The Bible - Belief or Ignorance

For as long as the Bible has been available, there have been people who have consistently looked for reasons to ignore its message. 

Perhaps this attitude came about because the message seemed intangible or brought too many responsibilities in regard to behaviour.  Or they were prepared to accept second or third hand comments claiming that the Bible was inconsistent and consequently unreliable - perhaps because it seemed to them unfashionable to believe in such an old set of writings.

Check it for Yourself
The flaw in taking such a position is that more often than not, the evidence has not been examined personally - does the Bible actually say what is claimed?  Has it ever crossed your mind that taking such a passive role puts you at risk of receiving a very garbled message?  You know the Chinese Whispers story - about the leader of the army who sent a message saying ‘Send reinforcements:  we’re going to advance.’  By the time the message was passed down the line, it was received as ‘Send three and four pence, we’re going to a dance.’

The advantage we have over those in the above story is that we can check what the original message was by reading for ourselves in the Bible - our aim is to encourage you to do this.

A Book with a Purpose
Without taking any position with regard to the Bible’s pedigree, consider for a moment that there is usually a purpose behind the writing of any book.  It might be to inform, to give pleasure or to teach and advise.  When we look into the Bible, we find that there is a statement of purpose.

The first thing we find in the Bible is a statement of the world and the universe as we know it being brought into being. 

A World with a Purpose
We later find clear statements of the purpose behind that:

For thus says the LORD, Who created the heavens, Who is God, Who formed the earth and made it, Who has established it, Who did not create it in vain, Who formed it to be inhabited: "I am the LORD, and there is no other.                                 Isaiah 45:18 (NKJV)

For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.             Habakkuk 2:14 (NKJV)

The use of the word ‘knowledge’ does not imply mindless response or submission to a dictator or autocrat.  It speaks of something that is understood, that stands the test of reason.

Bring in the Evidence
But who is this ‘LORD?’  Another verse helps us determine this:

"You are My witnesses," says the LORD, "And My servant whom I have chosen, That you may know and believe Me, And understand that I am He. Before Me there was no God formed, Nor shall there be after Me.                                              Isaiah 43:10 (NKJV)

To whom was this addressed?  If you examine the context of the quote, you will see that the message is to the nation of Israel.  What then can we find about Israel in the Bible, written over 2000 years ago, that gives evidence of integrity of the author and His message?

Israel and World History
Whilst clearly saying that the nation is not perfect (in fact it is punished for its behaviour), God says that even though all other nations ceased to exist, Israel will exist.

"Thus speaks the LORD God of Israel, saying: 'Write in a book for yourself all the words that I have spoken to you. 'For behold, the days are coming,' says the LORD, 'that I will bring back from captivity My people Israel and Judah,' says the LORD. 'And I will cause them to return to the land that I gave to their fathers, and they shall possess it.'"… For I am with you,' says the LORD, 'to save you; Though I make a full end of all nations where I have scattered you, Yet I will not make a complete end of you. But I will correct you in justice, And will not let you go altogether unpunished.'                   Jeremiah 30:2-3,11 (NKJV)

Israel’s existence today is a witness to God’s foreknowledge and purpose - not only is this stated plainly, it is also illustrated for us in more than one place. 

How else can we explain:

• the complete expulsion of the Jews from their land by the Romans by the early second century;
• the failure of the Jews to be absorbed into all the countries in the world where they have found a home (for Jews are still Jews);
• the re-emergence of the nation of Israel in the  twentieth century

Our Position
Let me be very clear on one point.  The nation of Israel has behaved wrongly in the past and will do so in the future.  The fact the God presents them to us as His witnesses does not condone their behaviour or mean that we should be aligned with their political aspirations.

Down through the ages, there have been many who have expressed sentiments like Iran’s president, Mr Ahmadinejad, declared earlier this year, “Like it or not, the Zionist regime is heading toward annihilation.  The Zionist regime is a rotten, dried tree that will be eliminated by one storm.”  They were saying this in Bible times:

They have said, "Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation, That the name of Israel may be remembered no more."                                                             Psalm 83:4 (NKJV)

Have they succeeded?  If not, why not?  Surely it is because in the face of man’s best efforts, we are being given evidence of a greater power and intelligence.

The Bible – A Book Worth Reading
We have looked briefly at one thread of evidence that the Bible is a book worth reading.  It has been given to us by God.  It tells us of His purpose and how we can be part of it.  It gives us a promise of a world that will be at peace – on God’s terms.  So whatever the problems you fear or experience at this time, you have the opportunity to learn and be part of a future that will be rid of them all.

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