems to have little value, it’s meaning evasive. But, to those He has called, His word penetrates into our soul and the value is immeasurable. God’s word is not exclusive to the highly educated or brilliant mind, the self-sufficient or the proudly successful. It is for those who recognize their weakness, their deficiencies, and their need of the Savior.
Shine bright my friend for the God who has chosen you as His beloved child. Revel in the unfolding of His words. Thoroughly examine the gift of truths written for His children. Be marveled at its priceless content over and over again.
