Comparing Scripture With Scripture by David Paulson, M. D.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park, Washington, D. C. · Jun 6, 1912

Comparing Scripture With Scripture

By David Paulson, M. D.

DAVID PAULSON, M. D.

DURING the Reformation Zwingli, the great Swiss Reformer, earnestly admonished his converts to "compare scripture with scripture."

Many are now overlooking this helpful method of studying the Bible. For example, we may read in the second chapter of Exodus that Moses was brought up in Pharaoh's house, but if we want to get a glorious glimpse of what that really means, we must read Stephen's inspired words in Acts 7:20-31. Here we find that Moses was instructed in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and recent Egyptian explorations give us something more than a hint of the scope covered by Egyptian wisdom of those days.

In like manner, in the four Gospels we are furnished a magnificent glimpse of what might be termed the triumphant side of Christ's life. We see him stilling the angry waves by a word, healing disease by a touch, multiplying the bread as he broke it, casting out devils by his presence, and finally dying a painful death without a murmur, then coming forth from the tomb and ascending into heaven.

But how often you and I, in some dark hour when the tempter has driven us into almost the last ditch, have wished we knew just how Christ felt in his very inmost soul when he passed through some similar experience. This knowledge we may obtain from a study of the prophecies. David "foresaw" and felt in prophetic vision much of what the disciples missed because they were so frequently asleep when the Master again and again went through such life-and-death struggles with the enemy as you and I shall never be called upon to encounter. Read his thrilling word-pictures, and then you will read in a new sense the words, "For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succor them that are tempted." Heb. 2:18.

I would particularly suggest that Psalms 16, 18, 22, 31, 35, 38, 39, 40, 55, 69, and 118 be prayerfully and thoughtfully read from this viewpoint, and then you will be much better acquainted with that Friend that sticketh closer than a brother.

Hinsdale, Ill.