1945 Bible Studies - page 3

BIBLE STUDIES.

" Now these were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they

received the word with all readiness of mind, examining the Scriptures

daily, whether these things were so " (Acts 17. I I ) .

VOLUME 13.

JANUARY, 1945.

CONTENTS.

Page

Chronology...  ...  ...  .  .  .  ..  .  .

1

The miracles and the p a r a b l e s . . . . . . . . . .

2

The miracles of the Lord Jesus Christ :

Comparison and contrast with Old Testament miracles..

4

CHRONOLOGY.

Several lengthy contributions have been received regarding the subject of the 430 years of Israel’s bondage (see pages 87 and 100, last year’s volume), but space will not allow publication in full, and we must bring the discussion to a close.

H. J. Owles writes in support of the generally accepted chronological interpretation and refutes Panin’s suggestions, but A. B. Russell endeavours to show that if Jacob could have a son at the age of 91 then nothing hindered Kohath and Amram from having sons when they were about 85 years old, and "thus endeavours to show that a period of 430 years could elapse from the year prior to the birth of Isaac to the Exodus.  See later remarks as to Panin.

The greater part of a very lengthy contribution by A. F. Atkinson is taken up with an eulogy of Anstey as a chronologist, a matter which is beyond that of our subject.  We cannot at the moment discuss Anstey’s merits as a chronologist, but A. F. A. uses his list of dates to show that " i t is

transparently clear that the children of Israel dwelt 215 years in Egypt and not 430. " This " transparency " depends upon the acceptance of Anstey’s work and

not upon pure chronology.  It is essential that we should distinguish between pure chronology (which we define to be the addition of specified dates) and inference.

To the time when Jacob went to Egypt there are sufficient intervals specifically stated to allow a list of dates by addition.

D a t e s from the birth of Abraham.

Genesis 12. 4.

Abraham enters Canaan and goes down to Egypt 75

,,  16. 16.  Ishmael born 86

,,  21. 5.

Isaac b o r n . .

100

,,  21. 8.

Isaac weaned ?

105

2 5 . 26. Jacob born 160

2 5 . 7.

Abraham died (at 175)

175

35. 28.  Isaac died (at 180)

280

47. 9.

Jacob enters Egypt (at 130)

290

Thus pure chronology shows that from the entry of Abraham into Canaan to the entry of Jacob into Egypt there is an interval of 215 years.  In the above table the only doubtful or inferred event is that of the weaning of Isaac.

We shall search in vain for sufficient data to compile a similar list to the Exodus by pure chronology, and inference must be used.  The following quotation from Alford on Galatians 3. 17 shows what is involved in this matter of inference : --

" Joseph was 39 years old when Jacob came into Egypt (Genesis 4 1 . 46, 47;

45. 6); therefore he was born when Jacob was 91 (47. 9), 6 years before Jacob

left Laban (30. 25 and 31. 41), having been with him 20 years (31. 38, 41), and having served him 14 of them for his two daughters (31 . 41 ). Hence, seeing that