How God Gave Us the Bible
The sacred story of Scripture's formation reveals God's faithful hand across generations.
The Bible is not just a book it is the living word of God. But how did this collection of sacred texts, written over centuries, become the trustworthy Scripture we hold in our hands today? The answer is not only theological but historical a story of divine providence unfolding across generations.
From God's Voice to Written Word
The origin of Scripture begins with God Himself. Genesis 1 sets the tone: “And God said, ‘Let there be light.’” God is a speaking God, and His words bring life, order, and purpose. Throughout the Old Testament, we see this divine communication take many forms: burning bushes, thunder on mountaintops, visions, dreams, and still, small voices.
One of the earliest commands to record God’s word appears in Exodus 17:14, when God instructs Moses to write down His judgment on Amalek. This isn’t merely record-keeping it’s God initiating a written testimony of His acts and promises.
Scripture as a Covenant Document
As Israel journeys through the wilderness, Moses continues to record God's laws, guidance, and the nation’s history. The tablets of the Ten Commandments, written by the finger of God (Exodus 31:18), become central to this written covenant. Later, God commands Moses in Deuteronomy 31:9 to give the whole law to the Levites and elders for safekeeping. This act of recording, copying, and preserving God's word becomes a foundational practice for the people of Israel.
An intriguing command in Deuteronomy 17:18-19 reveals the seriousness of this process: each future king of Israel is to write out a personal copy of the law under priestly supervision. This was more than duty it was a declaration that God's word governs all, even those in power.
From Scrolls to Scriptures
The transmission of Scripture didn’t end with Moses. Prophets like Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Daniel wrote down their visions and messages. These writings were carefully preserved, copied, and read aloud in community worship. By the time of Jesus, the Old Testament canon known as the Hebrew Scriptures was widely recognized among the Jewish people.
The New Testament follows a similar pattern. The apostles, inspired by the Holy Spirit (John 14:26), recorded the teachings of Jesus and the workings of the early Church. Paul's letters were circulated among churches and treated with authority (2 Peter 3:15-16). The Gospels, written within decades of Jesus' resurrection, faithfully captured the life and words of Christ.
Trusting the Text We Have Today
One of the most common modern questions is: Can we trust that the Bible we read today is the same as the one originally written?
Yes and here’s why.
Meticulous Copying
Ancient scribes treated Scripture with utmost reverence. The Dead Sea Scrolls, discovered in the 20th century, confirmed that the Hebrew Bible has remained remarkably consistent for over 2,000 years.Historical Witness
Early Christian writings and church fathers quoted extensively from Scripture. Their citations confirm the widespread acceptance and preservation of biblical texts across regions.Divine Providence
More than human effort, it is God Himself who has preserved His word. As Isaiah 40:8 declares, “The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.”
A Living Word for a Living People
Reading the Bible today is not just engaging with history it’s encountering the voice of God. Scripture continues to change lives, convict hearts, and reveal Christ because it is inspired, alive, and active (Hebrews 4:12).
Understanding how we got the Bible deepens our reverence for it. It reminds us that what we hold is not just literature but divine revelation, carefully woven through time by the Author of life.
Pass this along to someone growing in their love for God’s Word or subscribe to our newsletter for more rich teachings.
Reply
Tony Schneider • 23 minutes ago
The Church Fathers also regarded some Books as Scriptural while Protestants reject those Books.
Freddie McNabb • 16 hours ago
A much better look at how the Bible came to be comes from Adam Hamilton's Making Sense of the Bible, and A History of the Bible by John Barton. Both are good reads and give much greater detail than this article. And neither are fundamentalist dribble.
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