p. 5 | The Schools of the Prophets by M. E. CADY

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Apr 8, 1915

The Schools of the Prophets

By M. E. CADY

— No. 5

The Study of History

M. E. CADY

From the spirit of prophecy we have found that in addition to the oral instruction given in the schools of the prophets, “the youth also learned to read the Hebrew writings and the parchment rolls of the Old Testament Scriptures.” The distinction here is clearly made as to the two classes or divisions of reading material — one being the “Hebrew writings” and the other “the parchment rolls of the Old Testament Scriptures.” This distinction is further maintained in another quotation from the spirit of prophecy, already given in a previous article, but which we here repeat: “The chief subjects of study in these schools were the law of God, with the instruction given to Moses, sacred history, sacred music, and sacred poetry.”

From this last quotation we gather an idea of what composed the “Hebrew writings” which were studied in addition to the Sacred Scriptures. These Hebrew writings consisted of sacred history, sacred poetry, and sacred music, especially the two former. To express in more modern terms the chief subjects of study, we should say that the students studied Bible, history, literature, and music.

The purpose of this article is to give the reader some idea of what was embraced

in the history course as given in the school of the prophets. In the first place, we are informed that the course was not one in secular or profane history, but sacred history.

We have no secular or profane history reaching back to the times of the schools of the prophets, established by either Samuel or Elijah, and our only source of knowledge is that contained in the history in the Bible. Does the Bible give us any light on the existence of sacred historical books in the days of Samuel, David, Solomon, and Elijah? — It does. Below we give the information contained in the Bible regarding these sacred history books, with the names of the authors, and the subject matter dealt with in each volume: —

Sacred History Library of the Schools of the Prophets

Volume I, “book of the wars of the Lord.” This book contained a record of the wars fought by Israel during their sojourn in the wilderness. The first mention of this book is found in Ex. 17:14. Moses was asked to preserve a knowledge of the victory gained by Israel over the Amalekites, by writing it “for a memorial in a book.” The name of this book is given in Num. 21:14. Here it is declared that “the book of the wars of the Lord” contains a record of “what he [God] did in the Red Sea, and in the brooks of Arnon, and at the stream of the brooks that goeth down to the dwelling of Ar, and lieth upon the border of Moab.” This sacred history volume begins with the victory of the Israelites over the Egyptians at the Red Sea, and probably contains a record of all the battles fought until Israel passed over Jordan into the Promised Land — a record of forty years of war.

Volume II, “the book of Jasher.” After Israel had entered the land of Canaan, they went to war against the Amorites. As the day was not long enough to completely destroy their enemies, Joshua, desiring more time, prayed to the Lord, and “said in the sight of Israel, Sun, stand thou still upon Gibeon; and thou, moon, in the valley of Ajalon. And the sun stood still, and the moon stayed, until the people had avenged themselves upon their enemies. Is not this written in the book of Jasher?” Joshua 10:12, 13. Just what this book contained is not fully known. But, like “the book of the wars of the Lord,” it contains a record of some of the battles of Israel with surrounding nations. This “book of Jasher” is referred to as containing information concerning the use of the bow in battle, and in David’s lamentations over Saul and Jonathan, mention is made of the children of Judah being taught the use of the bow according to the record contained in “the book of Jasher.” 2 Sam. 1:18.

Two other books, not of a historical character, but of value in the education of the youth, I will merely mention here before considering other historical volumes. One was a geography written in the days of the early settlement of the land of Canaan. The subject matter was gathered by thirty-six men, three from each tribe of Israel, as they walked through the land, taking note of the cities and topography of the country. All this data was written in a book divided into seven parts. Joshua 18:3-9. A book on civil government, setting forth the “manner of the kingdom” under a king was written by Samuel the seer. This book was laid up before the Lord, and was the guidebook in civil affairs. 1 Sam. 10:25.

The next three books of the sacred history library (Volumes III, IV, V) treated of the life and times of David.

Volume III was written by Samuel the seer.

Volume IV, by Nathan the prophet.

Volume V, by Gad the seer.

These three volumes were written by prophets who were closely associated with David from early boyhood to the end of his reign, and their counsel and advice were eagerly sought by him in administering the affairs of the kingdom. These were comprehensive volumes; for they covered David’s early life, as well as the forty years of his reign and might. They treated also not only of the “times that went over . . . Israel” during the forty years of conquest and subjection of the enemies of Israel, but also of the “times that went over . . . all the kingdoms of the countries.” 1 Chron. 29:26-30.

Volumes VI, VII, and VIII, books of “the acts of Solomon.” These volumes contain a record of “the acts of Solomon, and all that he did, and his wisdom,” covering a period of at least forty years. 1 Kings 11:41-43. This history of the acts of Solomon is said to have been written by three men, as was also the life and times of David. Each wrote a separate book, so we have three volumes to add to the sacred history library. 2 Chron. 9:29.

Vol. VI, written by Nathan the prophet.

Vol. VII, written by the prophet Ahijah, the Shilonite.

Vol. VIII, written by Iddo the seer.

Nathan the prophet assisted in writing the history of both David and Solomon. These prophet-historians undoubtedly wrote by inspiration. The six volumes covering the life work of Israel’s two greatest kings, a period of eighty years, must have been filled with very interesting and important matter for the consideration of the sacred history students in the schools of the prophets. The Scriptures do not speak of any history covering the life and reign of Saul being written by a prophet. Undoubtedly a daily record of historical events was kept in the royal courts, as is so often referred to by the expressions “the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel,” “the book of the kings of Israel and Judah.” But in addition to the records kept in the royal courts by especially appointed secretaries, the Lord in wisdom moved upon certain of the prophets to write the life history and reign of a few of the good kings, and

also of a few of the bad kings, that their lives might be studied and pondered by the youth in Israel.

The life and reign of Rehoboam, son of Solomon, was written in “the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah” (1 Kings 14:29); but the Lord had his life and reign also written by two of his prophets, thus adding two more volumes to the sacred history library. 2 Chron. 12:15.

Volume IX, written by Shemaiah the prophet.

Volume X, written by Iddo the seer.

The latter volume contained genealogical records which the Lord desired to have preserved for future use.

On the death of Rehoboam, Abijah, his son, took the throne; after his death, another volume was added to the sacred history library.

Volume XI was written by Iddo the seer, and contained a record of “the acts of Abijah, and his ways, and his sayings.” 2 Chron. 13:22. This same prophet wrote Volume VIII, on the life of Solomon, and Volume X, on the life of Rehoboam.

Volume XII was written by Jehu, the son of Hanani, and covers the life and reign of Jehoshaphat. 2 Chron. 20:34. Jehu was a prophet of the Lord and reproved Jehoshaphat for joining Ahab in war against the Syrians. 2 Chron. 19:2. Several kings succeeded Jehoshaphat of whose reigns no special books were written. All the books written by prophets pertained to the kings of Judah; only the records in the royal courts were written concerning the kings of Israel.

Volume XIII covered Uzziah’s reign, a period of fifty years. 2 Chron. 26:22. It was written by the prophet Isaiah, the author of the Old Testament book bearing his name. Many important lessons undoubtedly were drawn from the life of Uzziah, who was blessed and prospered, but whose heart in his prosperity “was lifted up to his destruction.”

Volume XIV was also written by the prophet Isaiah, and covered the twenty-nine years of the reign of Hezekiah. This volume contained a complete record of his kind and benevolent administration, and the prosperity that attended his reign. 2 Chron. 32:32, 33. When Hezekiah died, he was greatly honored and given the chiefest of the sepulchers as a burying place. A full and complete history of his reign was also recorded in “the book of the kings of Judah and Israel.”

In addition to the sacred history library of fourteen volumes, “the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah” and “the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel” contained valuable material. In extent, these writings really embrace many volumes, because they comprehend all the records made in the royal courts regarding the reigns of all the kings of both Judah and Israel. Undoubtedly these records were available to the prophets who taught in the schools of the prophets. In both these royal court volumes were recorded many of the religious as well as secular acts

of the kings. With reference to the historical record of King Manasseh, son of Hezekiah, we read: “Now the rest of the acts of Manasseh, and his prayer unto his God, and the words of the seers that spake to him in the name of the Lord God of Israel, behold, they are written in the book of the kings of Israel. His prayer, also, and how God was entreated of him, and all his sins, and his trespass, and the places wherein he built high places, and set the groves and graven images, before he was humbled: behold, they are written among the sayings of the seers.” 2 Chron. 33:18, 19.

Surely from the Bible we glean abundant evidence of a thorough, complete course of instruction in sacred history, taught in the schools of the prophets. The fourteen volumes written by the prophets were sufficient for the pupils to gain broad, comprehensive views of “the times that went . . . over Israel, and over all the kingdoms of the countries.” 1 Chron. 29:30.

From the spirit of prophecy we gain some idea of how the study of history was carried on in the schools of the prophets: —

“There is a study of history that is not to be condemned. Sacred history was one of the studies in the schools of the prophets. In the record of his dealings with the nations were traced the footsteps of Jehovah. So today we are to consider the dealings of God with the nations of the earth. We are to see in history the fulfillment of prophecy, to study the workings of Providence in the great reformatory movements, and to understand the progress of events in the marshaling of the nations for the final conflict of the great controversy.

“Such study will give broad, comprehensive views of life. It will help us to understand something of its relations and dependencies, how wonderfully we are bound together in the great brotherhood of society and nations, and to how great an extent the oppression and degradation of one member means loss to all.

“But history, as commonly studied, is concerned with man’s achievements, his victories in battle, his success in attaining power and greatness. God’s agency in the affairs of men is lost sight of. Few study the working out of his purpose in the rise and fall of nations.” — “Ministry of Healing,” pages 441, 442.

THE SACRED HISTORY LIBRARY OF THE SCHOOLS OF THE PROPHETS

Vol. I, Book of the Wars of the Lord, by Moses.

Vol. II, Book of Jasher, by Joshua.

Vol. III, Life and Reign of David, by Samuel the seer.

Vol. IV, Life and Reign of David, by Nathan the prophet.

Vol. V, Life and Reign of David, by Gad the seer.

Vol. VI, Life and Reign of Solomon, by Nathan the prophet.

Vol. VII, Life and Reign of Solomon, by Ahijah the prophet.

Vol. VIII, Life and Reign of Solomon, by Iddo the seer.

Vol. IX, Life and Reign of Rehoboam, by Shemaiah the prophet.

Vol. X, Life and Reign of Rehoboam, by Iddo the seer.

Vol. XI, Life and Reign of Abijah, by Iddo the seer.

Vol. XII, Life and Reign of Jehoshaphat, by Jehu the prophet.

Vol. XIII, Life and Reign of Uzziah, by Isaiah the prophet.

Vol. XIV, Life and Reign of Hezekiah, by Isaiah the prophet.