A Valuable Insight?

An empty-headed person won’t become wise any more than a wild donkey can bear a human child. [Job 11.12]

While there certainly is a lot of wisdom in many of the sayings in Job, I wish to point out another valuable piece of insight to the true Bible student.

In the New Living Translation of the Bible, there is a footnote after the phrase "a human child."  That footnote provides an alternate reading for that phrase and it is, "a tame colt."

Now, there is a LOT of difference between a human child and a tame colt!

The point is, Bible translation is not as easy as one would think.  The Bible is literally full of footnotes similar to this one where the translators simply have no way to be absolutely sure what the original texts intended to communicate.  And, for the record, the original texts, as I understand it, are not the original manuscripts, but copies of the original manuscripts in the original language (and, not even always in the original language!).

To add therefore to my point, it is imperative that the Bible student keenly searches for the Word of God when reading the Bible,  To discern the Word, the student must take into account all that is being said, and, regardless of publicized discrepancies or contradictions, allow his spirit to connect with and receive from God's Spirit - the Living Word - as He is transmitted through the general, overall and consistent message of the Bible.

It is simply not good enough to pick a favorite translation of the Bible and claim accuracy of every detail portrayed therein because each translation portrays different interpretations of certain words and phrases inconsistent will all translations as a whole.  Without the original manuscripts, as written for the very first time by the actual author, we have no assurance of inerrancy of translation.  However!  The keen and dedicated Bible student is undeterred by various interpretations of minutia as he has seen that the Bible's overriding message is pure and consistent and has therefore tasted and partaken of the Living Word of God (which is in fact inerrant)!

Father, I am grateful that Your Message - Your Living Word - has indeed spoken to me.  Thank You for drawing me into Yourself through the pages of the Bible!  Thank You for allowing me to learn of You and Your love and redemption as depicted consistently through the Bible!  Thank You for striking the 'chord of faith' in my heart and allowing me to know I am Yours!