Entrusted with the Oracles of God
The Old Testament Israelites had a distinct advantage over all other nations. Their great privilege was God giving His Word to them. They were entrusted with the oracles of God (Rom 3:2).
The history of Israel demonstrates that not all the Israelites embraced their advantage from God. Some fell away from Yahweh in unbelief (Rom 3:3). They had tasted the good things of God, even the Word of God and the powers of the age to come (Heb 6:5), but they apostatized (1 Cor 10).
There is nothing so precious in the world as the Word of God. When God was displeased with Israel, He sent a famine on the land, meaning a famine for the hearing of the Word of God (Amos 8:11). Thus, it was in the days of Josiah, King of Judah, when Hilkiah found the book of the Law in one of the temple closets (2 Kgs 23:24).
Even, today, blessed are the people who have the Word of God and the freedom of religion. Cursed are those who have banned the Bible. Why do nations despise the Bible? It is the Word of God that condemns all nations and their corrupt actions. One must not trust a government to promote Scripture, nor to protect one’s right to possess the holy Writ.
It is fully the responsibility of a free people to possess what their fathers have secured for them. It should be every Christian’s prerogative to learn the Scriptures. The reason is that God’s Word is light in the darkness. It is bread for the spiritually hungry (Mt 4:4). It is truth in a world of lies, governed by the father of lies (Jn 8:44; 2 Cor 4:4).
Christians who neglect the Word of life are like Esau selling his birthright and losing his blessing (Gen 25:33). It is one thing to possess something, but it also must be used for one to benefit from it. Men are enslaved for lack of knowledge. The knowledge of God, the knowledge of truth, is better than silver and gold, which are useless to redeem the soul of a man.
Christian, when God positioned you to hear the preaching of the Gospel, He was giving you faith unto salvation (Rom 10:17; Eph 2:8–9; Phil 1:29). His removal of your spiritual blindness (2 Cor 4:4), and His opening your heart to respond in faith (Acts 16:14), were His gift to you. This is the gift of the Holy Spirit (Lk 11:13; Acts 2:38; 10:45; Heb 6:4).
The Holy Spirit was the divine Agent in bringing the Word of God, inspiring its authors, moving them to write the oracles of God (2 Tim 3:16). These are what profit a man, and they should be diligently sought for wisdom from God, who rewards those who seek them and find them (Amos 8:12).
If it is the truth of God that sets a saint apart to be holy, then it is the Word of truth that is employed by the Spirit of truth (Jn 16:13). Holiness is a product of the Holy One of Israel, who alone presents you holy and blameless before God the Father (Eph 1:4; 5:27; Col 1:22). What could possibly be more important than the will of God for your life, which is your sanctification (1 Thess 4:3)?
Christian, no one should manipulate you to sit under preaching, nor should you be guilted into reading the Bible for yourself. The oracles of God have been entrusted to you. If you examine yourself and find a deficiency in your love for the Law of God, then, pray that God would increase your appetite for the bread from heaven. Ask and you shall receive a greater hunger and thirst for righteousness.
Remember those who neglected the great blessing of having the oracles of God, but who were not profited by them. Seek fellowship with those who long for the Scriptures, as the deer pants for the living water. Plead with God to make this first in your life. He will not disappoint you.
David Norczyk
Spokane Valley, Washington
January 12, 2022
