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involves getting beneath the surface to essentials, or, as Neh. 8: 8 adds, "they gave the
sense and caused them to understand the reading".
On page 145 we have referred to Luke 24: for the "opening" of the Scriptures, and
to that passage we must again refer for the added "opening of the understanding".
"Then opened He their understanding that they might understand the Scriptures. And
He said, Thus it is written and thus is behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead"
(Luke 24: 45, 46).
The Lord was evidently concerned that His words should be understood. On more
than one occasion He said to His disciples,
"Have ye understood all these things?" (Matt. 13: 51).
"Perceive ye not yet, neither understand?" (Mark 8: 17).
"How is it that ye do not understand?" (Mark 8: 21).
"Love Him with all the heart, and with all the understanding" (Mark 12: 33).
The Apostle Paul followed his Lord in this particular, saying, "I will pray with the
understanding" (I Cor. 14: 15); "I had rather speak five words with my understanding"
(I Cor. 14: 19).
We may well conclude this brief article with the Apostle's words to Timothy, "The
Lord give thee understanding in all things" (II Tim. 2: 7).
To sum up, therefore, as far as we have gone, we need:--
(1)
The opened EAR.--To Learn.
(2)
The opened BOOK.--To Equip.
(3)
The opened UNDERSTANDING.--To Perceive.