EXAMPLES OF THE DIVINE AUTHORITY OF THE OLD TESTAMENT SCRIPTURES.
In Hezekiah’s reign, there was remarkable blessing on their turning to the authority of the sacred writings.
They soon discovered that they had not kept the solemn and important feast of the Passover, “for a long time in such sort as it is written.” We are told, therefore, that the men of Judah had given them by God one heart to do the commandment of the king and of the princes by the word of Jehovah. Moreover, Hezekiah appointed morning and evening burnt-offerings, and the burnt-offerings for the Sabbaths and for the new moons, and for the set feasts, as it is written in the law of Moses. They kept the Passover and the feast of unleavened bread seven days with great gladness, and then “kept other seven days with gladness,” and offered sacrifices; “so there was great joy in Jerusalem, for since the time of Solomon, the son of David, king of Israel [nearly 300 years], there was not the like in Jerusalem” (2 Chron. 30:2, 5, 15-26).
The wonderful revival in the reign of Josiah, king of Judah, may also be traced to the practical acknowledgment of the divine authority of the Holy Scriptures. It was brought about by Hilkiah, the priest, finding in the house of Jehovah “a book of the law of Jehovah given by Moses. And Hilkiah answered and said to Shaphan the scribe, I have found the book of the law in the house of Jehovah.... And Shaphan read it before the king. And it came to pass when the king heard the words of the law that he rent his clothes.” The reason was that he learned from these writings that they were justly exposed to divine wrath, and the curses written in the book, because of their sins in having forsaken Jehovah their God, and having burned incense to other gods. They, therefore, bowed at once to the authority of the sacred writings, and kept the Passover according to the ordinance, “as it is written in the book of Moses,” and it was accompanied with God’s abundant blessing. They were so exercised by the authority of Scripture about it, that we read that the king’s commandment was, “kill the passover, and sanctify yourselves, and prepare your brethren, that they may do according to the word of Jehovah by the hand of Moses.” We are further told that the evil, and “abominations that were spied in the land of Judah, and in Jerusalem, did Josiah put away, that he might perform the words of the law which were written in the book that Hilkiah the priest found in the house of Jehovah. And like unto him was there no king before him, that turned to Jehovah with all his heart, and with all his soul, and with all his might, according to all the law of Moses, neither after him arose there any like him.” We are told also, “there was no passover like to that kept in Israel from the days of Samuel the prophet” (2 Chron. 34:14-19, 24; 35:6, 12, 18; 2 Kings 23:24, 25).
The return of the Jews from their captivity in Babylon was also strikingly marked by their submission to the authority of the written law of Jehovah. So truly did Ezra recognize the divine authenticity of the Scriptures, that we are told that “Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of Jehovah, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments.” We read also, that when they were gathered together as one man in Jerusalem, they “builded the altar of the God of Israel, to offer burnt offerings thereon, as it is written in the law of Moses, the man of God.... they kept also the feast of tabernacles as it is written.” Again, when the temple was finished, they dedicated the house of God with joy, they offered a sin-offering according to the twelve tribes of Israel, “and they set the priests in their divisions, and the Levites in their courses, for the service of God which is at Jerusalem, as it is written in the book of Moses.” They also found it written in the law, that the feast of tabernacles should be kept. “And all the congregation of them that were come again out of the captivity made booths, and sat under the booths; for since the days of Joshua, the son of Nun, unto that day had not the children of Israel done so. And there was very great gladness” (Ezra 3:2, 6:15-18, 7:6, 10. Neh. 8:17).
Do not all these examples warn us most solemnly against disobedience to the written Word, as well as encourage us to bow to its divine authority? Surely, “to obey is better than sacrifice,” and to honor God is always the path of blessing. It is well also to notice, that in Israel’s history, reviving and restoration began in individual exercise before God, and personal cleaving to His Word as demanding willing subjection; and, from individual turning to God in this way collective blessing followed. No doubt it is the same now. Wherever souls turn to God in earnest prayer and supplication, and therefore bow to His Word with the hearty desire to carry it out, there will always be found the marked blessing of God. Nothing less is the path of faith. Every other way is the fruit of unbelief, and cannot please God. Wherever true faith in God is in exercise, there will be constant appeal to what is written for our instruction, and its authority will be always final and conclusive. Surely to such the Scriptures are “the oracles of God.”
“I love the sacred book of God,
No other can its place supply;
It points me to the saints abode,
It gives me wings, and bids me fly.
Sweet book! in thee my eyes discern
The image of my absent Lord;
From thine illumined page I learn
The joys His presence will afford.
In thee I read my title clear
To mansions never to decay:
My Lord! O when wilt Thou appear,
And take Thy prisoner far away?”
(Continued and to be continued).