The Open Book Test
“Open Thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of Thy law.” Psalm 119:18
Someone once said that scripture is God’s mind revealed to man. How else can a person know who God is and know Him intimately if they don’t study His word? If we were studying for a test in school or to get a job, we would apply ourselves diligently to the subject matter so that we would know the material and do well on the test. It may come as a surprise to some, or maybe not to those who have been walking with the Lord for some time, that God also gives us tests. His tests are for our benefit just as any other test that we take to improve our lot in life. A school or job test may be for our promotion in this life, but God’s tests, also useful in this life, bring an eternal benefit.
There are other tests besides the school or employment tests that we take, and that are those dreaded medical tests. Sometimes they are given routinely like checking our blood pressure, oxygen level, temperature, etc. Nowadays, with this COVID pandemic, lots of places besides doctor’s offices are checking our temperature before they let us into their establishment. Then there are other medical tests that we are given to check for specific problems that we might be having. Those are the scary ones because we worry that we have some dreaded disease or some terrible problem with an area of our bodies. The tests that God gives us can also be challenging. Someone also said that God does not give us a test that we can’t pass, but He will keep giving it to us until we do pass it. If we are truly eager to please our Lord, we will spend time in His word so that when the test, trial, or challenge comes, we will be better prepared for it.
I remember back in high school, and also back in elementary school, hearing those dreaded words from the teacher: “Take out a clean piece of paper and number from one to ten,” or words to that effect. Oh no. A “pop” test, the sure fire way to verify if you did your homework the night before or, even if you did, did you remember any of it? But then, not ordinarily, but on a few occasions, she would delight most of us by saying that it was an “open book” test. It would make a kid feel like Ralphie when the teacher told the class to write a theme, “What I Want for Christmas”. However, there was a catch to the open book test: you had to be familiar with the material by doing your homework the night before, otherwise you would likely not be able to find the answers in the time allotted because you didn’t bother to read the assignment. Those who didn’t do their homework would try to peek at their neighbor’s paper, but who knew whether the student sitting next to you had actually read the assignment. The procrastinators would flip through the pages of the textbook trying desperately to find the answers. But guess what? They never seemed to learn. It would be the same scenario the next time the teacher gave a pop test. I mean, after all, what are the chances of the teacher giving another pop test? I would say better than average.
All of God’s tests are actually open book tests, but one has to be familiar with where to find the answers in order to be successful. This is where diligent, consistent study of God’s word is such a great benefit to those who make Bible study an integral part of their routine. As has been proven over and over, it is easier to pass a test if we know the material, and we know the material when we have delved into God’s word with our focus being that of knowing God. That is the primary purpose of Bible study. We don’t just learn facts, like where did Moses receive the Ten Commandments from God or how many missionary journeys did Paul make, but we learn about the sovereignty of God and His desire to welcome as many as will come into His family. We learn about His holiness, righteousness, and His unconditional love for His creation, a love so great that He sent His only Son, Jesus Christ, to pay the penalty upon the cross for all of us sinners.
Time spent in God’s word is time well spent. It is quite astonishing at how much one can learn by diligent study in both the Old Testament and the New Testament. The Old Testament is the New Testament concealed, while the New Testament is the Old Testament revealed. All 66 books of the Bible tie into one another and present the story of man and God’s plan for His creation. It is not an accident that we are here at this time. God has a purpose for each one of us, and regular Bible study goes a long way in helping us to identify God’s will for our lives.