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In what ways is the Bible different from any other book?
In what ways is the Bible different from any other book?
How can the Bible
help you cope with personal problems?
Why can you trust the
prophecies recorded in the Bible?
CAN you recall a time when you received a
fine gift from a dear friend? Likely, the experience was not only exciting but
also heartwarming. After all, a gift tells you something about the giver—that
he or she values your friendship. No doubt you expressed gratitude for your
friend’s thoughtful gift.
The
Bible is a gift from God, one for which we can be truly grateful. This unique
book reveals things that we could never find out otherwise. For example, it
tells us about the creation of the starry heavens, the earth, and the first man
and woman. The Bible contains reliable principles to help us cope with life’s
problems and anxieties. It explains how God will fulfill his purpose and bring
about better conditions on the earth. What an exciting gift the Bible is!
The
Bible is also a heartwarming gift, for it reveals something about the Giver,
Jehovah God. The fact that he has provided such a book is proof that he wants
us to get to know him well. Indeed, the Bible can help you to draw close to
Jehovah.
If you
have a copy of the Bible, you are far from alone. In whole or in part, the
Bible has been published in more than 2,300 languages and thus is available to
more than 90 percent of the world’s population. On the average, more than
a million Bibles are distributed each week! Billions of copies of
either the whole Bible or part of it have been produced. Surely, there is no
other book like the Bible.
Furthermore, the Bible “is inspired of God.” (2 Timothy 3:16) In what way?
The Bible itself answers: “Men spoke from God as they were borne along by holy
spirit.” (2 Peter 1:21) To
illustrate: A businessman might have a secretary write a letter. That letter
contains the businessman’s thoughts and instructions. Hence, it is really his
letter, not the secretary’s. In a similar way, the Bible contains God’s
message, not that of the men who wrote it down. Thus, the entire Bible
truthfully is “the word of God.”—1 Thessalonians
2:13.
HARMONIOUS AND ACCURATE
The
Bible was written over a 1,600-year period. Its writers lived at different
times and came from many walks of life. Some were farmers, fishermen, and
shepherds. Others were prophets, judges, and kings. The Gospel writer Luke was
a doctor. Despite the varied backgrounds of its writers, the Bible is
harmonious from beginning to end.
The
first book of the Bible tells us how mankind’s problems began. The last book
shows that the whole earth will become a paradise, or garden. All the material
in the Bible covers thousands of years of history and relates in some way to
the unfolding of God’s purpose. The harmony of the Bible is impressive, but
that is what we would expect of a book from God.
The
Bible is scientifically accurate. It even contains information that was far
ahead of its time. For example, the book of Leviticus contained laws for
ancient Israel on quarantine and hygiene when surrounding nations knew nothing
about such matters. At a time when there were wrong ideas about the shape of
the earth, the Bible referred to it as a circle, or sphere. (Isaiah 40:22) The Bible accurately said that the earth ‘hangs on
nothing.’ (Job 26:7) Of course, the
Bible is not a science textbook. But when it touches on scientific matters, it
is accurate. Is this not what we would expect of a book from God?
The
Bible is also historically accurate and reliable. Its accounts are specific.
They include not only the names but also the ancestry of individuals. In
contrast to secular historians, who often do not mention the defeats of their
own people, Bible writers were honest, even recording their own failings and
those of their nation. In the Bible book of Numbers, for instance, the writer
Moses admits his own serious error for which he was severely reproved. (Numbers 20:2-12) Such honesty
is rare in other historical accounts but is found in the Bible because it is a
book from God.
A BOOK OF
PRACTICAL WISDOM
Because the Bible is inspired of God, it is “beneficial
for teaching, for reproving, for setting things straight.” (2 Timothy 3:16) Yes, the Bible is a practical book. It
reflects a keen understanding of human nature. No wonder, for its Author,
Jehovah God, is the Creator! He understands our thinking and emotions better
than we do. Furthermore, Jehovah knows what we need in order to be happy. He
also knows what pathways we should avoid.
Consider Jesus’ speech called the Sermon on
the Mount, recorded in Matthew chapters 5 to 7. In this masterpiece
of teaching, Jesus spoke on a number of topics, including the way to find true
happiness, how to settle disputes, how to pray, and how to have the proper view
of material things. Jesus’ words are just as powerful and practical today as
they were when he spoke them.
Some
Bible principles deal with family life, work habits, and relationships with
others. The Bible’s principles apply to all people, and its counsel is always beneficial.
The wisdom found in the Bible is summarized by God’s words through the prophet
Isaiah: “I, Jehovah, am your God, the One teaching you to benefit yourself.”—Isaiah 48:17.
A BOOK OF PROPHECY
The Bible contains numerous prophecies, many
of which have already been fulfilled. Consider an example. Through the prophet
Isaiah, who lived in the eighth century B.C.E., Jehovah foretold that the
city of Babylon would be destroyed. (Isaiah
13:19; 14:22, 23) Details were given to show just how this
would happen. Invading armies would dry up Babylon’s river and march into the
city without a battle. That is not all. Isaiah’s prophecy even named the king
who would conquer Babylon—Cyrus.—Isaiah
44:27–45:2.
Some
200 years later—on the night of October 5/6, 539 B.C.E.—an army
encamped near Babylon. Who was its commander? A Persian king named Cyrus. The
stage was thus set for the fulfillment of an amazing prophecy. But would the
army of Cyrus invade Babylon without a battle, as foretold?
The
Babylonians were holding a festival that night and felt secure behind their
massive city walls. Meanwhile, Cyrus cleverly diverted the water of the river
that flowed through the city. Soon the water was shallow enough for his men to
cross the riverbed and approach the walls of the city. But how would Cyrus’
army get past Babylon’s walls? For some reason, on that night the doors to the
city were carelessly left open!
Regarding Babylon, it was foretold: “She will
never be inhabited, nor will she reside for generation after generation. And
there the Arab will not pitch his tent, and no shepherds will let their flocks
lie down there.” (Isaiah 13:20) This
prophecy did more than predict a city’s fall. It showed that Babylon would be
desolated permanently. You can see evidence of the fulfillment of these
words. The uninhabited site of ancient Babylon—about 50 miles [80 km]
south of Baghdad, Iraq—is proof that what Jehovah spoke through Isaiah has been
fulfilled: “I will sweep her with the broom of annihilation.”—Isaiah 14:22, 23.
Considering how the Bible is a book of
reliable prophecy is faith strengthening, is it not? After all, if Jehovah God
has fulfilled his past promises, we have every reason to be confident that he
will also fulfill his promise of a paradise earth. (Numbers 23:19) Indeed, we have “hope of the everlasting life
which God, who cannot lie, promised before times long lasting.”—Titus 1:2.
“THE WORD OF
GOD IS ALIVE”
From
what we have considered in this chapter, it is clear that the Bible is truly a
unique book. Yet, its value extends far beyond its internal harmony, scientific
and historical accuracy, practical wisdom, and reliable prophecy. The Christian
apostle Paul wrote: “The word of God is alive and exerts power and is sharper
than any two-edged sword and pierces even to the dividing of soul and spirit,
and of joints and their marrow, and is able to discern thoughts and intentions
of the heart.”—Hebrews 4:12.
Reading God’s “word,” or message, in the
Bible can change our life. It can help us to examine ourselves as never before.
We may claim to love God, but how we react to what his inspired Word, the
Bible, teaches will reveal our true thoughts, even the very intentions of the
heart.
The
Bible truly is a book from God. It is a book that is to be read, studied, and
loved. Show your gratitude for this divine gift by continuing to peer into its
contents. As you do so, you will gain a deep appreciation of God’s purpose for
mankind. Just what that purpose is and how it will be realized will be
discussed in the following chapter.
Note:
The destruction of Babylon is just one
example of fulfilled Bible prophecy. Other examples include the destruction of
Tyre and Nineveh. (Ezekiel 26:1-5;
Zephaniah 2:13-15) Also, Daniel’s prophecy foretold a succession of world
empires that would come into power after Babylon. These included Medo-Persia and
Greece. (Daniel 8:5-7, 20-22)
WHAT THE BIBLE TEACHES
▪ The Bible is inspired of God and thus is
accurate and reliable.—2 Timothy
3:16.
▪ The information found in God’s Word is
practical for everyday life.—Isaiah
48:17.
▪ God’s promises found in the Bible are
certain to be fulfilled.—Numbers 23:19.
For more information please see the book: 'What Does the Bible Really Teach' at www.jw.org
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