The difference between a translator and an interpreter is that a translator translates words, but an interpreter interprets the heart.
“God sent his messenger, a man named John, who came to tell people about the light, so that all should hear the message and believe. He himself was not the light; he came to tell about the light. This was the real light—the light that comes into the world and shines on all people.” (John 1:6-9)
I am an interpreter, not just a translator. When reading the Bible or singing a song, we ought to be reading or singing from the author’s point of view in order to better understand the authentic and original meaning of the scriptures or lyrics. Moses interpreted God based on his relationship with God; Moses knew God as a friend; he knew that there was nothing God would hide from him, and thus he could speak boldly before the Almighty. However, Aaron was merely a translator for the Great I AM; he only knew Him from a distance, unlike Moses. Aaron brought the golden calf to the Israelites, as if to represent the presence of God; he did what he thought was right by bringing the presence of God to the disobedient. Aaron knew God, heard of God, saw His glory, but still was only a “translator” after all. Sadly, Aaron didn’t “feel” His heart.
To interpret the speaker, he must first know both languages. We are called to enter into the world, but not of the world. I want to speak both languages, “world-nese” and “God-nese”. Be a heartfelt interpreter for the Kingdom.