Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God.
Israel's advantage was great in every way, but chiefly in this, that God's own revealed words were entrusted to them as a gift above all other peoples. Those oracles are God's living communication revealing His will, including His law and commandments given at Sinai and the Scriptures of both Old and New Testaments that came through the Jews. They were made stewards and guardians of this sacred trust not for themselves alone, but to preserve the knowledge of God and impart its light, truth and grace to all nations in darkness. Mere possession did not make them righteous, holy or sure of heaven, and pride in descent, misuse of Scripture by tradition, and failure to live it turned what should have been the greatest blessing into condemnation. Because the first guardians proved unfaithful, the same charge now rests upon Christ's disciples and church, who must humbly study, obey and share the oracles and will be blessed if faithful and judged more severely if they despise them.
What the Oracles Are
The oracles are God's revealed words, the living oracles, given as a divine communication as truly as if God spoke aloud, revealing His will to man. They are to be valued more highly, searched to learn what they contain, and obeyed rather than merely assented to as true, for their value and preciousness remain unknown where their instructions are not obeyed.
The oracles include the law, His commandments and statutes and judgments, including the Ten Commandments given at Sinai. Their lasting principles of truth, justice and purity were meant to protect the people from the self-destruction of sin and stood as a hedge around them. God's temple stood among them in the midst of the land like a tower in a vineyard, and the glory of the Shekinah above the mercy seat showed love and patience through Christ's continual teaching and guidance. That trust was placed especially on priests and rulers so the glory of the Lord would be revealed to idolatrous nations.
In the wilderness wandering Christ as the invisible Leader gave the congregation of more than a million people laws of heavenly origin, directions, requirements and purposes in plain terms with continual instruction. Nothing was withheld because they needed to know and understand the purposes of heaven and had to be educated before being given possession of the vineyard. Those words were to be impressed on minds by every possible means, with children taught by pleasant methods to sing the words given to Moses as soon as they could speak.
Both the Old and New Testaments came through the Jews, so that every promise in the Bible and every ray of light from the Word has come through them as guardians of truth, keepers of law and depositaries of sacred oracles received to give to others. The Old Testament Scriptures held prophecies concerning Christ and His work and reception. The trust includes matters in Daniel and Revelation that concern everyone in the last days, requiring their study and communication to those living in the last days. Calling the Sabbath the old Jewish Sabbath with contempt ignores this honored trust.
The Word committed is the guidebook showing the way to heaven, the revelation of God's will, the bread of life and water of salvation to all who make it their study. It holds divine assurances, truths, privileges and duties, vast fields of truth and vast resources of power, known more and more by those who lay hold of those assurances and walk in humble obedience. It gives true statements giving faith and hope a firm foundation that stands when feeling and experience change, while religion resting only on fluctuating feeling has no connection with belief of the truth. What it means to be a Christian is understood only by careful and prayerful study of it, for the Bible is its own interpreter and those who believe it as it reads walk in the light. As His goodness, mercy and love are dwelt upon, perception of truth becomes clearer and desire for purity of heart higher, and the soul dwelling in holy thought through study is transformed into humility, kindness and love, with natural and intellectual powers enlarged, expanded, elevated and ennobled.
Israel's Chief Advantage
The advantage of the Jew was much in every way, chiefly that the oracles of God were committed to them, a great and unmeasured advantage above the Gentiles who did not have the Word of God. This is the highest commendation and testimony to the value of the Bible, for mere possession of the sacred Book containing the revelation of God is an advantage, and knowing how to read and study its pages is a still greater privilege. Therefore every effort should be made to place it in the hands of all nations, tongues, and people, including educating the colored people to read, for even when unexplained by human agencies the Holy Spirit applies Holy Writ with transforming power upon life and character, vigor to the intellect, and reformation of mind. The Word thus committed is the guidebook showing the way to heaven, the revelation of God's will, the bread of life and the water of salvation to all who make it their study, and those who believe it as it reads walk in the light because the Bible is its own interpreter.
God made the Jewish nation the repositories, stewards, guardians, keepers, and depositories of His holy oracles, truths of the highest value like a pearl of great price. They were the chosen nation favored with this sacred trust, chosen to be at least one channel through which the rays of light could shine to the world without being corrupted, and commanded not to unite with other peoples lest the light be corrupted instead of communicated. The remnant were guardians of true worship and keepers of the holy oracles preserving the knowledge of God and His law, and Ephraim and Manasseh joined that entrusted people when Joseph chose their place among Israel over the honors and opportunities Egypt offered. Had they been faithful stewards God would have delighted in His people and made them the praise of the whole earth, but they did not appreciate the pearl, transgressed the law, and broke the covenant of God. He did not refuse to let His light shine on other nations, but those idolatrous nations raised barriers, turned farther from the light, and went deeper into moral darkness and blindness.
That trust did not make lineal descendants of Abraham the Israel of God, for the Israel of God are those who are converted. The people claimed Abrahamic descent by birth and outward circumcision and treated every promise made to Israel as theirs, clothing themselves in self-righteousness until priests and rulers gloried in their privileges, became proud and arrogant, and separated themselves from God while rejecting Christ. Possessing Scripture and knowing religious truth did not make them righteous, holy, or fit for heaven, nor protect them from selfishness, greed, malice, and hypocrisy when that knowledge was not lived out. Nor did the privilege ensure understanding or obedience, for they misused it to support a sinful condition, replacing God's Word with human teachings and traditions that made His commandment of no effect. The privilege also did not make the gospel less available to Gentiles and did not make faith exclusive to their nation, for the gospel is equally able to save Jew and Gentile as God's power to save everyone who believes, Jew first and also Gentile, and Jewish believers who recognize Jesus as Messiah through the prophecies are part of the remnant saved, while Pharisaic customs and traditions made men unfit to be a light to the world to which Christ's message for all peoples, nations, and classes was sent.
The same privilege applies to the college among God's people: its chief advantage over other colleges is its responsibility to teach and study the Scriptures. This supports making the Bible a principal subject of study, prized more highly the more deeply it is studied, and interpreting God and the mysteries of creation. The trust rested especially on priests, rulers, and dignitaries as guardians of the Holy Scriptures and faithful expositors of the Word. Yet religious pride and lack of sympathy kept them from responding to sincere seekers such as the wise men asking about the Messiah, and instead of faithful exposition they rejected and denied Christ, with spirit and principles entirely contrary to the Scriptures, misinterpreting and misapplying the Word by reading it in the light of perverted judgment. This made it hard to teach the people to read the Scriptures correctly, and softening and subduing the hearts of these unfaithful teachers was the burden that drove Christ to spend nights in earnest prayer to His Father with strong crying and tears.
Mission to Enlighten World
Israel was given sacred words and law to preserve knowledge of God among humanity and to make His light known among the nations. The trust was to give evidence to the world of the superiority of the nation that worships the only true God and regards His righteous law as supreme, honoring His Sabbath and obeying Him without restriction. Set apart for this work, Israel was to reveal His character and call those living in spiritual darkness away from idolatry to serve the living God. The church of God was ever His peculiar treasure, called out from rigorous, cruel and unjust Egyptian servitude to become His free servants.
The chief privilege was receiving the oracles as divine teachings and commandments revealing His will, together with appointed guides and ministers and temporal and spiritual advantages that distinguished Israel from other nations. The law of the Ten Commandments stood as a hedge around them. The sacrificial service presented Christ through types and symbols, proclaiming the gospel and redemption to bring knowledge of God to the nations.
That trust laid obligation to impart to others all that had been received, for truth and grace held in trust must be communicated to others. Those who know the truth are responsible for the souls with whom they associate and must give account to God for the use of blessings bestowed upon them. Being made depositories of sacred truth brings large responsibilities corresponding to great light, for the oracles are living and shine with light to be walked in. The duty is to use every entrusted advantage to beautify truth by holiness of character and to give sacred truth to the world in its beauty and glory, sending warning and comfort, hope and love to those in the darkness of error and sin. The living oracles must be opened to all nations, tongues and peoples through men raised up for this work, men of all ranks and capacities with various gifts, each fulfilling his own special appointment, standing in God-given armor and cooperating harmoniously for a common result in uniting to bring truth to all.
The trust was for others' blessing and not for personal gain, to share its light and bless the world. Through greed and shortsightedness those entrusted failed to teach the many travelers who passed through their land. Solomon and his people were to use opportunity and contact with travelers from many nations to make the true God known, but used those opportunities for personal gain and to enrich and exalt themselves. So multitudes were left ignorant of God.
Israel failed to keep this trust, but God used captivity and scattering to spread knowledge of the true God. Daniel, Nehemiah and Ezra brought that light before rulers.
Pride and Misuse of Scripture
The great advantage named in Romans 3:2 did not make lineal descent from Abraham by birth and outward circumcision the Israel of God, for the Israel of God are the converted, yet the people claimed that descent and treated every promise made to Israel as theirs by right of birth. Clothed in self-righteousness, the priests and rulers gloried in their privileges until they became proud and arrogant and separated themselves from God while rejecting Christ. Instead of feeling their need under so exalted a trust, they became filled with self-complacency and boasted that they were the only favored people of God and more exalted than their neighbors. That boasting led them to regard themselves as exalted above all other peoples, to regard their own traditions as more important than His commandments and to worship in vain.
They were unaccustomed to accept God's Word exactly as it reads or to let it be its own interpreter, but read it in the light of their own maxims and traditions. They misconstrued the Scriptures to meet their own backslidden attitude toward God and to suit themselves. Their teaching was no longer the Word of God but the sayings and doings of men, making of no effect the commandments of God by tradition. They worked away from the high and holy standard given in the law of God to meet a human standard, seducing the church from trust and faith in God with vain philosophy and human traditions. They were ignorant both of the Scriptures and of the power of God and had no real faith.
When Christ came exactly as those living oracles said He would come, the priests and teachers of the people could not discern that He was their Saviour nor understand the manner of His coming. Because they had so long neglected to study and contemplate the Bible, its pages were a mystery to them, and they turned with aversion from the truth of God to the traditions of men. They closed the eyes of their understanding so they did not see Christ, while the poor heard Him gladly. They blinded the eyes of others by misapplying the Scriptures, substituting their own traditions and fables and exalting their words as the commandments of God, and so bewildered the minds of the people that they could not see Christ. Christ's work was to expose these false interpretations and false theories and by His own life to reveal the character of God, that He might lift souls perishing in ignorance of true godliness into a pure and holy atmosphere.
The appointed guardians of the Holy Oracles could prize their own religious standing while showing no sympathy for sincere seekers of the Messiah, as when the priests who possessed the trust failed to respond to the wise men's questions. Though the oracles committed to them included the Ten Commandments given at Sinai, those entrusted with them had nearly lost sight of their precepts. Possessing this sacred trust did not prevent their church from bringing God's truth into disrepute through disunity and dissension. Their spirit and principles were entirely contrary to the Scriptures, and they misinterpreted and misapplied the Word of God, reading it in the light of their perverted judgment. This made it difficult to teach the people to read the Scriptures correctly, and softening and subduing the hearts of these unfaithful teachers was the burden that drove Christ to spend nights in earnest prayer to His Father with strong crying and tears.
Having the Scriptures did not keep them from error, for they misused them to support their sinful condition. The precious treasure of revealed truth committed to them was obscured by error and departure from God. Possessing Scripture and knowing religious truth did not make them righteous or holy or fit for heaven when that knowledge was not lived out, leaving selfishness, greed, malice and hypocrisy.
Trust Passed to Others
Because the leaders proved unfaithful to the responsibility, the work of communicating truth to others was taken from them and committed to the Gentiles, with others chosen to do the work. Though long forgetful, backsliding and rebellious, Israel was not yet given up, and the hand was still outstretched to save. The probation mercifully granted was drawing to a close and the cloud of vengeance was gathering. Because they refused to repent and come to the Saviour, He could no longer shield them against their enemies.
The same charge now rests upon the disciples of Christ and the church as depositories of truth and grace held in trust to communicate to others. They are repositories of sacred truth and holy law to shine to those in darkness. They are entrusted with God's law and the prophetic truths for this time to communicate through witness to the world. Those who know the truth are responsible for the souls with whom they associate and must give account to God for the use made of the blessings bestowed upon them.
The church at Battle Creek had received great light, especially God's commandments and a solemn message of mercy, not for its own benefit alone but so that the light would reach others and bring glory to God. Its members were therefore accountable for neglecting their duty to live obediently and share what they had received. This favor requires works and influence corresponding with profession, as trees of righteousness bearing fruit to the glory of God. It gives no excuse for disrespect and disregard of His requirements.
Those entrusted with the living oracles are Christ's ambassadors for proclaiming the message of mercy and retribution. Practical knowledge of health reform and ability to help the sick increases their usefulness in that work. To consecrated gospel workers the sacred oracles are committed for individual work, which means not working by worldly policy nor seeking apparent success by selfishly retaining means that should be freely imparted to help the work in other places, but being doers of the Word and not merely speakers, with the fruit of true consecration seen in unselfish faithful action. Because the living oracles committed as a sacred trust set God's people apart from those disloyal to God, they must not appeal to unbelieving lawyers to settle matters relating to the cause of God. When pride, self-love and self-exaltation lead them to do so they become unlike the children of God and more like those who have lost their first love, and that unfaithful example keeps more souls from being convinced of the truth.
In this age most sacred truth has likewise been committed to His people so they will have light to shed amid the darkness around them. As with the Jewish nation chosen to be the depository of sacred truth as at least one channel through which rays of light could shine to the world, they are commanded not to unite with corrupting ways lest the light entrusted to them be corrupted and hindered in being communicated to the world. The oracles committed to those who believe include especially the matter in Daniel and Revelation which concerns everyone. This trust requires studying those books, letting the God of Israel communicate truth, communicating that truth to others who live in these last days, learning of Jesus, and not becoming highminded and left to one's own way as the king of Babylon was.
Valuing and Studying Scripture
Romans 3:2 is the highest commendation and testimony to the value of the Bible, for the Jew had a great advantage above the Gentile because the oracles of God were committed to them. Mere possession of the Bible is an advantage, and knowing how to read and study its pages is a still greater privilege. Every effort should therefore be made to place the sacred Book containing the law and the whole revelation of God in the hands of all nations, tongues, and people, and to teach people to read and study its pages. This includes educating the colored people to read so the Bible can be placed in their hands, for even if unexplained by human agencies the Holy Spirit will make application of the words of Holy Writ, giving transforming power upon life and character, vigor to the intellect, and positive reformation in the minds of all who receive the Word.
The Scriptures are God's oracles entrusted to people as His revealed will, a divine communication as truly as if God spoke aloud in an audible voice. They must be valued more highly, searched to learn what they contain, received as the authoritative rule of life, and obeyed, not merely assented to as truthful, for their value and preciousness remain unknown where their instructions are not obeyed. They must be studied personally, in humility and faith, with prayer for the help of the Holy Spirit, whose aid is indispensable to understanding them, with the Bible as its own interpreter, and those who believe it as it reads walk in the light. Their excellencies and hidden treasures are not exhausted on the surface but unfold through diligent study like precious jewels discovered by digging, while neglect leaves even many who teach them without divine knowledge. They must not be distorted to support human errors or traditions or withheld from the people, because their light leads minds to Christ and away from reliance on religious leaders, and properly studied God's word shapes the mind and character, purifies the soul, and guards against sin.
These oracles contain truths, privileges, and duties that may not yet be recognized, holding divine assurances, vast fields of truth, and vast resources of power. As people humbly obey God and do His will and lay hold of those assurances to fulfill His purpose, they come to know more and more of them and become established in sound doctrine, and to them glorious things are revealed that they did not suspect to be in Scripture. As His goodness, mercy, and love are dwelt upon, perception of truth becomes clearer and desire for purity of heart higher. The soul dwelling in holy thought through study of the Word is transformed into humility, kindness, and love, with natural and intellectual powers enlarged, expanded, elevated, and ennobled.
Those entrusted to present the sacred oracles must remain humble and willing to be taught by God, receiving truth from the great Teacher and from fellow workers and laypeople whom God appoints. They must keep studying Scripture and seeking God rather than relying on old sermons, so they can share the truth they have received. Those whom God has made the repository of His law and committed with sacred trusts of holy truth to teach to others have special need of clearer and increased light from heaven, and need to be spiritualized, elevated, and vitalized by the sacred truth they profess to believe. That trust should lead to carefulness, distrust of self, stripping away of self-sufficiency and spiritual pride, humble views of human wisdom and insufficiency, and a sense of being kept by the power of God through faith, since men in such positions of sacred trust can be found unfaithful and turn away from the holy commandment delivered unto them. Those who have received the light of truth honor it by not recommending pagan or infidel writings as necessary sources of knowledge for education.
Being entrusted with the oracles means having God's Word to reprove wrong and encourage righteousness. Those with this advantage receive reproof and warning when they are not walking in God's way, and if they repent with humility and contrition of heart and make confession, God receives them again into favor. Honoring God by obeying His commandments brings exaltation by Him and teaching in what constitutes true honor and strength and victory. Despising His Word and continuing in one's own way in self-exaltation and leading trusting followers into wrong paths brings weariness with self unless utterly forsaken by God. The oracles are sound, earnest, truthful working in truth, righteousness, and integrity, heard as a still, small voice. When truth is not practiced and justice and equity cannot enter, the oracles become extinct, mingled and confused by varied interpreters, so men drift into atheism and false science, though an attentive listener can still at times distinguish the voice.
Blessing or Condemnation
The oracles entrusted were definite instruction from Christ about what to do, His commandments and statutes and judgments, with the richest blessings in store if they were kept. They were truths of the highest value, like a pearl of great price, given to the Jewish nation made repositories and stewards of the holy trust as a chosen and favored people. Had they been faithful stewards of that sacred trust, God would have delighted in His people and made them the praise of the whole earth.
What would have been their greatest blessing became their condemnation, because they were disobedient, unthankful, and unholy. They did not appreciate the pearl of great price, but transgressed the law and broke the covenant of God. Employed as guardians and almoners of truth who should have used the Lord's goods to bless and benefit the world and render fruit in its season, they abused the messengers sent to them and lifted the Son upon the cross. For that unfaithfulness the trust became their condemnation and made their punishment all the more terrible.
This people blessed with light and privileges above all others were made repositories of sacred truth and holy law to shine to those in darkness, a favor requiring works and influence corresponding with profession as trees of righteousness bearing fruit to the glory of God. That favor gives no excuse for disrespect and disregard of His requirements. If found in sin, this highly favored people will be punished with severity greater than the common sinner, in proportion as advantages and opportunities have been greater. For God never overlooks wickedness in any shape and will expose workers of iniquity, much less sparing those in responsible places who have used common fire in place of the sacred.
The trust was given, resting especially on priests and rulers, so that the glory of the Lord would be revealed to idolatrous nations and the faith of Israel communicated to all other peoples on earth. Christ came to reveal the principles of the kingdom of heaven and had just demonstrated His character as Saviour and Lifegiver at the grave of Lazarus. But in pride the Jews rejected the One who is mighty and having salvation, failing the work God designed them to do.
Israel's advantage was great in every way, but chiefly in this, that God's own revealed words were entrusted to them as a gift above all other peoples.
Those oracles are God's living communication revealing His will, including His law and commandments given at Sinai and the Scriptures of both Old and New Testaments that came through the Jews.
They were made stewards and guardians of this sacred trust not for themselves alone, but to preserve the knowledge of God and impart its light, truth and grace to all nations in darkness.
Mere possession did not make them righteous, holy or sure of heaven, and pride in descent, misuse of Scripture by tradition, and failure to live it turned what should have been the greatest blessing into condemnation.
Because the first guardians proved unfaithful, the same charge now rests upon Christ's disciples and church, who must humbly study, obey and share the oracles and will be blessed if faithful and judged more severely if they despise them.
What the Oracles Are
The oracles are God's revealed words, the living oracles, given as a divine communication as truly as if God spoke aloud, revealing His will to man. They are to be valued more highly, searched to learn what they contain, and obeyed rather than merely assented to as true, for their value and preciousness remain unknown where their instructions are not obeyed.
The oracles include the law, His commandments and statutes and judgments, including the Ten Commandments given at Sinai. Their lasting principles of truth, justice and purity were meant to protect the people from the self-destruction of sin and stood as a hedge around them. God's temple stood among them in the midst of the land like a tower in a vineyard, and the glory of the Shekinah above the mercy seat showed love and patience through Christ's continual teaching and guidance. That trust was placed especially on priests and rulers so the glory of the Lord would be revealed to idolatrous nations.
In the wilderness wandering Christ as the invisible Leader gave the congregation of more than a million people laws of heavenly origin, directions, requirements and purposes in plain terms with continual instruction. Nothing was withheld because they needed to know and understand the purposes of heaven and had to be educated before being given possession of the vineyard. Those words were to be impressed on minds by every possible means, with children taught by pleasant methods to sing the words given to Moses as soon as they could speak.
Both the Old and New Testaments came through the Jews, so that every promise in the Bible and every ray of light from the Word has come through them as guardians of truth, keepers of law and depositaries of sacred oracles received to give to others. The Old Testament Scriptures held prophecies concerning Christ and His work and reception. The trust includes matters in Daniel and Revelation that concern everyone in the last days, requiring their study and communication to those living in the last days. Calling the Sabbath the old Jewish Sabbath with contempt ignores this honored trust.
The Word committed is the guidebook showing the way to heaven, the revelation of God's will, the bread of life and water of salvation to all who make it their study. It holds divine assurances, truths, privileges and duties, vast fields of truth and vast resources of power, known more and more by those who lay hold of those assurances and walk in humble obedience. It gives true statements giving faith and hope a firm foundation that stands when feeling and experience change, while religion resting only on fluctuating feeling has no connection with belief of the truth. What it means to be a Christian is understood only by careful and prayerful study of it, for the Bible is its own interpreter and those who believe it as it reads walk in the light. As His goodness, mercy and love are dwelt upon, perception of truth becomes clearer and desire for purity of heart higher, and the soul dwelling in holy thought through study is transformed into humility, kindness and love, with natural and intellectual powers enlarged, expanded, elevated and ennobled.
Israel's Chief Advantage
The advantage of the Jew was much in every way, chiefly that the oracles of God were committed to them, a great and unmeasured advantage above the Gentiles who did not have the Word of God. This is the highest commendation and testimony to the value of the Bible, for mere possession of the sacred Book containing the revelation of God is an advantage, and knowing how to read and study its pages is a still greater privilege. Therefore every effort should be made to place it in the hands of all nations, tongues, and people, including educating the colored people to read, for even when unexplained by human agencies the Holy Spirit applies Holy Writ with transforming power upon life and character, vigor to the intellect, and reformation of mind. The Word thus committed is the guidebook showing the way to heaven, the revelation of God's will, the bread of life and the water of salvation to all who make it their study, and those who believe it as it reads walk in the light because the Bible is its own interpreter.
God made the Jewish nation the repositories, stewards, guardians, keepers, and depositories of His holy oracles, truths of the highest value like a pearl of great price. They were the chosen nation favored with this sacred trust, chosen to be at least one channel through which the rays of light could shine to the world without being corrupted, and commanded not to unite with other peoples lest the light be corrupted instead of communicated. The remnant were guardians of true worship and keepers of the holy oracles preserving the knowledge of God and His law, and Ephraim and Manasseh joined that entrusted people when Joseph chose their place among Israel over the honors and opportunities Egypt offered. Had they been faithful stewards God would have delighted in His people and made them the praise of the whole earth, but they did not appreciate the pearl, transgressed the law, and broke the covenant of God. He did not refuse to let His light shine on other nations, but those idolatrous nations raised barriers, turned farther from the light, and went deeper into moral darkness and blindness.
That trust did not make lineal descendants of Abraham the Israel of God, for the Israel of God are those who are converted. The people claimed Abrahamic descent by birth and outward circumcision and treated every promise made to Israel as theirs, clothing themselves in self-righteousness until priests and rulers gloried in their privileges, became proud and arrogant, and separated themselves from God while rejecting Christ. Possessing Scripture and knowing religious truth did not make them righteous, holy, or fit for heaven, nor protect them from selfishness, greed, malice, and hypocrisy when that knowledge was not lived out. Nor did the privilege ensure understanding or obedience, for they misused it to support a sinful condition, replacing God's Word with human teachings and traditions that made His commandment of no effect. The privilege also did not make the gospel less available to Gentiles and did not make faith exclusive to their nation, for the gospel is equally able to save Jew and Gentile as God's power to save everyone who believes, Jew first and also Gentile, and Jewish believers who recognize Jesus as Messiah through the prophecies are part of the remnant saved, while Pharisaic customs and traditions made men unfit to be a light to the world to which Christ's message for all peoples, nations, and classes was sent.
The same privilege applies to the college among God's people: its chief advantage over other colleges is its responsibility to teach and study the Scriptures. This supports making the Bible a principal subject of study, prized more highly the more deeply it is studied, and interpreting God and the mysteries of creation. The trust rested especially on priests, rulers, and dignitaries as guardians of the Holy Scriptures and faithful expositors of the Word. Yet religious pride and lack of sympathy kept them from responding to sincere seekers such as the wise men asking about the Messiah, and instead of faithful exposition they rejected and denied Christ, with spirit and principles entirely contrary to the Scriptures, misinterpreting and misapplying the Word by reading it in the light of perverted judgment. This made it hard to teach the people to read the Scriptures correctly, and softening and subduing the hearts of these unfaithful teachers was the burden that drove Christ to spend nights in earnest prayer to His Father with strong crying and tears.
Mission to Enlighten World
Israel was given sacred words and law to preserve knowledge of God among humanity and to make His light known among the nations. The trust was to give evidence to the world of the superiority of the nation that worships the only true God and regards His righteous law as supreme, honoring His Sabbath and obeying Him without restriction. Set apart for this work, Israel was to reveal His character and call those living in spiritual darkness away from idolatry to serve the living God. The church of God was ever His peculiar treasure, called out from rigorous, cruel and unjust Egyptian servitude to become His free servants.
The chief privilege was receiving the oracles as divine teachings and commandments revealing His will, together with appointed guides and ministers and temporal and spiritual advantages that distinguished Israel from other nations. The law of the Ten Commandments stood as a hedge around them. The sacrificial service presented Christ through types and symbols, proclaiming the gospel and redemption to bring knowledge of God to the nations.
That trust laid obligation to impart to others all that had been received, for truth and grace held in trust must be communicated to others. Those who know the truth are responsible for the souls with whom they associate and must give account to God for the use of blessings bestowed upon them. Being made depositories of sacred truth brings large responsibilities corresponding to great light, for the oracles are living and shine with light to be walked in. The duty is to use every entrusted advantage to beautify truth by holiness of character and to give sacred truth to the world in its beauty and glory, sending warning and comfort, hope and love to those in the darkness of error and sin. The living oracles must be opened to all nations, tongues and peoples through men raised up for this work, men of all ranks and capacities with various gifts, each fulfilling his own special appointment, standing in God-given armor and cooperating harmoniously for a common result in uniting to bring truth to all.
The trust was for others' blessing and not for personal gain, to share its light and bless the world. Through greed and shortsightedness those entrusted failed to teach the many travelers who passed through their land. Solomon and his people were to use opportunity and contact with travelers from many nations to make the true God known, but used those opportunities for personal gain and to enrich and exalt themselves. So multitudes were left ignorant of God.
Israel failed to keep this trust, but God used captivity and scattering to spread knowledge of the true God. Daniel, Nehemiah and Ezra brought that light before rulers.
Pride and Misuse of Scripture
The great advantage named in Romans 3:2 did not make lineal descent from Abraham by birth and outward circumcision the Israel of God, for the Israel of God are the converted, yet the people claimed that descent and treated every promise made to Israel as theirs by right of birth. Clothed in self-righteousness, the priests and rulers gloried in their privileges until they became proud and arrogant and separated themselves from God while rejecting Christ. Instead of feeling their need under so exalted a trust, they became filled with self-complacency and boasted that they were the only favored people of God and more exalted than their neighbors. That boasting led them to regard themselves as exalted above all other peoples, to regard their own traditions as more important than His commandments and to worship in vain.
They were unaccustomed to accept God's Word exactly as it reads or to let it be its own interpreter, but read it in the light of their own maxims and traditions. They misconstrued the Scriptures to meet their own backslidden attitude toward God and to suit themselves. Their teaching was no longer the Word of God but the sayings and doings of men, making of no effect the commandments of God by tradition. They worked away from the high and holy standard given in the law of God to meet a human standard, seducing the church from trust and faith in God with vain philosophy and human traditions. They were ignorant both of the Scriptures and of the power of God and had no real faith.
When Christ came exactly as those living oracles said He would come, the priests and teachers of the people could not discern that He was their Saviour nor understand the manner of His coming. Because they had so long neglected to study and contemplate the Bible, its pages were a mystery to them, and they turned with aversion from the truth of God to the traditions of men. They closed the eyes of their understanding so they did not see Christ, while the poor heard Him gladly. They blinded the eyes of others by misapplying the Scriptures, substituting their own traditions and fables and exalting their words as the commandments of God, and so bewildered the minds of the people that they could not see Christ. Christ's work was to expose these false interpretations and false theories and by His own life to reveal the character of God, that He might lift souls perishing in ignorance of true godliness into a pure and holy atmosphere.
The appointed guardians of the Holy Oracles could prize their own religious standing while showing no sympathy for sincere seekers of the Messiah, as when the priests who possessed the trust failed to respond to the wise men's questions. Though the oracles committed to them included the Ten Commandments given at Sinai, those entrusted with them had nearly lost sight of their precepts. Possessing this sacred trust did not prevent their church from bringing God's truth into disrepute through disunity and dissension. Their spirit and principles were entirely contrary to the Scriptures, and they misinterpreted and misapplied the Word of God, reading it in the light of their perverted judgment. This made it difficult to teach the people to read the Scriptures correctly, and softening and subduing the hearts of these unfaithful teachers was the burden that drove Christ to spend nights in earnest prayer to His Father with strong crying and tears.
Having the Scriptures did not keep them from error, for they misused them to support their sinful condition. The precious treasure of revealed truth committed to them was obscured by error and departure from God. Possessing Scripture and knowing religious truth did not make them righteous or holy or fit for heaven when that knowledge was not lived out, leaving selfishness, greed, malice and hypocrisy.
Trust Passed to Others
Because the leaders proved unfaithful to the responsibility, the work of communicating truth to others was taken from them and committed to the Gentiles, with others chosen to do the work. Though long forgetful, backsliding and rebellious, Israel was not yet given up, and the hand was still outstretched to save. The probation mercifully granted was drawing to a close and the cloud of vengeance was gathering. Because they refused to repent and come to the Saviour, He could no longer shield them against their enemies.
The same charge now rests upon the disciples of Christ and the church as depositories of truth and grace held in trust to communicate to others. They are repositories of sacred truth and holy law to shine to those in darkness. They are entrusted with God's law and the prophetic truths for this time to communicate through witness to the world. Those who know the truth are responsible for the souls with whom they associate and must give account to God for the use made of the blessings bestowed upon them.
The church at Battle Creek had received great light, especially God's commandments and a solemn message of mercy, not for its own benefit alone but so that the light would reach others and bring glory to God. Its members were therefore accountable for neglecting their duty to live obediently and share what they had received. This favor requires works and influence corresponding with profession, as trees of righteousness bearing fruit to the glory of God. It gives no excuse for disrespect and disregard of His requirements.
Those entrusted with the living oracles are Christ's ambassadors for proclaiming the message of mercy and retribution. Practical knowledge of health reform and ability to help the sick increases their usefulness in that work. To consecrated gospel workers the sacred oracles are committed for individual work, which means not working by worldly policy nor seeking apparent success by selfishly retaining means that should be freely imparted to help the work in other places, but being doers of the Word and not merely speakers, with the fruit of true consecration seen in unselfish faithful action. Because the living oracles committed as a sacred trust set God's people apart from those disloyal to God, they must not appeal to unbelieving lawyers to settle matters relating to the cause of God. When pride, self-love and self-exaltation lead them to do so they become unlike the children of God and more like those who have lost their first love, and that unfaithful example keeps more souls from being convinced of the truth.
In this age most sacred truth has likewise been committed to His people so they will have light to shed amid the darkness around them. As with the Jewish nation chosen to be the depository of sacred truth as at least one channel through which rays of light could shine to the world, they are commanded not to unite with corrupting ways lest the light entrusted to them be corrupted and hindered in being communicated to the world. The oracles committed to those who believe include especially the matter in Daniel and Revelation which concerns everyone. This trust requires studying those books, letting the God of Israel communicate truth, communicating that truth to others who live in these last days, learning of Jesus, and not becoming highminded and left to one's own way as the king of Babylon was.
Valuing and Studying Scripture
Romans 3:2 is the highest commendation and testimony to the value of the Bible, for the Jew had a great advantage above the Gentile because the oracles of God were committed to them. Mere possession of the Bible is an advantage, and knowing how to read and study its pages is a still greater privilege. Every effort should therefore be made to place the sacred Book containing the law and the whole revelation of God in the hands of all nations, tongues, and people, and to teach people to read and study its pages. This includes educating the colored people to read so the Bible can be placed in their hands, for even if unexplained by human agencies the Holy Spirit will make application of the words of Holy Writ, giving transforming power upon life and character, vigor to the intellect, and positive reformation in the minds of all who receive the Word.
The Scriptures are God's oracles entrusted to people as His revealed will, a divine communication as truly as if God spoke aloud in an audible voice. They must be valued more highly, searched to learn what they contain, received as the authoritative rule of life, and obeyed, not merely assented to as truthful, for their value and preciousness remain unknown where their instructions are not obeyed. They must be studied personally, in humility and faith, with prayer for the help of the Holy Spirit, whose aid is indispensable to understanding them, with the Bible as its own interpreter, and those who believe it as it reads walk in the light. Their excellencies and hidden treasures are not exhausted on the surface but unfold through diligent study like precious jewels discovered by digging, while neglect leaves even many who teach them without divine knowledge. They must not be distorted to support human errors or traditions or withheld from the people, because their light leads minds to Christ and away from reliance on religious leaders, and properly studied God's word shapes the mind and character, purifies the soul, and guards against sin.
These oracles contain truths, privileges, and duties that may not yet be recognized, holding divine assurances, vast fields of truth, and vast resources of power. As people humbly obey God and do His will and lay hold of those assurances to fulfill His purpose, they come to know more and more of them and become established in sound doctrine, and to them glorious things are revealed that they did not suspect to be in Scripture. As His goodness, mercy, and love are dwelt upon, perception of truth becomes clearer and desire for purity of heart higher. The soul dwelling in holy thought through study of the Word is transformed into humility, kindness, and love, with natural and intellectual powers enlarged, expanded, elevated, and ennobled.
Those entrusted to present the sacred oracles must remain humble and willing to be taught by God, receiving truth from the great Teacher and from fellow workers and laypeople whom God appoints. They must keep studying Scripture and seeking God rather than relying on old sermons, so they can share the truth they have received. Those whom God has made the repository of His law and committed with sacred trusts of holy truth to teach to others have special need of clearer and increased light from heaven, and need to be spiritualized, elevated, and vitalized by the sacred truth they profess to believe. That trust should lead to carefulness, distrust of self, stripping away of self-sufficiency and spiritual pride, humble views of human wisdom and insufficiency, and a sense of being kept by the power of God through faith, since men in such positions of sacred trust can be found unfaithful and turn away from the holy commandment delivered unto them. Those who have received the light of truth honor it by not recommending pagan or infidel writings as necessary sources of knowledge for education.
Being entrusted with the oracles means having God's Word to reprove wrong and encourage righteousness. Those with this advantage receive reproof and warning when they are not walking in God's way, and if they repent with humility and contrition of heart and make confession, God receives them again into favor. Honoring God by obeying His commandments brings exaltation by Him and teaching in what constitutes true honor and strength and victory. Despising His Word and continuing in one's own way in self-exaltation and leading trusting followers into wrong paths brings weariness with self unless utterly forsaken by God. The oracles are sound, earnest, truthful working in truth, righteousness, and integrity, heard as a still, small voice. When truth is not practiced and justice and equity cannot enter, the oracles become extinct, mingled and confused by varied interpreters, so men drift into atheism and false science, though an attentive listener can still at times distinguish the voice.
Blessing or Condemnation
The oracles entrusted were definite instruction from Christ about what to do, His commandments and statutes and judgments, with the richest blessings in store if they were kept. They were truths of the highest value, like a pearl of great price, given to the Jewish nation made repositories and stewards of the holy trust as a chosen and favored people. Had they been faithful stewards of that sacred trust, God would have delighted in His people and made them the praise of the whole earth.
What would have been their greatest blessing became their condemnation, because they were disobedient, unthankful, and unholy. They did not appreciate the pearl of great price, but transgressed the law and broke the covenant of God. Employed as guardians and almoners of truth who should have used the Lord's goods to bless and benefit the world and render fruit in its season, they abused the messengers sent to them and lifted the Son upon the cross. For that unfaithfulness the trust became their condemnation and made their punishment all the more terrible.
This people blessed with light and privileges above all others were made repositories of sacred truth and holy law to shine to those in darkness, a favor requiring works and influence corresponding with profession as trees of righteousness bearing fruit to the glory of God. That favor gives no excuse for disrespect and disregard of His requirements. If found in sin, this highly favored people will be punished with severity greater than the common sinner, in proportion as advantages and opportunities have been greater. For God never overlooks wickedness in any shape and will expose workers of iniquity, much less sparing those in responsible places who have used common fire in place of the sacred.
The trust was given, resting especially on priests and rulers, so that the glory of the Lord would be revealed to idolatrous nations and the faith of Israel communicated to all other peoples on earth. Christ came to reveal the principles of the kingdom of heaven and had just demonstrated His character as Saviour and Lifegiver at the grave of Lazarus. But in pride the Jews rejected the One who is mighty and having salvation, failing the work God designed them to do.