CANNOT UNDERSTAND ALIKE.
By Albert Stone
It is not given to men to understand the Scriptures alike, is a sentiment we meet so often as to cause a degree of astonishment. It seems to be used mostly by a nominal Christianity as a shield against the attacks of aggressive, earnest Bible religion. Some would have us believe that the Bible gives great latitude in matters of faith and practice, that diversity of sects and sentiments is not a hindrance, but a help, to religion, that it fosters a spirit of emulation, and in the aggregate more good is done than otherwise could be. But to occupy an unscriptural standpoint for such a purpose savors more of human policy than of godliness. A large class would be willing that everybody should understand that the Scriptures in general, and the prophecies in particular, are obscure, and that we might content ourselves with a limited measure of Bible knowledge until this mortal vail is rent. The Lord’s mind on this point is expressed in the following language: “The vision of all is become unto you as the words of a book that is sealed, which men deliver to one that is learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee; and he saith, I cannot; for it is sealed. And the book is delivered to him that is not learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee; and he saith, I am not learned.” Isa. 29:11, 12. The ninth verse states that the people referred to are in a state of judicial blindness, that in consequence of rejected light, their religious guides even are covered with darkness. Their state is further described in the thirteenth verse. They draw near to God in words, and honor him with their lips, but their heart they have removed far from him, and their fear toward God is taught by the precepts of men. It is difficult to conceive of a worse state than that of the people here described. There is a terrible doom awaiting them unless they open their eyes and turn from their deceptions. Hear what the Lord says in the fourteenth verse: “Therefore I will proceed to do a marvelous work among this people, even a marvelous work and a wonder; for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid.” In this scripture is presented the interesting spectacle of the people demanding of their ministers light from the word of God. They ask them to read the book. Explain to us the Bible, say they, open to us the Scriptures. We have freely ministered to you of our carnal things, we ask you to preach the word, to break to us the bread of life. Give us meat in season; minister to us in word and doctrine. Tell us, is the Lord coming soon? Watchman, what of the night? Such are the silent breathings and aspirations of thousands scattered throughout the land. They dimly see some of the signs by which this generation is being warned of things to come, and naturally turn to their ministers for instruction. But in nine cases out of ten they are virtually told, “The book is sealed;” the prophetic Scriptures especially must remain in much darkness till the seal is removed by their fulfillment. Thus a quietus is administered to these inquiring minds as they unconsciously listen to the instruction that causeth to err. There is, indeed, ample cause why all do not understand the Bible alike, but that cause may have no connection with the Bible itself. For the people of God persistently to reject plainly revealed truth is to put out their own eyes. On the other hand, to receive and practice the truth is to have the eyes of the understanding enlightened. “The entrance of thy words giveth light.” Ps. 119:130. It is in harmony with reason and Scripture, and perfectly natural, that those who “walk in the light,” and those who do not keep pace with the light, should not understand the Bible alike. Every Bible reader knows that these two classes are made conspicuous from Genesis to Revelation. As we view the Bible, so will our character be proved, and the character we form will decide our destiny. In the time of the flood, men, as now, took different views of the word of God. The views of each class respectively decided their individual destinies. Mark the result! So it was in the days of Lot. Those who gave credit to the Heaven-sent message were delivered; those who did not were destroyed. So in the plague of hail upon Egypt,—the servants of Pharaoh who regarded the word of the Lord took their servants and cattle into the houses; those who regarded not the word of the Lord left their servants and cattle in the field. The Lord directed Moses to send twelve chosen men to search the land of promise. If all these men had kept pace with the light given, their report would have been harmonious and encouraging. But as it was, the majority in their darkness brought back an evil and cowardly report. They saw things very differently from Caleb and Joshua, who had eyes to see and wisdom to stand in the counsel of the Lord. The Jews, at the first advent, did not understand the Scriptures alike with Christ and his inspired apostles, and they refused to be instructed by them. Our Lord, in Matt. 13:15, gives the reason of unlikeness in their views. They had closed their eyes. The result is too well known to need comment. If one is physically blind, he knows the fact and feels his loss. But the subject of moral blindness is usually ignorant of the fact, and feels no loss. Rev. 3:17. No doubt men may be saved if they have not an understanding of all revealed truth; but if one vital truth is persistently rejected, will it not close the door of salvation against the rejecter? We think it will. The antediluvians, the Jews, and many others, illustrate this and prove it true. The want of clearness of divine revelation will excuse none for rejecting any part of it. Whose fault is it that we do not understand the Bible alike? All are ready to admit that the truths essential to salvation are so plain that all Christians may and do understand them alike. But many would have it that those truths relate simply to the fact that Christ has died for the sins of men, and that through him we may be saved. If we look by faith to Christ as he hangs on the cross, it is claimed we are all right. Men may and do, no doubt, honestly entertain such views in these last days; but I submit they are a subterfuge, a garment too small for a covering, a bed too short, a suggestion of the evil one. If we look to Christ on the cross by a living faith, we shall find he has requirements for us to obey, examples for us to follow, work for us to do, love for us to imitate, and sacrifices for us to make. We shall find that Christ is the light (not darkness) of the world, that the Bible is a lamp, and that light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart. “Cursed is he that maketh the blind to wander out of the way. And all the people shall say, Amen.” Deut. 27:18.