The Oldest Book Ever Written
The Bible is the most wonderful book anyone could ever read. Contained within
its frail pages is found the eternal message of the One who has existed before
time began. Holding the wealth of sixty-six books man is able to explore his
beginning, his reason for living and his hope beyond the grave. No book ever
produced by man can make that claim. The Bible reveals the creation of the world
by the hand of an Almighty Creator. Explained upon pages of holy writ man learns
of his nature and his needs. As a light shining in darkness the words of God
open for man the revelation of grace, mercy and saving love. History marches
through its pages as sentinels of time marking the progress of man and the
failures of men seeking wisdom apart from God’s word. The Bible is a most
remarkable book.
Written by different men spanning hundreds of generations with diverse
backgrounds this simple yet complex manuscript of eternal wisdom unfolds the
character of the Creator. “In the beginning God created the heavens and the
earth” (Genesis 1:1) declares the mysteries that will be unfolded in the
thousands of stories that range from a garden of paradise to the wilderness of
man’s struggle with obedience to his creator. There will be times of great
victory when men stand for truth and righteousness; yet many times when men turn
from God’s word and find destruction and death.
The Bible is a book of grace. Measured from the love of a graceful Creator man
finds he is not alone in the world. Grace is given for man’s potential and not
for what man shows himself to be. A promise is given early of a seed (Genesis
3:15) that will redeem the failed nature of man and explodes upon the pages of
the Bible in the nature of Jesus Christ (Galatians 3:16). The early disciples of
Christ describe in detail upon ancient parchments the words, deeds and character
of the Creator’s Son. Jesus becomes the revealed hope of all man’s failures. The
Bible sets forth the path of peace leading to the throne of God.
There is no book found among men today that can rival the depth of the Bible.
Nothing written by man can go before creation and see into the mind of God; nor
delve beyond the grave and peer at the endless expanse of eternity. All books
are second nature to the Bible. “Many, O LORD my God, are Your wonderful works
which You have done; and Your thoughts toward us cannot be recounted to You in
order; if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered”
(Psalms 40:5). “He has made His wonderful works to be remembered … The works of
His hands are verity and justice; all His precepts are sure. They stand fast
forever and ever, and are done in truth and uprightness” (Psalms 111:4,7-8).
The oldest book ever written still finds itself forgotten upon the tables of
neglect and carelessness as men fail to listen to its message. How sad that in
the Bible God has revealed “all things that pertain to life and godliness” (2
Peter 1:3) and yet as a people we spend little time among the pillars of its
wisdom. “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17)
and lacking the wisdom of the word of God we have little faith. We blame God for
the failures in our lives when truth reveals the failure is our neglect in
listening to Him. “Great peace have those who love Your law, and nothing causes
them to stumble” (Psalms 119:165).
By Kent Heaton
From Expository Files 16.11; November 2009
