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Testimonies for the Church Volume 4
Yet had the pen of inspiration written their histories, how different
would they have appeared. There would have been revealed human
weaknesses, struggles with selfishness, bigotry, and pride, hidden sins
perhaps, and the continual warfare between the spirit and the flesh.
Even private journals do not reveal on their pages the writer’s sinful
deeds. Sometimes the conflicts with evil are recorded, but usually only
when the right has gained the victory. But they may contain a faithful
account of praiseworthy acts and noble endeavors; this, too, when the
writer honestly intends to keep a faithful journal of his life. It is next to
a human impossibility to lay open our faults for the possible inspection
of our friends.
Had our good Bible been written by uninspired persons, it would
have presented quite a different appearance and would have been a
discouraging study to erring mortals, who are contending with natural
frailties and the temptations of a wily foe. But as it is, we have a
correct record of the religious experiences of marked characters in
Bible history. Men whom God favored, and to whom He entrusted
great responsibilities, were sometimes overcome by temptation and
committed sins, even as we of the present day strive, waver, and
frequently fall into error. But it is encouraging to our desponding
hearts to know that through God’s grace they could gain fresh vigor
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to again rise above their evil natures; and, remembering this, we are
ready to renew the conflict ourselves.
The murmurings of ancient Israel and their rebellious discontent, as
well as the mighty miracles wrought in their favor and the punishment
of their idolatry and ingratitude, are recorded for our benefit. The
example of ancient Israel is given as a warning to the people of God,
that they may avoid unbelief and escape His wrath. If the iniquities of
the Hebrews had been omitted from the Sacred Record, and only their
virtues recounted, their history would fail to teach us the lesson that it
does.
Infidels and lovers of sin excuse their crimes by citing the wicked-
ness of men to whom God gave authority in olden times. They argue
that if these holy men yielded to temptation and committed sins, it is
not to be wondered at that they, too, should be guilty of wrongdoing;
and intimate that they are not so bad after all, since they have such
illustrious examples of iniquity before them.