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 From
my window in a Pasadena motel I see a sentence on the side of a
commercial building. "We really move our tools for
you." What does that mean? A transfer company? No,
"our" tools, not "your" tools. To establish
context we note that the remainder, of the sign reads, "K
& M Tools, Inc." Tool rentals? We are in an oil
country-- may oil well "fishing" tools? Maybe, but
let's not be hasty. We take a walk, so we can see all sides of
the building, and we find this is a tool rental place —
electric, air, yard tools, and a few heavy duty cable winches.
Now, is the sign clear??
In
the main — yes. But a whimsical "touch" is yet
uncovered, a "feeling" the company wished to convey,
that is perhaps more important than the obvious "movement
of tools." To get the point one must be familiar
with advertising "commercials" of this section. A
large airline has spent thousands of dollars on billboards and
singing T.V. ads that say, "We really move our tails for
you'." This little company is capitalizing on the popular
theme by a simple pun — "our tools —. Now, the sign
actually makes mundane "tool moving' of secondary though
vital importance. It is SERVICE that they wish to emphasize in
the sign.
And
that is interpretation! It is not magic nor mysticism. It
does not involve direct operation of the Holy Spirit, nor
"spiritual discernment," (in the sense so often used
by evangelicals): But it does necessitate an ability to read and
understand words. It calls for objective consideration; no
"reading into" the sign what we want it to say.
'thorough (investigation of context is demanded — and that
goes deeper than a few surrounding
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sentences. Geographic setting and an
understanding of the nature of outdoor advertising is important;
and in this case, a knowledge of a popular commercial theme of
the period makes the difference in just getting a surface
message, and in genuinely understanding the sign.
Is
the sign true? Do they really render service? I don't know. I
have no knowledge of the source of that sign — nothing to
cause me to have faith in its maker — and I refer to the
origin of the message, not to the sign painter. If I could
believe that God gave that message I would confidently affirm
that the K & M Tool company renders a marvelous service.
Man
does not do the "transcending" when understanding the
Bible. God spanned the gap between things of God and things of
man — by revelation. By inspiring the sign painters (Apostles
and Prophets) He gave us His message in understandable words.
The divine source is confirmed by "signs and wonders."
so we may confidently accept the message. And God used a means
of communication common to man; so that we must apply the same
techniques in studying His word as in all other interpretation.
Even puns? Yes, even puns! (Onesimus means
"profitable." Now, read Phile. 10-11; or try Gal. 5:
12.) God suited His sign to his man:
The
literate "man on the street" can understand sufficient
truth to be justly accountable, and saved; but diligent study
brings rich rewards the "smatterer" will never taste.
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