God’s Plan in distribution of the Bible Part 1

sounddoctrine.net

By Nick Bibile

so My word that proceeds from My mouth will not return to Me empty, but it will accomplish what I please, and it will prosper where I send it. (Isaiah 55:11)

Your word, O LORD, is everlasting; it is firmly fixed in the heavens. (Psalm 119:89)

Initially the Greek language played a great role in the distribution of the Bible, then later in our modern day God used English language as the basic and then translation of other languages.

First we will see how God used Alexander the Great in spreading the Greek language. Alexander became the king of Macedonia, Macedonia was the largest part of Greece, formally known as Macedonia. From the age of 13-16 he was taught by the great philosopher Aristotle of philosophy, medicine and scientific explorations. At age 20, Alexander became king of Macedonia when a political rival assassinated his father. He was a brilliant military leader. In the book of Daniel Alexander was compared to a leopard, (Daniel 7:6) the fastest animal on earth. Also compared to a goat,(Daniel 8) significance of his power.

Within a quick period of time, By the age of 30, he had created one of the largest empires in history, stretching from Greece to northwestern India. But at the age of 32 he had a sudden death. When he conquered Egypt, he built a city and called it Alexandria. Lots of Hebrew speaking Jews were taken to Alexandria. After his death his four generals went in different directions and Ptolemy became the king of Alexandria.

The Greek language began to spread all over the known world at that time and Greek became the language of the known world. But later many of the Jews in Alexandria, especially their descendants could not speak Hebrew but Greek. The Jews whose mother language was Greek were called Hellenist. (Acts 6:1; 9:29; 11:20)

Septuagint

After the death of Ptolemy of Egypt, Ptolemy II became the king of Egypt. He wrote a letter to Eleazar, the high priest in Jerusalem, requesting 6 elders of each tribe of Israel , a total of 72 men who are skilled in the Old Testament Hebrew to translate the Torah, 5 books of the law of Moses into Greek. The word Septuagint means 72. Translation was completed in 250 B.C then by 150 B.C the entire Old Testament was translated into Greek

Let us see how our Great God of heaven who initiated all things in spreading the word of God for his glory. Just imagine a Hindu king from India conquering the known world, then Hinduism would be the known language of the world, that would certainly stop spreading Christianity. But God rules the earth from his throne in heaven, He does what He pleases.

Psalm 115:3 Our God is in heaven; He does as He pleases.

Psalm 103:19 The Lord has established his throne in the heavens,

and his kingdom rules over all.

Psalm 47:8 God reigns over the nations; God is seated on His holy throne.

During the time of Jesus, He spoke in Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek depending on the situation, by this time Septuagint the translation of the Old Testament became popular. As per Roman scholar Cicero he stated, “Greek is read in all nations.”

Apostles used the Greek language to spread the gospel to the new known world. What Alexander started Julius Caesar completed. God used these heathen kings to accomplish his purpose.

The early Christians were so excited by God's word, it was copied through papyrus, which will not last long. So from the rich Christians to the poor Christians they made copies, and before it got destroyed made more copies, that is how Christianity spread in the Roman Empire.

God Almighty allowed Alexander to rule, conquer nations so Greek language was the language the New Testament was written. After Greek, Latin became the known language in the middle ages, then English in the 19th century.

John Wycliffe is famed as the man who first translated the whole Bible into English, way before King James Bible. Tyndale translated the first New Testament into English, then Miles Coverdale translated the Old and the New Testament into English. Then came the Geneva Bible as most Puritans used, after which came the King James Bible. Thank God now we have easy to read and understand Bibles all over, translated into many languages.

Matthew 24:35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

2 Timothy 2:15 tells us that we should study and show God that we understand the truth

Jesus said, “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”. (John 8:32)