Authoritative records of the Divine ways.
"Thy memorial, O Lord, from one generation to another." The "memorial" may be but another word for the "Name;" but from one point of view the "Name" is but gathering into a single term the records of the Divine dealings; and it does but express that conception of God himself which his Divine dealings have produced on us. So we may say that the memorial of his doings fills with meaning the Divine Name, and assures us that what God has ever been to his people, he ever will be. Once on a time learned men were sorely puzzled by certain irregular holes on the front of an ancient temple. One, more sagacious than the rest, suggested that these indentations might be the marks of nails used to fasten Greek characters to the stone. Lines were drawn from one point to the next, when they were found to form letters, and the name of the Deity unexpectedly stood disclosed. What is known as a "zikr," or memorial service, is repeated by Mohammedans, at stated intervals, at the graves of those long dead, if they have left a reputation for holiness. The word "zikr" is closely connected with the Hebrew word for "a memorial," or "remembrance," indeed, one may say identical with it. The subject suggested is the Divine arrangement that the Divine dealings should be held in men's memory through all the generations, and be a permanent moral force in every age. The Bible is the memorial.
I. THE BIBLE IS A BOOK OF HISTORY. It is more than this, but it is this; and this to a very great extent. It is a collection of records of events that have happened. Take history out of the Pentateuch (or Hexateuch), out of the so-called historical books, out of the prophets, and take the references to history out of the Psalms, and what would be left? The fact is not sufficiently considered. The records in the book are memorials, reminders, of actual events.
II. THE SUBJECT OF THE BIBLE IS GOD IN HISTORY. This brings to view the contrast between ordinary history and Biblical history. Scripture everywhere brings to view the direct relation of God to events. And so the records become memorials of God to every generation. Suggestive memorials, showing that history never is read aright unless God is seen in it.—R.T.