THE INTERPRETER

What is it to interpret? It is to explain or translate the meaning of words from one language into those of another, to people who are lacking in the knowledge of them. Here we are brought to the consideration of a marvellous truth — a truth with which we all have more or less to do. By nature we know not the language of heaven. By a gracious Interpreter alone I am instructed in the language of Zion — the language of the Covenant, the language of God. Without the Interpreter of God’s providing all is vague, confusion, meaningless, and I find nothing for my guidance, confirmation in the truth or establishment in grace. Turn to Prov. i, 5 and 6; (the first of these two verses was the very first I learng as a lad) “A wise man will hear and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels; to understand a proverb and the interpretation,” or, as you read in the margin, “an eloquent speech.” But who is the eloquent speaker? It is the King, the God, the Anointed Head of the Church, whose beauty, bounty and blessedness are set forth in Psalm 45.2: “Thou art fairer than the children of men: grace is poured into thy lips:therefore God hath blessed thee for ever.” He is the One with the eloquent speech. The appointed and anointed Interpreter, who alone can interpret and explain the language of heaven into that of the redeemed sinner’s need. See how blessedly He is described in Job 33, 23 and 24: “If there be a Messenger with him, and Interpreter, One among a thousand, to show unto man His uprightness; then He is gracious unto him and saith, Deliver him from going down to the pit; I have found a ransom.” We may well ask with Joseph, “Do not interpretations belong to God?” With profound humility we do well to say with Daniel, “There is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets.” There can be no interpretation of Holy Scripture but by the Holy Ghost. This truth our Blessed Lord delighted to repeat to His sorrowing disciples as they clustered round him, recorded in John 14, 15 and 16. He styles him “ the Abiding Comforter” and says, “He shall teach you all things and bring all things to your remembrance whatsoever I have said unto you.” Did they forget? They had a faithful Remembrancer. No teaching of God shall ever be lost. Never! Never! The entrance of God’s word giving light will be remembered by the recipient where forgetfulness is never experienced, high in the heights of God’s eternal glory. Our blessed Interpreter is beautifully set before us in the words of the Master, “He shall glorify me.” We may ask, where? The answer is, In the heart’s experience of every redeemed sinner. — Thomas Bradbury.

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