1956 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. 11).

VOLUME 24.

JANUARY, 1956.

EDITORIAL.

A new year brings a new subject; and we are happy to see so many of our regular contributors represented : we welcome their papers and invite others to begin and to continue steadfastly.

Our new subject, the book of Deuteronomy, is a book of retrospect and prospect. We too have retrospect and prospect. Our retrospect constrains us to confess, " Hitherto hath the LORD helped us " (1 Samuel 7. 12) ; and, supreme among the precious things in prospect, there is the coming again of the Lord, that joyful event for which we wait.

This present age is marked by growing ignorance of the Scriptures, in particular of the Old Testament.  There is, therefore, the more urgent need for children of God to gather a sound and accurate knowledge of the word of God, and to be able to handle it aright.  As to Deuteronomy, we should bear in mind how the Lord Jesus quoted from it, when under temptation by the devil (Luke 4. 4, 8, 12 ; Deuteronomy 8, 3 : 6. 13, 16). Thrice the Lord said, " I t is written . . . " ; and the devil also said, " It is written . . . " ; the Lord’s response to which, as in Luke, began with, " I t is said . . . ."  The things written in Deuteronomy are things spoken by God :

they are God-breathed, and therefore vital to our spiritual life and suited to our spiritual needs. The Lord’s example shows how a sound and intimate knowledge of the Scriptures would enable us to resist the devil so that he J.B.

must flee from us (James 4. 7).

DEUTERONOMY IN THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK.

The Gospel according to Mark contains much that is reminiscent of Deuteronomy : there are, for example, phrases which seem to be borrowed from Deuteronomy, and there is the incident of the plucking of the standing corn (Mark 2. 23), which was allowed under the law (23. 25).

In the main, Mark’s borrowings from Deuteronomy relate to the law.

The Sadducees used the law with reference to marriage in tempting the Lord (Mark 12.18-27), and were rebuked by the Lord, for God is the God of the living and not of the dead.  The Pharisees, too, came under rebuke, when they raised the matter of divorce (Mark 10. 1-12).  Their own words condemned them: " Moses suffered to write a bill of divorcement" (24.1-4).

A thing to be suffered is usually undesirable, but may be the less of two evils. The Lord put divorce in such a light, and affirmed the binding nature of marriage. Along with these we would join the case of the man of great possessions (Mark 10. 17-22), the Lord’s words to whom confirm the ten commandments (with the exception of the literal application of the law of the sabbath) as applying to this dispensation (Mark 10. 19). While the law was given by Moses, and grace and truth came by Jesus Christ, the Lord in no way rescinded the statutes of the moral law.