The Greatest Book Ever Written

The Bible is an old book, dating back some five thousand years. It is not a book on science, though it does contain science. It is not a history book, though it contains much history. It is not a book on medicine though it sometimes reads as one. This book tells us about incredible floods, hail, earthquakes, meteors, stars, and people seemingly like you and me who otherwise possess supernatural abilities. It tells about chariots racing across the sky, and bushes burning without being consumed. It also calls for undying devotion to a carpenter from Nazareth who is the Son of God. Indeed, it is an astonishing book.

This book has been banned, burned, scoffed at, and ridiculed. Intellectuals and less than intellectuals have mocked it as foolish. Governments have called it illegal and fed thousands to hungry flames. There is no other book on the face of the earth that has had its words changed, challenged, demonized, blasphemed, insulted, questioned, and redefined as is done with the Bible.

Why then has the Bible survived this war against it? There is no explanation. The ability of the Bible to survive is not of this earth. It is found in heaven, because the Bible is God's Book and God's voice speaking to us.

If one has the desire to study God's Word it would be beneficial to consider two question: (1) What is the purpose of the Bible?(2)How does one study the Bible? The purpose of God's Word is SALVATION - "Since you were a child you have known the Holy Scriptures which are able to make you wise. And that wisdom leads to salvation through faith in Christ Jesus" (II Timothy 3:15). The purpose of the Bible, then, is to tell us about God's plan of salvation.

How does one study the Bible? The first step is asking through prayer. Matthew 7:7 tells us, "Ask, and God will give it to you. Search, and you will find. Knock, and the door will open for you". We should by all means read prayerfully. When we understand God's Word, it is because of Him, and not because of our supposed smartness. "But the helper will teach you everything, and will cause you to remember all that I told you. The helper is the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in my name" (John 14:26). Bible study is looking for God's ideas, not ours.

The second step in Bible study is searching. Bible gems are not going to jump out at the reader. There must be effort. We have to roll up our sleeves and work hard, but don't try to read an entire book at one sitting. Reading a chapter is fine unless it is terribly long, like Psalm 119. Remember, God gave the Israelites manna in small portions, enough for a day. (Exodus 16:14). God sends spiritual food in the same way - "He provides a command here, a command there. A rule here, a rule there. A little lesson here, a little lesson there" (Isaiah 28:10).

The copyright of the article The Greatest Book Ever Written in Messianic Judaism is owned by Virginia Marin. Permission to republish The Greatest Book Ever Written in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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