NOW that the first subject has yielded its fruit, it is possible to see more clearly how we stand. Many papers have been sent in, all bearing witness to deep interest in the precious Word, and careful study of the subject chosen, while some show a more practiced hand than others. First of all we would say to those to whom Bible study is at all new, do not be discouraged if the subject seems a little difficult, and you feel that you know nothing about it. That is what you will feel more deeply after many years of study of the blessed Word of God.
But you have the key — Christ Himself — and you have the guide — the Holy Ghost — so that depending on that guidance, and desiring that one thing, to have more of Christ Himself for your heart, you may set to work on untrodden ground, and dig just as a miner would attack his claim in search of gold. There is a difference between reading the Word of God quietly for communion, and the diligent searching of it to discover the treasures hidden in it. No child of God can do without either of these. Moreover, no study of the Word can be really blessed to our hearts without constant prayer.
Then, to those more accustomed to roast what they have taken in hunting, we can only express thankfulness for many helpful and interesting studies received, and wish there were space available to give some of them entire. If the number of those who wish to take up this study of the Word together increases, it may be possible to give more space, both to the results of study, and to the answering of questions.
Meanwhile, will all those who have sent in questions be assured that they shall have an answer as early as possible?
Brief Summary of the Results of January’s Study. — No doubt many will be disappointed that it is so short, but at present our space is limited. Besides, it is not what appears here that will prove of real value, but the actual work of studying, and the suggestions that may arise, leading to many new and fresh lines of search.
1. In Genesis 1 we find at once that a number of symbols — that is, things which God has formed and put in this scene to convey His thoughts to us — are brought in, e.g., light, darkness, heavens, earth, waters, grass, trees, birds, &c. We have also found from the study of each day, that these symbols run through the whole of the Word of God, and perhaps we have been puzzled at finding that the symbols sometimes have a good meaning, sometimes a bad. For example, water is used for death and for life; birds are used of the devil’s agents (Matt. 13:1919When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side. (Matthew 13:19)), and of the Holy Ghost (Luke 3:2222And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased. (Luke 3:22)); a lion is used of man (Num. 24:99He couched, he lay down as a lion, and as a great lion: who shall stir him up? Blessed is he that blesseth thee, and cursed is he that curseth thee. (Numbers 24:9)), Satan (1 Pet. 5:88Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: (1 Peter 5:8)), Christ (Rev. 5:55And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof. (Revelation 5:5)). The reason for this is simple, and when understood helps us to read aright these symbols as they occur in the Word. God put man as head of the whole scene when it was ordered and filled. Everything was put under him, and he was in God’s image, after God’s likeness. Man was the key to God’s alphabet, so to speak. Then man fell, and everything fell with him, and we find the proof in the sad and changed meaning of the symbols, Satan lays hold of them and puts his meaning into them. But God had Christ as the hidden key in reserve. He comes to destroy the works of the devil, to redeem fallen man, and to take the place as Head according to the eighth Psalm, from which man had fallen, but in resurrection, beyond the power of sin and death to ruin in, so that God finally places all securely under Christ, and we find the blessed proof in the meaning these symbols take as soon as they are connected with Christ.
A symbol is like a word, whose meaning depends on the context. A type is a complete picture made up of symbols, hence its meaning does not change.
2. The key to all this is given us in Hebrews 11:33Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. (Hebrews 11:3), where we are told that faith lets us into the secret of what God was doing when He so framed the world as the place where His purposes were to be worked out, that everything placed by Him on the earth or in the heavens was not merely what it appeared to the natural mind, but was there to be a witness to what God had in His mind. So this verse enables us to read Genesis 1 in the light that faith gives.
3. The Six Days’ Work shows two lines of division; by days, and by “God saw that it was good.”
The second line should be carefully noticed, as it may be easily missed.
4. Taking the days in their order we find:
Earth
Seas
Grass
Herbs
Trees
Creatures in Waters
Creatures in Heaven
Beast
Cattle
Creeping thing
Man
Thus looking rapidly over the whole, we see that the scene in which God begins to work is a scene of disorder — emptiness and darkness. He first brings in Light, what He is Himself, then He forms and puts in order the scene where His purposes are to be worked out, i.e., heavens, earth, and seas. Then, as part of the scene God brings in three forms of life — grass, herbs, and trees. Light comes before lights, and life before living creatures.
Then in the second three days, which clearly run parallel to the first three, God first sets Lights in the expanse to mark out the periods of time during which His purposes were to run on, as they were worked out in the scene prepared. Then He fills the seas and heavens with living creatures, and blesses them. Then He fills the earth with living creatures, and, lastly, puts on the top stone by placing man in His image after His likeness, to bear sway over all.
Then man is blessed, and God surveys all that He has made, and pronounces it very good.
In addition to this summary, we hope to give a series of short papers on each day in order, presenting more fully the details of each day and the results of the studies sent in.
The Subject for March (D.V.) will be the study of all the Names in the Word given with a definite meaning. Only those which have their meaning stated in Scripture are to be considered.
First, a list of the names should be given with their meanings and place where they occur. Then those which refer to Christ should be pointed out, with reference to the New Testament. Lastly, older students should, if possible, arrange the names according to the line of God’s purpose seen in them.
The subject may be divided into two parts, Names of Persons, and Names of Places. Will all the even numbers take the first part of the subject, and the odd numbers the second part. May the study bring us each to know and enjoy more of God’s thoughts about the blessed One to whom He has given the Name which is above every name.
B. S. ED.