Lectures Introductory to the Bible 2. Earlier Historical

A century of change in the

constitutions and governments of nations since these Lectures were delivered

has not outdated their usefulness. For their subject is the history of the one

small nation, chosen in the wisdom and purpose of God to bring forth into this

world His only Son, its Savior. His first coming has established God’s glory,

putting away sin by the sacrifice of Himself, and at His second coming

righteousness and peace will be universally displayed under His beneficent

reign.

A new generation is indebted to

the author of these lectures for the unfolding of “the great principles of

divine truth that meet us in weighing history”, principles that give

understanding of the gracious purposes of God, rising over man’s failure in

every age. “Man is as weak and erring as God is mighty and good”. The profit to

our souls is not in spiritualizing what happened to Israel, but in the humble

study of their example, with what was written aforetime about them “for our

learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have

hope” (Rom. 15.4).

May God grant that these Lectures Introductory to the Study of theEarlier Historical

Books may be used afresh by the Spirit of God

for the present glory of the Son in the edification of His Church.