QT 1 May 12, Our attitude toward scripture affects our understanding of scripture

Num 35:1-5 (NIV) On the plains of Moab by the Jordan across from Jericho, the Lord said to Moses, 2 "Command the Israelites to give the Levites towns to live in from the inheritance the Israelites will possess. And give them pasturelands around the towns. 3 Then they will have towns to live in and pasturelands for their cattle, flocks and all their other livestock.

4 "The pasturelands around the towns that you give the Levites will extend out fifteen hundred feet from the town wall. 5 Outside the town, measure three thousand feet on the east side, three thousand on the south side, three thousand on the west and three thousand on the north, with the town in the center. They will have this area as pastureland for the towns.

NOTE: If these verses were separated by a chapter or another book, they would be pounced on as some of error or contradiction. But because they are right next to each other, we recognize that we don't completely understand the meaning, and that there is obviously some other way to understand these verses. Of course, the most interesting point is that if we applied this same logic to the supposed contradictions / errors of the bible, we would find very few, if any apparent errors. In this case, one possibility is that the living area (suburbs, gardens, and vineyards) are within the first 1500 feet and the remaining 1500 feet are for pastureland for the animals. This view satisfies the text. But what do we learn then? We need to approach scripture (when we see apparent contradictions) with the view that it is true, and so therefore, what is it I don't understand, or how could it fit it together that satisfies the text in both places. I think that is a more natural way for the believer to study God's word.