Scribes and Scriptures

“Then He (Jesus) said to them, “Therefore, every scribe instructing concerning the Kingdom of Heaven is like a householder who brings out of his treasure things new and old”’” (Matthew 13:52) This is the Scripture that our Ladies’ Bible Class looked at today, and then in a practical way, we went and distributed Bibles to a selected group of Ecuadoreans.

A Scribe was taught the Scriptures. He was a diligent learner, and one of his functions was to teach the people. When we study the Word of God, we may be likened to Scribes, who store “treasure” in our “household” – and when teaching others the Scriptures, we “bring out” these treasures from the “new and old”. Over the past weeks, these ladies have been exploring the Scriptures. They have stored the Scriptures for many years, (the old), and at present are studying the “new”.

In our studies we use Dr. Curt’s methodology with 4 vital guidelines: (1) Concentration; (2) Meditation; (3) Revelation, and (4) Application. A number of Scriptures illustrate these concepts. (1) Concentration: Our Scripture quoted above clearly describes the concept “Concentration” – we concentrated on the verse in question, and noted 8 key concepts in this verse: (1) every; (2) scribe; (3) instructing; (4) concerning the King of Heaven; (5) is like a householder; (6) who brings out; (7) his treasure; (8) things new and old.

If we look at the second “guideline”, the concept “Meditation”, the Psalmist’s words describe it beautifully – “Through Your precepts I get understanding”; the third “guideline is “Revelation” and only the Holy Spirit can open up our understanding to the hidden truths in the Scripture. Listen to these words describing the “Revelation”. “Open my eyes that I may see wondrous things from your law”. In other words we need to ask God for revelations from His Holy Word. In Luke 24:27; 32; Two people were traveling along the road to Emmaus, when Jesus drew near to them, walked with them, and then revealed the Scriptures to them. He expounded the Scriptures, opened up their understanding, and the result? “Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road; and while He opened the Scriptures to us”. Then later in the chapter, in verse 45, we read, “And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures” – here reference was made to Jesus speaking to His disciples. That is “Revelation”, when the Author of the Bible comes alongside us, and enables us to see deep, precious truths in His Word.

After our study we went around handing out Bibles, (the Application component) to a number of selected people. Our command of the Spanish languish is minimal, so the best thing that we could do, was to hand out Bibles in Spanish, and so share the Word of God with these dear people.

Our first “port of call”, was the Mayor’s Office. Unfortunately he was not in, but his friendly staff were only too willing to accept the Bible on his behalf.

We arrived unannounced, but typical of the people in Cotacachi, we were warmly welcomed, and they enjoyed the “publicity” and being “captured on camera”.

Delight was written all over this obviously important person, who would do us the honors and hand this “Treasure” over to the Mayor. We claimed the promise, “So shall My Word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.” (Isaiah 55:11)

Our next visit was to the Policia. This dear Officer greeted us warmly with plenty of hugs. When we handed her a Bible, she invited us in and pointed to her desk, where she had been studying the Scripture as well. She told us that she was a Christian. Unfortunately there were no other Policemen available, but with a later visit, Bibles will be presented to them, too.

Come on, now – be honest! Do your Police hug you? Ours do, and we love them – the hugs and the Officers!

The “Cuerpo de Bomberos” are warm-blooded guys. Come with me and see what I mean.

We wandered into the Fire and Ambulance Department, and the “Big Chief” invited us into his office immediately. He somehow understood my broken (to pieces) Spanish and was delighted with his “regalo” – a Bible.

We asked him if there were other firefighters on duty, and soon enough he rounded up five of them, all beaming with their most unusual gift – a BIBLE!

What a reward I received! A hug from a burly Ecuadorean Fire Chief – (and I got a kiss on the cheek!)

Our final distribution of the Treasures from God, was at the Bus Terminal, where a number of the Bus Drivers and their Assistants received Bibles.

These two precious people were eager to receive copies of the Bible, particularly the man in the center, and then, although shy, this dear young man came forward to receive his copy – amidst laughter from his colleagues. Oh, that each person who received a Bible today, will find the Lord Jesus as their personal Savior, and that “seeds” will spread in Cotacachi!

Recently, the Lord added to our Ladies’ Bible class, a real treasure – Anne. Sadly her mother passed away and went to be with Jesus in Glory, and we were able to bless our precious sister-in-the-Lord with flowers grown for her by our Heavenly Father.

“Thank You, Lord Jesus, for this privilege that You afforded us, to take Your precious Word to the lovely people in Cotacachi. Our sincerest prayer is that we, one day, will meet Cotacachoneans in Heaven – all because of Your precious Word, and Your great love that You have for these people. Amen!”