0000.4. Foreword

Foreword

It is a pleasure to write these lines of Foreword to the Bible readings prepared by my friend, Dr. F. E. Marsh, who has devoted his life to the study of the Bible, and the unfolding of its treasures to others.

We believe in the plenary inspiration of Scripture. The word “inspiration” is equivalent to “inbreathed.” There is a quality there which is found to the same extent and in the same manner nowhere else, and it is self-evident.

One summer’s day, as I was exploring the western coast of Scotland, I came on what seemed to be a large inland lake, but when I descended to its shores, and dipped my finger in the water, placing it to my lips, I knew by the saline taste that the Lough was an inlet from the Atlantic. The quality of the water was evidence of its origin. So

In the Bible There Is a Divine Quality,

which the spiritual mind recognizes as being its exclusive characteristic. “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable” (2Ti_3:16).

The heart of Scripture is “the Word of God.” As our Lord became incarnate in human flesh, with the weakness and needs of human nature, though not its sins, so He is—so to speak—incarnate in Scripture. There is a sense, therefore, in which we may say that in the Holy Scripture, the Word has become flesh and tabernacles among us.

The late Hudson Taylor used to kindle his little lamp, and spend two hours at night reading his Bible, while the Chinese who shared the inn with him lay around asleep. He said that it was only by the written Word that he could feed on Him who is the Spirit and Life of Scripture. “The connection between the written Word and the Incarnate Word is so close and intimate that you can no more separate them than you can separate body and soul, or soul and spirit.”

This involves the unity of Scripture. Its theme is one, and its Author is one. The unities of the Bible are specially remarkable, and confirm this thought of the unity of Scripture. Certain threads of suggestive symbolism may be traced from Genesis to Revelation—such as the garden, the serpent, the river, the Lamb, the blood-covenant, redemption, the advent, faith, love, the triune Being of God.

This thought justifies the whole scheme of these Bible readings. To follow them will resemble

The Discovery of New Paths Through the Woods,

or on the hills, and as we follow the track here marked out by an experienced guide, we shall catch rare glimpses of new and heavenly horizons. In majestic prose, in lyric poetry, in lovely imagery, in massive argument, there is the same motif and refrain. Now you sit at the feet of a prophet; again you hear the voice of a sweet singer; and yet again, as you read the love-epistles of St. John, or the massive reasonings of St. Paul, you say to yourself: “This is but another setting of the Old Melody with a delightful variation.”

In all Bible study we must seek the teaching of the Holy Spirit. “The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God… because they are spiritually discerned” (1Co_2:14).

A striking illustration of this was presented in the conversion of one of China’s literati. He had complained to a missionary, who was at the moment preparing a cup of tea for him, that he did not find the Chinese Bible, of which he had possessed himself, especially interesting. At that moment the kettle was near boiling point. “See,” said the missionary, “the fire is needed to cause the water to boil; so, tonight, if you take up the Christian Scriptures, you must ask the God of Heaven to give you the Holy Spirit to enable you to understand them aright, then the Book will become a new book to you, and it will soon mean more to you than any book in the world.” That night he asked the Spirit of the Unknown God to turn a dull book into an interesting one. “O God,” he said, “if Thou be a God, give me thy Holy Spirit, and help me to understand this Book.” As the evening hours passed he became more and more engrossed with the Book, and as he turned over its pages a new spirit took possession of him. The Savior of whom he read became vividly real to his heart. The words spoken long ago were living and powerful, and brought him peace and healing.

We should never open our Bibles without first lifting our heart for that Spirit by whom holy men were led to write.

Beneath His Touch Rocks Will Yield Water,

blank pages will become illuminated, and fountains arise where the soil had seemed sterile. To that Spirit who has spoken His messages to the hearts of men, as into a dictaphone I commend this book of Bible study outlines to all students of the Sacred Word, praying that it may give back to them the holy truth in words that melt and thoughts that burn.

F. B. MEYER

By: DR. F. E. MARSH