Genesis Vol 3.pdf - College Press

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GENESIS ’.7 - 4 %
satisfying way, the mystery of life to7,the supreme and in-
evitable frustration, death. Philosophy +-has ever been con-
cerned, above all other things, with death. (By way of
contrast, Jesus had little to say about- death-the- theme
that was on His lips at all times was life: Matt. 25:46;
John 5:40, 10:lO.) As Immanuel .Kaat has put .it, the
three great problems that have always: engendered *human
speculation are God, freedom, and immortality;. it will be
noted that these have to do with the origin,*nature, and
destiny of the person. The outstanding;f.a.ct that has to do
with human life in its fullness is that0 the-question voiced
by Job in the early ages of the world ; (.Job 14:14) re-
mained unanswered until it was answered :at Joseph‘s tomb
b’ 2 .
(1 Cor. 15:12-28). ” .
What ends, then, did God achieve through His ancient
people, the fleshly seed of Abraham, the Children of Israel?
The following:
1. The continuance and increase of the knowledge of
Himself, His attributes and His works, among men.
Through the Patriarchs He revealed His self -existence, unity
and personality. Through Moses and the demonstrations
in Egypt, He revealed His omnipotence. Through the
Prophets especially He revealed His wisdom and holiness.
Throughout the entire history of the People of Israel He
revealed His infinite justice, goodness, and righteousness.
Through His Only Begotten He revealed His ineffable
love and compassion (John 14:9, 1 Cor. 1:21, Heb. 1:l-4).
How utterly absurd for any human being to try to apprehend
and worship God aright from the revelation of
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nature”! Hence it was that God put His Old Testament
people in the pulpit of the world to preserve monotheism,
the knowledge of the living and true God, HE WHO IS
(Jer. 10:10, Matt. 16:16, John 17:3, 1 Thess. 1:9, 1 John
1:20)’, by way of contrast to the coldly intellectual “God,”
THAT WHICH IS, of human philosophy. This God, the
pantheistic God of ‘human philosophy, will never suffice
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