Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash
Oh, for a dollar every time I’ve had this conversation with my wife. I can’t get it to work, honey. Have you read the manual? (You know the answer is, NO!)
How about this one: Why doesn’t raising children come with a “how-to” manual?
Life evolves around manuals, booklets that give instructions on how to do it. But what about a life manual? Wouldn’t it be wonderful to have a how-to brochure for that?
It turns out, we do; it is called the Bible.
However, the Bible isn’t listed as a how-to book. It doesn’t come with a how-to glossary to find the answer to your question. So, how functional is it as a guide to life?
The answer is simply complex.
A recent story, How do you read the Bible? Explores how you view the Bible, which determines how you read it.
For example, if you view the Bible as a manual for living, you allow your brain to pick up on words that help you navigate life.
Part of my daily discipline includes reading a chapter from the Old Testament book of Proverbs each day.
On the first day of June, 2025, I read:
“These are the wise sayings of Solomon, David’s son, Israel’s King –
Written down so we’ll know how to live well and right, to understand what life means and where it’s going;
A manual for living, for learning what’s right and just and fair;
To teach the inexperienced the ropes and give our young people a grasp on reality.
There’s something here also for seasoned men and women,
still a thing or two for the experienced to learn – Fresh wisdom to probe and penetrate, the rhymes and reasons of wise men and women.
Start with God – the first step in learning is bowing down to God; only fools thumb their noses at such wisdom and learning.”
Proverbs 1:1-7 The Message
These are powerful words, and if you read the Bible as a manual for living, you will see these things to guide you.
1—These instructions are coming from a righteous man.
While it is true that King Solomon was led astray by the unrighteous teachings of his many wives, the words recorded in the Old Testament book of Proverbs are there for humanity to learn from.
The Bible did not hide Solomon’s sins, nor sugarcoat them because of his place in Jewish royalty.
Had the King followed the advice he spoke about, he would not have been in the mess he was in.
The same is true for us. When we follow the instructions written in the Bible, we avoid being entangled in the mess of the world.
2—Solomon’s words are in the Bible to help us live.
To live:
- Righteously
- Well
- And understand the meaning of life, where we are going
3—A manual for living.
To learn:
- Right from wrong
- Just from the unjust
- Fair from unfair
To teach:
- The inexperienced
- The young face the reality of life
4—Find wisdom and the understanding of being wise.
5—Start with God.
This is what I see in the first seven verses of the first chapter of the book of Proverbs.
The beauty of the Bible is that you may read it and see it from a different perspective. This is why it is called the “living” word of God.
However, it raises a question.
Why isn’t it written in simple, easy-to-understand words?
The answer isn’t as simple, but it is not complex.
First, it began as an oral tradition.
Second, it is old, with parts of the Old Testament written over three thousand years ago.
Third, it was written by around 40 different people.
Fourth, it was written in three different languages.
Throughout the centuries, languages, words, and meanings have evolved. In some instances, words disappear, making it challenging to translate the meaning.
Does this mean the Bible is inaccurate?
Not.
Solomon addresses the question in Proverbs.
“The skeptic swore, “There is no God! No God! – I can do anything I want!
I’m more animal than human; so-called human intelligence escapes me.
“I flunked ‘wisdom.’ I see no evidence of a holy God.
Has anyone ever seen Anyone climb into Heaven and take charge? grab the winds and control them? gather the rains in his bucket? stake out the ends of the earth? Just tell me his name, tell me the names of his sons. Come on now – tell me!”
The believer replied, “Every promise of God proves true; he protects everyone who runs to him for help.”
Proverbs 30:1-5 The Message
God’s word is true.
The Old Testament Prophet, Isaiah, addresses the question in his writings.
“A voice says, “Shout!” I said, “What shall I shout?” “These people are nothing but grass, their love fragile as wildflowers.
The grass withers, the wildflowers fade, if God so much as puffs on them. Aren’t these people just so much grass?
True, the grass withers and the wildflowers fade, but our God’s Word stands firm and forever.”
Isaiah 40:6-8 The Message
God’s word stands firm and forever.
This is why I suggest using a Bible translation that you relate to, because reading the Bible is more than reading words; it is embracing the message.
Solomon conveys another reason the Bible isn’t an easy read.
“God delights in concealing things; scientists delight in discovering things.”
Proverbs 25:2 The Message
I love the picture this paints.
It reminds me of the days when easter eggs were hidden. They were not hidden to keep them away from the children, but, on the contrary, to encourage them to find them.
There is something about discovering things that delights the human heart.
In the movie industry, they are called Easter eggs, little hidden nuggets that are intentionally placed in the scene for people to notice.
God the Father has written his word, the Bible, in the same way. When you read it as a manual for living, you are more likely to find (discover) the hidden (Easter eggs) meanings.
Just as it pleases the scriptwriters when you “find” their Easter eggs, it pleases God when you “find” the hidden things in the Word of God.
The challenge of this story is to approach your Bible reading as though you are searching for hidden treasure.
Read slowly, carefully thinking about each word. Who knows what you may find?
The call of the Spirit is going out across the land for light bearers and (wisdom-speaking) truth givers to bring the words of life to a lost and dying world—one person at a time.
The journey is exciting and scary, and I am grateful to everyone willing to follow along as I take it.
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