THEDIVINEINSPIRATION

OFTHEBIBLE

by

A.W.Pink

*Thise-bookwascompiledbyMarkWalterandTheCalvinistCafé.Pleasecontactmewithanyconcerns,questionsorcommentsatmarkwaltermd@yahoo.com.

CONTENTS:INTRODUCTIONCHAPTER01–ThereisaPresumptionofFavorintheBibleCHAPTER02–ThePerennialFreshnessoftheBibleBearsWitnesstoItsDivineInspirerCHAPTER03–TheUnmistakableHonestyoftheWritersoftheBibleAtteststoItsHeavenlyOriginCHAPTER04–TheCharacterofItsTeachingsEvidencestheDivineAuthorshipoftheBibleCHAPTER05–TheFulfilledPropheciesoftheBibleBespeaktheOmniscienceofItsAuthorCHAPTER06–TheTypicalSignificanceoftheScripturesDeclareTheirDivineAuthorshipCHAPTER07–TheWonderfulUnityoftheBibleAttestsItsDivineAuthorshipCHAPTER08–TheMarvelousInfluenceoftheBibleDeclaresItsSuper-HumanCharacterCHAPTER09–TheMiraculousPoweroftheBibleShowsForthThatItsInspireristheAlmightyCHAPTER10–TheCompletenessoftheBibleDemonstratesItsDivinePerfectionCHAPTER11–TheIndestructabilityoftheBibleisaProofThatItsAuthorisDivineCHAPTER12–InwardConfirmationoftheVeracityoftheScripturesCHAPTER13–VerbalInspirationCHAPTER14–ApplicationoftheArgument

INTRODUCTION

ChristianityisthereligionofaBook.ChristianityisbasedupontheimpregnablerockofHolyScripture.ThestartingpointofalldoctrinaldiscussionmustbetheBible.UponthefoundationoftheDivineinspirationoftheBiblestandsorfallstheentireedificeofChristiantruth.—"Ifthefoundationsbedestroyed,whatcantherighteousdo?"(Ps.11:3).Surrenderthedogmaofverbalinspirationandyouareleftlikearudderlessshiponastormysea-atthemercyofeverywindthatblows.DenythattheBibleis,withoutanyqualifications,theveryWordofGod,andyouareleftwithoutanyultimatestandardofmeasurementandwithoutanysupremeauthority.ItisuselesstodiscussanydoctrinetaughtbytheBibleuntilyouarepreparedtoacknowledge,unreservedly,thattheBibleisthefinalcourtofappeal.GrantthattheBibleisaDivinerevelationandcommunicationofGod’sownmindandwilltomen,andyouhaveafixedstartingpointfromwhichadvancecanbemadeintothedomainoftruth.GrantthattheBibleis(initsoriginalmanuscripts)inerrantandinfallibleandyoureachtheplacewherestudyofitscontentsisbothpracticableandprofitable.

Itisimpossibletoover-estimatetheimportanceofthedoctrineoftheDivineinspirationofScripture.ThisisthestrategiccenterofChristiantheology,andmustbedefendedatallcosts.Itisthepointatwhichoursatanicenemyisconstantlyhurlinghishellishbattalions.Hereitwashemadehisfirstattack.InEdenheasked,"Yea,hathGodsaid?"andtodayheispursuingthesametactics.ThroughouttheagestheBiblehasbeenthecentralobjectofhisassaults.Everyavailableweaponinthedevil’sarsenalhasbeenemployedinhisdeterminedandceaselesseffortstodestroythetempleofGod’struth.InthefirstdaysoftheChristianeratheattackoftheenemywasmadeopenly—thebonfirebeingthechiefinstrumentofdestruction—but,inthese"lastdays"theassaultismadeinamoresubtlemannerandcomesfromamoreunexpectedquarter.TheDivineoriginoftheScripturesisnowdisputedinthenameof"Scholarship"and"Science,"andthat,too,bythosewhoprofesstobefriendsandchampionsoftheBible.Muchofthelearningandtheologicalactivityofthehour,areconcentratedintheattempttodiscreditand

destroytheauthenticityandauthorityofGod’sWord,theresultbeingthatthousandsofnominalChristiansareplungedintoaseaofdoubt.ManyofthosewhoarepaidtostandinourpulpitsanddefendtheTruthofGodarenowtheveryoneswhoareengagedinsowingtheseedsofunbeliefanddestroyingthefaithofthosetowhomtheyminister.ButthesemodernmethodswillprovenomoresuccessfulintheireffortstodestroytheBiblethandidthoseemployedintheopeningcenturiesoftheChristianera.AswellmightthebirdsattempttodemolishthegraniterockofGibraltarbypeckingatitwiththeirbeaks—"Forever,OLord,ThyWordissettledinheaven"(Ps.119:89).

NowtheBibledoesnotfearinvestigation.Insteadoffearingit,theBiblecourtsandchallengesconsiderationandexamination.Themorewidelyitisknown,themorecloselyitisread,themorecarefullyitisstudied,themoreunreservedlywillitbereceivedastheWordofGod.Christiansarenotacompanyofenthusiasticfanatics.Theyarenotloversofmyths.Theyarenotanxioustobelieveadelusion.Theydonotdesiretheirlivestobemoldedbyanemptysuperstition.Theydonotwishtomistakehallucinationforinspiration.Iftheyarewrong,theywishtobesetright.Iftheyaredeceived,theywanttobedisillusioned.Iftheyaremistaken,theydesiretobecorrected.

ThefirstquestionwhichthethoughtfulreaderoftheBiblehastoansweris,WhatimportanceandvalueamItoattachtothecontentsoftheScriptures?WerethewritersoftheBiblesomanyfanaticsmovedbyoracularfrenzy?Weretheymerelypoeticallyinspiredandintellectuallyelevated?or,werethey,astheyclaimedtobe,andastheScripturesaffirmtheywere,movedbytheHolySpirittoactasthevoiceofGodtoasinfulworld?WerethewritersoftheBibleinspiredbyGodinamannernoothermenwereinanyotherageoftheworld?Weretheyinvestedandendowedwiththepowertodisclosemysteriesandpointmenupwardandonwardtothatwhichotherwisewouldhavebeenanimpenetrablefuture?Onecanreadilyappreciatethefactthattheanswertothesequestionsisofsupremeimportance.IftheBibleisnotinspiredinthestrictestsenseofthewordthenitisworthless,foritclaimstobeGod’sWord,andifitsclaimsarespuriousthenitsstatementsareunreliableanditscontentsareuntrustworthy.If,ontheotherhand,itcanbeshowntothesatisfactionofeveryimpartialinquirerthattheBibleistheWordof

God,inerrantandinfallible,thenwehaveastartingpointfromwhichwecanadvancetotheconquestofalltruth.

AbookthatclaimstobeaDivinerevelation—aclaimwhich,asweshallsee,issubstantiatedbythemostconvincingcredentials—cannotberejectedorevenneglectedwithoutgraveperiltothesoul.Truewisdomcannotrefusetoexamineitwithcareandimpartiality.IftheclaimsoftheBiblebewellfoundedthentheprayerfulanddiligentstudyoftheScripturesbecomesofparamountimportance:theyhaveaclaimuponournoticeandtimewhichnothingelsehas,andbesidethemeverythinginthisworldlosesitslusterandsinksintoutterinsignificance.IftheBiblebetheWordofGodthenitinfinitelytranscendsinvalueallthewritingsofmen,andinexactratiotoitsimmeasurablesuperioritytohumanproductionssuchisourresponsibilityanddutytogiveitthemostreverentandseriousconsideration.AsaDivinerevelationtheBibleoughttobestudied,yet,thisistheonlysubjectonwhichhumancuriositydoesnotdesireinformation.Intoeveryotherspheremanpusheshisinvestigations,buttheBookofbooksisneglected,andthis,notonlybytheignorant,andilliterate,butbythewiseofthisworldaswell.ThecultureddilettantewillboastofhisacquaintancewiththesagesofGreeceandRome,yet,willknowlittleornothingofMosesandtheprophets,ChristandHisApostles.ButthegeneralneglectoftheBibleverifiestheScripturesandaffordsadditionalproofoftheirauthenticity.ThecontemptwithwhichtheBibleistreateddemonstratesthathumannatureisexactlywhatGod’sWordrepresentsittobe—fallenanddepraved—andisunmistakableevidencethatthecarnalmindisenmityagainstGod.

IftheBibleistheWordofGod;ifitstandsonaninfinitelyexaltedplane,allalone;ifitimmeasurabletranscendsallthegreatestproductionsofhumangenius;then,weshouldnaturallyexpecttofindthatithasuniquecredentials,thatthereareinternalmarkswhichproveittobethehandiworkofGod,thatthereisconclusiveevidencetoshowthatitsAuthorissuperhuman,Divine.Thattheseexpectationsarerealizedweshallnowendeavortoshow;thatthereisnoreasonwhateverforanyonetodoubttheDivineinspirationoftheScripturesisthepurposeofthisbooktodemonstrate.AsweexaminethenaturalworldwefindinnumerableproofsoftheexistenceofaPersonalCreator,andthesameGodwhohasmanifestedHimselfthroughHisworkshasalso

revealedHiswisdomandwillthroughHisWord.TheGodofcreationandtheGodofwrittenrevelationareOne,andthereareirrefutableargumentstoshowthattheAlmightywhomadetheheavensandtheearthisalsotheAuthoroftheBible.

WeshallnowsubmittothecriticalattentionofthereaderafewofthelinesofdemonstrationwhicharguefortheDivineinspirationoftheBible.

CHAPTER01–ThereisaPresumptionofFavorintheBibleThisargumentmaybesimplyandterselystatedthus—Manneededa

Divinerevelationcouchedinhumanlanguage.GodhadpreviouslygivenmanarevelationofHimselfinHiscreatedworks—whichmenpleasetoterm"nature"—butbearsunmistakabletestimonytotheexistenceofitsCreator,andthoughsufficientisrevealedofGodthroughittorenderallmen"withoutexcuse,"yetcreationdoesnotpresentacompleteunveilingofGod’scharacter.CreationrevealsGod’swisdomandpower,butitgivesusaveryimperfectpresentationofHismercyandlove.Creationisnowunderthecurse;itisimperfect,becauseithasbeenmarredbysin;therefore,animperfectcreationcannotbeaperfectmediumforrevealingGod;andhence,also,thetestimonyofcreationiscontradictory.

Inthespringoftheyear,whennatureputsonherloveliestrobesandweseethebeautifulfoliageofthecountrysideandlistentothehappysongsofthebirds,wehavenodifficultyininferringthatagraciousGodisrulingoverourworld.Butwhatofthewinter-time,whenthecountrysideisdesolateandthetreesareleaflessandforlorn,whenapallofdeathseemstoberestingoneverything?Whenwestoodbytheseashoreandwatchedthesettingsuncrimsoningtheplacidwatersonaquieteve,wehadnohesitationinascribingthepicturetothehandoftheDivineArtist.Butwhenwestanduponthesameseashoreonastormynight,heartheroaringofthebreakersandthehowlingwind,seetheboatsbattlingwiththeangrywavesandlistentotheheart-rendingcriesoftheseamenastheygodownintoawaterygrave,then,wearetemptedtowonderif,afterall,amercifulGodisatthehelm.AsonewalksthroughtheGrandCanyonorstandsbeforetheNiagaraFalls,thehandandpowerofGodseemveryevident;but,asonewitnessesthedesolationsoftheSanFranciscoearthquakeorthedeath-dealingeffectsofthevolcaniceruptionsofMountVesuvius,heisagainperplexedandpuzzled.Inawordthen,thetestimonyofnatureisconflicting,and,aswehavesaid,thisisduetothefactthatsinhascomeinandmarredGod’shandiwork.CreationdisplaysGod’snaturalattributesbutittellsuslittleornothingofHismoralperfections.Natureknowsnoforgivenessandshowsnomercy,andifwehadnoothersourceofinformationweshouldneverdiscoverthefactthatGodpardonssinners.Manthenneedsawrittenrevelation

fromGod.

Ourlimitationsandourignorancerevealourneed.ManisindarknessconcerningGod.BlottheBibleoutofexistenceandwhatshouldweknowaboutHischaracter,Hismoralattributes,Hisattitudetowardus,orHisdemandsuponus?Aswehaveseen,natureisbutanimperfectmediumforrevealingGod.Theancientshadthesamenaturebeforethemaswehave,butwhatdidtheydiscoverofHischaracter?UntowhatknowledgeoftheonetrueGoddidtheyattain?TheseventeenthchapteroftheActsanswersthatquestion.WhentheApostlePaulwasinthefamouscityofAthens,famousforitslearningandphilosophicalculture,hediscoveredanaltar,onwhichwereinscribedthewords,"TotheunknownGod".Thesameconditionprevailstoday.VisitthoselandswhichhavenotbeenilluminedbythelightoftheHolyScripturesanditwillbefoundthattheirpeoplesknownomoreaboutthecharacterofthelivingGodthandidtheancientEgyptiansandBabylonians.

Manisindarknessconcerninghimself.FromwhenceamI?WhatamI?AmIanythingmorethanareasoninganimal?HaveIanimmortalsoul,or,amInothingmorethanasentientbeing?Whatisthepurposeofmyexistence?WhyamIhereinthisworldatall?Whatistheendandaimoflife?HowshallIemploymytimeandtalents?ShallIliveonlyfortoday,eat,drink,andbemerry?Whatafterdeath?DoIperishlikethebeastsofthefield,oristhegravetheportalintoanotherworld?Ifso,whitheramIbound?Dothesequestionsappearsenselessandirrelevant?AnnihilatetheScriptures,eliminateallthelighttheyhaveshedupontheseproblems,andwhithershallweturnforasolution?IftheBiblehadneverbeenwrittenhowmanyofthesequestionscouldhavebeensatisfactorilyanswered?Averystrikingtestimonytoman’sneedofaDivinerevelationwasgivenbythecelebratedbutskepticalhistorianGibbon.Heremarked—"Since,therefore,themostsublimeeffortsofphilosophycanextendnofartherthanfeeblytopointoutthedesire,thehope,or,atmost,theprobability,ofafuturestate,thereisnothingexceptaDivinerevelationthatcanascertaintheexistenceanddescribetheconditionoftheinvisiblecountrywhichisdestinetoreceivethesoulsofmenaftertheirseparationfromthebody."

Ourexperiencesrevealourneed.Thereareproblemstobefaced

whichourwisdomisincapableofsolving;thereareobstaclesinourpathwhichwehavenomeansofsurmounting;thereareenemiestobemetwhichweareunabletovanquish.Weareindireneedofcounsel,strength,andcourage.Therearetrialsandtribulationswhichcometous,testingtheheartsofthebravestandstoutest,andweneedcomfortandcheer.Therearesorrowsandbereavementswhichcrushourspiritsandweneedthehopeofimmortalityandresurrection.

Ourcorporateliferevealsourneed.Whatistogovernandregulateourdealingsonewiththeother?Shalleachdothatwhichisrightinhisowneyes?Thatwoulddestroyalllawandorder.Shallwedrawupsomemoralcode,someethicalstandard?Butwhoshallfixit?Opinionsvary.Weneedsomefinalcourtofappeal:ifwehadnoBible,whereshouldwefindit?

ManthenneedsaDivinerevelation;Godisabletosupplythatneed;therefore,isitnotreasonabletosupposeHewilldoso?SurelyGodwillnotmockourignoranceandleaveustogropeinthedark!Ifitishardertobelievethattheuniversehadnocreator,thanitistobelievethat"inthebeginningGodcreatedtheheavensandtheearth;"ifitisagreatertaxuponourfaithtosupposethatChristianitywithallitsglorioustriumphsiswithoutaDivineFounder,thanitistobelievethatitrestsuponthePersonoftheLordJesusChrist;then,doesitnotalsomakeagreaterdemanduponhumancredulitytoimaginethatGodwouldleavemankindwithoutanintelligiblecommunicationfromHimself,thanitdoestobelievethattheBibleisarevelationfromtheCreatortoHisfallenanderringcreatures?

IfthereisapersonalGod(andnonebuta"fool"willdenyHisexistence),andifwearetheworksofHishandsHesurelywouldnotleaveusindoubtconcerningthegreatproblemswhichhavetodowithourtemporal,spiritual,andeternalwelfare.Ifanearthlyparentadviseshissonsanddaughtersintheirproblemsandperplexities,warnsthemoftheperilsandpitfallsoflifewhichmenacetheirwell-being;counselsthemwithregardtotheirdailywelfareandmakesknowntothemhisplansandpurposesconcerningtheirfuture,surelyitisincredibletosupposethatourHeavenlyFatherwoulddolessforHischildren!

Weareoftenuncertainastowhichistherightcoursetopursue;we

arefrequentlyindoubtastotherealpathofduty;weareconstantlysurroundedbythehostsofwickednesswhichseektoaccomplishourdownfall;and,wearedailyconfrontedwithexperienceswhichmakeussadandsorrowful.Thewisestamongusneedguidancewhichourownwisdomfailstosupply;thebestofhumanityneedgracewhichthehumanheartispowerlesstobestow;themostrefinedamongthesonsofmenneeddeliverancefromtemptationswhichtheycannotovercome.WillGodmockustheninourneed?WillGodleaveusaloneinthehourofourweakness?WillGodrefusetoprovideforusaRefugefromourenemies?ManneedsaCounselor,aComforter,aDeliverer.TheveryfactthatGodhasaFather’sregardforHischildrennecessitatesthatHeshouldgivethemawrittenrevelationwhichcommunicatesHismindandwillconcerningthemandwhichpointsthemtotheOnewhoiswillingandabletosupplyalltheirneed.

Tosumupthisargument.ManneedsaDivinerevelation;Godisabletosupplyone;isitnot,therefore,reasonabletosupposeHewilldoso?Thereisthen,apresumptioninfavoroftheBible.IsitnotmorereasonabletobelievethatHewhosenameandnatureisLoveshallprovideuswithalampuntoourfeetandalightuntoourpath,thantoleaveustogropeourwayamidthedarknessofafallenandruinedworld?

CHAPTER02–ThePerennialFreshnessoftheBibleBearsWitnesstoItsDivineInspirer

ThefullforceofthepresentargumentwillappealonlytothosewhoareintimatelyacquaintedwiththeBible,andthemorefamiliarthereaderiswiththeSacredCanonthemoreheartilywillheendorsethefollowingstatements.JustasaknowledgeofLatinisnecessaryinordertounderstandthetechniqueofatreatiseonpathologyorphysiology,orjustasacertainamountofcultureandacademiclearningisanindispensableadjuncttointelligentlyfollowtheargumentsandapprehendtheillustrationsinadissertationonphilosophyorpsychology,soafirst-handacquaintancewiththeBibleisnecessarytoappreciatethefactthatitscontentsneverbecomecommonplace.

OneofthefirstfactswhicharreststheattentionofthestudentofGod’sWordisthat,likethewidow’soilandmealwhichnourishedElijah,thecontentsoftheBibleareneverexhausted.Unlikeallotherbooks,theBibleneveracquiresasameness,andneverdiminishesinitspowerofresponsetotheneedysoulwhichcomestoit.JustasafreshsupplyofmannawasgiveneachdaytotheIsraelitesinthewilderness,sotheSpiritofGodeverbreaksanewtheBreadofLifetothemwhohungerafterrighteousness;or,justastheloavesandfishesinthehandsofourLordweremorethanenoughtofeedthefamishedmultitude—asurplusstillremaining—sothehoneyandmilkoftheWordaremorethansufficienttosatisfythehungerofeveryhumansoul—thesupplystillremainingundiminishedfornewgenerations.

Althoughonemayknow,wordforword,theentirecontentsofsomechapterofScripture,andalthoughhemayhavetakenthetimetoponderthoughtfullyeverysentencetherein,yet,oneverysubsequentoccasion,providedonecomestoitagaininthespiritofhumbleinquiry,eachfreshreadingwillrevealnewgemsneverseentherebeforeandnewdelightswillbeexperiencednevermetwithpreviously.Themostfamiliarpassageswillyieldasmuchrefreshmentatthethousandthperusalastheydidatthefirst.TheBiblehasbeenlikenedtoafountainoflivingwater:thefountainiseverthesame,butthewaterisalwaysfresh.

HereintheBiblediffersfromallotherbooks,sacredorsecular.What

manhastosaycanbegatheredfromhiswritingsatthefirstreading:failuretodosoindicatesthatthewriterhasnotsucceededinexpressinghimselfclearly,orelsethereaderhasfailedtoapprehendhismeaning.Manisonlyabletodealwithsurfacethings,hencehecaresonlyaboutsurfaceappearances;consequently,whatevermanhastosayliesuponthesurfaceofhiswritings,andthecapablereadercanexhaustthembyasingleperusal.NotsowiththeBible.AlthoughtheBiblehasbeenstudiedmoremicroscopicallythananyotherbook(evenitsverylettershavebeencountedandregistered)bymanyofthekeenestintellectsforthepasttwothousandyears,althoughwholelibrariesofworkshavebeenwrittenascommentariesuponitsteachings,andalthoughliterallymillionsofsermonshavebeenpreachedandprintedintheattempttoexpoundeverypartofHolyWrit,yetitscontentshavenotbeenexhausted,andinthistwentiethcenturynewdiscoveriesarebeingmadeiniteveryday!

TheBibleisaninexhaustiblemineofwealth:itistheElDoradoofheavenlytreasure.Ithasveinsoforewhichnever"giveout"andpocketsofgoldwhichnopickcanempty;yet,likeearthlytreasures,thegemsofGodmustbediligentlysoughtiftheyaretobefound.Potatoeslienearthesurfaceoftheground,butdiamondsrequiremuchlaboriousdigging,soalsothepreciousthingsoftheWordareonlyrevealedtotheprayerful,patientanddiligentstudent.

TheBibleislikeaspringofwaterwhichneverrunsdry.Nomatterhowmanymaydrinkfromitslife-givingstream,andnomatterhowoftentheymayquenchtheirthirstatitsrefreshingwaters,itsflowcontinuesandneverfailstosatisfytheneedsofallwhocomeandtakeofitsperennialsprings.TheBiblehasawholecontinentofTruthyettobeexplored.AlearnedscholarwhodiedduringthepresentyearofgracehadreadthroughtheBiblenofewerthanfivehundredtimes!Whatotherbook,ancientormodern,OrientalorOccidental,wouldrepayevenafiftiethreading?

HowcanweaccountforthismarvelouscharacteristicoftheBible?Whatexplanationcanweofferforthisstartlingphenomenon?Itisonlystatingacommonplaceaxiomwhenweaffirmthatwhatisfiniteisfathomable.Whatthemindofmanhasproducedthemindofmancanexhaust.IfhumanmortalshadwrittentheBibleitscontentswouldhave

been"mastered"agesago.InviewofthefactthatthecontentsoftheScripturescannotbeexhausted,thattheyneveracquiresamenessorstalenesstothedevoutstudent,andthattheyalwaysspeakwithfreshforcetothequickenedsoulthatcomestothem,isitnotapparentthatnoneotherthantheinfinitemindofGodcouldhavecreatedsuchawonderfulBookastheBible?

CHAPTER03–TheUnmistakableHonestyoftheWritersoftheBibleAtteststoItsHeavenlyOrigin

Thetitleofthischaptersuggestsawidefieldofstudythelimitsofwhichwecannowonlyskirthereandthere.TobeginwiththewritersoftheOldTestament.

HadthehistoricalpartsoftheOldTestamentbeenaforgery,ortheproductionofuninspiredmen,theircontentswouldhavebeenverydifferenttowhattheyare.EachofitsBookswaswrittenbyadescendantofAbraham,yetnowheredowefindthebraveryoftheIsraelitesextolledandneveroncearetheirvictoriesregardedastheoutcomeoftheircourageormilitarygenius;onthecontrary,successisattributedtothepresenceofJehovahtheGodofIsrael.Tothisitmightbereplied,Heathenwritershaveoftenascribedthevictoriesoftheirpeoplestotheinterventionoftheirgods.Thisistrue,yetthereisnoparallelatallbetweenthetwocases.Comparisonisimpossible.Heathenwritersinvariablyrepresenttheirgodsasbeingblindlypartialtotheirfriendsandwhenevertheirfavoritesfailedtocomeoutvictorioustheirdefeatisattributedtotheoppositionofothergodsortoablindandunyieldingfate.Incontradistinctiontothis,thedefeatsofIsrael,asmuchastheirvictories,areregardedascomingfromJehovah.TheirsuccesseswerenotduetomerepartialityinGod,butareuniformlyviewedasconnectedwithacarefulobservanceofHiscommands;and,inlikemanner,theirdefeatsareportrayedastheoutcomeoftheirdisobedienceandwaywardness.IftheytransgressedHislawstheyweredefeatedandputtoshame,eventhoughtheirGodwastheAlmighty.Butwehavedigressedsomewhat.ThattowhichwedesiretodirectattentionisthefactthatmenwhoweretheirowncountrymenhavechronicledthehistoryoftheIsraelites,andthereinhavefaithfullyrecordedtheirdefeatsnottoaninexorablefate,nortobadgeneralshipandmilitaryfailures,buttothesinsofthepeopleandtheirwickednessagainstGod.SuchaGodisnotthecreationofthehumanmind,andsuchhistorianswerenotactuatedbythecommonprinciplesofhumannature.

NotonlyhavetheJewishhistoriansrecountedthemilitarydefeatsoftheirpeople,buttheyhavealsofaithfullyrecordedtheirmanymoral

backslidingsandspiritualdeclinations.OneoftheoutstandingtruthsoftheOldTestamentisthattheUnityofGod,thatGodisOne,thatbesideHimthereisnoneelse,thatallothergodsarefalsegodsandthattopaythemhomageistobeguiltyofthesinofidolatry.AgainstthesinofidolatrytheseJewishwriterscryoutrepeatedly.Theyuniformlydeclarethatitisasinmostabhorrentinthesightofheaven.Yet,thesesameJewishwritersrecordhowagainandagaintheirancestors(contrarytotheuniversalleaningtowardsancestraladorationandworship),andtheircontemporaries,wereguiltyofthisgreatwickedness.Notonlyso,buttheyhavepointedouthowsomeoftheirmostfamousheroessinnedinthisveryparticular.Aaronandthegoldencalf,Solomonandthelaterkingsbeingnotableexamples—"ThendidSolomonbuildahighplaceforChemosh,theabominationofMoab,inthehillthatisbeforeJerusalem,andforMolech,theabominationofthechildrenofAmmon.Andlikewisedidheforallhisstrangewives,whichburntincenseandsacrificeduntotheirgods"(Kings11:7,8).Moreover,thereisnoattemptmadetoexcusetheirwrongdoing;instead,theiractsareopenlycensuredanduncompromisinglycondemned.Asiswellknown,humanhistoriansareinclinedtoconcealorextenuatethefaultsoftheirfavorites.Aforgedhistorywouldhaveclothedfriendswitheveryvirtue,andwouldnothaveventuredtomartheeffectdesignedtobeproducedbyuncoveringthevicesofitsmostdistinguishedpersonages.Herethen,isdisplayedtheuniquenessofScripturehistory.Itscharactersarepaintedinthecolorsoftruthandnature.Butsuchcharacterswereneversketchedbyahumanpencil.MosesandtheotherwritersmusthavewrittenbyDivineinspiration.

Thesinofidolatry,whileitistheworstofwhichIsraelwasguilty,isnottheonlyevilrecordedagainstthem—theirwholehistoryisonelongstoryofrepeatedapostasyfromJehovahtheirGod.AftertheyhadbeenemancipatedfromthebondageofEgyptandhadbeenmiraculouslydeliveredfromtheircruelmastersattheRedSea,theycommencedtheirjourneytowardsthePromisedLand.Betweenthemandtheirgoallayamarchacrossthewilderness,andherethedepravityoftheirheartswasfullymanifested.InspiteofthefactthatJehovah,byoverthrowingtheirenemies,hadplainlydemonstratedthatHewastheirGod,yetnosoonerwasthefaithoftheIsraelitesputtothetestthantheirheartsfailedthem.

First,theirstoresoffoodbegantogiveoutandtheyfearedtheywouldperishfromhunger.TryingcircumstanceshadbanishedtheLivingGodfromtheirthoughts.TheycomplainedoftheirlotandmurmuredagainstMoses.YetGoddidnotdealwiththemaftertheirsinsnorrewardthemaccordingtotheiriniquities:inmercy,Hegavethembreadfromheavenandfurnishedthemadailysupplyofmanna.ButtheysoonbecamedissatisfiedwiththemannaandlustedafterthefleshpotsofEgypt.StillGoddealtwiththemingrace.

ShortlyafterGod’sinterventioningivingtheIsraelitesfoodtoeat,whichoughtforevertohaveclosedtheirmurmuringmouths,theypitchedinRephidimwhere"therewasnowaterforthepeopletodrink.WhereforethepeopledidchidewithMoses,andsaid,Giveuswaterthatwemaydrink.AndMosessaiduntothem,Whychideyewithme?whereforedoyetempttheLord?Andthepeoplethirstedthereforwater;andthepeoplemurmuredagainstMoses,andsaid,WhereforeisthisthatthouhastbroughtusupoutofEgypt,tokillusandourchildrenandourcattlewiththirst?AndMosescrieduntotheLord,saying,WhatshallIdountothispeople?theybealmostreadytostoneme."WhatwasGod’sresponse?DidHisangerconsumethem?DidHerefusetobearlongerwithsuchastiff-neckedpeople?No:"TheLordsaiduntoMoses,Goonbeforethepeople,andtakewiththeeoftheeldersofIsrael;andthyrod,wherewiththousmotesttheriver,takeinthinehand,andgo.Behold,IwillstandbeforetheethereupontherockinHoreb;andthoushaltsmitetherock,andthereshallcomewateroutofit,thatthepeoplemaydrink"(Exod.17).

TheaboveincidentswerebutsadlytypicalandillustrativeofIsrael’sgeneralconduct.WhenthespiesweresentouttoviewthePromisedLandandreturnedandreported,tenofthemmagnifiedthedifficultieswhichconfrontedthemandadvisedthepeoplenottoattemptanoccupationofCanaan;andthoughtheremainingtwofaithfullyremindedtheIsraelitesthatthemightyJehovahcouldeasilyovercomealltheirdifficulties,nevertheless,thenationlistenednotbutheededthewordoftheirskepticaladvisers.TimeaftertimetheyprovokedJehovah,andinconsequencethewholeofthatgenerationperishedinthewilderness.Whenthesucceedinggenerationwasgrown,undertheleadershipofJoshuatheyenteredthePromisedLandandbytheaidofGodoverthrew

manyoftheirenemiesandoccupiedmuchoftheirterritory.ButafterthedeathofJoshuaweread,"Therearoseanothergenerationafterthem,whichknewnottheLord,noryettheworkswhichHehaddoneforIsrael.AndthechildrenofIsraeldidevilinthesightoftheLordGodoftheirfathers,whichbroughtthemoutofthelandofEgypt,andfollowedothergods,ofthegodsofthepeoplethatwereroundaboutthem,andbowedthemselvesuntothem,andprovokedtheLordtoanger.AndtheyforsooktheLord,andservedBaalandAshtaroth"(Judge.2:10-13).ThereisnoneedforustofollowfurtherthefluctuatingfortunesofIsrael:asiswellknown,undertheperiodofthejudgestheirhistorywasaseriesofreturnstotheLordandsubsequentdeparturesfromHim;repeateddeliverancesfromthehandsoftheirenemies,andthenreturningunfaithfulnessontheirpart,followedbybeingagaindelivereduntotheirfoes.Underthekingsitwasnobetter.Theveryfirstoftheirkingsperishedthroughhiswillfuldisobedienceandapostasy;thethirdking,Solomon,violatedGod’slawandmarriedheathenwomenwhoturnedhisheartuntofalsegods.Solomon,inturn,wasfollowedbyanumberofidolatrousrulers,andthepathofIsraelranfartherandfartherawayfromtheLord,untilHedeliveredthemoveruntoNebuchadnezzarwhocapturedtheirbelovedJerusalem,destroyedtheirTemple,andcarriedawaythepeopleintocaptivity.

IntherepeatedmentionwhichwehaveintheOldTestamentofIsrael’ssins,wediscover,inlightasclearasday,theabsolutehonestyandcandorofthosewhorecordedIsrael’shistory.Noattemptwhateverismadetoconcealtheirfolly,theirunbelief,andtheirwickedness;instead,thecorruptconditionoftheirheartsismadefullymanifest,andthis,bywriterswhobelongedto,andwerebornofthesamenation.Inthewholerealmofliteraturethereisnoparallel.TherecordofIsrael’shistoryisabsolutelyunique.ThecarefulreaderwouldatfirstconcludethatIsraelasanationwasmoredepravedthananyother,yetfurtherreflectionwillshowthattheinferenceisafalseoneandthattherealfactisthatthehistoryofIsraelhasbeenmorefaithfullytransmittedthanthatofanyothernation.WemeanthehistoryofIsraelasitisrecordedintheHolyScriptures,forinstrikingcontrasttheretoandinexemplificationofallthatwehavewrittenabove,itisnoteworthythatJosephuspassesoverinsilencewhateverappearedunfavorabletohisnation!!

ComingnowtotheNewTestamentwebeginwiththecharacterofJohntheBaptistandthepositionthatheoccupied.JohntheBaptistispresentedasamosteminentpersonage.WearetoldthathisbirthwasduetothemiraculousinterventionofGod.Welearnthathewas"filledwiththeHolySpirit,evenfromhismother’swomb"(Luke1:15).JohntheBaptistwashimselfthesubjectofOldTestamentprediction.TheofficethathefilledwasthemosthonorablewhicheverfelltothelotofanymemberofAdam’srace.HewastheharbingeroftheMessiah.HewastheonewhowentbeforeourLordtoprepareHisway.HehadthehonorofbaptizingtheblessedRedeemer.NowwherewouldhumanwisdomhaveplacedhimamongtheattendantsoftheLordJesus?Whatpositionwouldithaveascribedtohim?SurelyhewouldhavebeensetforthasthemostdistinguishedamongourLord’sfollowers;surely,humanwisdomwouldhavesethimattherighthandoftheSaviour!Yetwhatdowefind?Insteadofthis,wediscoverthathehadnofamiliardiscoursewiththeSaviour;instead,wefindhewastreatedwithapparentneglect;instead,wefindhimrepresentedasoccupyingthepositionofadoubterwho,astheresultofhisimprisonment,wasconstrainedtosendamessagetohisMastertoenquirewhetherornotHewerethepromisedMessiah.Hadhischaracterbeentheinventionofforgery,nothingwouldhavebeenheardofhislapseoffaith.Indeed,thisissoopposedtothedictatesofhumanwisdom,thatmanyhavebeenshockedatthethoughtofascribingdoubtstotheeminentforerunnerofChrist,andhavetaxedtheiringenuitytotheutmosttoforcefromtheobviousmeaningoftherecordsomeotherandsomedifferentsignification.ButalltheseingenuitiesofhumansophistryaredissipatedbythereplywhichourLordmadeontheoccasionofJohn’sinquiry(Matt.11),areplywhichshowsveryplainlythatthequestionwasaskednotforthebenefitofhisdisciples,butbecausetheBaptist’sownheartwasharassedwithdoubts.Again,wesaythatnohumanmindcouldhaveinventedthecharacterofJohntheBaptist,andthefaithfulnessofhisbiographersisanotherproofthatthewritersoftheBiblewereactuatedbysomethingmoreandsomethinghigherthantheprinciplesofhumannature.

Anotherstrikingillustrationofourchapterheading—onewhichmanywritershavepointedout—isthetreatmenttheSonofGodreceivedwhileHetabernacledamongmen.FortwothousandyearsIsrael’shopeshad

allcenteredintheadventoftheirMessiah.TheheightofeveryJewishwoman’sambitionwasthatshemightbeselectedofGodtohavethehonorofbeingthemotherofthepromisedSeed.Forcenturies,everypiousHebrewhadlookedandlongedforthedaywhenHeshouldappearwhowastooccupyDavid’sthroneandruleandreigninrighteousness.Yet,whenHedidappearhowwasthePromisedOnereceived?"Hewasdespisedandrejectedofmen.""HecameuntoHisownandHisownreceivedHimnot."ThosewhowereHisbrethrenaccordingtotheflesh"hated"Him"withoutacause."TheverynationwhichgaveHimbirthandtowhichHeministeredininfinitegraceandblessingdemandedthatHeshouldbecrucified.Thestartlingthingwhichwedesiretoparticularlyemphasizeis,thatthenarratorsofthisawfultragedyarefellowcountrymenofthoseuponwhoseheadsrestedtheguiltofitsperpetration.ItwasJewishwriterswhorecordedthefearfulcrimeoftheJewishnationagainsttheirMessiah!And,wesayagain,thatintherecordingofthatcrimenoattemptwhateverismadetopalliateorextenuatetheirwickedness;instead,itisdenouncedandcondemnedinthemostuncompromisingterms.Israelisopenlychargedwithhavingtakenandwith"wickedhands"slainthe"LordofGlory."SuchanhonestandimpartialrecitalofIsrael’scrowningsincanonlybeexplainedonthegroundthatwhatthesemenwrotewasinspiredofGod.

Onemoreillustrationmustsuffice.AfterourLord’sdeathandresurrection,HecommissionedHisdisciplestogoforthcarryingfromHimamessagefirsttoHisownnationandlaterto"everycreature."Thismessage,beitnoted,wasnotamaledictioncalleddownupontheheadsofHisheartlessmurderers,butaproclamationofgrace.Itwasamessageofgoodnews,ofgladtidings—forgivenesswastobepreachedinHisnametoallmen.Howthenwouldhumanwisdomsupposesuchamessagewillbereceived?ItisfurthertobeobservedthatthosewhowerethuscommissionedtocarrytheGospeltothelost,werevestedwithpowertohealthesickandtocastoutdemons.Surelysuchabeneficentministrywillmeetwithauniversalwelcome!Yet,incredibleasitmayappear,theApostlesofChristmetwithnomoreappreciationthandidtheirMaster.They,too,weredespisedandrejected.They,too,werehatedandpersecuted.They,too,wereilltreated,imprisoned,andputtoashamefuldeath.Andthis,notmerelyfromthehandsofthebigoted

Jews,butfromtheculturedGreeksandfromthedemocraticandfreedomlovingRomansaswell.ThoughtheseApostlesbroughtblessing,theythemselveswerecursed;thoughtheysoughttoemancipatemenfromthethraldomofsinandSatan,yettheywerethemselvescapturedandthrownintoprison;thoughtheyhealedthesickandraisedthedead,theysufferedmartyrdom.SurelyitisapparenttoeveryimpartialmindthattheNewTestamentisnomerehumaninvention;andsurelyitisevidentfromthehonestyofitswritersinsofaithfullyportrayingtheenmityofthecarnalmindagainstGod,thattheirproductionscanonlybeaccountedforonthegroundthattheyspakeandwrote"notofthemselves,"but"astheyweremovedbytheHolySpirit"(2Pet.1:21).

CHAPTER04–TheCharacterofItsTeachingsEvidencestheDivineAuthorshipoftheBible

TakeitsteachingsaboutGodHimself.WhatdoestheBibleteachusaboutGod?ItdeclaresthatHeisEternal:"Beforethemountainswerebroughtforth,oreverThouhadstformedtheearthandtheworld,evenfromeverlastingtoeverlasting,ThouareGod"(Ps.90:2).ItrevealsthefactthatHeisInfinite:"ButwillGodindeeddwellontheearth?Behold,theheavenandheavenofheavenscannotcontainThee"(1Kings8:27).Vastasweknowtheuniversetobe,ithasitsbounds;butwemustgobeyondthemtoconceiveofGod—"CanstthoubysearchingfindoutGod?CanstthoufindouttheAlmightyuntoperfection?Itisashighasheaven;whatcanstthoudo?deeperthanhell;whatcanstthouknow?Themeasurethereofislongerthantheearth,andbroaderthanthesea"(Job11:7-9).ItmakesmentionofHisSovereignty:"Remembertheformerthingsofold:forIamGod,andthereisnoneelse;IamGod,andthereisnonelikeMe,declaringtheendfromthebeginning,andfromancienttimesthethingsthatarenotyetdone,saying,Mycounselshallstand,andIwilldoallMypleasure"(Isa.46:9-10).ItaffirmsthatHeisOmnipotent:"BeholdIamtheLord,theGodofallflesh:isthereanythingtoohardforMe?"(Jer.32:27).ItintimatesthatHeisOmniscient:"GreatisourLord,andofgreatpower:Hisunderstandingisinfinite"(Ps.147:5).ItteachesthatHeisOmnipresent:"CananyhidehimselfinsecretplacesthatIshallnotseehim?saiththeLord.DonotIfillheavenandearth?saiththeLord"(Jer.23:24).ItdeclaresthatHeisImmutable:"Thesameyesterday,andtoday,andforever"(Heb.13:8).Yea,thatwithHim"isnovariableness,neithershadowofturning"(James1:17).ItrevealsthatHeis"TheJudgeofalltheearth"(Gen.18:25)andthateveryoneshallyethaveto"giveanaccountofhimselftoGod"(Rom.14:12).ItannouncesthatHeisinflexiblyjustinallHisdealingssothatHecanby"nomeanscleartheguilty"(Num.14:18);thatallwillbejudged"accordingtotheirworks"(Rev.20:12),andthattheyshallreapwhatsoevertheyhavesown(Gal6:7).ItrevealsthefactthatHeisabsolutelyholy,dwellinginlightinaccessible.SoholythateventheseraphimhavetoveiltheirfacesinHispresence(Isa.6:2).SoholythattheheavensarenotcleaninHissight(Job15:15).Soholythatthebestofmenwhenfacetofacewith

theirMaker,havetocry,"Iabhormyself"(Job42:6);"Woeisme!ForIamundone"(Isa.6:5).SuchadelineationofDeityisasfarbeyondman’sconceptionastheheavensareabovetheearth.Noman,andnonumberofmen,everinventedsuchaGodasthis.Ransackthelibrariesoftheancient,examinethemusingsofthemystics,studythereligionsoftheheathenandnothingwillbefoundwhichcanforamomentbecomparedwiththesublimeandexalteddescriptionofGod’scharacterwhichisfurnishedbytheBible.

TheteachingsoftheBibleaboutmanareunique.Unlikeallotherbooksintheworld,theBiblecondemnsmanandallhisdoings.Itnevereulogizeshiswisdom,norpraiseshisachievements.Onthecontrary,itdeclaresthat"everymanathisbeststateisaltogethervanity"(Ps39:5).Insteadofteachingthatmanisanoblecharacter,evolvingheavenwards,ittellshimthatallhisrighteousnesses(hisbestworks)areas"filthyrags,"thatheisalostsinner,incapableofbetteringhiscondition;thatheisdeservingonlyofHell.

ThepicturewhichtheScripturesgiveofmanisdeeplyhumiliatingandentirelydifferentfromallwhicharedrawnbyhumanpencils.TheWordofGoddescribesthestateofthenaturalmaninthefollowinglanguage:—"Thereisnonerighteous,no,notone.Thereisnonethatunderstandeth,thereisnonethatseekethafterGod.Theyareallgoneoutoftheway,theyaretogetherbecomeunprofitable.Thereisnonethatdoethgood,no,notone.Theirthroatisanopensepulcher;withtheirtonguestheyhaveuseddeceit;thepoisonofaspsisundertheirlips;whosemouthisfullofcursingandbitterness.Theirfeetareswifttoshedblood:destructionandmiseryareintheirways:andthewayofpeacehavetheynotknown.ThereisnofearofGodbeforetheireyes"(Rom.3:10-18).

InsteadofmakingSatanthesourceofalltheblackcrimesofwhichweareguilty,theBibledeclares,"Forfromwithin,outoftheheartofmanproceedevilthoughts,adulteries,fornications,murders,thefts,covetousness,wickedness,deceit,lasciviousness,anevileye,blasphemy,pride,foolishness:alltheseevilthingscomefromwithinanddefiletheman"(Mark7:21-23).Suchaconceptionofman—sodifferentfromman’sownideas,andsohumiliatingtohisproudheart—never

couldhaveemanatedfrommanhimself."Theheartisdeceitfulaboveallthingsanddesperatelywicked"(Jer.17:9)isaconceptthatneveroriginatedinanyhumanmind.

TheteachingsoftheBibleabouttheworldareunique.InnothingperhapsaretheteachingsofScriptureandthewritingsofmanatsuchvarianceastheyareatthispoint.Usingthetermasmeaningtheworld-systemincontradistinctiontotheearth,whatisthedirectionofman’sthoughtsconcerningthesame?Manthinkshighlyoftheworld,forheregardsitashisworld.Itisthatwhichhislaborshaveproducedandhelooksuponitwithsatisfactionandpride.Heboaststhat"theworldisgrowingbetter."Hedeclaresthattheworldisbecomingmorecivilizedandmorehumanized.Man’sthoughtsuponthissubjecthavebeenwellsummarizedbythepoetinthefamiliarlanguage—"Godisinheaven:All’swellwiththeworld."ButwhatsaiththeScriptures?Uponthissubject,too,wediscoverthatGod’sthoughtsareverydifferentfromours.TheBibleuniformlycondemnstheworldandspeaksofitasathingofevil.Weshallnotattempttoquoteeverypassagewhichdoesthis,butshallmerelysingleoutafewspecimenScriptures.

"Iftheworldhateyou,yeknowthatithatedMebeforeithatedyou.Ifyewereoftheworld,theworldwouldlovehisown:butbecauseyearenotoftheworld,butIhavechosenyououtoftheworld,thereforetheworldhatethyou"(John15:18-19).ThispassageteachesthattheworldhatesbothChristandHisfollowers."ThewisdomofthisworldisfoolishnesswithGod"(1Cor3:19).Certainlynouninspiredpenwrotethesewords."Yeadulterersandadulteresses,knowyenotthatthefriendshipoftheworldisenmitywithGod?WhosoeverthereforewillbeafriendoftheworldistheenemyofGod"(James4:4).Hereagainwelearnthattheworldisanevilthing,condemnedbyGod,andtobeshunnedbyHischildren."Lovenottheworld,neitherthethingsthatareintheworld.Ifanymanlovetheworld,theloveoftheFatherisnotinhim.Forallthatisintheworld,thelustoftheflesh,andthelustoftheeyes,andtheprideoflife,isnotoftheFather,butisoftheworld"(1John2:15-16).Herewehaveadefinitionoftheworld:itisallthatisopposedtotheFather—opposedinitsprinciplesandphilosophy,itsmaximsandmethods,itsaimsandambitions,itstrendanditsend"AndthewholeworldliethintheEvilOne"(1John5:19,R.V.).Herewelearnwhyitis

thattheworldhatesChristandHisfollowers;whyitswisdomisfoolishnesswithGod;whyitiscondemnedbyGodandmustbeshunnedbyHischildren—itisunderthedominionofthatoldserpent,thedevil,whomScripturespecificallydenominates"Theprinceofthisworld."

TheteachingsoftheBibleaboutsinisunique.Manregardssinasamisfortuneandeverseekstominimizeitsenormity.Inthesedays,sinisreferredtoasignorance,asanecessarystageinman’sdevelopment.Byothers,sinislookeduponasamerenegation,theoppositeofgood;whileMrs.Eddyandherfollowerswentsofarastodenyitsexistencealtogether.ButtheBible,unlikeeveryotherbook,stripsmanofallexcuseandemphasizeshisculpability.IntheBiblesinisneverpalliatedorextenuated,butfromfirsttolasttheHolyScripturesinsistuponitsenormityandheinousness.TheWordofGoddeclaresthat"sinisverygrievous"(Gen.18:20)andthatoursinsprovokeGodtoanger(1Kings16:2).Itspeaksofthe"deceitfulnessofsin"(Heb.3:13)andinsiststhatsinis"exceedinglysinful"(Rom7:13).ItdeclaresthatallsinissinagainstGod(Ps.51:4)andagainstHisChrist(1Cor.8:12).Itregardsoursinsasbeing"asscarlet"and"redlikecrimson"(Isa.1:18).Itdeclaresthatsinismorethananact,itisanattitude.Itaffirmsthatsinismorethananon-compliancewithGod’slaw—itisrebellionagainsttheOnewhogavethelaw.Itteachesthat"sinislawlessness"(1John3:4,R.V.),whichmeansthatsinisspiritualanarchy,opendefianceagainsttheAlmighty.Moreover,itsinglesoutnoparticularclass;itcondemnsallalike.Itannouncesthat"allhavesinnedandcomeshortofthegloryofGod,"that"thereisnonerighteous,no,notone"(Rom.3).Didmaneverwritesuchanindictmentagainsthimself?WhathumanmindeverinventedsuchadescriptionofsinasthatdiscoveredintheBible?WhoeverwouldhaveimaginedthatsinwassuchavileanddreadfulthinginthesightofGodthatnothingbutthepreciousbloodofHisownbelovedSoncouldmakeanatonementforit!

TheteachingoftheBibleaboutthepunishmentofsinisunique.Adefectiveviewofsinnecessarilyleadstoaninadequateconceptionofwhatisduesin.Minimizethegravityandenormityofsinandyoumustproportionatelyreducethesentencewhichitdeserves.Manyarecryingouttodayagainstthejusticeoftheeternalpunishmentofsin.Theycomplainthatthepenaltydoesnotfitthecrime.Theyarguethatitis

unrighteousforasinnertosuffereternallyinconsequenceofashortlifespanofwrong-doing.Buteveninthisworlditisnotthelengthoftimewhichittakestocommitthecrimewhichdeterminestheseverityofthesentence.Manyamanhassufferedalifetermofimprisonmentforacrimewhichrequiredonlyafewminutesforitsperpetration.Apart,however,fromthisconsideration,eternalpunishmentisjustifsinbelookedatfromGod’sviewpoint.Butthisisjustwhatthemajorityofmenrefusetodo.Theylookatsinanditsdesertssolelyfromthehumanside.OnereasonwhytheBiblewaswrittenwastocorrectourideasandviewsaboutsin,toteachuswhatanunspeakablyawfulandvilethingitis,toshowussinasGodseesit.ForonesinglesinAdamandEvewerebanishedfromEden.ForonesinglesinCanaanandallhisposteritywerecursed.ForasinglesinKorahandhiscompanywentdownaliveintothepit.ForonesinglesinMoseswasdebarredfromenteringthePromisedLand.ForasinglesinAchanandhisfamilywerestonedtodeath.ForasinglesinElisha’sservantwassmittenwithleprosy.ForasinglesinAnaniasandSapphirawerecutoffoutofthelandoftheliving.Why?ToteachuswhataninfiniteevilitistorevoltagainstthethriceholyGod.Werepeat,thatdidmenbutseetheterriblenessofsin—didtheybutseethatitwassinthatputtoashamefuldeaththeLordofGlory—thentheywouldrealizethatnothingshortofeternalpunishmentwouldmeetthedemandswhichjusticehasuponsinners.

Butthegreatmajorityofmendonotseethemeetnessorjusticeofeternalpunishment;onthecontrary,theycryoutagainstit.InlandswhichwerenotilluminedbytheOldTestamentScriptures,wherethereexistedanybeliefinafuturelife,itwasheldthatatdeaththewickedeitherpassedthroughsometemporarysufferingforremedialandpurifyingpurposesorelsetheywereannihilated.EveninChristendom,wheretheWordofGodhasheldaprominentandpublicplaceforcenturies,thegreatbulkofthepeopledonotbelieveineternalpunishment.TheyarguethatGodistoomercifulandkindtobanoneofHisowncreaturestoendlessmisery.Yea,notafewoftheLord’sownpeopleareafraidtotakethesolemnteachingsoftheScripturesonthissubjectattheirfacevalue.ItisthereforeevidentthathadtheBiblebeenwrittenbyuninspiredmen;haditbeenamerehumancomposition,itcertainlywouldnothavetaughttheeternalandconscioustormentofall

whodieoutofChrist.ThefactthattheBibledoessoteachisconclusiveproofthatitwaswrittenbymenwhospakenotofthemselves,butastheywere"movedbytheHolySpirit."

TheteachingsofGod’sWorduponeternalpunishmentareasclearandexplicitastheyaresolemnandawful.TheydeclarethatthedoomoftheChristrejectorisaconscious,never-ending,indescribabletorment.TheBibledepictstheplaceofpunishmentasarealmwherethe"wormdiethnot"and"thefireisnotquenched"(Mark9:48).Itspeaksofitasalakeoffireandbrimstone(Rev.20:10),whereevenadropofwaterisdeniedtheagonizedsufferer(Luke16:24).Itdeclaresthat"thesmokeoftheirtormentascendethupforeverandever:andtheyhavenorestdaynornight"(Rev.14:11).Itrepresentstheworldofthelostasasceneintowhichpenetratesnolight—"theblacknessofdarknessforever"(Jude1:13)—adoomalleviatedbynorayofhope.Inshort,theportionofthelostwillbeunbearable,yetitwillhavetobeborne,andborneforever.Whatmortalmindconceivedofsuchafate?Suchaconceptionistoorepugnantandrepulsivetothehumanhearttohavehaditsbirthontheearth.

TheteachingsoftheBibleaboutSalvationfromSinisunique.Man’sthoughtsaboutsalvation,likeeveryothersubjectwhichengageshismindaredefectiveanddeficient.Hencetheforceoftheadmonition—"Letthewickedforsakehiswayandtheunrighteousmanhisthoughts"(Isa.55:7).Inthefirstplace,lefttohimself,manfailstorealizehisneedofsalvation.Intheprideofhisheartheimaginesthatheissufficientinhimself,andthroughthedarkeningofhisunderstandingbysinhefailstocomprehendhisruinedandlostcondition.Liketheself-righteousPharisee,hethanksGodthatheisnotasothermen,thatheismorallythesuperiorofthesavageorthecriminal,andrefusestobelievethatsofarashisstandingbeforeGodisconcernedthereis"nodifference."ItisnotuntiltheHolySpiritdealswithhimthatmanisconstrainedtocry,"Godbemercifultomeasinner."

Inthesecondplacemanisignorantofthewayofsalvation.EvenwhenmanhasbeenbroughttotheplacewhereherecognizesthatheisnotpreparedtomeetGod,andthatifhediedinhispresentstatehewouldbeeternallylost;eventhenhehasnorightconceptionofthe

remedy.BeingignorantofGod’srighteousnesshegoesabouttoestablishhisownrighteousness.Hesupposesthathemustmakesomepersonalreparationforhispastwrong-doings,thathemustworkforhissalvation,dosomethingtomerittheesteemofGod,andthuswinheavenasareward.Thehighestconceptofman’smindisthatofmerit.Tohimsalvationisawagetobeearned,acrowntobecoveted,aprizetobewon.Theproofofthisistobeseeninthefactthatevenwhenpardonandlifearepresentedasafreegift,theuniversaltendency,atfirst,istoregarditasbeing"toogoodtobetrue."Yet,suchistheplainteachingofGod’sWord—"Forbygraceareyesavedthroughfaith;andthatnotofyourselves:itisthegiftofGod:notofworks;lestanymanshouldboast"(Eph.2:8-9).Andagain—"Notbyworksofrighteousnesswhichwehavedone,butaccordingtoHismercyHesavedus"(Titus3:5).

Ifitistruethatmanlefttohimselfwouldneverhavefullyrealizedhisneedofsalvation,andwouldneverhavediscoveredthatitwasbygracethroughfaithandnotofworks,howmuchlesswouldthehumanmindhavebeencapableofrisingtothelevelofwhatGod’sWordteachesaboutthenatureofsalvationandthegloriousandmarvelousdestinyofthesaved!WhowouldhavethoughtthattheMakerandRuleroftheuniverseshouldlayholdofpoor,fallen,depravedmenandwomenandliftingthemoutofthemiryclayshouldmakethemHisownsonsanddaughters,andshouldseatthematHisowntable!Whowouldeverhavesuggestedthatthosewhodeservenaughtbuteverlastingshameandcontempt,shouldbemade"heirsofGodandjoint-heirswithChrist"!WhowouldhavedreamedthatbeggarsshouldbeliftedfromthedunghillofsinandmadetosittogetherwithChristinheavenlyplaces!WhowouldhaveimaginedthatthecorruptedoffspringofdisobedientAdamshouldbeexaltedtoapositionhigherthanthatoccupiedbytheunfallenangels!Whowouldhavedaredtoaffirmthatonedayweshallbe"madelikeChrist"and"beforeverwiththeLord"!Suchconceptswereasfarbeyondthereachofthehighesthumanintellectastheywereoftherudestsavage."Butasitiswritten,eyehathnotseen,norearheard,neitherhaveenteredintotheheartofman,thethingswhichGodhathpreparedforthemthatloveHim.ButGodhathrevealedthemuntousbyHisSpirit:fortheSpiritsearchethallthings,yea,thedeepthingsofGod"(1Cor.2:9-10).

Againweask,whathumanintellectcouldhavedevisedameanswherebyGodcouldbejustandyetmerciful,mercifulandyetjust?Whatmortalmindwouldeverhavedreamedofafreeandfullsalvation,bestowedonhell-deservingsinners,"withoutmoneyandwithoutprice"!AndwhatflightofcarnalimaginationwouldeverhaveconceivedoftheSonofGodHimselfbeing"madesin"forusanddyingtheJustfortheunjust?

TheteachingoftheBibleconcerningtheSaviourofsinnersisunique.ThedescriptionwhichtheScripturesfurnishofthePerson,theCharacter,andtheWorkoftheLordJesusChristiswithoutanythingthatapproachesaparallelinthewholerealmofliterature.ItiseasiertosupposethatmancouldcreateaworldthantobelieveheinventedthecharacterofouradorableRedeemer.Givenapieceofmachinerythatisdelicate,complex,exactinallitsmovements,andweknowitmustbetheproductofacompetentmechanic.Givenaworkofartthatisbeautiful,symmetrical,original,andweknowitmustbetheproductofamasterartist.NonebutanAngelocouldhavedesignedSaintPeter’s;nonebutaRaphaelcouldhavepaintedthe"transfiguration;"nonebutaMiltoncouldhavewrittena"ParadiseLost."And,nonebuttheHolySpiritcouldhaveproducedthepeerlessportraitoftheLordJesuswhichwefindintheGospels.InChristallexcellenciescombine.HereisoneofthemanyrespectsinwhichHediffersfromallotherBiblecharacters.IneachofthegreatheroesofScripturesometraitstandsoutwithpeculiardistinctness—Noah,faithfultestimony;Abraham,faithinGod;Isaac,submissiontohisfather;Joseph,loveforhisbrethren;Moses,unselfishnessandmeekness;Joshua,courageandleadership;Job,fortitudeandpatience;Daniel,fidelitytoGod;Paul,zealinservice;John,spiritualdiscernment—butintheLordJesuseverygraceisfound.Moreover,inHimalltheseperfectionswereproperlypoisedandbalanced.Hewasmeekyetregal;Hewasgentleyetfearless;Hewascompassionateyetjust;Hewassubmissiveyetauthoritative;HewasDivineyethuman;addtothese,thefactthatHewasabsolutely"withoutsin"andHisuniquenessbecomesapparent.Nowhereinallthewritingsofantiquityistheretobefoundthepresentationofsuchapeerlessandwondrouscharacter.

NotonlyistheportrayalofChrist’scharacterwithoutanyrival,buttheteachingoftheBibleconcerningHisPersonandWorkisalsoutterly

incredibleonanyotherbasissavethattheyarepartofaDivinerevelation.WhowouldhavedaredtoimaginetheCreatorandUpholderoftheuniversetakinguponHimselftheformofaservantandbeingmadeinthelikenessofmen?WhowouldhaveconceivedtheideaoftheLordofGlorybeingborninamanger?WhowouldhavedreamedoftheObjectofangelicworshipbecomingsopoorthathehadnotwheretolayHishead?WhowouldhavedeclaredthattheOnebeforewhomtheseraphimveiltheirfacesshouldbeledasalambtotheslaughter,shouldhavesufferedHisownblessedfacetobedefiledwiththevilespittleofman,andshouldpermitthecreaturesofHishandtoscourgeandbuffetHim?WhoeverwouldhaveconceivedofEmmanuelbecomingobedientuntodeath,eventhedeathoftheCross!

Herethenisanargumentwhichthesimplestcangrasp.TheScripturescontaintheirownevidencethattheyareDivinelyinspired.EverypageofHolyWritisstampedwithJehovah’sautograph.TheuniquenessofitsteachingsdemonstratestheuniquenessofitsSource.TheteachingsoftheScripturesaboutGodHimself,aboutman,abouttheworld,aboutsin,abouteternalpunishment,aboutsalvation,abouttheLordJesusChrist,areproofthattheBibleisnottheproductofanymanoranynumberofmen,butisintrutharevelationfromGod.

CHAPTER05–TheFulfilledPropheciesoftheBibleBespeaktheOmniscienceofItsAuthor

InIsaiah41:21-23wehavewhatisprobablythemostremarkablechallengetobefoundintheBible."Produceyourcause,saiththeLord;bringforthyourstrongreasons,saiththeKingofJacob.Letthembringthemforth,andshowuswhatshallhappen;letthemshowtheformerthings,whattheybe,thatwemayconsiderthem,andknowthelatterendofthem;ordeclareusthingsfortocome.Showthethingsthataretocomehereafter,thatwemayknowthatyearegods."ThisScripturehasbothanegativeandapositivevalue:negativelyitsuggestsaninfalliblecriterionbywhichwemaytesttheclaimsofreligiousimpostors;positively,itcallsattentiontoanunanswerableargumentforthetruthfulnessofGod’sWord.Jehovahbidstheprophetsoffalsefaithstosuccessfullypredicteventslyinginthefardistantfutureandtheirsuccessorfailurewillshowwhetherornottheyaregodsormerelypretendersanddeceivers.Ontheotherhand,thedemonstratedfactthatGodalonegraspstheagesandinHisWorddeclarestheendfromthebeginning,showsthatheisGodandthatScripturesareHisInspiredRevelationtomankind.

Againandagainmenhaveattemptedtopredictfutureeventsbutalwayswiththemostdisastrousfailure,theanticipationsofthemostfar-seeingandtheprecautionsofthewisestaremockedrepeatedlybythebitterironyofevents.Manstandsbeforeanimpenetrablewallofdarkness,heisunabletoforeseetheeventsofeventhenexthour.Noneknowswhatadaymaybringforth.Tothefinitemindthefutureisfilledwithunknownpossibilities.HowthencanweexplainthehundredsofdetailedpropheciesintheScriptureswhichhavebeenliterallyfulfilledtotheletter,hundredsofyearsaftertheywereuttered?HowcanweaccountforthefactthattheBiblesuccessfullyforetoldhundreds,andinsomeinstancesthousandsofyearsbeforehand,theHistoryoftheJews,theCourseoftheGentiles,andtheExperiencesoftheChurch?Themostconservativeofcritics,andthemostdaringassailantsofGod’sWordarecompelledtoacknowledgethatalltheBooksoftheOldTestamentwerewrittenhundredsofyearsbeforetheincarnationofourLord,hence,theactualandaccuratefulfillmentofthesepropheciescan

onlybeexplainedonthehypothesisthat"Prophecycamenotatanytimebythewillofmen:butholymenofGod,spake,movedbytheHolyGhost."

TheInspireroftheScriptureshastoldusthat"Wehavealsoamoresurewordofprophecy;whereuntoyedowellthatyetakeheedasuntoalightthatshinethinadarkplace"(2Pet.1:19).InthelimitedspaceatourcommandweshallappealtobutafewfromamongthemanyfulfilledpropheciesofGod’sWord,andshalllimitourselvestothosewhichhavereferencetothePersonandWorkoftheLordJesusChrist.Thecumulativeforceofthesewillbesufficient,wetrust,toconvinceanyimpartialinquirerthatnoneotherbutthemindofGodcouldhavedisclosedthefutureandunveiledbeforehandfardistantevents.

"ThetestimonyofJesusistheSpiritofProphecy."TheLambofGodistheonegreatobjectandsubjectofthePropheticWord.InGenesis3:15wehavethefirstwordabouttheComingofChrist.Speakingtotheserpent,Jehovahsaid,"AndIwillputenmitybetweentheeandthewoman,andbetweenthyseedandherseed;itshallbruisethyhead,andthoushallbruiseHisheel."NotethattheComingOnewastobethe"woman’sseed,"theMiraculousCharacterofourLord’sBirthbeingthusforetoldfourthousandyearsbeforeHewasbornatBethlehem!

InGenesis22:18wehavetheseconddistinctMessianicprophecy.UntoAbraham,theangeloftheLorddeclared,"Andinthyseedshallallthenationsoftheearthbeblessed."NotonlywastheSaviourofsinnerstobehumanaswellasDivine,notonlywasHetobethe"woman’s"seed,butintheaboveScriptureitwasdeclaredthatHeshouldbeadescendantofAbraham—anIsraelite.HowthiswasfulfilledwemayseebyareferencetothefirstverseintheNewTestament,wherewearetold(Matt.1:1)thatJesusChristwas"TheSonofDavid,thesonofAbraham."

Butstillfurtherwasthecompassnarroweddown,forwehaveintimatedintheOldTestamentScripturestheverytribefromwhichtheMessiahwastoissue—ourLordwastocomeoftheTribeofJudah(the"kingly"tribe).HewastobeadescendantofDavid.NathantheprophetwascommandedbyGodtogoandsaytoDavid,"Iwillsetupthyseedafterthee,whichshallproceedoutofthybowels,andIwillstablishHis

kingdom.HeshallbuildanhouseforMyname,andIwillstablishthethroneofHiskingdomforever"(2Sam.7:12-13).Andagain,inPsalm132:11DaviddeclaresconcerningthepromisedMessiah,"TheLordhathswornintruthuntoDavid;(Hewillnotturnfromit)OfthefruitofthybodywillIsetuponthythrone.

NotonlywasourLord’snationalitydefinedhundredsofyearsbeforeHisincarnation,buttheveryplaceofHisbirthwasalsogiven.InMicah5:2weareinformed,"Butthou,BethlehemEphratah,thoughthoubelittleamongthethousandsofJudah,butoutoftheeshallHecomeforthuntoMethatistobeRulerinIsrael;whosegoingsforthhavebeenfromofold,fromthedaysofeternity."ChristwastobeborninBethlehem,andnotonlyinoneoftheseveralvillageswhichborethatnameinPalestine,butBethlehemofJudeawastobethebirth-placeoftheworld’sRedeemer;andthoughMarywasanativeofNazareth(fardistantfromBethlehem)yetthroughtheprovidenceofGod,HisWordwasliterallyfulfilledbyHisSonbeingborninBethlehemofJudea.

Further,theverytimeofMessiah’sappearingwasgiventhroughbothJacobandDaniel(seeGen.49:10andDaniel9:24-26).Nowinordertoappreciatetheforceofthesemarvelous,super-naturalprophecies,letthereaderseektoforetellthenationality,placeandtimeofthebirthofsomeonewhoshallbeborninthetwenty-fifthcenturyA.D.,andthenhewillrealizethatnonebutamaninspiredandinformedbyGodHimselfcouldperformsuchanotherwiseimpossiblefeat.

SodefiniteanddistinctweretheOldTestamentpropheciesrespectingtheBirthofChrist,thatthehopeofIsraelbecametheMessianicHope;alltheirexpectationswerecenteredinthecomingoftheMessiah.ItisthereforethemoreremarkablethattheirsacredScripturesshouldcontainanothersetofprophecieswhichpredictedthatHeshouldbedespisedbyHisownnationandrejectedbyHisownkinsmen.WecanonlynowcallattentiontooneoftheprophecieswhichdeclaredthattheMessiahofIsraelshouldbeslightedandscornedbyHisbrethrenaccordingtotheflesh.

InIsaiah53:2-3weread,"Andwhenwe(Israel)shallseeHim,thereisnobeautythatweshoulddesireHim.Heisdespisedandrejectedofmen;aManofsorrows,andacquaintedwithgrief;andwehidasitwere

ourfacesfromHim;Hewasdespised,andweesteemedHimnot!"Wepausehereforamomenttoenlargeuponthisstrangeandstrikingphenomenon.

FormorethanfifteencenturiestheComingoftheMessiahhadbeentheonegreatnationalHopeofIsrael.FromthecradlethesonsofAbrahamweretaughttoprayandlongforHisadvent.TheeagernesswithwhichtheyawaitedtheappearingoftheStarofJacobisabsolutelywithoutparallelinthehistoryofanyothernation.HowthencanweaccountforthefactthatwhenHedidcomeHewasdespisedandrejected?HowcanweexplainthefactthatsidebysidewiththeintenselongingforthemanifestationoftheirKing,oneoftheirownprophetsforetoldthatwhenHedidappearmenwouldhidetheirfacesfromHimandesteemHimnot?Finally,whatexplanationhavewetoofferforthefactthatsuchthingswerepredictedcenturiesbeforeHecametothisearthandthattheywereliterallyfulfilledtotheveryletter?Asanotherhassaid,"Nopredictioncouldhaveseemedmoreimprobable,andyetnoneeverreceivedasadderandmorecompletefulfillment."

WepassonnowtothosepredictionswhichhavereferencetothedeathofourLord.IfitwaswonderfulthatanIsraelitishprophetshouldforetelltherejectionoftheMessiahbyHisownnation,whatshallwesaytothefactthattheOldTestamentScripturesprophesiedindetailconcerningthemannerorformofHisdeath?Yetagainandagainwefindthistobethecase!Letusexamineafewtypicalinstances.

First,itwasintimatedthatourLordshouldbebetrayedandsoldforthepriceofacommonslave.InZechariah11:12weread,"SotheyweighedforMypricethirtypiecesofsilver."Whowasitthatwasabletodeclare,centuriesbeforetheeventcametopass,theexactamountthatJudasshouldreceiveforhisdastardlydeed?InIsaiah53:7wehaveanotherlineinthismarvelouspicturewhichhumanwisdomcouldnotpossiblyhavesupplied—"Heisbroughtasalambtotheslaughter,andasasheepbeforehershearersisdumb,soHeopenednotHismouth."Whocouldhaveforeseenthismostunusualsight,ofaprisonerstandingbeforehisjudgeswithhislifeatstake,yetattemptingandofferingnodefense?YetthisispreciselywhatdidhappeninconnectionwithourLord,forwearetoldinMark15:5,"ButJesusyetanswerednothing;so

thatPilatemarveled."Again;whowasitthatknewsevenhundredyearsbeforethegreatesttragedyofhumanhistorywasenactedthattheSonofGod,theKingoftheJews,thegentlestandmeekestManwhoevertrodourearth,shouldbescourgedandspatupon?Yetsuchanexperiencewasforetold:"IgaveMybacktothesmiters,andMycheekstothemthatpluckedoffthehair:IhidnotMyfacefromshameandspitting"(Isa.50:6).

Further;theformofcapitalpunishmentreservedforJewishcriminalswas"stoningtodeath,"andinDavid’stimetheexperienceof"crucifixion"wasentirelyunknown,yetwefindinPsalm22:16thatIsrael’skingwasinspiredtowrite,"TheypiercedMyhandsandMyfeet!"Again;whathumanforesightcouldhaveseenthatinHisthirst-agoniesuponthecrossourLordshouldbegivengallandvinegartodrink?YetitwasdeclaredathousandyearsbeforetheLordofGlorywasnailedtothetreethat,"TheygaveMealsogallforMymeat;andinMythirsttheygaveMevinegartodrink."(Ps.69:21).Finally;weask,howcouldDavidforetell,unlesshewasinspiredbytheHolySpirit,thatourLordshouldbetauntedbyHisenemiesandchallengedtocomedownfromtheCross?YetinPsalm22:7-8weread,"AlltheythatseeMelaughMetoscorn:theyshootoutthelip,theyshakethehead,saying,HetrustedontheLordthatHewoulddeliverHim:letHimdeliverHim,seeingHedelightedinHim."Suchexamplesastheabovemightbemultipliedindefinitely,butsufficientillustrationshavealreadybeengiventowarrantusinsayingthatthefulfilledpropheciesoftheBiblebespeaktheomniscienceofitsAuthor.

Wereitnecessary,andhadwethespaceatourcommand,scoresofadditionalfulfilledpropheciesrelatingtotheHistoryofIsrael,theCourseoftheGentiles,andtheExperiencesoftheChurch—propheciesjustasdefinite,accurate,andremarkableasthoserelatingtothePersonoftheLordJesusChrist—couldbegiven,butourpresentlimitsandpurposeforbidussodoing.

HavingexaminedafewofthestartlingprophecieswhichtreatoftheBirthandDeathofourSaviour,itnowonlyremainsforustoapplyinawordthesignificanceofthisargument.ManyhavereadovertheseScripturesbeforeandperhapshaveregardedthemasbeingwonderfully

descriptiveoftheAdventandPassionofJesusChrist,buthowmanyhavecarefullyweighedthefactthateachoftheseScriptureswereinindisputableexistencemorethanfivehundredyearsbeforeourLordcametothisearth?

Manisunabletoaccuratelypredicteventswhicharebuttwenty-fourhoursdistant;onlytheDivineMindcouldhaveforetoldthefuture,centuriesbeforeitcametobe.Hence,weaffirmwiththeutmostconfidence,thatthehundredsoffulfilledpropheciesintheBibleattestanddemonstratethetruththattheScripturesaretheinspired,infallible,inerrantWordofGod.

CHAPTER06–TheTypicalSignificanceoftheScripturesDeclareTheirDivineAuthorship

"InthevolumeoftheBookitiswrittenofMe"(Heb.10:7).ChrististheKeytotheScriptures.SaidHe,"SearchtheScriptures...theyaretheywhichtestifyofMe."(John5:39),andthe"Scriptures"towhichHehadreference,werenotthefourGospelsfortheywerenotthenwritten,butthewritingsofMosesandtheprophets.TheOldTestamentScripturesthenaresomethingmorethanacompilationofhistoricalrecords,somethingmorethanasystemofsocialandreligiouslegislation,somethingmorethanacodeofethics.TheOldTestamentScripturesarefundamentallyastageonwhichisshownforthinvividsymbolismandritualismthewholeplanofredemption.TheeventsrecordedintheOldTestamentwereactualoccurrences,yettheywerealsotypicalprefigurations.ThroughouttheOldTestamentdispensationsGodcausedtobeshadowedforthinparabolicrepresentationthewholeworkofredemptionbymeansofaconstantandvividappealtothesenses.ThiswasinfullaccordwithafundamentallawintheeconomyofGod.Nothingisbroughttomaturityatonce.Asitisinthenaturalworld,soitisinthespiritual:thereisfirsttheblade,thentheear,andthenthefullcornintheear.ConcerningthePersonandworkoftheLordJesus,Godfirstgaveaseriesofpictorialrepresentations,lateralargenumberofspecificprophecies,andlastofall,whenthefullnessoftimewascome,GodsentforthHisownSon.

ItisfailuretodiscernthetypicalimportoftheOldTestamentScriptureswhichhascausedsogreatapartofthemtobeslightedbysomanyreadersoftheBible.TomultitudesofpeoplethePentateuchislittlemorethanacompilationofeffeteandmeaninglessceremonialrites,andifthereisnothinginthemmoreexcellentthantheiroutwardsemblance,then,surely,itispassingstrangethattheyshouldfindaplaceintheWordofGod.TakeChristoutofOldTestamentritualandyouareleftwithnothingbutthedryandemptyshellofanut.ItisthereforeamatterofsmallsurprisethatthosewhoseesolittleofChristintheOldTestamentScripturesshouldundervaluetheinstructionandedificationtobederivedfromeverypartofthem,andthattheyentertainsuchdegradingideasoftheirinspiration.Denythatthereisaspiritualmeaninginallthelawsand

customsoftheIsraelitesandwhatfoodforthesoulcanbegatheredfromastudyofthem?DenythattheyaresomanytypicalrepresentationsofChristandHisSacrificeforsinandyoucastreproachonthenameandwisdomofGodbysuggestingthatHeinstitutedthecarnalordinances,thecumbrousceremonies,thepropitiationsbysacrificeofanimals,whicharerecordedintheopeningBooksoftheBible.

ThetypicalimportandthespiritualvalueoftheJewisheconomy,bothasawholeandinitsmanyparts,isexpresslyaffirmedintheNewTestament.TheApostlePaul,whenreferringtothenarrativesandeventsrecordedintheOldTestament,declaresthat,"Whatsoeverthingswerewrittenaforetimewerewrittenforourlearning"(Rom.15:4).Later,whenmakingmentionofIsrael’sexodusfromEgyptandtheirjourneythroughthewilderness,heaffirms,"Nowthesethingswereourexamples"and"Nowallthesethingshappeneduntothemforensamples:(marg."types")andtheyarewrittenforouradmonition"(1Cor.10:6-11).Again;whencommentingupon,andwhileexpoundingthespiritualsignificanceoftheTabernacle,hedeclaresthatitwas"theexampleandshadowofheavenlythings"(Heb.8:5).Inthenextchapterhedeclares,"TheTabernacle...wasafigureforthetimethenpresent"(Heb.9:8-9)andinHebrews10hestates,"Thelaw"had"ashadowofgoodthingstocome"(10:1).FromthesedeclarationsitisevidentthatGodHimselfcausedtheTabernacletobeerectedexactlyaccordingtothepatternwhichHehadshowedMoses,fortheexpresspurposethatitshouldbeatypeforsymbolizingheavenlythings.HenceitbecomesourprivilegeandboundendutytoseekbythehelpoftheHolySpirittoascertainthemeaningofthetypesoftheOldTestament.

InadditiontotheexpressdeclarationsoftheNewTestamentquotedabove,thereareanumberofadditionalpassageswhichalsoteachthesamething.JohntheBaptisthailedourSaviouras"TheLambofGodwhichtakethawaythesinoftheworld,"thatis,asthegreatAntitypeofthesacrificiallambsofOldTestamentritual.InHisdiscoursewithNicodemusourLordalludedtotheliftingupoftheBrazenSerpentinthewildernessasatypeofHisownliftingupontheCross.WritingtotheCorinthianstheApostlePaulsaid,"ChristourPassoverissacrificedforus"(1Cor.5:7),thussignifyingthatExodus12pointedforwardtotheLordJesus.WritingtotheGalatiansthesameApostlemakesmentionof

thehistoryofAbraham,hiswivesandhischildren,andthenstates"whichthingsareanallegory"(Gal.4:24).Nowtherearemanybrethrenwhowillownthetypicalsignificanceofthesethings,butwhorefusetoacknowledgethatanythingelseintheOldTestamenthasatypicalmeaningsavethosewhichareexpresslyinterpretedintheNew.ButthisweconceivetobeamistakeandtoplacealimituponthescopeandvalueoftheWordofGod.RatherletusregardthoseOldTestamenttypeswhichareexpoundedintheNewTestamentassamplesofotherswhicharenotexplained.AretherenomorepropheciesintheOldTestamentthanthosewhich,intheNewTestament,aresaidtobe"fulfilled"?Assuredly.Thenletusadmitthesameconcerningthetypes.

SeveralvolumeswouldbefilledwerewetodwelluponeverythingintheOldTestamentwhichhasatypicalmeaningandspiritualapplication.Allwecannowattemptistosingleoutafewillustrationsassamples,leavingourreaderstopursuefurtherthisentrancingstudyforthemselves.

TheveryfirstchapterofGenesisisrichinitsspiritualcontents.Notonlydoesitgiveustheonlyreliableandauthenticaccountofthecreationofthisworld,butitalsorevealsGod’sorderintheworkofthenewcreation.InGenesis1:1wehavetheoriginalorprimitivecreation—"inthebeginning".Fromthenextverseweinferthatsomedreadfulcalamityfollowed.ThehandiworkofGodwasmarred,"theearthbecame(not"was")withoutformandvoid"—adesolatewasteandemptyruin.Theearthwassubmerged.Asceneofdrearinessanddeathisintroduced—"anddarknesswasuponthefaceofthedeep."Notonlywasthisthehistoryoftheearth,butitwasalsothehistoryofman.InthebeginninghewascreatedbyGod—createdintheimageandlikenessofhisMaker.Butaterriblecalamityfollowed.Anenemyappearedonthescene.Theheartofthecreaturewasseduced,unbeliefanddisobediencebeingtheconsequence.Manfell,andawfulwashisfall.God’simagewasbroken:humannaturewasruinedbysin:desolationanddeathtooktheplaceofGod’slikenessandlife.Inconsequenceofhissin,man’smindwasblindedanddarknessresteduponthefaceofhisunderstanding.

Next,wereadinGenesis1,oftheworkreconstruction.Theorderfollowedisprofoundlysignificant—"TheSpiritofGodmoveduponthe

faceofthewaters.AndGodsaid,Lettherebelight:andtherewaslight"(vs.3-4).Theparallelholdsgoodinregeneration.Intheworkofthenewbirthwhichisperformedwithinthedarkenedandspirituallydeadsinner,theSpiritofGodistheprimemover,convictingthesoulofitslostandruinedconditionandrevealingtheneedoftheappointedSaviour.TheinstrumentthatHeemploysisthewrittenWord,theWordofGod,andineverygenuineconversionGodsays,"Lettherebelight,"andthereislight."ForGod,whocommandedthelighttoshineoutofdarkness,hathshinedinourhearts,togivethelightoftheknowledgeofthegloryofGodinthefaceofJesusChrist"(2Cor.4:6).Theparallelmightbefollowedmuchfurther,butsufficienthasbeensaidtoshowthatbeneaththeactualhistoryofGenesis1maybediscernedbytheanointedeyethespiritualhistoryofthebeliever’snewcreation,andassuchitbearsthestampofitsDivineAuthorandevidencesthefactthattheopeningchapteroftheBibleisnomerehumancompilation.

InthecoatsofskinwithwhichtheLordGodclothedourfirstparentswehaveanincidentthatisfullofspiritualinstructionandwhichcouldneverhavebeeninventedbyman.Toobtaintheseskinslifehadtobetaken,bloodhadtobeshed,theinnocent(animals)mustdieintheplaceofAdamandEvewhowereguilty,soastoprovideacoveringforthem.Thus,theGospeltruthsofredemptionbyblood-sheddingandsalvationthroughasubstitutionarysacrifice,werepreachedinEden.Beitnotedthatmandidnothavetoprovideacoveringforhimselfanymorethanthe"prodigalson"did,norweretheyaskedtoclothethemselvesanymorethanwashe:intheonecaseweread,"TheLordGodmadecoatsofskinsandclothedthem"(Gen.3:21),andintheotherthecommandwas,"Bringforththebestrobe,andputitonhim"(Luke15:22),andbothspeakof"therobeofrighteousness"(Isa.61:10)whichisfurnishedinChrist.

IntheofferingswhichCainandAbelpresentedtotheLord,andintheresponsewhichtheymetwith,wediscoveraforeshadowingofNewtestamenttruths.Abelbroughtofthefirstlingsoftheflockwiththeirfat.HerecognizedthathewasalienatedfromGodandcouldnotdrawnightoHimwithoutasuitableoffering.Hesawthathisownlifewasforfeitedthroughsin,thatjusticeclamoredforhisdeath,andthathisonlyhopelayinanother(alamb)dyinginhisstead.ByfaithAbelpresentedhisbloody

offeringtoGodanditwasaccepted.Ontheotherhand,CainrefusedtotaketheplaceofalostsinnerbeforeGod.Herefusedtoacknowledgethatdeathwashisdue.Herefusedtoplacehisconfidenceinasacrificialsubstitute.HebroughtasanofferingtoGodthefruitsoftheground—theproductofhisownlaborsandinconsequence,hisofferingwasrejected.Thus,atthecommencementofhumanhistorywehaveshownforththefactthatsalvationisbygracethroughfaithandaltogetherapartfromworks(Eph.2:8-9).

InthegreatDelugeandthearkinwhichNoahandhishousefoundshelter,wehaveatypificationofgreatspiritualverities.FromthemwelearnthatGodtakescognizanceofthedoingsofHiscreatures;thatHeisholyandsinisabhorrenttoHim;thatHisrighteousnessrequiresHimtopunishsinanddestroysinners.Yet,herealsowelearnthatinjudgmentGodremembersmercy,thatHehasnopleasureinthedeathofthewicked;thatHisgraceprovidesarefugeifonlyHissinfulcreatureswillavailthemselvesofHisprovision.YetonlyinoneplacecandeliverancefromtheDivinewrathbefound.Inthearkaloneissafetyandsecurity.And,inlikemanner,today,thereisonlyoneSaviourforsinners,andthatistheLordJesusChrist,"Neitheristheresalvationinanyother:forthereisnoneothernameunderheavengivenamongmen,wherebywemustbesaved"(Act4:12).

InthedeliveranceofIsraelfromEgyptandtheirwildernessjourneyweseeportrayedthehistoryofGod’speopleinthepresentdispensation.We,too,werelivinginaworld"withoutGodandwithouthope."We,too,wereinbondagetothecrueltaskmastersofsinandSatan.We,too,wereinimminentdangeroffallingbeneaththeswordoftheavengingAngelofJustice.But,forus,too,awayofescapewasprovided.Forus,too,aLambwasslain.Untous,too,wasgiventhepreciouspromise,"WhenIseethebloodIwillpassoveryou"(Exod.12:13).Andwe,too,wereredeemedbyAlmightypowerandwere"deliveredfromthepowerofdarknessandtranslatedintothekingdomofGod’sdearSon"(Col.1:13)

AfterourexodusfromEgyptthereliesbeforeusapilgrimjourneythroughabarrenandhostilewildernessaswejourneytowardthePromisedLand.Wehavetopassthroughastrangecountryandmeetwithenemyforces,thatweareunabletoovercomeinourownstrength.

Forthesetasksourownresources—thethingswebroughtwithusoutofEgypt—arealtogetherinadequate,andthuswe,too,arecastuponthesufficiencyofIsrael’sGod.AndblessedbeHisname,ampleprovisionismadeforusandgraceisfurnishedforeveryneed.ForusthereisheavenlymannaintheexceedinggreatandpreciouspromisesofGod.ForustherecomeswateroutoftheSmittenRockinthepersonoftheHolySpirit(John7:38-39)whorefreshesoursoulsbytakingofthethingsofChristandshowingthemuntousandwhostrengthensuswithmightintheinnerman.Forustoo,thereisapillarofcloudandfiretoguideusbydayandbynightintheHolyScriptureswhicharealampuntoourfeetandalightuntoourpath.Forus,too,thereisOnetocounselanddirectus,tointercedeforusandhelpusovercomeourAmalekitesintheCaptainofoursalvationwhohassaid,"Lo,Iamwithyoualway,evenuntotheend."And,atthecloseofourpilgrimageweshallenterafairerlandthanthatwhichflowedwithmilkandhoneyforwehavebeenbegotten"toaninheritanceincorruptibleandundefiled,andthatfadednotaway,reservedinheaven"forus.

Letthecarefulandimpartialreaderweighthoroughlywhathasbeensaidabove,andsurelyitisevidentthatthenumerousresemblancesbetweenthestoryofIsraelandthespiritualhistoryofGod’schildreninthisdispensationcannotbesomanycoincidences,andcanonlybeaccountedforonthegroundthatthewritingsofMoseswereinspiredbytheLivingGod.

ThehistoryofIsraelinCanaanastheprofessedpeopleofGodcorrespondswiththehistoryoftheprofessingchurchintheNewTestamentdispensation.AfterMoses,theonewholedIsraeloutfromtheirEgyptianbondage,cameJoshuawholedIsraelintheirconquestofCanaan.SoafterourLordleftthisearth,HesenttheHolySpiritwhothroughtheApostlescausedtheJericho’sandAi’sofPaganismtobeoverthrownandthegreaterpartoftheworldtobeevangelized.ButaftertheiroccupancyofCanaanIsrael’shistorywasasadone,beingcharacterizedbyspiritualdeclinationanddeparturefromGod.Soitwaswiththeprofessingchurch.VeryquicklyafterthedeathoftheApostlesheresycorruptedtheChristianprofession,andjustasIsraelofoldgrewtiredofatheocracyanddemandedahumanheadandking,likethenationswhichsurroundedthem,sotheprofessingchurchbecame

dissatisfiedwiththeNewTestamentformofchurchgovernmentandsubmittedtothedominationofapope.AndjustasIsrael’skingsbecamemoreandmorecorruptuntilGodwouldbearwiththemnolongerandsoldHispeopleintocaptivity,soafterthesettingupofthePapalSeetherefollowedthelongperiodoftheDarkAgeswhenEuropewassubjectedtoaspiritualbondageandwhentheWordofGodwasboundinchains.Then,justasGodraisedupEzraandNehemiahtorecoverthelivingoracleandtoleadoutoftheircaptivityaremnantofHispeople,sointhesixteenthcentury,A.D.,GodraisedupLutherandhonoredcontemporariestobringaboutthegreatReformationofProtestantism.Finally:justasafterthedaysofEzraandHehemiahtheJewsinPalestinewitnessedamarkedspiritualdeclination,ultimatelylapsingintotheritualismofthePhariseesandtherationalismoftheSadduceesfromwhichGod’selectweredeliveredonlybytheappearingofHisownSon,sohashistoryrepeateditself.SinceReformationandthelastofthePuritans,Christendomhasmovedswiftlyinthedirectionofthepredictedapostasy,andtodaywehavereproducedtheancientPhariseeismintherapidspreadofRomanCatholicism,andtheancientSadduceeisminthefar-reachingeffectsoftheinfidelisticHigherCriticism:andasitwasbefore,soitwillbeagain—God’selectwillbedeliveredonlybythereappearingofourLordandSaviourJesusChrist.

ThusweseehowwonderfullyandaccuratelytheOldtestamenthistoryrunsparallelwithandanticipatedthehistoryoftheprofessingchurchintheNewTestamentdispensation.Ithasbeentrulysaidthat"Comingeventscasttheirshadowsbeforethem,"andwhobutHewhoknowstheendfromthebeginningandwhoupholdsallthingsbythewordofHispower,couldhavecausedtheshadowoftheOldTestamenttohavetakentheshapetheydid,andthusgiveatrueandcomprehensiveparabolicsettingforthofthatwhichhastakenplacethousandsofyearslater!

ButnotonlydothebroadoutlinesofOldTestamenthistorypossessatypicalmeaning,everythingintheOldTestamentScriptureshasaspiritualvalue.

EverybattlefoughtbytheIsraelites,everychangeintheadministrationoftheirgovernment,everydetailintheirelaborate

ceremonialism,andeverypersonalbiographynarratedintheBible,isdesignedforourinstructionandedification.TheBiblecontainsnothingthatissuperfluous.FrombeginningtoendtheScripturestestifyofChrist.Inanimateobjectsliketheark,whichtellsofsecurityinChristfromthestormsofDivinewrath;likethemanna,whichspeaksofHimastheBreadofLife;likethebrazenSerpentupliftedonthepole,oftheTabernacle,whichpresentsHimasthemeetingplaceofGodandmen—allforeshadowedtheRedeemer.LivingcreatureslikethePassoverLamb,thesacrificialbullocks,goatsandrams,allpointedforwardingeneralandindetailtothegreatSacrificeforsins.InstitutionslikethePassoverwhichprefiguredHisdeath;likethewavingofthefirst-fruits,whichforecastHisresurrection;likethefastofPentecostwithitstwoloavesbakenwithleaven,tellingoftheunitingintooneBodyoftheJewandtheGentile;liketheBurnt,theMealandthePeace"sweetsavor"offerings,whichproclaimedtheexcellencyofChrist’spersonintheesteemofGod—allemblemizedourblessedSaviour.And,manyoftheleadingpersonagesofOldTestamentbiographygavearemarkabledelineationofourLord’scharacterandearthlyministry.

AbelwasatypeofChrist.HisnamesignifiesvanityandemptinesswhichforeshadowedtheLordJesuswho"madeHimselfofnoreputation,"literally"emptiedHimself"(Phil.2:7),whenHeassumedthenatureofmanwhois"likeuntovanity"(Ps.72:9).Bycalling,Abel,wasashepherd,anditwasinhisshepherdcharacterhebroughtanofferingtoGod,namely,thefirstlingsofhisflock—speakingoftheGoodShepherdwhoofferedHimselftoGod.TheofferingwhichAbelbroughttoGodistermedan"excellent"one(Heb.11:4)andassuchitpointedforwardtothepreciousbloodofChrist,thevalueofwhichcannotbeestimatedinsilverandgold.Abel’sofferingwasacceptedbyGod,God"testifying"Hisapprovalofit;and,inlikemanner,GodpubliclywitnessedtoHisacceptanceofChrist’ssacrificewhenHeraisedHimfromtheDead(Acts2:32).Abel’sofferingstillspeakstoGod—"byithebeingdead,yetspeaketh;"so,too,Christ’soffering"speaks"toGod(Heb.12:24).Thoughguiltyofnooffense,Abelwashatedbyhisbrotherandcruellyslainathishand,foreshadowingthetreatmentwhichtheLordJesusreceivedatthehandsoftheJews—Hisbrethrenaccordingtotheflesh.

IsaacwasatypeofChrist.Hewasthechildofpromise.Hisnativity

wasannouncedbyanangel.Hewassupernaturallybegotten.Hewasbornatanappointedtime.HewasnamedbyGod(Gen.1:18-19).Hewasthe"seed"towhomthepromisesweremadeandthroughwhomtheyweresecured.Hebecameobedientuntodeath.Hecarriedonhisownshoulderthewoodonwhichhewastobeoffered.Hewassecurelyfastenedtothealtar.HewaspresentedasasacrificetoGod.HewasofferedonMountMoriah—thesameonwhich,twothousandyearslater,JesusChristwasoffered.And,itwasonthe"thirdday"thatAbrahamreceivedhimback"inafigure"fromthedead(Heb.11:19).

JosephisatypeofChrist.HewasJacob’swell-belovedson.Hereadilyrespondedtohisfather’swillwhenaskedtogoonamissiontohisbrethren.Whileseekinghisbrethrenhebecamea"wandererinthefield"(Gen.37:15)—the"field"figuringtheworld(seeMatt.13:38).HefoundhisbrethreninDothanwhichsignifiesthelaw—sotheLordJesusfoundHisbrethrenunderthebondageofthelaw.Hisbrethrenmockedandrefusedtoreceivehim.Hisbrethrentookcounseltogetheragainsthimthattheymightputhimtodeath.Judah(JudasistheGreekformofthesameword)advisedhisbrethrentosellJosephtotheIshmaelites.Afterhehadbeenrejectedbyhisbrethren,JosephwastakendownintoEgyptinorderthathemightbecomeaSaviourtotheworld.WhileinEgypt,Josephwastempted,notwithoutanycompromiseheputfromhimtheevilsolicitation.Hewasfalselyaccusedandthroughnofaultofhisownwascastintoprison.Therehewastheinterpreterofdreams—theonewhothrewlightonwhatwasmysterious.Inprisonhebecamethesavoroflifetothebutler,andthesavorofdeathtothebaker.Afteraperiodofhumiliationandshame,hewasexaltedtothethroneofEgypt.Fromthatthroneheadministeredbreadtoahungeringandperishinghumanity.SubsequentlyJosephbecameknowntohisbrethren,andinfulfillmentofwhathehadpreviouslyannouncedtothem,theyboweddownbeforehimandownedhissovereignty.

MoseswasatypeofChrist.MosesbecametheadoptedsonofPharaoh’sdaughter—sothatlegallyhehadamotherbutnofather,thustypifyingourLord’smiraculousbirthofavirgin.Duringinfancyhislifewasendangeredbytheevildesignsofthe...ruler.LikeChrist’s,hisearlylifewasspentinEgypt.Later,herenouncedthepositionofroyalty,refusingtobecalledthesonofPharaoh’sdaughter;andhewhowasrich,forthe

sakeofhispeople,becamepoor.BeforehecommencedHislife’swork,alongperiodwasspentinMidianinobscurity.HerehereceivedacallandcommissionfromGodtogotodeliverhisbrethrenoutoftheirterriblebondage.Thecredentialsofhismissionwereseeninthemiracleswhichheperformed.ThoughdespisedandrejectedbytherulersinEgypt,he,nevertheless,succeededindeliveringhisownpeople.Subsequently,hebecametheleaderandheadofallIsrael.Incharacterhewasthemeekestmaninalltheearth.InallGod’shousehewasfaithfulasaservant.InthewildernesshesenttwelvementospyoutCanaanasourLordsentoutthetwelveApostlestopreachtheGospel.Hefastedforfortydays.Onthemounthewastransfiguredsothattheskinofhisfaceshone.HeactedasGod’sprophettothepeople,asasthepeople’sintercessorbeforeGod.HewastheonlymanmentionedintheOldTestamentthatwasprophet,priestandking.HewasthegiverofaLaw,thebuilderofaTabernacle,andtheorganizerofaPriesthood.Hislastactwasto"blessthepeople(Deut.33:29),asourLord’slastactwasto"bless"Hisdisciples(Luke24:50).

SamsonwasatypeofChrist—seetheBookonJudges.Anangelannouncedhisbirth(13:3).FrombirthhewasaNazarite(13:5)—separatedtoGod.BeforehewasbornitwaspromisedthatheshouldbeasaviourtoIsrael(13:5).Hewastreatedunkindlybyhisownnation(15:11-13).HewasdelivereduptotheGentilesbyhisowncountrymen(15:12).HewasmockedandcruellytreatedbytheGentiles(16:19-21,25)yethewasamightydelivererofIsrael.HismiracleswereperformedunderthepoweroftheHolySpirit(14:19).Heaccomplishedmoreinhisdeaththanhedidinhislife(16:30).Hewasimprisonedintheenemy’sstronghold;thegateswerebarred,andawatchwasset;yet,risingupatmidnight,intheearlyhoursofthemorning—"agreatwhilebeforeday"—heburstthebars,brokeopenthegate,andissuedforthtriumphant—aremarkabletypeofourLord’sresurrection.Heoccupiedthepositionof"judge,"asourLordwillinthelastgreatday.

DavidwasatypeofChrist.HewasborninBethlehem.Heisdescribedas"ofabeautifulcountenanceandgoodlytolookupon."Hisnamemeans"thebeloved."Byoccupationhewasashepherd.Duringhisshepherdlifeheenteredintoconflictwithwildbeasts.HeslewGoliath—theopposerofGod’speopleandatypeofSatan.Fromtheobscurityof

shepherdhoodhewasexaltedtoIsrael’sthrone.Hewasanointedaskingbeforehewascoronated.Hewaspreeminentlyamanofprayer(seethePsalms)andistheonlyoneinScripturetermed"ThemanafterGod’sownheart."Hewasamanofsorrowsandacquaintedwithgrief,sufferingchieflyfromthoseofhisownhousehold.RepeatedattemptsweremadeuponhislifebyIsrael’sruler.Whenhisenemy(Saul)wasinhispowerherefusedtoslayhim,instead,hedealtwithhiminmercyandgrace.HedeliveredIsraelfromalltheirenemiesandvanquishedalltheirfoes.

SolomonwasatypeofChrist.HewasIsrael’sking.Hisnamesignifies"Peaceable,"andheforeshadowsthemillennialreignoftheLordJesuswhenHeshallruleasPrinceofPeace.HewaschosenandordainedofGodbeforehewascrowned.Herodeuponanother’smule,notasawarrior,butasthekingofpeaceinlowlyguise(1Kings1:33).GentilestookpartinthecoronationofSolomon(1Kings1:38)typifyingtheuniversalhomagewhichChristshallreceiveduringthemillennium.TheCherethitesandPelethitesweresoldiers,sothatSolomonwasfollowedbyanarmyatthetimeofhiscoronation(1Kings1:33;cp.Rev.19:11).SolomonbeganhisreignbyshowingmercytoandyetdemandingrighteousnessfromAdonijah(1Kings1:51)—suchwillbetheleadingcharacteristicsofChrist’smillennialgovernment.SolomonwasthebuilderofIsrael’sTemple(cp.Acts15:16).AtthededicationoftheTemple,SolomonwastheonewhoofferedsacrificesuntotheLord:thusthekingfulfilledtheofficeofpriest(1Kings8:63),whichtypifiestheLordJesuswho"shallbeaPriestuponHisthrone"(Zech.6:13).Solomon’s"fame"wentabroadfarandwideand"alltheearthsoughttoSolomon"(1Kings10:24).ThequeenofSheba,representingtheGentiles,cameuptoJerusalemtopayhimhomage(1Kings10)asallthenationswilltoChristduringthemillennium(seeZech.14:16).AllIsrael’slandenjoyedrestandpeace.ThegloryandmagnificenceofSolomon’sreignhasneverbeenequaledbeforeorsince—"AndtheLordmagnifiedSolomonexceedinglyinthesightofallIsrael,andbestoweduponhimsuchroyalmajestyashadnotbeenonanykingbeforehiminIsrael"(1Chron.29:25).

Intheabovetypeswehavenotsoughttobeexhaustivebutsuggestivebysinglingoutonlytheleadinglinesineachtypicalpicture.TherearemanyotherOldTestamentcharacterswhoweretypesofChrist

whichwecannotnowconsideratlength:AdamtypifiedHisHeadship;EnochHisAscension;NoahastheproviderofaRefuge;JacobastheonewhoservedforaWife;AaronasthegreatHighPriest;JoshuaastheCaptainofoursalvation;SamuelastheFaithfulProphet;ElijahastheMiracleworker;JeremiahasthedespisedandrejectedServantofGod;DanielastheFaithfulWitnessforGod;JonahastheOneraisedfromthedeadonthethirdday.

Inclosingthischapterletusapplytheargument.OfthemanytypicalpersonsintheOldTestamentwhoprefiguretheLordJesusChrist,thestriking,theaccurate,andthemanifoldlights,inwhicheachexhibitsHimistrulyremarkable.NotwoofthemrepresentHimfromexactlythesameviewpoint.Eachonecontributesalineortwotothepicture,butallareneededtogiveacompletedelineation.Thatanauthentichistoryshouldsupplyaseriesofpersonagesindifferentages,whosecharacters,offices,andhistories,shouldexactlycorrespondwiththoseofAnotherwhodidnotappearuponearthuntilcenturieslater,canonlybeaccountedforonthesuppositionofDivineappointment.Whenweconsidertheutterdissimilarityofthesetypicalpersonstooneanother;whenwenotethattheyhadlittleornothingincommonwitheachother;whenwerememberthateachofthemrepresentssomepeculiarfeatureinacompositeAntitype;wediscoverthatwehavealiteraryphenomenonwhichistrulyremarkable.Abel,Isaac,Joseph,Moses,Samson,David,Solomon(andalltheothers)areeachdeficientwhenviewedseparately;butwhenlookedatinconjunctiontheyformanharmoniouswhole,andgiveusacompleterepresentationofourLord’smiraculousbirth,Hispeerlesscharacter,Hislife’smission,Hissacrificialdeath,Histriumphantresurrection,Hisascensiontoheaven,andHismillennialreign.Whocouldhaveinventedsuchcharacter?Howremarkablethattheearliesthistoryintheworld,extendingfromthecreationandreachingtothelastoftheprophets—writtenbyvarioushandsthroughaperiodoffifteencenturies—shouldfromstarttofinishconcentrateinasinglepoint,andthatpointthepersonandworkoftheblessedRedeemer!Verily,suchaBookmusthavebeenwrittenbyGod—nootherconclusionispossible.Beneaththehistoricalwediscernthespiritual:behindtheincidentalwebeholdthetypical:underneaththehumanbiographiesweseetheformofChrist,andinthesethingswe

discoveroneverypageoftheOldTestamentthe"watermark"ofheaven.

CHAPTER07–TheWonderfulUnityoftheBibleAttestsItsDivineAuthorship

ThemannerinwhichtheBiblehasbeenproducedarguesagainstitsunity.TheBiblewaspennedontwocontinents,writteninthreelanguages,anditscompositionandcompilationextendedthroughtheslowprogressofsixteencenturies.ThevariouspartsoftheBiblewerewrittenatdifferenttimesandunderthemostvaryingcircumstances.Partsofitwerewrittenintents,deserts,cities,palacesanddungeons;intimesofimminentdangerandinseasonsofecstaticjoy.Amongitswriterswerejudges,kings,priests,prophets,patriarchs,primeministers,herdsmen,scribes,soldiers,physiciansandfishermen.Yetdespitethesevaryingcircumstances,conditionsandworkmen,theBibleisoneBook,behinditsmanypartsthereisanunmistakableorganicunity.Itcontainsonesystemofdoctrine,onecodeofethics,oneplanofsalvationandoneruleoffaith.

Nowiffortydifferentmenwereselectedtodayfromsuchvaryingstationsandcallingsoflifeastoincludeclerks,rulers,politicians,judges,clergy,doctors,farmlaborersandfishermen,andeachwasaskedtocontributeachapterforsomebookontheologyorchurchgovernment,whentheirseveralcontributionswerecollectedandboundtogether,wouldtherebeanyunityaboutthem,couldthatbooktrulybesaidtobeonebook;orwouldnottheirdifferentproductionsvarysomuchinliteraryvalue,dictionandmatterastobemerelyaheterogeneousmass,amiscellaneouscollection?YetwedonotfindthistobethecaseinconnectionwithGod’sBook.AlthoughtheBibleisavolumeofsixty-sixBooks,writtenbyfortydifferentmen,treatingofsuchalargevarietyofthemesastocovernearlythewholerangeofhumaninquiry,wefinditisoneBook,theBook(notthebooks),theBible.

Further;ifweweretoselectspecimensofliteraturefromthethird,fifth,tenth,fifteenthandtwentiethcenturiesoftheChristianeraandweretobindthemtogether,whatunityandharmonyshouldwefindinsuchacollection?Humanwritersreflectthespiritoftheirowndayandgenerationandthecompositionsofmenlivingamidwidelydifferinginfluencesandseparatedbycenturiesoftimehavelittleornothingin

commonwitheachother.YetalthoughtheearliestportionsoftheSacredCanondatebacktoatleastthefifteenthcentury,B.C.,whilethewritingsofJohnwerenotcompletedtillthecloseofthefirstcentury,A.D.,nevertheless,wefindaperfectharmonythroughouttheScripturesfromthefirstverseinGenesistothelastverseinRevelation.ThegreatethicalandspirituallessonspresentedintheBible,bywhoevertaught,agree.

ThemoreonereallystudiestheBiblethemoreoneisconvincedthatbehindthemanyhumanmouthsthereisOneoverruling,controllingMind.Imaginefortypersonsofdifferentnationalities,possessingvariousdegreesofmusicalculturevisitingtheorganofsomecathedralandatlongintervalsoftime,andwithoutanycollusionwhatever,strikingsixty-sixdifferentnotes,whichwhencombinedyieldedthethemeofthegrandestoratorioeverheard:woulditnotshowthatbehindthesefortydifferentmentherewasonepresidingmind,onegreatTonemaster?Aswelistentosomegreatorchestra,withanimmensevarietyofinstrumentsplayingtheirdifferentparts,butproducingmelodyandharmony,werealizethatatthebackofthesemanymusiciansthereisthepersonalityandgeniusofthecomposer.AndwhenweenterthehallsoftheDivineAcademyandlistentotheheavenlychoirssingingtheSongofRedemption,allinperfectaccordandunison,weknowthatitisGodHimselfwhohaswrittenthemusicandputthissongintotheirmouths.

WenowsubmittwoillustrationswhichdemonstratetheunityoftheHolyScriptures.CertaingrandconceptionsrunthroughtheentireBiblelikeacordonwhicharestrungsomanypreciouspearls.FirstandforemostamongthemistheDivinePlanofRedemption.JustasthescarletthreadrunsthroughallthecordageoftheBritishNavy,soacrimsonaurasurroundseverypageofGod’sWord.

IntheScripturesthePlanofRedemptioniscentralandfundamental.InGenesiswehaverecordedtheCreationandFallofmantoshowthathehasthecapacityforandisinneedofredemption.NextwefindthePromiseoftheRedeemer,formanrequirestohavebeforehimthehopeandexpectationofaSaviour.Thenfollowsanelaboratesystemofsacrificesandofferingsandtheserepresentpictoriallythenatureofredemptionandtheconditionunderwhichsalvationisrealized.AtthecommencementoftheNewTestamentwehavethefourGospelsand

theysetforththeBasisofRedemption,namely,theIncarnation,Life,Death,ResurrectionandAscensionoftheRedeemer.NextcomestheBookoftheActswhichillustratesagainandagainthePowerofRedemption,showingthatitisadequatetoworkitsgreatresultsinthesalvationofbothJewandGentile.Finally,intheRevelation,weareshowntheultimatetriumphsofredemption,theGoalofSalvation—theredeemeddwellingwithGodinperfectunionandcommunion.ThusweseethatthoughalargenumberofhumanmediawereemployedinthewritingoftheBible,yettheirproductionsarenotindependentofeachother,butarecomplementaryandsupplementarypartsofonegreatwhole;thatonesublimetruthiscommontothemall,namely,man’sneedofredemptionandGod’sprovisionofaRedeemer.Andtheonlyexplanationofthisfactis,that"AllScriptureisgivenbyinspirationofGod."

Secondly;amongallthemanypersonalitiespresentedintheBible,wefindthatonestandsoutaboveallothers,notmerelyprominentbutpreeminent.JustasinthesceneunveiledinthefifthchapteroftheRevelationwefindtheLambinthecenteroftheheavenlythrongs,sowefindthatintheScripturesalso,theLordJesusChristisaccordedtheplacewhichalonebefitsHisuniquePerson.ConsideredfromonestandpointtheScripturesarereallythebiographyoftheSonofGod.

IntheOldTestamentwehavethePromiseofourLord’sIncarnationandMediatorialwork.IntheGospelswehavetheProclamationofHisMissionandtheProofsofHisMessianicclaimsandauthority.IntheActswehaveademonstrationofHissavingPowerandtheexecutionofHismissionaryProgram.IntheEpistleswefindanexpositionandamplificationofHisPreceptsfortheeducationofHisPeople.WhileintheApocalypsewebeholdtheunveilingorPresentationofHisPersonandthePreparationoftheearthforHisPresence.TheBibleisthereforeseentobepeculiarlytheBookofJesusChrist.ChristnotonlytestifiedtotheScripturesbuteachsectionoftheScripturestestifyofHim.EverypageoftheHolyBookhasstampeduponitHisphotographandeverychapterbearsHisautograph.Heisitsonegreattheme,andtheonlyexplanationofthisfactisthat,theHolySpiritsuperintendedtheworkofeachandeverywriteroftheScriptures.

TheunityoftheScripturesisfurthertobeseenonthefactthattheyareentirelyfreefromanyrealcontradictions.Thoughdifferentwritersoftendescribedthesameincidents—asforexamplethefourevangelistsrecordingthefactsrelatingtoourLord’sministryandredemptivework—andthoughthereisconsiderablevarietyinthenarrationsofthese,yettherearenorealdiscrepancies.Theharmonyexistingbetweenthemdoesnotappearonthesurface,but,often,isonlydiscoveredbyprotractedstudy,thoughitistherenevertheless.Moreover,thereisperfectagreementofdoctrinebetweenallthewritersintheBible.TheteachingoftheprophetsandtheteachingoftheApostlesonthegreattruthsofGod’srighteousness,thedemandsofHisholiness,theutterruinofman,theexceedingsinfulnessofsin,andthewayofsalvation,isentirelyharmonious.Thismightappearathingeasilyeffected.Butthosewhoareacquaintedwithhumannature,andhavereadwidelythewritingsofmen,willacknowledgethatnothingbuttheinspirationofthewriterscanexplainthisfact.Nowherecanwefindtwouninspiredwriters,howeversimilartheymayhavebeenintheirreligioussentiments,whoagreeinallpointsofdoctrine.Nay,entireconsistencyofsentimentisnottobefoundeveninthewritingsofthesameauthoratdifferentperiods.InhislateryearsSpurgeon’sstatementofsomedoctrineswasmuchmoremodifiedthantheutterancesofhisearlierdays.Increasingknowledgecausesmentochangetheirviewsuponmanysubjects.ButamongthewritersofScripturethereisthemostperfectharmony,becausetheyobtainedtheirknowledgeoftruthanddutynotbytheeffortsofstudy,butfrominspirationbytheHolySpiritofGod.

Whenthereforewefindthatintheproductionsoffortydifferentmenthereisperfectaccordandconcord,unisonandunity,harmonyinalltheirteachings,andthesameconceptionspervadingalltheirwritings,theconclusionisirresistiblethatbehindtheirminds,andguidingtheirhands,therewasthemaster-mindofGodHimself.DoesnottheunityoftheBibleillustratetheDivineInspirationoftheBibleanddemonstratethetruthofitsownassertionthat"God(who)atsundrytimesandindiversmannersspakeintimepastuntothefathersbytheprophets"(Heb.1:1)?

CHAPTER08–TheMarvelousInfluenceoftheBibleDeclaresItsSuper-HumanCharacter

TheinfluenceoftheBibleisworld-wide.Itsmightypowerhasaffectedeverydepartmentofhumanactivity.ThecontentsoftheScriptureshavesuppliedthemesforthegreatestpoets,artistsandmusicianswhichtheworldhasyetproduced,andhavebeenthemightiestfactorofallinshapingthemoralprogressoftherace.LetusconsiderafewexamplesoftheBible’sinfluenceasdisplayedinthevariousrealmsofhumanenterprise.

Takeawaysuchsublimeoratoriosas"Elijah"and"TheMessiah,"andyouhavetakenoutoftherealmofmusicsomethingwhichcanneverbeduplicated;destroythecountlesshymnswhichhavedrawntheirinspirationfromtheScripturesandyouhaveleftuslittleelseworthsinging.

EliminatefromthecompositionsofTennyson,WordsworthandCarlisleeveryreferencetothemoralandspiritualtruthstaughtinGod’sWordandyouhavestrippedthemoftheirbeautyandrobbedthemoftheirfragrance.TakedownfromoffthewallsofourbestArtGalleriesthosepictureswhichportrayscenesandincidentsinthehistoryofIsraelandthelifeofourLordandyouhaveremovedtherichestgemsfromthecrownofhumangenius.RemovefromourstatutebookseverylawwhichisfoundedupontheethicalconceptionsoftheBibleandyouhaveannihilatedthegreatestfactorinmoderncivilization.RobourlibrariesofeverybookwhichisdevotedtotheworkofelaboratinganddisseminatingthepreceptsandconceptsofHolyWritandyouhavetakenfromusthatwhichcannotbevaluedindollarsandcents.

TheBiblehasdonemorefortheemancipationandcivilizationoftheheathenthanalltheforceswhichthehumanarmcanwield,puttogether.Someonehassaid,"DrawalinearoundthenationswhichhavetheBibleandyouwillthenhavedividedbetweenbarbarismandcivilization,betweenthriftandpoverty,betweenselfishnessandcharity,betweenoppressionandfreedom,betweenlifeandtheshadowofdeath."EvenDarwinhadtoconcedethemiraculouselementinthetriumphsofthemissionariesofthecross.

Herearetwoorthreemenwholandonasavageisland.Itsinhabitantspossesnoliteratureandhavenowrittenlanguage.Theyregardthewhitemanastheirenemyandhavenodesiretobeshown"theerroroftheirways."Theyarecannibalsbyinstinctandlittlebetterthanthebrutebeastsintheirhabitsoflife.Themissionarieswhohaveenteredtheirmidsthavenomoneywithwhichtobuytheirfriendship,noarmytocompeltheirobedienceandnomerchandisetostirtheiravarice.Theironlyweaponis"theSwordoftheSpirit,"theironlycapital"theunsearchablerichesofChrist,"theironlyoffertheinvitationoftheGospel.Yetsomehowtheysucceed,andwithoutthesheddingofanybloodgainthevictory.Inafewshortyearsnakedsavageryischangedtothegarbofcivilization,lustistransformedintopurity,crueltyisnowkindness,avaricehasbecomeunselfishness,andwherebeforevindictivenessexistedthereisnowtobeseenmeeknessandthespiritoflovingself-sacrifice.AndthishasbeenaccomplishedbytheBible!Thismiracleisstillbeingrepeatedineverypartoftheearth!Whatotherbook,orlibraryofbooks,couldworksucharesult?IsitnotevidenttoallthattheBookwhichdoesexertsuchauniqueandunrivaledinfluencemustbevitalizedbythelifeofGodHimself?

Thiswonderfulcharacteristic,namelytheuniqueinfluenceoftheBible,isrenderedthemoreremarkablewhenwetakeintoaccounttheantiquityoftheScriptures!ThelastBookswhichwereaddedtotheSacredCanonarenowmorethaneighteenhundredyearsold,yettheworkingsoftheBibleareasmightyintheireffectstodayastheywereinthefirstcenturyoftheChristianera.

Thepowerofman’sbookssoonwaneanddisappear.Withbutfewexceptionstheproductionsofthehumanintellectenjoyabriefexistence.Asageneralrulethewritingsofmanwithinfiftyyearsoftheirfirstpublicappearancelieuntouchedonthetopshelvesofourlibraries.Man’swritingsarelikehimself—dyingcreatures.Mancomesontotheageofthisworld,playshispartinthedramaoflife,influencestheaudiencewhileheisacting,butisforgottenassoonasthecurtainfallsuponhisbriefcareer;soitiswithhiswritings.Whiletheyarefreshandnewtheyamuse,interestorinstructasthewisemaybe,andthendieanaturaldeath.Eventhefewexceptionstothisruleonlyexertaverylimitedinfluence,theirpoweriscircumscribed;theyareunreadbythegreat

majority,yea,areunknowntothebiggestportionofourrace.ButhowdifferentwithGod’sBook!ThewrittenWord,liketheLivingWord,is"Thesameyesterday,andtoday,andforever,"andunlikeanyotherbookithasmadeitswayintoallcountriesandspeakswithequalclearness,directnessandforcetoallmenintheirmothertongue.TheBibleneverbecomesantiquated,itsvitalityneverdiminishesanditsinfluenceismoreirresistibleanduniversaltodaythanitwastwothousandsyearsago.SuchfactsasthesedeclarewithnouncertainvoicethattheBibleisenduedwiththesameDivinelifeandenergyasitsAuthor,forinnootherwaycanweaccountforitsmarvelousinfluencethroughthecenturiesanditsmightypowerupontheworld.

CHAPTER09–TheMiraculousPoweroftheBibleShowsForthThatItsInspireristheAlmighty

I.ThePowerofGod’sWordtoConvictMenofSin.

InHebrews4:12wehaveaScripturewhichdrawsattentiontothispeculiarcharacteristicoftheBible—"FortheWordofGodisquick,andpowerful,andsharperthananytwoedgedsword,piercingeventothedividingasunderofsoulandspirit,andofthejointsandmarrow,andisadiscernerofthethoughtsandintentsoftheheart."Thewritingsofmenmaysometimesstirtheemotions,searchtheconscience,andinfluencethehumanwill,butinamanneranddegreepossessedbynootherbooktheBibleconvictsmenoftheirguiltandlostestate.TheWordofGodistheDivinemirror,forinitmanreadsthesecretsofhisownguiltysoulandseesthevilenessofhisownevilnature.Inawayabsolutelypeculiartothemselves,theScripturesdiscernthethoughtsandintentsoftheheartandrevealtomenthefactthattheyarelostsinnersandinthepresenceofaHolyGod.

SomethirtyyearsagothereresidedinoneoftheTemplesofThibetaBuddhistpriestwhohadconversedwithnoChristianmissionary,hadheardnothingaboutthecrossofChrist,andhadneverseenacopyoftheWordofGod.Onedaywhilesearchingforsomethinginthetemple,hecameacrossatranscriptionofMatthew’sGospel,whichyearsbeforehadbeenlefttherebyanativewhohadreceiveditfromsometravelingmissionary.Hiscuriosityaroused,theBuddhistpriestcommencedtoreadit,butwhenhereachedtheeighthverseinthefifthchapterhepausedandponderedoverit:"Blessedarethepureinheart:fortheyshallseeGod."AlthoughheknewnothingabouttherighteousnessofhisMaker,althoughhewasquiteignorantconcerningthedemandsofGod’sholiness,yethewasthereandthenconvictedofhissins,andaworkofDivinegracecommencedinhissoul.Monthaftermonthwentbyandeachdayhesaidtohimself,"IshallneverseeGod,forIamimpureinheart."SlowlybutsurelytheworkoftheHolySpiritdeepenedwithinhimuntilhesawhimselfasalostsinner;vile,guilty,andundone.

Aftercontinuingformorethanayearinthismiserableconditionthepriestonedayheardthata"foreigndevil"wasvisitingatownnearbyand

sellingbookswhichspokeaboutGod.ThesamenighttheBuddhistpriestfledfromthetempleandjourneyedtothetownwherethemissionarywasresiding.Onreachinghisdestinationhesoughtoutthemissionaryandatoncesaidtohim,"IsittruethatonlythosewhoarepureinheartwillseeGod?""Yes,"repliedthemissionary,"butthesameBookwhichtellsyouthat,alsotellsyouhowyoumayobtainapureheart,"andthenhetalkedtohimaboutourLord’satoningworkandhowthat"thebloodofJesusChristHisSoncleansethusfromallsin."QuicklythelightofGodfloodedthesouloftheBuddhistpriestandhefoundthepeacewhich"passethallunderstanding."NowwhatotherbookintheworldoutsideoftheBible,containsasentenceorevenachapterwhich,withouttheaidofanyhumancommentator,iscapableofconvincingandconvictingaheathenthatheisalostsinner?DoesnotthefactofthemiraculouspoweroftheBible,whichhasbeenillustratedbythousandsoffullyauthenticatedcasessimilartotheabove,declarethattheScripturesaretheinspiredWordofGod,vestedwiththesamemightastheirOmnipotentAuthor?

II.ThePowerofGod’sWordtoDeliverMenFromSin.

Asingleincidentwhichwasbroughtbeforethenoticeofthewritermustsufficetoillustratetheabovementionedtruth.

SomefortyyearsagoaChristiangentlemanstooduponthequayoftheLiverpooldocksdistributingtractstothesailors.InthecourseofhisworkhehandedonetoamanwhowasjustembarkingonavoyagetoChina,andwithanoaththesailortookit,crumpleditupandthrustitintohispocket.Somethreeweeksafter,thissailorwasdowninhiscabinandneedinga"spell"withwhichtolighthispipefeltinhispocketforthenecessarypaperanddrewoutthelittletractwhichhehadreceivedinLiverpool.Onrecognizingitheutteredaterribleoathandtorethepaperinpieces.Onesmallfragmentadheredtohistarryhandandglancingatithesawthesewords,"PreparetomeetthyGod."Whenrelatingtheincidenttothewriterhesaid,"Itwasatthatmomentasthoughaswordhadpiercedmyheart.""PreparetomeetthyGod"rangagainandagaininhisears,andwithastrickenedconsciencehewastormentedabouthislostcondition.Presentlyheretiredforthenight,butsleephecouldnot.Indesperationhegotupanddressedandwentaboveandpacedthedeck.

Hourafterhourhewalkedupanddown,buttryashemighthecouldnotdismissfromhismindthewords,"PreparetomeetthyGod."Foryearsthismanhadbeenahelplessslaveinthegripofstrongdrinkandknowinghisweaknesshesaid:"HowcanIpreparetomeetGod,whenIamsopowerlesstoovercomemybesettingsin?"Finally,hegotdownuponhiskneesandcried:"OGod,havemercyonme,savemefrommysins,delivermefromthepowerofdrinkandhelpmeprepareforthemeetingwithThee."Morethanthirty-fiveyearsafter,thisconvertedsailortoldthewriterthatfromthenighthehadreadthatquotationfromGod’sWord,hadprayedthatprayer,andhadacceptedChristashisSaviourfromsin,hehadnevertastedasingledropofintoxicatingliquorandhadneveroncehadadesiretocravingforstrongdrink.HowmarvelousisthepowerofGod’sWordtodelivermenfromsin!Truly,asDr.Torreyhaswellsaid,"ABookwhichwillliftmenuptoGodmusthavecomedownfromGod."

III.ThePowerofGod’sWordOvertheHumanAffections.

Inthousandsofinstancesmenandwomenhavebeenstretcheduponthe"rack,"tornlimbfromlimb,throwntothewildbeasts,andhavebeenburnedatthestakeratherthanabandontheBibleandpromiseneveragaintoreaditssacredpages.Forwhatotherbookwouldmenandwomensufferanddie?

MorethantwohundredyearsagowhenacopyoftheBiblewasmuchmoreexpensivethanitisinthesedays,apeasantwholivedintheCountyofCork,Ireland,heardthatagentlemaninhisneighborhoodhadacopyoftheNewtestamentintheIrishlanguage.Accordinglyhevisitedthismanandaskedtobeallowedtoseeit,andafterlookingatitwithgreatinterestbeggedtobeallowedtocopyit.Knowinghowpoorthepeasantwasthegentlemanaskedhimwherehewouldgethispaperandinkfrom?"Iwillbuythem,"wasthereply."Andwherewillyoufindaplacetowrite?""Ifyourhonorwillallowmetheuseofyourhall,I’llcomeaftermyday’sworkisoverandcopyalittleatatimeintheevenings."Thegentlemanwassomovedatthisman’sintenseloveoftheBiblethathegavehimtheuseofhishallandlightandprovidedhimwithpaperandinkaswell.Truetohispurposeandpromise,thepeasantlaborednightafter

nightuntilhehadwrittenoutacompletecopyoftheNewTestament.Afterwardsaprintedcopywasgiventohim,andthewrittenTestamentispreservedbytheBritishandForeignBibleSociety.Again,weask,whatotherbookintheworldcouldobtainsuchaholdupontheaffectionsandwinsuchloveandreverence,andproducesuchself-sacrificingtoil?

CHAPTER10–TheCompletenessoftheBibleDemonstratesItsDivinePerfection

TheantiquityoftheScripturesarguesagainsttheircompleteness.ThecompilationoftheBiblewascompletedmorethaneighteencenturiesago,whilethegreaterpartoftheworldwasyetuncivilized.SinceJohnaddedthecapstonetotheTempleofGod’sTruththerehavebeenmanywonderfuldiscoveriesandinventions,yettherehavebeennoadditionswhatevertothemoralandspiritualtruthscontainedintheBible.Today,weknownomoreabouttheoriginoflife,thenatureofthesoul,theproblemofsufferingorthefuturedestinyofmanthandidthosewhohadtheBibleeighteenhundredyearsago.ThroughthecenturiesoftheChristianera,manhassucceededinlearningmanyofthesecretsofnatureandhasharnessedherforcestohisservice,butintheactualrevelationofsupernaturaltruthnothingnewhasbeendiscovered.HumanwriterscannotsupplementtheDivinerecordsfortheyarecomplete,entire,"wantingnothing."

TheBibleneedsnoaddendum.ThereismorethansufficientinGod’sWordtomeetthetemporalandspiritualneedsofallmankind.Thoughwrittentwothousandyearsago,theBibleisstill"up-to-date,"andanswerseveryvitalquestionwhichconcernsthesoulofmaninourday.TheBookofJobwaswrittenthreethousandyearsbeforeColumbusdiscoveredAmerica,yetitisasfreshtotheheartofmannowasthoughithadonlybeenpublishedtenyearsago.ThemajorityofthePsalmswerewrittentwothousandfivehundredyearsbeforePresidentWilsonwasborn,yetinourdayandgenerationtheyareperfectlynewandfreshtothehumansoul.SuchfactsasthesecanonlybeexplainedonthehypothesisthattheEternalGodistheAuthoroftheBible.

TheadaptationoftheScripturesisanotherillustrationoftheirwonderfulcompleteness.Toyoungorold,feebleorvigorous,ignorantorcultured,joyfulorsorrowful,perplexedorenlightened,OrientalistorOcidentalist,saintorsinner,theBibleisasourceofblessing,willministertoeveryneed,andisabletosupplyeveryvarietyofwant.AndtheBibleistheonlyBookintheworldofwhichthiscanbepredicted.ThewritingsofPlatomaybeasourceofinterestandinstructiontothephilosophic

mind,buttheyareunsuitableforplacinginthehandsofachild.NotsowiththeBible:theyoungestmayprofitfromaperusaloftheSacredPage.ThewritingsofJeromeorTwainmayplease,foranhour,themanofhumor,buttheywillbringnobalmtothesoreheartandwillspeaknowordsofcomfortandconsolationtothosepassingthroughthewatersofbereavement.HowdifferentwiththeScriptures—neverhasaheavyheartturnedinvaintoGod’sWordforpeace!ThewritingsofShakespeare,Goethe,andSchillermaybeofprofittotheWesternmind,buttheyconveylittleofvaluetotheEasterner.NotsowithGod’sWord;itmaybetranslatedintoanylanguageandwillspeakwithequalclearness,directnessandpowertoallmenintheirmothertongue.

ToquoteDr.Burrell:“Ineveryheart,downbelowallotherwantsandaspirations,thereisaprofoundlongingtoknowthewayofspirituallife.Theworldiscrying,‘WhatshallIdotobesaved?’OfallbookstheBibleistheonlyonethatanswersthatuniversalcry.Thereareotherbookswhichsetforthmoralitywithmoreorlesscorrectness;butthereisnoneotherthatsuggestsablottingoutoftherecordofthemislivedpastoranescapefromthepenaltyofthebrokenlaw.Thereareotherbooksthathavepoetry;butthereisnonethatsingsthesongofsalvationorgivesatroubledsoulthepeacethatflowethlikeariver.Thereareotherbooksthathaveeloquence;butthereisnootherthatenablesustobeholdGodHimselfwithoutstretchedhandspleadingwithmentoturnandlive.Thereareotherbooksthathavescience;butthereisnoneotherthatcangivethesouladefiniteassuranceofthefuturelife,sothatitcansay,‘IknowwhomIhavebelieved,andampersuadedthatHeisabletokeepthatwhichIhavecommitteduntoHimagainstthatday.’”

Thoughotherbookscontainvaluabletruths,theyalsohaveanadmixtureoferror;otherbookscontainpartofthetruth,theBiblealonecontainsallthetruth.Nowhereinthewritingsofhumangeniuscanasinglemoralorspiritualtruthbefound,whichisnotcontainedinsubstanceintheBible.Examinethewritingsoftheancients;ransackthelibrariesofEgypt,Assyria,Persia,India,Greece,andRome;searchthecontentsoftheKoran,theZend-Avesta,ortheBagavad-Gita;gathertogetherthemostexaltedspiritualthoughtsandthesublimestmoralconceptionscontainedinthemandyouwillfindthateachandallareduplicatedintheBible!Dr.Torreyhassaid,"IfeverybookbuttheBible

weredestroyednotasinglespiritualtruthwouldbelost."InthesmallcompassofGod’sWordthereisstoredmorewisdomwhichwillendurethetestofeternitythanthesumtotalofthinkingdonebymansincehiscreation.Ofallthebooksintheworld,theBiblealonecantrulybesaidtobecomplete,andthischaracteristicoftheScripturesisanotherofthemanylinesofdemonstrationwhichwitnessestotheDivineinspirationoftheBible.

CHAPTER11–TheIndestructabilityoftheBibleisaProofThatItsAuthorisDivine

ThesurvivaloftheBiblethroughtheagesisverydifficulttoexplainifitisnotintruththeWordofGod.Booksarelikemen—dyingcreatures.Averysmallpercentageofbookssurvivemorethantwentyyears,ayetsmallerpercentagelastahundredyearsandonlyaveryinsignificantfractionrepresentthosewhichhavelivedathousandyears.AmidthewreckandruinofancientliteraturetheHolyScripturesstandoutlikethelastsurvivorofanotherwiseextinctrace,andtheveryfactoftheBible’scontinuedexistenceisanindicationthatlikeitsAuthoritisindestructible.

WhenwebearinmindthefactthattheBiblehasbeenthespecialobjectofneverendingpersecutionthewonderoftheBible’ssurvivalischangedintoamiracle.NotonlyhastheBiblebeenthemostintenselylovedBookinalltheworld,butithasalsobeenthemostbitterlyhated.NotonlyhastheBiblereceivedmorevenerationandadorationthananyotherbook,butithasalsobeentheobjectofmorepersecutionandopposition.Fortwothousandyearsman’shatredoftheBiblehasbeenpersistent,determined,relentlessandmurderous.EverypossibleefforthasbeenmadetounderminefaithintheinspirationandauthorityoftheBibleandinnumerableenterpriseshavebeenundertakenwiththedeterminationtoconsignittooblivion.ImperialedictshavebeenissuedtotheeffectthateveryknowncopyoftheBibleshouldbedestroyed,andwhenthismeasurefailedtoexterminateandannihilateGod’sWordthencommandsweregiventhateverypersonfoundwithacopyoftheScripturesinhispossessionshouldbeputtodeath.TheveryfactthattheBiblehasbeensosingledoutforsuchrelentlesspersecutioncausesustowonderatsuchauniquephenomenon.

AlthoughtheBibleisthebestBookintheworldyetishasproducedmoreenmityandoppositionthanhasthecombinedcontentsofallourlibraries.Whyshouldthisbe?ClearlybecausetheScripturesconvictmenoftheirguiltandcondemnthemfortheirsins!PoliticalandecclesiasticalpowershaveunitedintheattempttoputtheBibleoutofexistence,yettheirconcentratedeffortshaveutterlyfailed.AfterallthepersecutionwhichhasassailedtheBible,itis,humanlyspeaking,a

wonderthatthereisanyBibleleftatall.Everyengineofdestructionwhichhumanphilosophy,science,force,andhatredcouldbringagainstabookhasbeenbroughtagainsttheBible,yetitstandsunshakenandunharmedtoday.WhenwerememberthatnoarmyhasdefendedtheBibleandnokinghaseverordereditsenemiestobeextirpated,ourwondermentincreases.AttimesnearlyallthewiseandgreatoftheearthhavebeenpittedtogetheragainsttheBible,whileonlyafewdespisedoneshavehonoredandreveredit.ThecitiesoftheancientswerelightedwithbonfiresmadeofBibles,andforcenturiesonlythoseinhidingdarereadit.Howthen,canweaccountforthesurvivaloftheBibleinthefaceofsuchbitterpersecution?TheonlysolutionistobefoundinthepromiseofGod."Heavenandearthshallpassaway,butMywordsshallnotpassaway."

ThestoryoftheBible’spersecutionisanarrestingone.DuringthefirstthreecenturiesoftheChristianeratheRomanEmperorssoughttodestroyGod’sWord.Oneofthem,namedDiocletian,believedthathehadsucceeded.HehadslainsomanyChristiansanddestroyedsomanyBibles,thatwhentheloversoftheBibleremainedquietforaseasonandkeptinhiding,heimaginedthathehadmadeanendoftheScriptures.Soelatedwasheatthisachievement,heorderedamedaltobestruckinscribedwiththewords,"TheChristianreligionisdestroyedandtheworshipofthegodsrestored."OnewonderswhatthatemperorwouldthinkifhereturnedtothisearthtodayandfoundthatmorehadbeenwrittenabouttheBiblethanaboutanyotherthousandbooksputtogether,andthattheBiblewhichenshrinestheChristianfaithisnowtranslatedintomorethanfourhundredlanguagesandisbeingsentouttoeverypartoftheearth!

CenturiesafterthepersecutionbytheRomanEmperors,whentheRomanCatholicChurchobtainedcommandofthecityofRome,thePopeandhisprieststookuptheoldquarrelagainsttheBible.TheHolyScripturesweretakenawayfromthepeople,copiesoftheBiblewereforbiddentobepurchasedandallwhowerefoundwithacopyofGod’sWordintheirpossessionweretorturedandkilled.ForcenturiestheRomanCatholicChurchbitterlypersecutedtheBibleanditwasnotuntilthetimeoftheReformationatthecloseofthesixteenthcenturythattheWordofGodwasagaingiventothemassesintheirowntongue.

EveninourdaythepersecutionoftheBiblestillcontinues,thoughthemethodofattackischanged.MuchofourmodernscholarshipisengagedintheworkofseekingtodestroyfaithintheDivineinspirationandauthorityoftheBible.InmanyofourseminariestherisinggenerationoftheclergyaretaughtthatGenesisisabookofmyths,thatmuchoftheteachingofthePentateuchisimmoral,thatthehistoricalrecordsoftheOldTestamentareunreliableandthatthewholeBibleisman’screationratherthanGod’srevelation.AndsotheattackontheBibleisbeingperpetuated.

Nowsupposetherewasamanwhohadliveduponthisearthforeighteenhundredyears,thatthismanhadoftentimesbeenthrownintotheseaandyetcouldnotbedrowned;thathehadfrequentlybeencastbeforewildbeastswhowereunabletodevourhim;thathehadmanytimesbeenmadetodrinkdeadlypoisonswhichneverdidhimanyharm;thathehadoftenbeenboundinironchainsandlockedinprisondungeons,yethehadalwaysbeenabletothrowoffthechainsandescapefromhiscaptivity;thathehadrepeatedlybeenhanged,tillhisenemiesthoughthimdead,yetwhenhisbodywascutdownhesprangtohisfeetandwalkedawayasthoughnothinghadhappened;thathundredsoftimeshehadbeenburnedatthestake,tillthereseemedtobenothingleftofhim,yetassoonasthefireswereoutheleapedupfromtheashesaswellandasvigorousasever—butweneednotexpandthisideaanyfurther;suchamanwouldbesuper-human,amiracleofmiracles.YetthisisexactlyhowweshouldregardtheBible!ThisispracticallythewayinwhichtheBiblehasbeentreated.Ithasbeenburned,drowned,chained,putinprison,andtorntopieces,yetneverdestroyed!

NootherbookhasprovokedsuchfierceoppositionastheBible,anditspreservationisperhapsthemoststartlingmiracleconnectedwithit.ButtwothousandfivehundredyearsagoGoddeclared,"Thegrasswithereth,theflowerfadeth,buttheWordofourGodshallabideforever."JustasthethreeHebrewspassedsafelythroughthefieryfurnaceofNebuchadnezzarunharmedandunscorched,sotheBiblehasemergedfromthefurnaceofsatanichatredandassaultwithouteventhesmelloffireuponit!Justasanearthlyparenttreasuresandlaysbythelettersreceivedfromhischild,soourHeavenlyFatherhasprotectedand

preservedtheEpistlesoflovewrittentoHischildren.

CHAPTER12–InwardConfirmationoftheVeracityoftheScriptures

Wearelivinginadaywhenconfidenceislacking;whenskepticismandagnosticismarebecomingmoreandmoreprevalent;andwhendoubtanduncertaintyaremadethebadgesofcultureandwisdom.Everywheremenaredemandingproof.Hypothesesandspeculationsfailtosatisfy:theheartcannotrestcontentuntilitisabletosay,"Iknow."Thedemandofthehumanmindisfordefiniteknowledgeandpositiveassurance.AndGodhascondescendedtomeetthisneed.

OnethingwhichdistinguishesChristianityfromallhumansystemsisthatitdealswithabsolutecertainties.Christiansarepeoplewhoknow.Andwellitisthattheydo.Theissuesconcerninglifeanddeatharesostupendous,thestakeinvolvedinthesalvationofthesoulissoimmense,thatwecannotaffordtobeuncertainhere.Nonebutafoolwouldattempttocrossafrozenriveruntilhewassurethattheicewasstrongenoughtobearhim.Darewethenfacetheriverofdeathwithnothingbutavagueanduncertainhopetorestupon?Personalassuranceisthecryingneedofthehour.Therecanbenopeaceandjoyuntilthisisattained.Aparentwhoisinsuspenseconcerningthesafetyofhischild,isinagonyofsoul.Acriminalwholiesinthecondemnedcellhopingforareprieve,isinmentaltormentuntilhispardonarrives.AndaprofessedChristianwhoknowsnotwhetherheshallultimatelylandinHeavenorHell,isapitiableobject.

Butwesayagain,realChristiansarepeoplewhoknow.TheyknowthattheirRedeemerliveth(John19:25).Theyknowthattheyhavepassedfromdeathuntolife(1John3:14).Theyknowthatallthingsworktogetherforgood(Rom.8:28).Theyknowthatiftheirearthlyhouseofthistabernacleweredissolved,theyhaveabuildingofGod,ahousenotmadewithhands,eternalintheheavens(2Cor.5:1).TheyknowthatonedaytheyshallseeChristfacetofaceandbemadelikeHim(1John3:2).Inthemeantimetheyknowwhomtheyhavebelieved,andarepersuadedthatHeisabletokeepthatwhichtheyhavecommitteduntoHimagainstthatday(2Tim.1:12).Ifitbeasked,Howdotheyknow,theansweris,theyhaveprovenforthemselvesthetrustworthinessofGod’sWord

whichaffirmsthesethings.

Theforceofthispresentargumentwillappealtononesavethosewhohaveanexperimentalacquaintancewithit.InadditiontoalltheexternalproofsthatwehavefortheDivineInspirationoftheScriptures,thebelieverhasasourceofevidencetowhichnounbelieverhasaccess.InhisownexperiencetheChristianfindsapersonalconfirmationoftheteachingsofGod’sWord.Tothemanwhoselifewhich,judgedbythestandardsoftheworld,appearsmorallyupright,thestatementthat"theheartisdeceitfulaboveallthingsanddesperatelywicked"seemstobethegloomyviewofapessimist,oradescriptionwhichhasnogeneralapplication.Butthebelieverhasfoundthat"theentranceofThywordsgivethlight"(Ps.119:30),andinthelightofGod’sWordandbeneaththeilluminatingpowerofGod’sSpiritwhoindwellshim,hehasdiscoveredthereiswithinhimasinkofiniquity.Tonaturalwisdom,whichisfondofphilosophizingaboutthefreedomofthehumanwill,thedeclarationofChristthat"NomancancometoMe,excepttheFatherwhichhathsentMe,drawhim"(John6:44)seemsahardsaying;but,totheonewhohasbeentaughtbytheHolySpiritsomethingofthebindingpowerofsin,suchadeclarationhasbeenverifiedinhisownexperience.Totheonewhohasdonehisbesttoliveuptothelightwhichhehad,andhassoughttodevelopanhonestandamiablecharacter,suchastatementas,"Allourrighteousnessesareasfilthyrags,"seemsundulyharshandsevere;buttothemanwhohasreceived"anunctionfromtheHolyOne,"hisverybestworksappeartohimsordidandsinful;andsuchtheyare.TheApostle’sconfessionthat"inme(thatis,inmyflesh,)dwellethnogoodthing"(Rom.7:18)whichonceappearedabsurdtohim,thebelievernowacknowledgestobehisowncondition.ThedescriptionoftheChristianwhichisfoundinRomans...issomethingwhichnonebutaregeneratepersoncanunderstand.Thethingstherementionedasbelongingtothesamemanatthesametime,seemfoolishtothewiseofthisworld;butthebelieverrealizescompletelythetruthofitinhisownlife.

ThepromisesofGodcanbetested:theirtrustworthinessiscapableofverification.IntheGospelChristpromisestogiveresttoallthosewhoarewearyandheavyladenthatcomeuntoHim.HedeclaresthatHecametoseekandtosavethatwhichwaslost.Heaffirmsthat

"whosoeverdrinkethoftheWaterthatIshallgivehimshallneverthirst."Inshort,theGospelpresentstheLordJesusChristasaSaviour.Hisclaimtosavecanbeputtotheproof.Yea,ithasbeen,andthatbyamultitudeofindividualsthatnomancannumber.Manyofthesearelivingonearthtoday.EveryindividualwhohasreadintheScripturestheinvitationsthatareaddressedtosinners,andhaspersonallyappropriatedthemtohimself,cansayinthewordsofthewell-knownhymn:—

"IcametoJesusasIwas.Wearyandwornandsad;

IfoundinHimarestingplaceAndHehasmademeglad."

Shouldthesepagesbereadbyaskepticwho,despitehispresentunbelief,hasasincereandearnestdesiretoknowthetruth,he,toomayputGod’sWordtothetestandsharetheexperiencedescribedabove.Itiswritten,"BelieveontheLordJesusChristandthoushaltbesaved,"—believe,myreader,andthou,too,shaltbesaved.

"Wespeakthatwedoknow,andtestifythatwehaveseen"(John3:11).TheBibletestifiestothefactthat"allhavesinnedandcomeshortofthegloryofGod,"andourownconscienceconfirmsit.TheBibledeclaresthatitis"notbyworksofrighteousnesswhichwehavedown,butaccordingtoHismercy"Godsavesus;andtheChristianhasproventhathewasunabletodoanythingtowinGod’sesteem:but,havingcriedtheprayerofthePublican,hehasgonedowntohishousejustified.TheBibleteachesthat"ifanymanbeinChrist,heisanewcreature:oldthingsarepassedaway;behold,allthingsarebecomenew;"andthebelieverhasfoundthatthethingsheoncehatedhenowloves,andthatthethingshehithertocountedgainhenowregardsasdross.TheBiblewitnessestothefactthatwe"arekeptbythepowerofGodthroughfaith,"andthebelieverhasproventhatthoughtheworld,theflesh,andthedevilarearrayedagainsthim,yetthegraceofGodissufficientforallhisneed.AsktheChristian,then,whyhebelievesthattheBibleistheWordofGod,andhewilltellyou,Becauseithasdoneformewhatitprofessestodo(save);becauseIhavetesteditspromisesformyself;becauseIfinditsteachingsverifiedinmyownexperiences.

TotheunregeneratetheBibleispracticallyasealedBook.Eventhe

culturedandeducatedareunabletounderstanditsteachings:partsofitappearplainandsimple,butmuchofitisdarkandmysterious.ThisisexactlywhattheBibledeclares—"ThenaturalmanreceivethnotthethingsoftheSpiritofGod:fortheyarefoolishnessuntohim:neithercanheknowthem,becausetheyarespirituallydiscerned"(1Cor.2:14).ButtothemanofGoditisotherwise:"HethatbelievethontheSonofGodhaththewitnessinhimself"(1John5:10).AstheLordJesusdeclared,"IfanymanwilldoHiswill,heshallknowofthedoctrine"(John7:17).Whiletheinfidelstumblesindarkness,eveninthemidstoflight,thebelieverdiscoverstheevidenceofitstruthinhimselfwiththeclearnessofasunbeam."ForGod,whocommandedthelighttoshineoutofdarkness,hathshinedinourhearts,togivethelightoftheknowledgeofthegloryofGodinthefaceofJesusChrist"(2Cor.4:6).

CHAPTER13–VerbalInspirationNotonlydoestheBibleclaimtobeaDivinerevelationbutitalso

assertsthatitsoriginalmanuscriptswerewritten"notinthewordswhichman’swisdomteacheth,butwhichtheHolySpiritteacheth"(1Cor.2:13).TheBiblenowhereclaimstohavebeenwrittenbyinspiredmen—asamatteroffactsomeofthemwereverydefectivecharacters—Balaamforexample—butitinsiststhatthewordstheyutteredandrecordedwereGod’swords.Inspirationhasnottodowiththemindsofthewriters(formanyofthemunderstoodnotwhattheywrote(1Pet.1:10-11),butwiththewritingsthemselves."AllScriptureisgivenbyinspirationofGod,"and"Scripture"means"thewritings."FaithhastodowithGod’sWordandnotwiththemenwhowroteit—thesearealldeadlongsince,buttheirwritingsremain.

AwritingthatisinspiredbyGodself-evidentlyimplies,intheveryexpression,thatthewordsarethewordsofGod.TosaythattheinspirationoftheScripturesappliestotheirconceptsandnottotheirwords;todeclarethatonepartofScriptureiswrittenwithonekindordegreeofinspirationandanotherpartwithanotherkindordegree,isnotonlydestituteofanyfoundationorsupportintheScripturesthemselves,butisrepudiatedbyeverystatementintheBiblewhichbearsuponthesubjectnowunderconsideration.TosaythattheBibleisnottheWordofGodbutmerelycontainstheWordofGodisthefigmentofanill-employedingenuityandanunholyattempttodepreciateandinvalidatethesupremeauthorityoftheOraclesofGod.Alltheattemptswhichhavebeenmadetoexplaintherationaleofinspirationhavedonenothingtowardsimplifyingthesubject,ratherhavetheytendedtomystify.Itisnoeasiertoconceivehowideaswithoutwordscouldbeimparted,thanthatDivinelyrevealedtruthsshouldbecommunicatedbywords.Insteadofbeingdiminishedthedifficultyisincreased.Itwereaslogicaltotalkofasumwithoutfiguresoratunewithoutnotes,asofaDivinerevelationandcommunicationwithoutwords.InsteadofspeculationourdutyistoreceiveandbelievewhattheScripturessayofthemselves.

WhattheBibleteachesaboutitsowninspirationisamatterpurelyofDivinetestimony,andourbusinessissimplytoreceivethetestimonyand

nottospeculateaboutorseektopryintoitsmodusoperandi.InspirationisasmuchamatterofDivinerevelationasisjustificationbyfaith.BothstandequallyontheauthorityoftheScripturesthemselves,whichmustbethefinalcourtofappealonthissubjectasoneveryquestionofrevealedtruth.

TheteachingoftheBibleconcerningtheinspirationoftheScripturesisclearandsimple,anduniformthroughout.ItswriterswereconsciousthattheirutteranceswereamessagefromGodinthehighestmeaningoftheword."AndtheLordsaiduntohim(Moses),Whohathmademan’smouth?orwhomakeththedumb,ordeaf,ortheseeing,ortheblind?HavenotItheLord?Nowthereforego,andIwillbewiththymouth,andteachtheewhatthoushaltsay"(Exod.4:11-12)."TheSpiritoftheLordspakebyme,andHiswordwasinmytongue"(2Sam.23:2)."ThentheLordputforthHishand,andtouchedmymouth.andtheLordsaiduntome,Behold,IhaveputMywordsinthymouth"(Jer.1:9).Theaboveareonlyasampleofscoresofsimilarpassageswhichmightbesighted.

WhatispredictedoftheScripturesthemselves,demonstratesthattheyareentirelyandabsolutelytheWordofGod."ThelawoftheLordisperfect,convertingthesoul"(Ps.19:7)—thisaltogetherexcludesanyplaceintheBibleforhumaninfirmitiesandimperfections."ThyWordisverypure"(Ps.119:140),whichcannotmeanlessthanthattheHolySpiritsosuperintendedthecompositionoftheBibleandso"moved"itswritersthatallerrorhasbeenexcluded."ThyWordistruefromthebeginning"(Ps.119:160)—howthisanticipatedtheassaultsofthehighercriticsontheBookofGenesis,particularlyonitsopeningchapters!

TheteachingoftheNewTestamentagreeswithwhatwehavequotedfromtheOld."Takeyenothoughthoworwhatthingyeshallanswer,orwhatyeshallsay:fortheHolySpiritshallteachyouinthesamehourwhatyeoughttosay"(Luke12:11-12),—thedisciplesweretheoneswhospake,butitwastheHolySpiritwho"taughtthemwhattosay."Couldanylanguageexpressmoreemphaticallythemostentireinspiration?and,iftheHolySpiritsocontrolledtheirutteranceswheninthepresenceof"magistrates,"isitconceivablethatHewoulddolessforthemwhentheywerecommunicatingthemindofGodtoallfuturegenerationsonthingstouchingoureternaldestiny?Assuredlynot."Butthosethings,

whichGodbeforehadshowedbythemouthofallHisprophets,thatChristshouldsuffer,Hehathsofulfilled"(Acts3:18).HeretheHolySpiritdeclaresthroughPeterthatitwasGodwhohadrevealedbythemouthofallHisprophetsthatIsrael’sMessiahmustsufferbeforethegloryshouldappear."ButthatIconfessuntothee,thatafterthewaywhichtheycallheresy,soworshipItheGodofmyfathers,believingallthingswhicharewritteninthelawandintheprophets"(Acts24:14).ThesewordsclearlyevidencethefactthattheApostlePaulhadtheutmostconfidenceintheauthenticityoftheentirecontentsoftheOldTestament."Andmyspeechandmypreachingwasnotwithenticingwordsofman’swisdom,butindemonstrationoftheSpiritandofpower"(1Cor.2:4).CouldanymanhaveusedsuchlanguageasthisunlesshehadbeenfullyconsciousthathewasspeakingtheverywordsofGod?"Theprophecycamenotatanytimebythewillofman:butholymenofGodspakeastheyweremovedbytheHolySpirit"(2Pet.1:21).Nothingcouldpossiblybemoreexplicit.

Dr.GrayhasstrikinglyandforcefullystatedthenecessityofaverballyinspiredBibleinthefollowinglanguage:—"Anillustrationthewriterhasoftenusedwillhelptomakethisclear.Astenographerinamercantilehousewasaskedbyhisemployertowriteasfollows:

‘Gentlemen:wemisunderstoodyourletterandwillnowfillyourorder.’

Imaginetheemployer’ssurprise,however,whenalittlelaterthiswassetbeforehimforhissignature:

‘Gentlemen:wemisunderstoodyourletterandwillnotfillyourorder.’

Themistakewasonlyofasingleletter,butitwasentirelysubversiveofhismeaning.Andyetthethoughtwasgivenclearlytothestenographer,andthewords,too,forthatmatter,Moreover,thelatterwascapableandfaithful,buthewashuman,anditishumantoerr.Hadnothisemployercontrolledhisexpression,downtotheveryletter,thethoughtintendedtobeconveyedwouldhavefailedofutterance."So,too,theHolySpirithadtosuperintendthewritingoftheveryletterofScriptureinordertoguaranteeitsaccuracyandinerrancy.

ManyproofsmightbegiventoshowtheScripturesareverballyinspired.OnelineofdemonstrationappearsintheliteralandverbalfulfillmentofmanyoftheOldTestamentprophecies.Forexample,God

madeknownthroughZechariahthatthepricewhichJudasshouldreceiveforhisawfulcrimewas"thirtypiecesofsilver"(Zech.11:12).HerethenisaclearcasewhereGodcommunicatedtooneoftheprophetsnotmerelyanabstractconceptbutaspecificcommunication.Andtheabovecaseisonlyoneofmany.

AnotherevidenceofverbalinspirationistobeseeninthefactthatwordsareusedinScripturewiththemostexactprecisionanddiscrimination.ThisisparticularlynoticeableinconnectionwiththeDivinetitles.ThenamesElohimandJehovaharefoundonthepagesoftheOldTestamentseveralthousandtimes,buttheyareneveremployedlooselyorusedalternately.Eachofthesenameshasadefinitesignificanceandscope,andwerewetosubstitutetheonefortheotherthebeautyandperfectionofamultitudeofpassageswouldbedestroyed.Toillustrate:theword"God"occursallthroughGenesis1,but"LordGod"inGenesis2.WerethesetwoDivinetitlesreversedhere,aflawandblemishwouldbetheconsequence."God"isthecreatorialtitle,whereas"Lord"impliescovenantrelationshipandshowsGod’sdealingswithHisownpeople.Hence,inGenesis1,"God"isused,andinGenesis2,"LordGod"isemployed,andallthroughtheremainderoftheOldTestamentthesetwoDivinetitlesareuseddiscriminativelyandinharmonywiththemeaningoftheirfirstmention.Oneortwootherexamplesmustsuffice."AndtheywentinuntoNoahintotheark,twoandtwoofallflesh,whereinisthebreathoflife.Andtheythatwentin,wentinmaleandfemaleofallflesh,asGodhadcommandedhim"—"God"becauseitwastheCreatorcommanding,withrespecttoHiscreatures,assuch;but,intheremainderofthesameverse,weread,"andtheLordshuthimin"(Gen.7:16),becauseGod’sactionheretowardNoahwasbaseduponcovenantrelationship.WhengoingforthtomeetGoliathDavidsaid,"ThisdaywilltheLorddelivertheeintominehand(becauseDavidwasincovenantrelationshipwithHim);andIwillsmitethee,andtakethineheadfromthee;andIwillgivethecarcassesofthehostofthePhilistinesthisdayuntothefowlsoftheair,andtothewildbeastsoftheearth;thatalltheearth(whichwasnotincovenantrelationwithHim)mayknowthatthereisaGodinIsrael.Andallthisassembly(whichwereincovenantrelationshipwithHim)shallknowthattheLordsavethnotwithswordandspear"etc.(1Sam.17:46-47).Oncemore:"Anditcametopass,when

thecaptainsofthechariotssawJehoshaphat,thattheysaid,ItisthekingofIsrael.Thereforetheycompassedabouthimtofight:butJehoshaphatcriedout,andtheLordhelpedhim;andGodmovedthem(theSyrians)todepartfromhim"(2Chron.18:31).AndthusitisallthroughtheOldTestament.

Theabovelineofargumentmightbeextendedindefinitely.ThereareupwardsoffiftyDivinetitlesintheOldTestamentwhichareusedmorethanonce,eachofwhichhasadefinitesignification,eachofwhichhasitsmeaninghintedatinitsfirstmention,andeachofwhichisusedsubsequentlyinharmonywithitsoriginalpurport.Theyareneverusedlooselyorinterchangeably.Ineveryplacewheretheyoccurthereisareasonforeachvariation.SuchtitlesaretheMostHigh,theAlmighty,theGodofIsrael,theGodofJacob,theLordourRighteousness,etc.,etc.,arenotusedhaphazardly,butineverycaseinharmonywiththeiroriginalmeaningandasthebestsuitedtothecontext.ThesameistrueinconnectionwiththenamesofourLordintheNewTestament.InsomepassagesHeisreferredtoasChrist,inothersasJesus,JesusChrist,ChristJesus,LordJesusChrist.Ineveryinstancethereisareasonforeachvariation,andineverycasetheHolySpirithasseentoitthattheyareemployedwithuniformsignificance.Thesameistrueofthevariousnamesgiventothegreatadversary.InsomeplacesheistermedSatan,inothersthedeviletc.,etc.;butthedifferenttermsareusedwithunerringprecisionthroughout.AfurtherillustrationisfurnishedbythefatherofJoseph.InhisearlierlifehewasalwaystermedJacob,laterhereceivedthenameofIsrael,butafterthis,sometimeswereadofJacobandsometimesofIsrael.WhateverispredictedofJacobreferstotheactsofthe"oldman;"whateverispostulatedofIsraelwerethefruitsofthe"newman."WhenhedoubteditwasJacobwhodoubted,whenhebelievedGoditwasIsraelwhoexercisedfaith.Accordingly,weread,"AndwhenJacobhadmadeanendofcommandinghissons,hegathereduphisfeetintothebed,andyieldeduptheghost"(Gen.49:33).Butinthenextversebutonewearetold,"AndJosephcommandedhisservantsthephysicianstoembalmhisfather:andthephysiciansembalmedIsrael(Gen.50:2)!!HerethenweseethemarvelousverbalprecisionandperfectionofHolyScripture.

Themostconvincingofalltheproofsandargumentsfortheverbal

inspirationoftheScripturesisthefactthattheLordJesusChristregardedthemandtreatedthemassuch.HeHimselfsubmittedtotheirauthority.WhenassaultedbySatan,threetimesHereplied,"Itiswritten,"anditisparticularlytobenotedthatthepointofeachofHisquotationsandtheforceofeachreplylayinasingleword—"Manshallnotlivebybreadalone"etc.;"ThoushaltnottempttheLordthyGod;""ThoushaltworshiptheLordthyGod,andhimonlyshaltthouserve."WhentemptedbythePharisees,whoaskedHim,"Isitlawfulforamantoputawayhiswifeforeverycause?"Heanswered,"Haveyenotread?"etc.(Matt.19:4-5).TotheSadduceesHesaid,"Yedoerr,notknowingtheScriptures"(Matt.22:29).OnanotheroccasionHeaccusedthePhariseesof"MakingtheWordofGodofnoneeffectthroughtheirtradition"(Mark7:13).Onanotheroccasion,whenspeakingoftheWordofGod,Hedeclared"TheScripturecannotbebroken"(John10:35).SufficienthasbeenadducedtoshowthattheLordJesusregardedtheScripturesastheWordofGodinthemostabsolutesense.InviewofthisfactletChristiansbewareofdetractinginthesmallestdegreefromtheperfectandfullinspirationoftheHolyScriptures.

CHAPTER14–ApplicationoftheArgumentWhatisourattitudetowardsGod’sWord?Theknowledgethatthe

ScripturesareinspiredbytheHolySpiritinvolvesdefiniteobligations.OurconceptionoftheauthorityoftheBibledeterminesourattitudeandmeasuresourresponsibility.IftheBibleisaDivinerevelationwhatfollows?

I.WeNeedtoSeekGod’sForgiveness.

IfitwereannounceduponreliableauthoritythatonacertaindateinthenearfutureanangelfromheavenwouldvisitNewYorkandwoulddeliverasermonupontheinvisibleworld,thefuturedestinyofman,orthesecretofdeliverancefromthepowerofsin,whatanaudiencehewouldcommand!Thereisnobuildinginthatcitylargeenoughtoaccommodatethecrowdwhichwouldthrongtohearhim.Ifuponthenextday,thenewspapersweretogiveaverbatimreportofhisdiscourse,howeagerlyitwouldberead!Andyet,wehavebetweenthecoversoftheBiblenotmerelyanangeliccommunicationbutaDivinerevelation.Howgreatthenisourwickednessifweundervalueanddespiseit!Andyetwedo.

WeneedtoconfesstoGodoursinofneglectingHisHolyWord.Wehavetimeenough—wetaketime—toreadthewritingsoffellowsinners,yetwehavelittleornotimefortheHolyScriptures.TheBibleisaseriesofDivineloveletters,andyetmanyofGod’speoplehavescarcelybrokentheseals.Godcomplainedofold,"IhavewrittentohimthegreatthingsofMylaw,buttheywerecountedasastrangething"(Hos.8:12).ToneglectGod’sgiftistodespisetheGiver.ToneglectGod’sWordisvirtuallytotellHimthatHemadeamistakeinbeingatsomuchtroubletocommunicateit.TopreferthewritingsofmanistoinsulttheAlmighty.TosaythathumanwritingsaremoreinterestingistoimpugnthewisdomoftheMostHighandisaterribleindictmentagainstourownevilhearts.ToneglectGod’sWordistosinagainstitsAuthor,forHehascommandedustoread,study,andsearchit.

IftheBibleistheWordofGodthen—

II.ItistheFinalCourtofAppeal.

ItisnotaquestionofwhatIthink,orofwhatanyoneelsethinks—itis,WhatsaiththeScriptures?Itisnotamatterofwhatanychurchorcreedteaches—itis,WhatteachestheBible?Godhasspoken,andthatendsthematter:"Forever,OLord,ThyWordissettledinheaven."Therefore,itisformetobowtoHisauthority,tosubmittoHisWord,toceaseallquibblingandcry,"Speak,Lord,forThyservantheareth."BecausetheBibleisGod’sWord,itisthefinalcourtofappealinallthingspertainingtodoctrine,duty,anddeportment.

ThiswasthepositiontakenbyourLordHimself.WhentemptedbySatan,Hedeclinedtoarguewithhim,HerefusedtooverwhelmhimwiththeforceofHissuperiorwisdom,HescornedtocrushhimwithaputtingforthofHisalmightypower—"Itiswritten"wasHisdefenseforeachassault.AtthebeginningofHispublicministry,whenHewenttoNazarethwheremostofHisthirtyyearshadbeenlived,Heperformednowonderfulmiraclebutenteredthesynagogue,readfromtheProphetIsaiahandsaid,"ThisdayisthisScripturefulfilledinyourears"(Luke4:21).InHisteachingupontheRichManandLazarus,Heinsistedthat"IftheyhearnotMosesandtheprophets,neitherwilltheybepersuaded,thoughonerosefromthedead"(Luke16:31)—thussignifyingthattheauthorityofthewrittenWordisofgreaterweightandworththanthetestimonyandappealofmiracles.WhenvindicatingbeforetheJewsHisclaimofDeity(John5)HeappealedtothetestimonyofJohntheBaptist(vs.32),toHisownworks(vs.36),totheFather’sownwitness—atHisbaptism(vs.37),andthen—asthotheyweretheclimax—Hesaid—"SearchtheScriptures...theyaretheywhichtestifyofMe"(vs.39).

ThiswasthepositiontakenbytheApostles.WhenPeterwouldjustifythespeakingwithothertongues,heappealedtotheProphetJoel(Acts2:16).WhenseekingtoprovetotheJewsthatJesusofNazarethwastheirMessiah,andthatHehadrisenagainfromthedead,heappealedtothetestimonyoftheOldTestament(Act2).WhenStephenmadehisdefensebeforethe"counsel"hedidlittlemorethanreviewtheteachingofMosesandtheprophets.WhenSaulandBarnabassetoutontheirfirstmissionaryjourneythey"preachedtheWordofGodinthe

synagoguesoftheJews"(Acts13:5).InhisEpistles,theApostlecontinuallypausestoask—"WhatsaiththeScripture?"(Rom.4:3,etc.)—iftheScripturegaveaclearutteranceuponthesubjectunderdiscussionthatendedthematter:againsttheirtestimonytherewasnoappeal.

IftheBibleistheWordofGod—then

III.ItistheUltimateStandardforRegulatingConduct.

HowcanmanbejustwithGod?orhowcanhebecleanthatisbornofawoman?WhatmustIdotobesaved?Whereistrueandlastingpeaceandresttobefound?Sucharesomeoftheinquiriesmadebyeveryhonestandanxioussoul.Thereplyis—SearchtheScriptures:Lookandsee.HowshallIbestemploymytimeandtalents?HowshallIdiscoverwhatiswell-pleasingtomyMaker?HowamItoknowwhatisthepathofduty?Andagaintheansweris—WhatteachestheWordofGod?

NoonewhopossessesacopyoftheBiblecanlegitimatelypleadignoranceofGod’swill.TheScripturesleaveuswithoutexcuse.Alamphasbeenprovidedforourfeetandthepathwayofrighteousnessisclearlymarkedout.Acharthasbeengiventothesailorsontime’ssea,anditistheirownfaultiftheyfailtoarriveattheheavenlyport.InthedayofjudgmenttheBookswillbeopenedandoutoftheseBooksmenwillbejudge,andoneoftheseBookswillbetheBible.InHiswrittenWordGodhasrevealedHismind,expressedHiswill,communicatedHisrequirements;andwoetothemanorwomanwhotakesnotthenecessarytimetodiscoverwhattheseare.

IftheBibleistheWordofGodthen—

IV.ItisaSureFoundationforOurFaith.

Mancravesforcertainty.Speculationsandhypothesesareinsufficientwhereeternalissuesareatstake.WhenIcometolaymyheaduponmydyingpillow,Iwantsomethingsurerthana"perhaps"torestitupon.AndthankGodIhaveit.Where?IntheHolyScriptures.IknowthatmyRedeemerliveth.IknowthatIhavepassedfromdeathuntolife.IknowthatIshallbemadelikeChristanddwellwithHiminglorythroughoutthe

endlessagesofeternity.HowdoIknow?BecauseGod’sWordsaysso,andIwantnothingmore.

TheBiblegivesforthnouncertainsound.Itspeakswithabsoluteassurance,dogmatism,andfinality.ItspromisesarecertainfortheyarepromisesofHimwhocannotlie.ItstestimonyisreliableforitistheinerrantWordoftheLivingGod.ItsteachingsaretrustworthyfortheyareacommunicationthetheOmniscient.Thebelieverthenhasasurefoundationonwhichtorest,animpregnablerockonwhichtobuildhishopes.Forhispresentpeaceandforhisfutureprospectshehasa,"ThussaiththeLord,"andthatissufficient.

IftheBibleistheWordofGodthen—

V.IthasUniqueClaimsUponUs.

Auniquebookdeservesanddemandsuniqueattention.LikeJob,weoughttobeabletosay,"IhaveesteemedthewordsofHismouthmorethanmynecessaryfood."Ifhistoryteachesusanythingatall,itteachesthatthosenationswhichhavemosthonoredGod’sWordhavebeenmosthonoredbyGod.Andwhatistrueofthenationisequallytrueofthefamilyandoftheindividual.ThegreatestintellectsoftheageshavedrawntheirinspirationfromtheScriptureofTruth.ThemosteminentstatesmenhavetestifiedtothevalueandimportanceofBiblestudy.BenjaminFranklinsaid:"Youngman,myadvicetoyouisthatyoucultivateanacquaintancewithandfirmbeliefintheHolyScriptures,forthisisyourcertaininterest."ThomasJeffersongaveitashisopinion,"Ihavesaidandalwayswillsay,thatthestudiousperusaloftheSacredVolumewillmakebettercitizens,betterfathers,andbetterhusbands."

WhenthelateQueenVictoriawasaskedthesecretofEngland’sgreatness,shetookdownacopyoftheScriptures,andpointingtotheBibleshesaid,"ThatBookexplainsthepowerofGreatBritain."DanielWebsteronceaffirmed,"IfweabidebytheprinciplestaughtintheBible,ourcountrywillgoonprosperingandtoprosper;but,ifweandourposterityneglectitsinstructionsandauthority,nomancantellhowsuddenacatastrophemayoverwhelmusandburyallourgloryinprofoundobscurity.TheBibleistheBookofallothersforlawyersaswell

asdivines,andIpitythemanwhocannotfindinitarichsupplyofthoughtandruleofconduct."

WhenSirWalterScottlaydyinghesummonedtohissidehismaninwaitingandsaid,"ReadtomeoutoftheBook."Whichbook?answeredhisservant."ThereisonlyoneBook,"wasthedyingman’sresponse—"TheBible!"TheBibleistheBooktolivebyandtheBooktodieby.Thereforereadittobewise,believeittobesafe,practiceittobeholy.Asanotherhassaid:"Knowitinthehead,storeitintheheart,showitinthelife,sowitintheworld."

"AllScriptureisgivenbyinspirationofGod,andisprofitablefordoctrine,forreproof,forcorrection,forinstructioninrighteousness:thatthemanofGodmaybeperfect,thoroughlyfurnisheduntoallgoodworks"(2Tim.3:16-17).