Lectures Introductory to the Bible 2. Earlier Historical

A century of change in the
constitutions and governments of nations since these Lectures were delivered
has not outdated their usefulness. For their subject is the history of the one
small nation, chosen in the wisdom and purpose of God to bring forth into this
world His only Son, its Savior. His first coming has established God’s glory,
putting away sin by the sacrifice of Himself, and at His second coming
righteousness and peace will be universally displayed under His beneficent
reign.

A new generation is indebted to
the author of these lectures for the unfolding of “the great principles of
divine truth that meet us in weighing history”, principles that give
understanding of the gracious purposes of God, rising over man’s failure in
every age. “Man is as weak and erring as God is mighty and good”. The profit to
our souls is not in spiritualizing what happened to Israel, but in the humble
study of their example, with what was written aforetime about them “for our
learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have
hope” (Rom. 15.4).

May God grant that these Lectures Introductory to the Study of theEarlier Historical
Books may be used afresh by the Spirit of God
for the present glory of the Son in the edification of His Church.