p. 3 | Bible Biographies by Ellen G. White

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · May 31, 1910

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 37, No. 21.

Bible Biographies

By Ellen G. White

By Mrs. E. G. White

THE lives recorded in the Bible are authentic histories of actual individuals. From Adam down through successive generations to the times of the apostles, we have a plain, unvarnished account of what actually occurred, and the genuine experience of real characters.

It is a subject of wonder to many that inspired history should narrate events in the lives of good men that show defects in their moral characters. Infidels seize upon these sins with great satisfaction, and hold their perpetrators up to ridicule. But the inspired writers did not testify to falsehoods, to prevent the pages of sacred history from being clouded by the record of human frailties and faults. The scribes of God wrote as they were dictated to by the Holy Spirit; they penned the literal truth; and stern, forbidding facts are revealed for reasons that our finite minds can not fully comprehend.

It is one of the best evidences of the authenticity of the Scriptures, that the truth is not glossed over, nor the sins of its chief characters suppressed. Men may urge that it is an easy matter to relate what has occurred in an ordinary life; but it has been proved that it is an impossibility for a human biographer to give an impartial account of a contemporary; and it is almost as difficult to narrate the story of any person or people with whose career we have become acquainted, without deviating from the exact truth. The human mind is so subject to prejudice that it is almost impossible for it to treat any subject impartially. Either the faults of the person under review stand out in glaring relief, or his virtues shine with undimmed luster, just as the writer is prejudiced for or against him. However impartial the historian may design to be, all critics will agree that it is a very difficult matter to be truly so.

But divine unction, lifted above the weaknesses of humanity, tells the simple, naked truth. How many biographies have been written of faultless Christians, who, in their ordinary home life and church relations, shone as examples of immaculate piety. No blemish marred the beauty of their holiness; no fault is recorded to remind us that they were common clay, and subject to the ordinary temptations of humanity. Yet had the pen of Inspiration written their history, how different would they have appeared. Human weaknesses would have been revealed, struggles with selfishness, bigotry, and pride, hidden sins perhaps, and the continual warfare between the spirit and the flesh.

Even private journals may contain a faithful account of praiseworthy acts and noble endeavors; but they do not reveal the writer’s sinful deeds. Sometimes the conflicts with evil are recorded, but usually only when the right has gained the victory; this, too, when the writer honestly intends to keep a faithful journal of his life. It is almost beyond human nature to lay open our faults for the possible inspection of our friends.

Had our good Bible been written by uninspired persons, it would have presented quite a different appearance, and would have been a discouraging study to erring mortals, who are contending with natural frailties and the temptations of a wily foe.

But as it is, we have a correct record of the religious experiences of marked characters in Bible history. Men favored of God, and to whom He entrusted great responsibilities, were sometimes overcome by temptation, and committed sin, even as we of the present day strive, waver, and frequently fall into error. But it is encouraging to our desponding hearts to know that through God’s grace they could gain fresh vigor to rise above their evil nature; and, remembering this, we are ready to renew the conflict ourselves.

The murmurings of ancient Israel, their rebellious discontent, and the punishment of their idolatry and ingratitude, as well as the mighty miracles wrought in their favor, are recorded for our benefit. Their example is given as a warning to the people of God, that we may avoid unbelief and escape His wrath. If the iniquities of the Hebrews had been omitted from the Sacred Record, and only their virtues recounted, their history would fail to teach us the lesson God intended it should teach.

Infidels and lovers of sin excuse their crimes by citing the wickedness of men to whom God gave authority in olden times. They argue that if these holy men yielded to temptation and committed sin, it is not to be wondered at that they, too, should be guilty of wrongdoing; and they intimate that they are not so bad after all, since they have such illustrious examples of iniquity before them.

But in these records we discern

the evidences of divine wisdom. The principles of justice required a faithful narration of facts for the benefit of all who should ever read the Sacred Record. We are required to obey the law of God, and are not only instructed as to the penalty of disobedience, but for our benefit and warning the history of Adam and Eve in Paradise, with an account of the sad results of their disobedience to God’s commands, is narrated. The account is full and explicit. The law given to man in Eden is recorded, together with the penalty accruing in case of its disobedience. Then follows the story of the temptation and fall, and the punishment inflicted. This example is given us as a warning against disobedience, that we may know that the wages of sin is death, that God’s retributive justice never fails, and that He exacts from His creatures a strict regard for His commandments. When the law was proclaimed at Sinai, how definite was the penalty annexed, how sure was the punishment to follow the transgression of that law, and how plain are the cases recorded in evidence of that fact!

The pen of Inspiration, true to its task, tells of the sins that overcame Noah, Lot, Moses, Abraham, David, and Solomon, and how even Elijah’s strong spirit sank under temptation during his fearful trial. Jonah’s disobedience and Israel’s idolatry are faithfully recorded. Peter’s denial of Christ, the sharp contention of Paul and Barnabas, the failings and infirmities of the prophets and apostles, are all laid bare by the Holy Spirit, who lifts the veil from the human heart. There before us lie the lives of the believers, with all their faults and follies; and they are intended to be a lesson to all the generations following them. If they had been without foible, they would have been more than human, and we in our sinful natures would despair of ever reaching such a point of excellence. But seeing where they struggled and fell, where they took heart again and conquered through the grace of God, we are encouraged, and led to press on, and surmount the obstacles placed in our way.

God has ever been faithful to punish crime. He sent His prophets to warn the guilty, to denounce their sins, and to pronounce judgment upon them. Those who question why the Word of God brings out the sins of His people in so plain a manner for scoffers to deride and saints to deplore, should consider that it was all written for their instruction, that they may avoid the evils recorded, and imitate only the righteousness of those who served the Lord.

We need just such lessons as the Bible gives us; for with the revelation of sin is recorded the retribution which follows. The sorrow and penitence of the guilty, and the wailing of the sin-sick soul, come to us from the past, telling us that man was then, as now, in need of the pardoning mercy of God. We are taught that while He is a punisher of crime, our heavenly Father pities and forgives the repenting sinner.

God is as powerful to save from sin to-day as He was in the times of the patriarchs, of David, and of the prophets and apostles. The multitude of cases recorded in sacred history, where God has delivered His people from the results of their own iniquities, should make the Christian of this time eager to receive divine instruction, and zealous to perfect a character that will bear the close inspection of the judgment.

Bible history stays the fainting heart with the hope of God’s mercy. We need not despair when we see that others have struggled through discouragements like our own, have fallen under temptation, even as we have done, and yet have recovered their ground and been blessed of God. The words of Inspiration comfort and cheer the erring soul. Altho the patriarchs and apostles were subject to human frailties, yet through faith they obtained a good report, fought their battles in the strength of the Lord, and conquered gloriously. Thus may we trust in the virtue of the atoning sacrifice, and be overcomers in the name of Jesus. Humanity is humanity the world over, from the time of Adam down to the present generation, and the love of God through all ages is without a parallel.