There is a verse that I jokingly made my wife memorize before we got married. It was the latter part of Genesis 39:6 – “…Now Joseph was well-built and handsome.” Was this verse really about me or a guy with a pretty robe who lived 3,500 years ago? The answer should be obvious if you’ve read at least this chapter!
So, the purpose of this study is to help you learn from my mistakes. I have incorrectly used several of the verses and sayings mentioned in this devotional. However, the Holy Spirit has convicted me to work harder at studying the Scriptures and other resources to understand the historical, cultural, and literal context of the times in which the Bible was written.
God’s Word is a unique tool. It is an invaluable compilation of literature that He created over a period of several thousand years to guide and direct us in every facet of life. The early Christians wanted a convenient way to reference various passages, so some divisions of the text were implemented. However, it wasn’t until the 13th century that the chapter divisions we use today were created, and not until the 16th century that today’s verse structure was first implemented and printed.
The problem that this created was the possibility of reading a verse and applying it to a particular situation, while inadvertently taking the meaning out of its context. And so, for years we have misused, misquoted, or misinterpreted various Bible verses.
Now, I am not a Hebrew or Greek scholar, nor do I have a seminary degree. What I do have is a conviction that we have been misusing and misquoting Bible verses for the sake of convenience or to validate our own personal view on a particular matter. We are also guilty of taking other common sayings and treating them as Scripture. This is an easy practice to do in our short-attention span, spoon-fed culture.
This 28-day journey is not meant to be all inclusive, to cover every verse that is misused or every saying that is attributed to the Bible but actually isn’t. My explanations may not be perfect either, nor is there space to fully explain some of the verses being covered. Please remember this. What I do hope is that this devotional will encourage you to delve into a deeper study of God’s Word.