A PERIODICAL FOR YOUNG AND OLD

THE CONFESSION OF FAITH

ARTICLE III

Of the Written Word of God

“We confess that this Word of God was not sent, nor delivered by the will of man, but that holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost, as the aspostle Peter saith. And that afterwards God, from a special care, which He has for us and our salvation, commanded His servants, the prophets and apostles, to commit His revealed word to writing; and He Himself wrote with His own finger, the two tables of the law. Therefore we call such writings holy and divine Scriptures.”

The author of the Confession of Faith, Guido de Bres, informs us that the Bible “was not delivered by the will of man”, but that holy men of God were moved by the Holy Spirit to perform this work. “For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” (2 Peter 1:21). Thus the Word of God was spoken at first; later on it was written down in a Book. The Lord used different people for this work; some of these people wrote about events that they had not seen themselves. Moses, for example, wrote the history of Paradise, the creation, and the fall of man, although Moses lived about 2500 years after the creation. The writers of the Bible could not make mistakes because they were led by the Holy Spirit. You know now that there has not always been the written Word of God which we have today. How then did the Lord reveal His will to the people in those earlier times?

In those days the Lord used different ways to make known His will to man. We will mention a few of the ways that we find in the Bible.

1) By visions: while awake, some were in a trance and have heard and seen things. Thus the prophet Isaiah saw the Lord sitting on His throne, with the angels before Him. Also, while Peter was on the roof of the house, he saw in a vision the sheet with unclean beasts, instructing him regarding the three men who would come to him from Cornelius. In both of these visions the Lord called His servants to special tasks. We also know of the visions of Zechariah, in which the Lord revealed important promises to Israel if they would obey His Law, but also punishments if they would not listen to His Word. The things seen in these visions was told to the people.

2) By dreams: sometimes the Lord revealed His will to His servants while they were sleeping. When Jacob was in Bethel he dreamed, and saw a ladder reaching from the earth to heaven with the angels of God moving up and down upon it. This ladder was a type of the Lord Jesus, Who would restore the communion between God and the elect sinners. Also wicked men such as Nebuchadnezzar and the Pharaoh of Egypt received the Word of God in this way.

3) By spoken words: God also communicated by verbal language. Samuel heard the voice of the Lord calling him three times. There is also the internal calling in the conscience as we read in 2 Samuel 23:2, “The Spirit of the Lord spake by me, and His word was in my tongue.”

4) By appearances of the Lord and of His angels. The Lord came to Abraham while he was sitting in his tent door, and shortly thereafter informed him that the five cities would be destroyed. The Lord sent His angel as His messenger to Elijah when he fled from Ahab and Jezebel. The angel of the Lord awoke him, gave him food and drink, and also encouraged him.

5) By casting the lot. In this way Achan, after he had stolen of the spoil of Jericho, was pointed out as the man who troubled Israel. In the same supernatural way Saul was shown to be the Lord’s appointed one as King over Israel, even though annoint-ed previously by Samuel. First the tribe of Benjamin was taken, then the family of Matri from among them, and finally Saul, who had hid himself among the stuff. In this way the Lord made known His will to His people.

6) By Urim and Thummim: this is closely related to the previous way. In Exodus 28:30 we read, “Thou shalt put in the breastplate of judgment the Urim and the Thummim.” We don’t know exactly what these have been, but were used to ask counsel of the Lord. Some think they were a white stone and a black stone, which would indicate the guilty party. But David also asked the Lord’s counsel through the priest by the Urim and Thummim as to what he should do. The literal meaning of these words is lights and perfections. These mysterious contents of the breastplate seem to direct our thoughts to the heart of the Lord Jesus, as containing all light and perfections, all grace and truth, all mercies and righteousness.

In these different ways the Lord revealed His Word, which was brought to the people by His servants in verbal language. Most of those messages were not only for the people of those days, but were of importance for the church of all ages. Now we shall show how the Lord took care of this.

As we know, the church was without the written Word from Adam to the days of Moses. In those centuries the Lord maintained His Word by verbal tradition from father to son, and in this way God’s Word was kept pure. Adam and Eve told their children about Paradise, the blessed state wherein they had been created, but also about the terrible state in which they had brought themselves by their disobedience. I think many tears were wept when they spoke about their former glory of the past, and about what they now were. Do we know the times when we were really unhappy because we sinned time and again against a good God? The sorrow after God is found in all those who are convinced by the Holy Spirit of their state!

To show that only a few people were necessary to keep God’s Word pure during the first 2500 years, I give the following facts:

Adam became 930 years old -he lived until the year 930 (see Genesis 5).

Methuselah became 969 years old - he lived during the period 688 to 1656 - thus he lived 242 years with Adam .

Shem became 600 years old - he lived during the period 1558 to 2158 - thus he lived 98 years with Methuselah. Isaac became 180 years old - he lived from 2108 to 2288 -thus he lived 50 years with Shem.

After this we don’t know the exact dates, but Levi the son of Jacob has known his grandfather Isaac. The daughter (or granddaughter) of Levi was Jochebed, a name well known to us because she was the mother of Moses, the first writer of the Bible. In this way the Lord preserved His Word in the first 25 centuries from Adam to Moses, and only seven or eight persons were necessary for this task.

Then it became God’s time that His Word be written, of which we hope to write another time. Today the Lord does not speak through visions, appearances, etc., but only through His Word. Therefore it is so necessary that young and old search the Word of God. He can use this to our salvation when His Spirit accompanies it; a greater treasure we can never find.

Rev. A. Den Boer

BIBLE QUIZ

Dear Boys and Girls,

This month our quiz is about one of the prophets, and all of the answers are found in the two books which he has written. Since some of the questions are probably not so easy to find, I have shown the chapters in which some of them are found (for example - 10–15 would show that the answer is found in one of the chapters between chapter 10 and chapter 15).

I am sure that all have heard and know something about the prophet Jeremiah. Sometimes he is called the “weeping prophet” because of the sad times in which he lived - times when the people would not listen to the words which he spoke in the name of the Lord, but did just the opposite and were therefore punished by the Lord. He began his work when yet young, and had to suffer much because of his teachings. He taught the need of the work of the Holy Spirit in turning our hearts from the ways of evil, and in the last chapter of Lamentations he begged the Lord for this. A part of his prayer will be spelled out by the first letters of the answers this month. We hope this may also be your prayer.

The Lord said by Jeremiah, “Cursed be the man that __________ in man, and maketh flesh his arm.” (15–20)

The Lord said, “If they will not obey, I will __________ pluck up and destroy that nation.” (10–15)

In what city were the sons of King Zedekiah killed as he looked on?

Who was the father of Baruch, the man who did much writing for Jeremiah?

The family of the Rechabites said that their father had commanded them to drink no wine and that they should live in __________ all their days.

Jeremiah was the son of __________ of the priests that were in Ana-thoth in the land of Benjamin.

In one of the first chapters we read the Lord’s message to Israel, “__________ acknowledge thine iniquity.” (1–5)

Who prophesied against Jerusalem, and then fled from the king into Egypt, but was brought back and slain with the sword? (25–30)

The Lord spoke by Jeremiah, “Woe unto him that buildeth his house by __________.” (20–25)

For the Lord also said, “I the Lord __________ the heart, I try the reins.” (15–20)

By the instruction of the Lord, Jeremiah bought a piece of land from Hanameel, his __________.’s son.

Who was the captain of the guard for King Nebuchadnezzar?

In sorrow for the sins of his people, Jeremiah cried, “O that my head were waters and mine eyes a fountain of __________.(5–10)

When King Zedekiah and his men fled by night, the Chaldean army pursued them, and __________ them in the plains of Jericho.

Jeremiah brought a message to Baruch from the Lord, saying, “Seekest thou great __________ for thyself? seek them not.”

To Jerusalem Jeremiah cried out, “O Jerusalem, wash thine __________ from wickedness, that thou mayest be saved.” (1–5)

Who took thirty men and drew Jeremiah out of the dungeon with cords?

At one time Jeremiah was instructed by the Lord to get a potter’s __________ bottle to use as a sign unto the people. (15–20)

When yet young, the Lord said to Jeremiah, “Before thou carnest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee and I __________.thee a prophet.”

Jeremiah said to Hananiah the prophet, “Thou makest this people to trust in a __________.” (25–30)

The Lord said by Jeremiah, “The turtle and the crane and the swallow __________ the time of their coming, but My people know not the judgment of the Lord.” (5–10)

What did King Zedekiah cut with a knife and cast into the fire on the hearth?

Jeremiah also said to Hananiah, “This year thou shalt __________ because thou hast taught rebellion against the Lord.”

(Send your answers to Garret Moerdyk at 1104 Roseland Avenue, Kalamazoo, Michigan 49001).

The answers to the January quiz are as follows:

“But Our Eyes Are Upon Thee” II Chronicles 20:12

Battle

Unknown

Touched

Other

Uncovered

Receive

Eyes

Years

Ever

Strengthen

Another

Reason

Ekron

Us

Prayeth

Overthrown

Name

Trusted

Hosts

Earth

Ends

II Chron. 20:15

Acts 17:22–23

Matthew 9:20

Judges 16:20

Mark 2:4

Acts 7:59

Judges 16:21

Habakkuk3:2

Psalm 25:15

Judges 16:28

Genesis 42:1–2

Jonah 2:1–2

II Kings 1:6

Lam. 5:21

Acts 9:10–11

Jonah 3:4

Psalm 20:7

Daniel 3:28

I Samuel 17:45

I Samuel 17:46

Isaiah 45:22

Answers to the Bible quiz have again been received from the following boys

and girls --

Richard De Bat

Joan Lugthart

Mary Kamp

Henry Kamp

Linda Kamp

Carrie Jane Blok

John Blok

Gary Blok

Cheryl Kalee

Debbie Kalee

Karel Kalee

George Van Strien

Bobby Van Kempen

Bill Blaak

Susan Blaak

Wayne Vande Waerdt

Linda Vande Waerdt

Janice Stapel

John Stapel

Tammy Troff

Jonathan Kamp

Robert Kamp

Richard Kamp

Barb Kamp

Janice Van Voorst

Casey Van Wingerden

Marilyn Van Ravenswaay

JoAnn Van Raverswaay

Esther Van Ravenswaay

Norman Van Ravenswaay

Nelly Koppert

Chris Koppert (2)

Elizabeth Koppert

Mariene Van Veldhuizen

Joy Mast

Jane Mast

Neil Mast

Adrian Bush

Nicholas John Bush

Marnie Giebink

JoAnn Giebink

Melanie Van Brugge

Rebecca Jane Markus

Lisa Kay Markus

Edward Nieuwenbuis

Amy Mieras

Bruce Verblaauw

Wanda Van Beek

Sharla Van Beek

David Greendyk

Billy Greendyk

Larry Rozeboom

Richard Rozeboom

Harlan Rozeboom

Kristi Boluyt

Steve Boluyt

Robert Southway

Kathy Van Giessen

Liz Van Giessen (2)

Carol Mol

Mary Van Oostenbrugge

Karl Van Oostenbrugge

Denise Zaremba

Lynn Kamp

Michelle Timmer

Margaret Karelse

John Vander Boon

Jonathan Van Beek

David Van Beek

Harold Rus

Edwin Rus

Howard Rus

Virgil Rus

Perry Hoogendoorn

Gene Hoogendoorn

Cindy Hoogendoorn

Leah Van Tilburg

Mary Van Tilburg

Kaye VandeBerg (2)

Mark VandeBerg (2)

Mark Meeuwse (2)

Dan Meeuwse (2)

Marilyn Kamp

Bill Kamp

Tom Kamp

Debbie Kamp

Cindy Erickson

Rita Erickson

Deanna Erickson

Roger Erickson

Jim Bazen

Linda Bazen

Linda VanDeVendel

Sharon VanDeVendel

Gladys Van Bochove

Rhonda Van Bochove

Mark Heystek

Stanley Aart VanderWaal

Annette Hoogendoorn

Loretta Hoogendoorn

Cheryl Groen

Nancy Kwekel

Marguerite Kroesbergen

Joanne Kroesbergen

Bill Kroesbergen

Hendrika Kroesbergen

Helen Vander Wal

Peter Vander Wal

Kathy Van Bemden

Mike Van Bemden

Carol Van Bemden

Kathy Greyn

Kristine Rieder (2)

Julie DeBruine

Mary Veltman

Jane Teunissen

Kevin Verbeke

Elaine Frens

Leonard Frens

Sharon Frens

Mary Frens

Julie Frens

Maryjean den Hoed

Arthur den Hoed

Joleen den Hoed

Kathleen den Hoed

Mineva Ymker

Ralph Van Zweden

Roy Van Zweden

Janet Van Zweden

Mark Van Zweden

Mary Van Zweden

Donna Marie Hubers

Helen Hubers

Marcia Hubers

Harriet Hubers

Howard Hubers

Abraham Korevaar

Adrian Korevaar

John Rosendall

Richard Rosendall

John Kroesbergen

Ken Kroesbergen

Cathy Kroesbergen

Janie Kroesbergen

Neal Boerkoel

Ruth Boerkoel

Bobby Boerkoel

John Boerkoel

Evelyn Korevaar

Wilma Korevaar

Jane Korevaar

Kathryn Lynn Schelling

Linda Sue Schelling

Kent Schelling

Beth Schelling

Brenda Kay Schelling

Elizabeth Sisco

Karen Goeman

Mary Fluit

Andy Van Stelle

Tim Van Stelle

Paul Greendyk

Alida Greendyk

Alan Greendyk

Gerrit Bezooyen:

June Sisco

Nancy Sisco

Hank Verhoef

Paul Verhoef

Ed Menger

William Grisnich

Gerda Grisnich

Helen Grisnich

Pete Grisnich

Janie den Hertog

Renee den Hertog

Daniel Van Dyke

Glenda Van Beek

Audrey Van Beek

Lavonne Van Beek

Arthur denBok

Jane DeBat

Laura Rosendall

Jim Rosendall

Billy Densel

Nancy Vande Stouwe

Todd Vande Stouwe

Jim Neels

Mike Neels

David Neels

Joe Neels

Mark Fintelman

Mike Fintelman

Arie Van Vugt

Johnny Van Vugt

Betty Van Der Weile

John Martin Vander Wiele

Jane Ellen Vander Wiele

Judy Lynn Vander Wiele

Rose Pluim

Jerry Pluim

Gloria Pluim

Martin Vlietstra

Peter Vlietstra

Trudy Vlietstra

Jimmy Vlietstra

Herman John Vander Meulen

Terry Post

Arlen James Klarenbeek

David Klarenbeek

Darwyn Klarenbeek

Rhonda Van Voorst

Judy Van Voorst

Judy Sweetman

Janet Sweetman

Jenny Lee Sweetman

Danny Sweetman

Arline Kieboom

Ella Kieboom

Bill Van Wingerden

Ken Van Wingerden

Amy Kaat

Nancy Hoogmoed

Joanne Hoogmoed

Karel Boonzaayer

Sonja Boonzaayer

Maria Boonzaayer

Ruth Bouma

Albert Bouma

Henry Vandenberg (2)

John Vandenberg (2)

Jeanette Vandenberg

Paul Vandenberg

Barbara J. Southway

Robert G. Southway

Frances Vander Meulen

Teresa Vander Meulen

Sidney Vander Meulen

Joyce Vander Meulen

Harmen Vander Meulen

Ellen Kros

Sue Van Ess

Rick Van Ess

John Verhey

David Kwekel

John Korevaar

Andy Korevaar

David VanDyke

John Van Dyke

Tunis Sweetman, Jr.

Laurie Sweetman (2)

* * * * *

And now we shall answer the letters received during the month-

JEANETTE VAN DEN BERG -Your letter is first, Jeanette. I was surprised to hear that the foundation for your new school is already laid. In the Bible we read a parable about two different kinds of foundations. Do you know where this parable can be found?

MARK HEYSTEK- If you lived in Kalamazoo, I certainly would stop by and help you sample those “olie-bollen”, Mark, Were they good? Yes, the questions about the birth of the Lord Jesus should be easier to answer than some of the other quizzes. But it is so important that we learn the true meaning of His birth.

STANLEY AART VANDER WAAL - Last week we had temperatures down to zero, Stanley, but a week or so before that we had some mild weather. So our Michigan weather can be very changeable. The Bible speaks of something that is “unchangeable”. Since the word is used only once in the Bible, maybe you could find it for us.

AMY KAAT - To sew well can be very useful, Amy, as well as to knit and crochet. In the Book of Genesis mention is made of things sewed together. Do you know what they were? Do you write lots of leters? I know it is nice to receive letters, and if you expect to receive them, I guess you have to write too.

ELLEN KROS - We were glad to be able to get you and your penpal back together again, Ellen. It is a good thing I kept a record of your address. The poem, ‘Jehovah Tsidkenu” is a nice one to learn. Have you ever read about the author, Rev. M’Cheyne?

ELLA KIEBOOM - We are all quite well, Ella. We do not have much snow on the ground just now, but sometimes quite a little can fall just overnight. Thank you for your New Year’s wishes. We hope that it may also be a year of many blessings for you and your family.

CASEY VAN WINGERDEN - I notice we had your name twice in the January issue, Casey, so the one month’s answers arrived too late. But you see that we get your name in just the same. Are you the caretaker of the rabbits?

CAROL MOL - We were glad to hear that you had found some pen-pals, Carol. Do you pen-pals write quite often? It probably seems strange that your pen-pal in Australia is having summer weather while you are having winter weather.

ARTHUR DENBOK - Some places had quite a bit more snow than you did, Arthur. In God’s Word we find that the psalmist saw that even the snow was to the praise of God. Can you find that Psalm where this is spoken of?

JANIE AND RENEE DEN HERTOG - It was nice to hear from you again, girls. I see that you looked up the length of the Nile River and found it to be more than 4000 miles. That is more than across the entire United States from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean. So you can see that it is a very long river.

HELEN GRISNICH - Your answers were correct, Helen. Did your mother have a good trip to Holland? I am certain that you were happy to have her home again. I have a desk in our basement recreation room where I can do my work.

JOLEEN DEN HOED - We hope that you may also have a happy New Year, Joleen. In Psalms 144 and 146 we can read who those people are that are truly happy. Can you find that in these psalms? May we also be happy in this same way.

ED MENGER - It sounds like you have studied the care of little chicks quite thoroughly, Ed. I suppose by this time the chicks are not so small anymore. You wrote that they, by training, are made accustomed to their feeders. The Bible speaks of training boys and girls. Do you know the text?

EVELYN KOREVAAR - Did your parents enjoy their trip to Holland, Evelyn? We don’t always realize the amount of work to be done in the home until we are left to do it ourselves. Or did you do the chores on the farm? How long were your parents gone?

MARY VAN ZWEDEN - The four inches of snow you wrote about were just a very little compared to all the snow we heard you had later, Mary. What grade is John in? Did he make the radio for a school project? The radio is a wonderful invention, but, as we see with so many things, is so much mis-used.

HERMAN JOHN VANDER MEULEN - It is strange that you did not receive your November issue, Herman. But it seems that this does happen occasionally. Did you think the questions were also easy this month? Not as easy as the December quiz, I don’t think.

JANET VAN ZWEDEN -1 guess Mark had that “more snow” that he was hoping for, Janet. How long were the schools closed? We saw some pictures of it in our newspaper, and were thinking about you. Congratulations to you and Ralph on your birthday. We hope you may have many more of them.

KATHLEEN DEN HOED - Even though we look forward to vacation time, it is a good thing that we don’t have it all the time, Kathleen. How are you doing in school? I suppose report card time was here this month, so you know where you have to work a little harder. Or did you get all A’s?

MARK VAN ZWEDEN - And your letter is the last one, Mark You wrote that “even school” was fine, so I gather that you are getting along quite well. Be sure to give our greetings to your parents and grandparents. Are they all well?

And this finishes our letters for this month. In all that we do, may we need the help of the Lord, remembering that the gold of this world shall one day turn to dust, but the gold of His Word shall remain forever.

With much love,

Your friend,

“Uncle Garret”

He hath all things who hath God, though he have nothing else; but he hath nothing who hath not God, though he have all things else.

Ralph Venning

Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

1 Timothy 4: 12

THE SIMPLICITY OF FAITH

Some years ago there prevailed, in one of our northern districts for several weeks, a drought, which, it was anticipated, would result in fearful consequences. It was ultimately decided by a few godly men to meet for prayer to ask God to send them rain. Accordingly one morning early, accompanied by their Pastor, they met in the little vestry adjoining the chapel; and among the number came a little girl bearing a large umbrella. The worthy Pastor accosted her, and said, “Mary, what have you brought that for?” “Sir,” she replied, with all the simplicity of a child’s look, “are we not met to ask God to send us rain? and sure He will send it; so I brought my umbrella to keep me dry.” The rain did come but that child was the only one who had faith enough to believe in God.

- The Gospel Magazine

PROVIDENCE

Lord, I should own Thy tender care,
And all Thy blessings free;
The food I eat, the clothes I wear,
Are all bestowed by Thee.

‘Tis Thou preservest me from death
And dangers every hour;
I cannot draw another breath
Unless Thou give me power.

My health, and friends, and parents dear,
To me by God are given;
I have not any blessing here,
But what is sent from heaven.

Such goodness, Lord, and constant care,
A child can never repay;
But may it be my daily prayer
To love Thee and obey.

WARNINGS

Whatever the wicked may say, And those who God’s mercy despise,

Although they seem merry and gay,

They know not where happiness lies.

They seek it in pleasure and mirth,

They seek it in riches and fame; Yet when they have sought through the earth,

At most, they have only the name.

Awhile they may boast of success,

Their goods may increase and abound;

But still, if the Lord do not bless, No true satisfaction is found.

The hopes of the wicked will fail, When called to relinquish their breath;

God’s mercy alone can avail To give a man hope in his death.

But should we be ever so poor, And yet have the Lord for our Friend,

Of life everlasting secure, Our happiness never shall end.

May we in the days of our youth, All learn where true happiness hes:

To savingly know the Lord’s truth

Will make us both happy and wise.

Wm. Gadsby

BREAD

A crumb of mercy, Lord I crave, Unworthy to be fed

With dainties such as angels have,

Or with the children’s bread.”

HOLY RESOLUTIONS

“That is all I do, whether sacred or civil actions still may I be doing but one work, and driving on one design. That God may be pleased by me, and be glorified in me. I strictly impose upon myself from day to day, never to he down but in the name of God; not barely for natural refreshment, but that a wearied servant of God may be recruited and fitted to serve Him better the next day. Never to rise up but with this resolution--”Well, I will go forth this day in the name of God, and will make religion my business and spend the day for eternity”. Never to sit down to the table, but resolving I will not eat to please my appetite, but to strengthen myself for my Mas-ter’s work. Never to make a visit but upon some holy design, resolving to leave something of God where I go; and in every company to leave some good savour behind.”

- Joseph Alleine

Deze tekst is geautomatiseerd gemaakt en kan nog fouten bevatten. Digibron werkt voortdurend aan correctie. Klik voor het origineel door naar de pdf. Voor opmerkingen, vragen, informatie: contact.

Op Digibron -en alle daarin opgenomen content- is het databankrecht van toepassing. Gebruiksvoorwaarden. Data protection law applies to Digibron and the content of this database. Terms of use.

Printen