I remember meeting Greg Harris in Bible College while he was in North Carolina. It astounded me that he was not published in what he taught and read to us in class. I found out that one of the reasons was because at the time “The Glory of God” was not marketable.
Well, fast forward a few years and he meets someone who is concerned with the glory of God and moved to the Master’s Seminary in California. It was sad to see him go, but I was glad for him and for the people of God because it posed the best opportunity for the glory of God to be, if you will, marketed among His people.
I suppose that the sound of ‘glory marketability’ is at the very least, awkward to most of our readers; and it should be! Marketable means that something is fit to be sold, marketed, or in demand. Proverbs 23:23 says, “Buy truth, and do not sell it, Get wisdom and instruction and understanding.” Truth is among the things itemized in God’s Word to be acquired (HALOT Lexicon). The list of things to acquire in Proverbs includes:
- Wise Counsel (Proverbs 1:5)
- Insight (Proverbs 4:5, 7)
- Intelligence (Proverbs 15:32)
- Knowledge (Proverbs 18:15)
- Sense (Proverbs 19:8)
- Truth (Proverbs 23:23)
- Wisdom (Proverbs 23:23)
- Instruction (Proverbs 23:23)
- Understanding (Proverbs 23:23)
These are things that we may consider theoretical bounty of the believer. But the reason the theoretical becomes such a delight and in such demand of those walking with God, is because in search for the theory our experiences are interpreted.
This is what I experienced while under the teaching of Dr. Greg Harris. He has taught me to study the Bible with a child-like search for meaning upon the experiences of life; and in doing so, I have come away again and again delighted and with a bounty of treasure for my soul.
The list above includes nine items we are encouraged to obtain, get, or acquire: Wise counsel, insight, intelligence, knowledge, sense, truth, wisdom, instruction, and understanding. Each of these items are worth our study and devotion. It will be my task to discover and unfold each of these glorious subjects with the goal of making the glory of God marketable to others, in the same spirit that Harris has made it marketable to me.
If I am to be faithful to the study legacy that Dr. Harris has left me, I will do at least the following and encourage a duplication of these things in those who read:
- Looking up Scripture
- Comparing Scripture with Scripture
- Consulting Commentaries
- Walking with God in Prayer
- Meditating upon the matter on Paper
- Talking and Sharing it with others
- Giving thanks
In every class I took with Dr. Harris, we looked up reference after reference and by the end things simply came together into an awe for God. Scripture was compared with Scripture to bring understanding to the class. We were challenged to read commentators on each book of the Bible we studied, and to make written observations as we go—many, many observations!
Among the things in this legacy of study is “walking with God.” These devotions should be born out of not simple study, but actual walking outside in God’s creation (quite literally), and praying for understanding of His Word. From there, we are able to write down conclusions applying the Word to life, sharing it and talking with others, and in the end giving thanks. I remember at the end of every class being challenged with the question “What can we thank God for?” This was not a trite question, but was directly related to what we learn. After the Bible is taught, we should be thanking God for God revealed.
I believe this legacy of study passed on to me has made the glory of God marketable to me; and I believe it will make the glory of God marketable to others like you. But, whether people find the glory of God marketable or not, it does not make the glory of God any less glorious; to the one who has eyes to see, and ears to hear—let them see and hear. Amen.
