BOOK 1, CHAPTER 8, SECTION 9:

The transmission of the law is to be trusted

Definitions:

1.       Bawl:  To cry out loudly.

Biblical Texts:

1.       II Kings 22:8 Hilkiah and the high priest said to Shapahn the secretary, “I have found the Book of the Law in the temple of the Lord.”  He gave it to Shaphan, who read it. II Chronicles 34:15 pretty much confirms this same happening.

2.       Deuteronomy 17:18 – 19  ¹⁸When he takes the thrown of his kingdom, he is to write for himself on a scroll a copy of this law, taken from that of the priests, who are Levites.   ¹⁹It is to be with him, and he is to read it all the days of his life so that he may learn to revere the Lord his God and follow carefully all the words of this law and these decrees.

Question being answered:  Can the transmission of the law be trusted as coming from God and written as given by God.

I enjoy the way Calvin opens this section, “I know what certain rascals bawl out in corners in order to display the keenness of their wit in assailing God’s truth.”  Calvin continues his defense of the scripture as being accurate and from God.  In this section he writes concerning the law and its transmission from generation to generation.  Calvin recognizes that there were a number of years where the law was missing but was eventually found and a daily reading began to take place as in the days of old (II Kings 2:8 and II Chronicles 34:15).  Calvin found it odd that some would even question the idea that maybe there was no person names Moses.  If such a question was asked concerning Plato, Aristotle, or Cicero.  If their existence was questioned then the person would be met with a fist or a lash for asking such a question.  For Calvin the law was preserved by heavenly providence rather than by human effort.  It was handed down in writing from age to age and read from age to age all the while being preserved by God’s hand. Eventually I do hope to cover the Old Testament and how it is applicable to modern day living.  For those who believe that the Old Testament has no bearing on today’s life is making a catastrophically

BOOK 1, CHAPTER 8, SECTION 8:

God has confirmed the prophetic words

Definitions:

Biblical Texts:

1.       Isa. 39:6 - 7 ⁶The time will surely come when everything in you palace, and all that your fathers have stored up until this day, will be carried off to Babylon.  Nothing will be left, says the Lord.  ⁷And some of your descendants, your own flesh and blood who will be born to you, will be taken away, and they will become eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.

2.       Isa. 45: 1 This is what the Lord says to his anointed to Cyrus, whose right hand I take hold of to subdue nations before him and to strip kings of their armor, to open doors before him so that gates will not be shut:

3.       Isa. 42: 9 See the former things have taken place, and new things I declare; before they spring into being I announce them to you.

4.       Jer. 25: 11 – 12 ¹¹This whole country will become a desolate wasteland and these nations will serve the king of Babylon seventy years.  ¹²”But when the seventy years are fulfilled, I will punish the king of Babylon and his nation, the land of the Babylonians for their guilt,” Declares the Lord, “and will make it desolate forever.

5.       Jer. 29: 10 This is what the Lord says: “When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my gracious promise to bring you back to this place.

Question being answered:  The inspiration of the prophetic word comes from God.

Calvin refers to a couple of instances in the Old Testament to give evidence that God indeed calls prophets to bring His to message to the people.  God gives the message to the called person not only for present day but also for event which are to come.  The prophetic messages are so that only one who has ordained all of history could have knowledge of such events.  Calvin gives Isaiah’s prophecy of the fall of the Judah to Babylon.  Isaiah prophesied almost 100 years before the fall of Judah to Babylon (Isa.  39:6-7).  Isaiah also gives the name of the person who would eventually end their exile, Cyrus (Isa. 45:1)..  Cyrus was born about 100 years after the death of Isaiah.  Jeremiah also prophesies of the length of the exile, seventy years (Jer. 25: 11 – 12 and Jer. 29:10).  Calvin points out that these are just but two examples out of many prophecies concerning future events, some happening after the death of the prophet.  The prophesies at times were so detailed that no human could know these things.  Only the constructor of all human history could have such knowledge to give to his messengers which would then be passed on to His people. 

BOOK 1, CHAPTER 8, SECTION 6:

Moses’ Miracles are Incontestable

Definitions:

1.       Legerdemain:  sleight of hand

2.       Incontestable:  indisputable

Biblical Texts:

1.       Ex. 7:11 Pharaoh then summoned wise men and sorcerer, and the Egyptian magicians also did the same things by their secret arts.

2.       Ex. 9:11 The magicians could not stand before Moses because of the boils that were on them and on all the Egyptians.

3.       Ex. 16:7 and in the morning you will see the glory of the Lord, because He has heard your grumbling against Him.  Who are we that you should grumble against us?

4.       Ex. 18: 19 – 20 Then Moses said to them” No one is to keep any of it until morning.”  However, some of them paid no attention to Moses; they kept part of it until morning, but it was full of maggots and began to smell.  So Moses was angry with them.

5.       Lev. 20:6 “I ill set my face against the person who turns to mediums and spiritists to prostitute himself by following them, and I will cut him off from his people.”

Question being answered:  The authenticity of Moses’ miracles.  Moses’ miracles are not sleight of hand or demonic works.

Calvin addresses those writers who would question or deny the miracles performed by Moses.  These writers would go so far as to say what Moses did was magic or even demonic acts.  Moses was so against these types of actions that in Leviticus he forbid anyone to even consult mediums or spiritists for fear of  being stoned.  More importantly Moses did not seek renown for himself, but attributed all he did for God’s glory.  Giving credit to God, removes any reproach that could come against Moses.  Then there are the miracles themselves from the plagues to the feeding of the people with manna from heaven.  Miracles that no one could accomplish but by the power of God, not even Satan could accomplish these things.  Moses’ miracles are indisputable as a voice and servant for God.

Introduction

I have been going through John Calvin's Institutes of the Christian Religion over the past few months. These writings are landmark writings which are studied by many students of Reformed Theology. I have already written up a number of my outlines and will begin posting them here. I Hope you enjoy them and get something out of them. Drop me a line if you would like.