Sabbath: The Bible as History
Image © Pacific Press
Sabbath Afternoon
Read for This Week’s Study: 1 Samuel 17:1-58; Isa. 36:1-3, Isa. 37:14-38; Daniel 1:1-21, Daniel 5:1-30; Matt. 26:57-67; Heb. 11:1-40.
Memory Text: “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt” (Exod. 20:2 [also Deut. 5:6], NKJV).
The Bible is constituted in history. Biblical history moves in a linear direction from an absolute beginning, when God created all things, to an ultimate goal, when He will restore the earth at His Second Coming.
The historical nature of Scripture is one characteristic that distinguishes it from the sacred books of other religions. The Bible assumes the existence of a God who personally acts in history; it does not try to prove that existence. In the beginning, God speaks, and life on earth is created (Gen. 1:1-31). He calls Abram out of the Chaldees. He delivers His people from the bondage of Egypt. He writes the Ten Commandments on tablets of stone with His own finger (Exod. 31:18). He sends prophets. He sends judgments. He calls people to live and share His divine law and the plan of salvation with other nations. Ultimately, He sends His Son Jesus Christ into the world, thus dividing history forever.
This week, we’ll look at some of the key issues in history as portrayed in the Bible and also at some of the archaeological evidence that helps substantiate history as expressed in the Bible.
Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, June 6.
Sunday–>
(18)
The historicity of the Bible is important if we are to believe it. Clearly, if the Bible records history that we can find demonstrable proof did not happen that undermines its credibility. While not every bit of history can be corroborated from secular sources, there is sufficient evidence to show that the history it records is essentially reliable. There are some gaps, but it is worth noting that secular sources such as Herodotus probably contain their own set of gaps.
We are fortunate to be living in a time when there is ample archeological evidence for many of the historical events recorded in the Bible. Hopefully, we will note some of these this week. And hopefully, it will encourage us to dig a little deeper (figuratively at least) into the evidence that is currently available.
What is it that strengthens your faith and trust in God when you find your faith and trust wearing thin under the strain of life circumstances at times?
Is it historical evidence of the authenticity of the Bible?
Is it something else?
Is it a combination of things?
Phil -
Yes, what strengthens our faith? There is nothing else but Faith - Faith is holding on to Faith! One determines to remain faithful, especially in the face of all the attempts to remove Faith as the only source of hope; but we Know Who we have believed in because we are Known by Him.
To strengthen our precious faith we pray, read our Father's Word, talk with like-minded faithful believers and continue to praise Him with all our strength in heart, mind and soul regardless the circumstances we find ourselves in.
If faith/trust is "wearing thin", then there is a fundamental issue isn't there?
Faith remains strong due to the "exceeding great and precious promises of God" which we may believe regardless of feelings, historical evidence(or lack of), or any other thing. God's promises stand above all these things don't they?
"Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God". This word proves itself to be Divinely inspired, yet, only "the wise will understand".
Thy word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path Ps 119:105
The Bible as History
While the Bible is a book that contains all the history that will make one happy, joyous, self satisfied, loving, etc, the Bible itself cant do anything to us unless we read/listen to it and it begins to mold our minds and thoughts. The precepts must become a part of our life by faith. The bible also shows us if we follow a certain wrong path what will happen to us.
Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way. Ps 119:104. Understanding the precepts of what is wrong in the sight of God and man will help us to live better. The Bible didn't list all the wrong things that we can do to God and man, but it surely listed some of the wrong things in life. Many read the bible for different reasons. It can just be a history book for some, for some others, the history might have gaps. But there is no book in this present world or in ancient times that was written without gaps. I can write a book about my life but I cant capture all the details of my life.
“I am the LORD your God, which have brought you out of the land of Egypt” out of the house of bondage. (Exod. 20:2)
Why, how, for what reason, did God told Moses to remind the people about where they came from?
Slavery existed thousands of years ago. Slavery existed before the children of Israel spent four hundred years in Egyptian bondage. But how God intended slavery to be, and what men made it into, were two different things.
Joseph was sold by his brothers to the Midanites who carried Joseph into Egypt. Gen 37:27. His brothers meant it for evil, God used it as a way for good. God used it to preserved a posterity in the earth. Gen 45:7
Although the Bible is a close book, the Bible in History is still showing God's people are the posterity of Joseph. Joseph had prepared the way for us. Jesus had both brought and bought us out of the land of Egypt and he is leading us into the promised land that he promised to all our fore fathers.
It is an attempt in futility - we should not, because we can not - proof the all supreme, spiritual accuracy of the scripture by the exploration of the historical settings and events present at the time and as described in the Scriptures. This is comparing apples and oranges and is a 'scientific' trap.
The core purpose of the Scripture is to direct mankind to the One and only God of His Salvation and not to proof His existence by the accuracy of the natural settings in which He was introduced to mankind.
The only purpose and focus for our sacred Scriptures, the Word of God, is to establish the 'record' of its spiritual aspect. This is couched in the natural setting of men's History.
The spiritual purpose can not be 'proofed' or 'dis-proofed' using scientific analyses by showing were, how or when this process took place, and still takes place.
The historical accounts as written down in the Scriptures may be imperfect, but the spiritual aspect as the revealed Truth never changes.
I am not surprised to find the 'scientist' to demand/submit/subject Scripture's 'proof' - that by which the 'authenticity' of the Word of God (which is only spiritual) is to be proofed - to be established by the accuracy as represented in Scripture's natural, historical setting.
With this ploy, it exposes the Scripture to 'run the gauntlet' of the scientific establishment for its 'accuracy' to be established. I see them lined up to 'hid us over the head' with all their historical, scientific objections and reasons which is ultimately used for only one purpose - to establish that 'there is no God'!
For the 'scientist', inaccuracy in the historical setting equals inaccuracy in its spiritual claims.
In schools and Universities around the world, students are forced to include in their general studies the stories about the gods of Creation Mythology as recorded by ancient writers. Our secular learning centers find their theological/philosophical ideals sourced in these ancient myths and their teachers of long ago.
Wikipedia offers the interested reader a glimpse through the window of time - 2700 years ago - to learn about the western world's creation story as recorded by the poets Homer and Hesiod. Before they recorded these accounts, the stories had been passed down from generation to generation by peoples going back 'a long time'.
Would you be surprised to find many gods to be active in these creation accounts? Even now, many attribute natural forces to Gaia, the mythological mother Earth goddess.
"Gaia is the ancestral mother of Life; the primal mother Earth goddess. She is the mother of Uranus (the sky), from whose sexual union she bore the Titans and the Cyclopes (themselves parents of many Olympian gods) and the Giants, and of Pontus (the sea), from whose union she bore the primordial sea gods."
One can see that 'gods' were involved from the very beginning! What the old school scholars still object to is, that there should be only ONE God.
Accepting there is only ONE intelligent, purposeful God who created, this would establish the inherent authority which would Him above man's own authority and would take 'God' out of its mythical setting.
Well, Christian's believe in a triune God, but this concept is based on the designation of their powers and responsibilities, holding that only one - God the Father - is the source of all that Is.
And this One-Creator-one-God-one-authority is exactly what our God established when He offered Abram and his family to be the harbinger of this 'evolution' of believes.
He led them out of the city of Ur, the center of the 'worship-of-many-gods' located in ancient Mesopotamia (now Iraq), to start a One-God-faith-relationship with him and his offspring in a new land - the promised land.
Heb.6:18-20; Heb.7:1-3; Abram was going into the 'new land' and met Melchisedec the High Priest. v.3 - Without father, without mother, without descent, having neiter beginning of days, nor end of life, but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually.
The One God - the Great I AM - set Abram on his course to walk with his God by faith, gave him spiritual guidance before the scriptures were established and called him Abraham - Father of many.
It has never been about 'if' there are gods involved in creation, always about 'who' is the One that holds supreme authority to establish the law that governs mankind's destiny.
My understanding is that all things that have been created come from Jesus the Son just as much as from the Father. That’s my grasp of Colossians 1:16,17.
But I welcome discussion!
The author here indicates that God will restore the earth at Jesus' second coming. However, from what I read in Revelation Chapters 20 and 21, God does this restoring after the 1,000 year millennium which then is His third coming.
Good catch on a phrase in the study that needs revision. I had to reread that phrase again in the study. Indeed, post 1,000 years all things are restored. I think the author or editors meant that time as we know is reaching a climax here on earth at the second coming. That this world in which we know now will end.
The 2nd coming of Jesus initiates the restoration by gathering the saints to carry out the judgment that will bring a final end to sin/sinners which makes way for the new earth, which cannot happen until sin/sinners are concluded. The fact that this takes more than a day does not change the reality that this is how restoration is possible. The cross and the resurrection were also part of this, as is the present judgment which must precede the 2nd coming. The question we must answer is: "am I being restored today?".
Robert Whitman, you talk about a "present judgment" that precedes Jesus second coming. But if you are in reference to Revelation 17:7 "The Hour of His Judgement," Look at Revelation 18:10,17,19. Are these verses not talking about that same "hour of judgement?" The judgement of the Seven Last Plagues that God is planning on pouring on The Beast (Spiritual Babylon?) But this judgement is also pronounced via a "Fourth Angel." And the voice that says to "come out of her,my people" is from Heaven and not from an angel either---this one seems to be from God Himself and to the whole world too just before His Sons" Second Coming.
Pete, the judgment of Revelation 18 comes after the judgment in heaven(antypical day of Atonement) is finished and probation closed. This first judgment must happen before Jesus can bring His reward to every soul according to their works, whether good or evil. God will bring no plagues until all have made their final choice.
This first judgment determines who is saved by faith, leaving all others lost by default according to their choice/works. Our works reveal our choice each day, and the test to come(mark of the beast) will cause all to make a choice, which will allow God to close probation by sealing His servants(Rev 7:3), leaving all others without shelter during the 7 plagues.
I will add this: it will be interesting to see how the plagues happen in reality. I believe the descriptions in Rev 16 to be symbolic, as the whole book is in symbols. If I read them correctly, they signal probation's close for the lost. We'll see!
the Bible reveals the real life of human being thus why psalm 119:105 portrays that because he traveled in mountain, valley and plains.It is word of God
According to my point of view, the Bible already predicted what will happen today and the history just gives us evidences and fullfill what the bible says.
And the bible tells us about "His Story"