One of the most important things we’ll do when interpreting Bible is allowing it to inform us how it is intended to be read. Let’s look at some examples. The book of Ecclesiastes has this dynamic. How does the book open?
1 The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem.
2 “Vanity[a] of vanities,” says the Preacher;
–Ecclesiastes 1:1-2 (NKJV)
“Vanity of vanities, all is vanity.”
It opens with the speaker identifying himself, then providing a circular reference. Every verse in the first chapter describes a circular reference. Verse 3: there’s no end to our labor in life (circular). Verse 4: generations come and go (never-ending/ circular). Verse 5: the sun rises and sets (never-ending/ circular). Verse 6: the wind whirls about continuously on its circuit (never-ending/ circular). And so on through verse 11. This establishes the context for the entire book. Chapters 1 and 2 are very logical/ analytical. Chapter 3 talks about doing things in a proper time and a proper way as a way to deal with the cyclical nature of things from which we cannot escape. It also acts as a transition into the emotional side of things which is chapters 4-12(ish). This illustrates the internal conflict with things we observe in life but have a hard time resolving. This is a conflict between the mind (chapters 1-2) and the emotions (chapters 4-12), another endless cycle we all deal with. Lastly, chapter 12 ends in verse 8 where we began in chapter 1 verse 2.
8 “Vanity of vanities,” says the Preacher,
-Eccleiastes 12:8 (NKJV)
“All is vanity.”
2 “Vanity[a] of vanities,” says the Preacher;
-Ecclesiastes 1:2 (NKJV)
“Vanity of vanities, all is vanity.”
If our ending and starting point are contained in the same point we have a…circle. The book of Ecclesiastes is one giant circle. The exception is chapter 12 verses 13 and 14. These are presented as outside the circle/ cyclical nature of life. The point being: the conclusion is to put our hope in God who exists outside the circular/ cyclical nature we find ourselves in. As a result our only hope is to trust Him to make sense of it/ put it all in its proper context.
The book of Matthew opens with Jesus’ genealogy and his birth. This ties in nicely with the continuation of the prophets after a 400 year “silence” by God. Matthew, thematically puts a lot of emphasis on rebuking the religious leaders of the day, another continuation of where the Old Testament left off 400 years ago with the prophets. This is all set-up in the first chapter which establishes his authority/ lineage.
The book of Mark opens with a composite quote from Malachi 3:1 and Isaiah 40:3 which sets the stage for John the Baptist arriving on the scene and performing actions.
1 The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. 2 As it is written in [a]the Prophets:
“Behold, I send My messenger before Your face,
–Mark 1:1-3 (NKJV)
Who will prepare Your way before You.”
3 “The voice of one crying in the wilderness:
‘Prepare the way of the Lord;
Make His paths straight.’ ”
The entire book of Mark is like a handheld, shaky camera being used to record a documentary of all Jesus’ actions. The first few verses/ chapter set the context for the entire book.