Dr Paul Allen

Dispute of Jesus and the Pharisees over tribute money (Photo credit: Wikipedia ) 2 Kings 22:1–23:32 “Go, inquire of the Lord for me, and for the people, and for all Judah, concerning the words of this book that has been found” (22:13a). Deuteronomy is one of the four most-frequently quoted Old Testament books in the New Testament and is prominent in the teachings of Jesus . Certainly, this reveals Deuteronomy’s importance in our Savior’s ministry and the overall pattern of His teaching. Regarding the pattern of His teaching, for example, the structure of the woes that Jesus pronounces upon the scribes and Pharisees  in Matthew 23:1 –36 is remarkably similar to the covenant curses recorded in Deuteronomy 28:15–68. As with these curses, Jesus’ woes condemn the Pharisees in an escalating fashion, reaching a climax in the destruction of unrepentant sinners. Even though Deuteronomy holds such an important place in Scripture, God’s people ha...

Miniature ofrom Folio 8r of the Syriac Bible of Paris shows Moses before Pharaoh. (Photo credit: Wikipedia ) Logically, if God’s spoken word has authority, and if the Bible contains God’s written word, then the Bible must carry the same authority as God’s spoken word. King Josiah realized this, which is why he had such an intense reaction when he heard what was written in the “ Book of the Law ” ( 2 Kings 22:8 ). Although the Bible has been passed down for generations, scholars have concluded that the accuracy of its text has been remarkably preserved through the centuries by scribes who believed passionately in the importance of their work. The level of accuracy they maintained gives us confidence that the same meaning intended by the original authors, such as Moses , is what God’s Word still communicates today. The Bible is intended to bring us to faith in God and help us to live our lives to the fullest (see Matthew 4:4 ; John 20:31 ; 1 Peter 2:2). Although its words may in ...

King Josiah on a 17th century painting by unknown artist in the choir of Sankta Maria kyrka in Åhus, Sweden. (Photo credit: Wikipedia ) Israel 's reformation came via a rediscovery of the law, which created a brief awakening to the bankruptcy of a corrupt nation. As a young man, King Josiah began the process of reformation with a spiritual purge, a cleansing of pagan elements from the religious life of the nation. A few years later, Hilkiah found the book of the law of the Lord given by Moses . A scribe brought the book to King Josiah and read it to him. The result was dramatic: "Now it happened, when the king heard the words of the Book of the Law, that he tore his clothes" ( 2 Kings 22:11 ). Josiah was awakened to the greatness of the wrath of God . He realized that God had been pouring out that wrath on the nation of Israel. He further understood that this divine judgment on the nation was a direct result of sin. The most apparent immediate change in the nation...

English: King Josiah by Julius Schnoor von Carolsfeld (Photo credit: Wikipedia ) 2 Kings 22:1–23:32 “Go, inquire of the Lord for me, and for the people, and for all Judah, concerning the words of this book that has been found” ( 22:13a ). Deuteronomy is one of the four most-frequently quoted Old Testament books in the New Testament and is prominent in the teachings of Jesus . Certainly, this reveals Deuteronomy’s importance in our Savior’s ministry and the overall pattern of His teaching. Regarding the pattern of His teaching, for example, the structure of the woes that Jesus pronounces upon the scribes and Pharisees in Matthew 23:1–36 is remarkably similar to the covenant curses recorded in Deuteronomy 28:15–68 . As with these curses, Jesus’ woes condemn the Pharisees in an escalating fashion, reaching a climax in the destruction of unrepentant sinners.  Even though Deuteronomy holds such an important place in Scripture, God’s people have not always given this book its...

Morgan Bible full page (Photo credit: Wikipedia ) Logically, if God 's spoken word has authority, and if the Bible contains God's written word, then the Bible must carry the same authority as God's spoken word. King Josiah realized this, which is why he had such an intense reaction when he heard what was written in the " Book of the Law " ( 2 Kings 22:8 ). Although the Bible has been passed down for generations, scholars have concluded that the accuracy of its text has been remarkably preserved through the centuries by scribes who believed passionately in the importance of their work. The level of accuracy they maintained gives us confidence that the same meaning intended by the original authors, such as Moses, is what God's Word still communicates today. The Bible is intended to bring us to faith in God and help us to live our lives to the fullest (see Matthew 4:4 ; John 20:31 ; 1 Peter 2:2). Although its words may in places seem enigmatic, the Bible e...

Image via Wikipedia Image via Wikipedia Image via Wikipedia Image via Wikipedia In the nineteenth century, biblical critics contended that Deuteronomy was written about 620 B.C., as part of the religious reform of King Josiah , in which he insisted that worship be centered in Jerusalem . The law of the central sanctuary ( Deut. 12) was said by these critics to have been the invention of a writer in the time of Josiah. Since the early twentieth century, however, this view has received less favor. Some have dated Deuteronomy as early as Samuel, others as late as the Exile. Many critics still date the book in the seventh century B.C., which is the period of Josiah. But these scholars also question the unity of the book. If some parts seem "early" (from Moses ' time), they ascribe those parts to an old tradition that has conveniently been preserved. If other parts seem "late" (during or after the time of Josiah), they are called "later editions" or due t...

Image via Wikipedia Israel 's reformation came via a rediscovery of the law, which created a brief awakening to the bankruptcy of a corrupt nation. As a young man, King Josiah began the process of reformation with a spiritual purge, a cleansing of pagan elements from the religious life of the nation. A few years later, Hilkiah found the book of the law of the Lord given by Moses . A scribe brought the book to King Josiah and read it to him. The result was dramatic: "Now it happened, when the king heard the words of the Book of the Law, that he tore his clothes" ( 2 Kings 22:11 ). Josiah was awakened to the greatness of the wrath of God . He realized that God had been pouring out that wrath on the nation of Israel. He further understood that this divine judgment on the nation was a direct result of sin. The most apparent immediate change in the national reform of Israel was seen in the restoration of true worship, a worship purged of idolatry and rooted in a sound un...