The Testimony of the New Testament to the Old Testament
It would be interesting in looking into the prophets, to trace the variety of instruments God was pleased to use in this blessed service, but that would far exceed our proposed limits. It is well, however, to observe how careful each was to impress those they addressed with the fact, that they came forth on their service with divine authority. They also knew little of each other; and their ministry, from Moses to Christ, occupied about 1500 years. A brief quotation or two from each may suffice for our present purpose.
Isaiah begins by asserting that what he saw was concerning Judah and Jerusalem. He says, “Hear.... for Jehovah hath spoken.” “The word which Isaiah the son of Amos saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem” (Isa. 1:1, 2; 2:1). Jeremiah has, “The word of Jehovah came unto me,” or, “The word which came to Jeremiah from Jehovah.” In Ezekiel it says “The word of Jehovah came expressly unto Ezekiel,” or, “He said unto me;” or, “Again the word of Jehovah came unto me,” and such like expressions occur many times. He also was commanded to write. Jehovah said unto him, “Thou shalt speak My words unto them;” and in a vision he saw “a roll .... written within and without.” So assured was he that what he declared was the Word of God, that he said, “The word that I speak shall come to pass, and the word that I have spoken shall be done .... Thus saith the Lord God” (Ezek. 1:3; 2:7,10; 7:1; 12:25,28; 16:1).
No one can have carefully considered the Book of Psalms without seeing the value and authority of the written Word frequently set forth. It opens by marking one point in the righteous man, being that he meditates in the law of Jehovah day and night; and in Psalm 119, almost every verse speaks of the word, statutes, commandments, or law of Jehovah. Not only does this book extol the purity of the word itself, like silver purified seven times, but also of its cleansing virtue. The authenticity too, of the Scriptures is so regarded that the writer says, “The law of Thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver;” and “I love Thy commandments above gold, yea above fine gold” (Psa. 1:2; 119:9,72,127). David was one of those holy men of old of whom Peter speaks who was “moved by the Holy Spirit” to give unto us the “sure word of prophecy” (2 Peter 1:19,21).
In Proverbs also we are told that “every word of God is pure.... add thou not unto His words” (Prov. 30:5-6). And again, “Have not I written to thee excellent things in counsels and knowledge, that I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth, that thou mightest answer the words of truth to them that sent unto thee?” (Prov. 22:20-21).
Daniel though he prophesied by the same Spirit, is somewhat different, for his line was “the times of the Gentiles,” as also his own people. He gives us, in Daniel 2, the whole history of the Gentile nations, and their concluding judgment; he also spoke of the abomination yet to be set up in the temple, which our Lord referred to in Matthew 24:15, and is so soon to have its very solemn fulfillment. In Hosea it is, “The word of Jehovah that came to Hosea” (Hos. 1:1). In Joel “The word of Jehovah that came to Joel” (Joel 1:1). Amos said, “Thus saith Jehovah” (Amos 1:3). Obadiah begins, “Thus saith Jehovah concerning Edom” (Obad. 1). In Jonah we are twice told that “The word of Jehovah came to Jonah” (Jonah 1:1; 3:1). Micah begins with “The word of Jehovah that came to Micah.” Nahum says, “Thus saith Jehovah” (Nah. 1:12). Habakkuk tells us, “Jehovah answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it” (Hab. 2:2). Zephaniah begins with, “The word of Jehovah which came unto Zephaniah” (Zeph. 1:1).
The testimony of the prophets was nearly completed when the Jews were carried away into Babylon. We have only three post-captivity prophets – Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi, though some of the prophecies of Jeremiah (see Jer. 52:30) and Daniel, were given after the great captivity. Haggai distinctly affirms that his word was “the word of Jehovah,” and that it came to him at different times. He announced his messages authoritatively, with, “Thus saith Jehovah” (Hag. 1:1,7; 2:1,7,20). Zechariah also asserts the divine source of his most solemn and beautiful utterances, when he says, “The word of Jehovah came unto Zechariah.” This he repeatedly asserted (Zech. 1:1, 7; 7:1; 8:1).Malachi also introduces his mournful testimony with, “The burden of the word of Jehovah to Israel by Malachi.” It is well not to overlook how this prophet, like others, looks on to the Lord coming in glory to the faithful in Israel, His “jewels” as the Sun of Righteousness with healing to them and judgment on the wicked. This prophet also pressed, in Jehovah’s name, the divine authority of the writings of Moses, saying, “Remember ye the law of Moses My servant, which I commanded unto him in Horeb for all Israel, with the statutes and judgments” (Mal. 1:1; 4:2,4).
It is scarcely possible that we could have more conclusive internal evidence of the writers of the Old Testament scriptures having been inspired by God for their service. Well then, has the Lord informed us by His Holy Spirit that, “Whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope” (Rom. 15:4).
(To be continued.)