p. 218 | THE UNCHANGEABLE LAW by M. C. W.

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Apr 6, 1915

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 42, No. 14.

THE UNCHANGEABLE LAW

By M. C. W.

A Striking Illustration

The language of the “chosen people” was Hebrew. The Decalogue, the law of the eternal God, was given in Hebrew. Some of the characters that form the Hebrew alphabet are quite similar. They may be seen in most reference Bibles in the 119th psalm, beginning with “aleph” and ending with “tau.” Compare “gimel” and “nun,” or “vau” and “resh,” or “he” and “tau.” Sometimes it is but the merest point which serves to distinguish one letter from another. These little distinguishing points are called “tittles.” The smallest letter in the Hebrew alphabet is “yod,” called in the New Testament “jot.”

Now of the law of God Jesus declares: “Verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.” Matt. 5:18.

“It is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than for one tittle of the law to fail.” Luke 16:17.

A change of a tittle might destroy or vitally alter the meaning. The change of the smallest letter would pervert the law. Therefore the solemn, emphatic declaration of our Lord.

A good illustration of the importance of the warning of Jesus is furnished by a news item of recent date from New Haven, Connecticut. The Yale alumni association reproduced the seal of the university on their stationery. But the careless artist, in reproducing the Hebrew motto, meaning “light and truth,” failed to note the distinction between “vau” and “resh,” and hence inscribed a motto meaning “Blasphemers and Farmers,”—a sore vexation and disappointment to the members of the alumni association.

God’s law is unchangeable; neither jot nor tittle can be changed. “Seventh” does not mean “first.” Its great negatives do not yield permission. Like its Author, we can rest upon its eternal foundations. M. C. W.