This section will look at several words and their meanings. When we study certain words, we gain a knowledge of what they mean. When we learn what they mean, we have a better understanding. To know what something means. To know why something is. To have an absolute positive feeling of knowledge and how to apply it properly.
Nehemiah 8:8 (NKJV)
So they read distinctly from the book, in the Law of God; and they gave the sense, and helped them to understand the reading.
Nehemiah 8:13 (NKJV)
Now on the second day the heads of the fathers' houses of all the people, with the priests and Levites, were gathered to Ezra the scribe, in order to understand the words of the Law.
Do we really understand what we are talking about? Some might question us in this matter. What we need to do now, is look at several uses of the word "understand".
As we read these passages, look at the word "understand" and see how it is used. Pay attention to the context of the passage. Look at the results of having understanding. Look at the benefits of using or having understanding. You will notice that the word is active and not passive. In other words, it is being put to use. The passive tense would be like sitting in a car. The active tense is like driving a car. One idea conveys the actual doing of something. The passive tense carries the idea of mere existence.
Psalms 14:2 (NKJV)
The LORD looks down from heaven upon the children of men, To see if there are any who understand, who seek God.
Psalms 107:43 (NKJV)
Whoever is wise will observe these things, And they will understand the lovingkindness of the LORD.
Psalms 119:27 (NKJV)
Make me understand the way of Your precepts; So shall I meditate on Your wondrous works.
Proverbs 1:2-7 (NKJV)
To know wisdom and instruction, To perceive the words of understanding, {3} To receive the instruction of wisdom, Justice, judgment, and equity; {4} To give prudence to the simple, To the young man knowledge and discretion; {5} A wise man will hear and increase learning, And a man of understanding will attain wise counsel, {6} To understand a proverb and an enigma, The words of the wise and their riddles. {7} The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Jeremiah 23:20 (NKJV)
The anger of the LORD will not turn back Until He has executed and performed the thoughts of His heart. In the latter days you will understand it perfectly.
Daniel 9:13 (NKJV)
"As it is written in the Law of Moses, all this disaster has come upon us; yet we have not made our prayer before the LORD our God, that we might turn from our iniquities and understand Your truth.
Daniel 10:12 (NKJV)
Then he said to me, "Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard; and I have come because of your words.
Hosea 14:9 (NKJV)
Who is wise? Let him understand these things. Who is prudent? Let him know them. For the ways of the LORD are right; The righteous walk in them, But transgressors stumble in them.
Every one of the above passages describe the word "understand" in the active tense. The following passages deal with the word from a different viewpoint. This use of the word is passive, but will later become active. You may sit in a car and later you may drive the car. Look at these passages and see if this is so. Look at the context. Look at the way the word is used.
Mark 4:13 (NKJV)
And He said to them, "Do you not understand this parable? How then will you understand all the parables?
Mark 7:14 (NKJV)
When He had called all the multitude to Himself, He said to them, "Hear Me, everyone, and understand:
Mark 9:32 (NKJV)
But they did not understand this saying, and were afraid to ask Him.
Luke 9:45 (NKJV)
But they did not understand this saying, and it was hidden from them so that they did not perceive it; and they were afraid to ask Him about this saying.
John 8:27 (NKJV)
They did not understand that He spoke to them of the Father.
John 8:43 (NKJV)
"Why do you not understand My speech? Because you are not able to listen to My word.
John 10:6 (NKJV)
Jesus used this illustration, but they did not understand the things which He spoke to them.
All of these meet the requirements of our study. Now see what happens when the word becomes active.
John 12:16 (NKJV)
His disciples did not understand these things at first; but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things were written about Him and that they had done these things to Him.
John 13:7 (NKJV)
Jesus answered and said to him, "What I am doing you do not understand now, but you will know after this."
The disciples did not know what Jesus was talking about when He was here. But later when the Holy Spirit came with power, they were made to understand. This changed their lives dramaticly. I try to picture that moment in history when this understanding was first known. These people had been in ignorance their whole lives, and all of a sudden, they had knowledge and understanding of what it was all about. Can you imagine taking in and comprehending the message of God in a matter of moments? Many Christians take years to really grasp the meaning of life and their duty to God. These disciples got it in a moment. No wonder they went about preaching the Christ. No wonder they gave their lives for His cause.
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Understanding II
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