The most profound reverence characterized the ancient copyists of the Scriptures. When they came to a name for deity, they put new pens in their writing instruments, took a bath, and changed raiment.
It is amazing how frail humans today approach God and His Word with such contempt and barefaced irreverence. We chuckle at the commercial: “When E. F. Hutton speaks, people listen.” Far more seriously, “When God speaks, do people listen?”
The Hebrews writer proclaimed, “God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son” (Hebrews 1:1–2). God has indeed spoken, but man has ceased to tremble. Felix, governor of ancient Judea, was by no means a virtuous man. It is said that he, with the help of a magician, seduced Drusilla away from her husband, and persuaded her to marry him.
Certainly, his morals were not exemplary. Yet when Paul had the occasion to speak to him, he trembled before God’s word. “As he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season I will call for thee” (Acts 24:25).
Oh, for a time when men would again tremble at the reading of God’s Word—when hearts would be cut and sins laid bare before His auspicious eyes. In a generation when the heart of man has “grown dull,” may we continue to point men to the Governor of all life and humbly bow before His rule. —Kerry Knight
