The Holy Scriptures

 •  4 min. read  •  grade level: 10
It is needful in these dark days to have the Holy Scriptures constantly before us. “Lay up these My words in your heart and in your soul, and bind them for a sign upon your hand, that they may be as frontlets between your eyes” (Deut. 11:1818Therefore shall ye lay up these my words in your heart and in your soul, and bind them for a sign upon your hand, that they may be as frontlets between your eyes. (Deuteronomy 11:18)).
While the world is ever learning yet never coming to a knowledge of the truth, we have a sure resource in the Bible. May we heed Paul’s words: “Continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; and that from a child thou hast known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works” (2 Tim. 3:14-1714But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; 15And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. (2 Timothy 3:14‑17)).
Efforts to Hinder God’s Word
At one time the immense cost of producing books limited access to the Bible for most. Today we are deluged with books, nearly all so occupying our minds and time that we have little left for reading and meditating on Scripture.
The enemy also seeks to undermine the authenticity of the Scriptures. If failing in that, he seeks to revise and paraphrase its words to suit men’s minds that are at enmity with God. How careful we must be in handling the Holy Scriptures. “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God” (2 Tim. 3:1616All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: (2 Timothy 3:16)). “The prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost” (2 Peter 1:2121For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. (2 Peter 1:21)).
Studying the Bible
In this humanistic age, freedom of thought encourages each to come to a personal interpretation of Scripture. But the Bible says: “Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the Scripture is of any private interpretation” (2 Peter 1:2020Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. (2 Peter 1:20)). We are to “have an outline of sound words, which words thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus” (2 Tim. 1:1313Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. (2 Timothy 1:13) JND) and to “rightly [divide] the word of truth” (2 Tim. 2:1515Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (2 Timothy 2:15)).
The Word of God can’t be studied in an intellectual way, for “the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned” (1 Cor. 2:1414But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. (1 Corinthians 2:14)). Though a babe in Christ has, by the Spirit, an understanding of the Scriptures, none can plumb its infinite depths.
Major Divisions of the Bible
The Scriptures are divided in two—the Old and New Testaments. There is a gap of some four hundred years between the last book of the Old Testament and the birth of Christ, which marks the beginning of the New.
The arrangement and titles for the books of the Old Testament follow that of the Septuagint (a Greek translation of the Old Testament dating from 280 B.C.). First, the five books of Moses, second, the historical books (Joshua through Esther), third, the poetical books (Job through the Song of Songs), and fourth, the prophetical books (Isaiah through Malachi). Within each group, the books generally are ordered chronologically—though the Minor Prophets (so-called) are grouped together after Daniel.
In the Hebrew Scriptures, the books of the Old Testament are divided into three groups. This arrangement is referred to by the Lord Jesus: “These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning Me” (Luke 24:4444And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. (Luke 24:44)). Both arrangements contain the same books.
Christ and that which concerns Himself form the grand theme of all Scripture. Another has written, “He is the center of all revelation and the burden of all Scripture.” “Search the Scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of Me” (John 5:3939Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. (John 5:39)).
N. Simon
Ed. Note: In future issues we intend, Lord willing, to provide a very brief overview of the grand theme of each book of the Bible.