patriarchs and prophets-第27章
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with his statements。 All truth； whether in nature or in revelation； is
consistent with itself in all its manifestations。
In the word of God many queries are raised that the most profound scholars
can never answer。 Attention is called to these subjects to show us how much
there is； even among the common things of everyday life； that finite minds；
with all their boasted wisdom； can never fully understand。
Yet men of science think that they can comprehend the wisdom of God； that
which He has done or can do。 The idea largely prevails that He is restricted
by His own laws。 Men either deny or ignore His existence； or think to
explain everything； even the operation of His Spirit upon the human heart；
and they no longer reverence His name or fear His power。 They do not believe
in the supernatural； not understanding God's laws or His infinite power to
work His will through them。 As commonly used； the term 〃laws of nature〃
comprises what men have been able to discover with regard to the laws that
govern the physical world； but how limited is their knowledge； and how vast
the field in which the Creator can work in harmony with His own laws and yet
wholly beyond the comprehension of finite beings！
Many teach that matter possesses vital powerthat certain properties are
imparted to matter； and it is then left to act through its own inherent
energy； and that the operations of nature are conducted in harmony with
fixed laws； with which God Himself cannot interfere。 This is false science；
and is not sustained by the word of God。 Nature is the servant of her
Creator。 God does not annul His laws or work contrary to them； but He is
continually using them as His instruments。 Nature testifies of an
intelligence； a presence； an active energy； that works in and through her
laws。 There is in nature the continual working of the Father and the Son。
Christ says； 〃My Father worketh hitherto； and I work。〃 John 5：17。
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The Levites； in their hymn recorded by Nehemiah； sang； 〃Thou； even Thou； art
Lord alone； Thou hast made heaven； the heaven of heavens； with all their
host； the earth； and all things therein； 。 。 。 and Thou preservest them
all。〃 Nehemiah 9：6。 As regards this world； God's work of creation is
completed。 For 〃the works were finished from the foundation of the world。〃
Hebrews 4：3。 But His energy is still exerted in upholding the objects of His
creation。 It is not because the mechanism that has once been set in motion
continues to act by its own inherent energy that the pulse beats and breath
follows breath； but every breath； every pulsation of the heart； is an
evidence of the all…pervading care of Him in whom 〃we live； and move； and
have our being。〃 Acts 17：28。 It is not because of inherent power that year
by year the earth produces her bounties and continues her motion around the
sun。 The hand of God guides the planets and keeps them in position in their
orderly march through the heavens。 He 〃bringeth out their host by number： He
calleth them all by names by the greatness of His might； for that He is
strong in power； not one faileth。〃 Isaiah 40：26。 It is through His power
that vegetation flourishes； that the leaves appear and the flowers bloom。 He
〃maketh grass to grow upon the mountains〃 （Psalm 147：8）； and by Him the
valleys are made fruitful。 〃All the beasts of the forest 。 。 。 seek their
meat from God；〃 and every living creature； from the smallest insect up to
man； is daily dependent upon His providential care。 In the beautiful words
of the psalmist； 〃These wait all upon Thee。 。 。 。 That Thou givest them they
gather： Thou openest Thine hand； they are filled with good。〃 Psalm 104：20；
21； 27； 28。 His word controls the elements； He covers the heavens with
clouds and prepares rain for the earth。 〃He giveth snow like wool： He
scattereth the hoarfrost like ashes。〃 Psalm 147：16。 〃When He uttereth His
voice； there is a multitude of waters in the heavens； and He causeth the
vapors to ascend from the ends of the earth； He maketh lightnings with rain；
and bringeth forth the wind out of His treasuries。〃 Jeremiah 10：13。
God is the foundation of everything。 All true science is in harmony with His
works； all true education leads to obedience to His government。 Science
opens new wonders to our view； she soars high； and explores new depths； but
she brings nothing from her research that conflicts with divine revelation。
Ignorance may seek to support false views of God by appeals to science； but
the book of nature and the written word shed light upon each other。
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We are thus led to adore the Creator and to have an intelligent trust in His
word。
No finite mind can fully comprehend the existence； the power； the wisdom； or
the works of the Infinite One。 Says the sacred writer： 〃Canst thou by
searching find out God？ canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection？ It
is as high as heaven； what canst thou do？ deeper than hell； what canst thou
know？ The measure thereof is longer than the earth； and broader than the
sea。〃 Job 11：7…9。 The mightiest intellects of earth cannot comprehend God。
Men may be ever searching； ever learning； and still there is an infinity
beyond。
Yet the works of creation testify of God's power and greatness。 〃The heavens
declare the glory of God； and the firmament showeth His handiwork。〃 Psalm
19：1。 Those who take the written word as their counselor will find in
science an aid to understand God。 〃The invisible things of Him from the
creation of the world are clearly seen； being understood by the things that
are made； even His eternal power and Godhead。〃 Romans 1：20。
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Chapter 10
The Tower of Babel
To repeople the desolate earth； which the Flood had so lately swept from its
moral corruption； God had preserved but one family； the household of Noah；
to whom He had declared； 〃Thee have I seen righteous before Me in this
generation。〃 Genesis 7：1。 Yet in the three sons of Noah was speedily
developed the same great distinction seen in the world before the Flood。 In
Shem； Ham； and Japheth； who were to be the founders of the human race； was
foreshadowed the character of their posterity。
Noah； speaking by divine inspiration； foretold the history of the three
great races to spring from these fathers of mankind。 Tracing the descendants
of Ham； through the son rather than the father； he declared； 〃Cursed be
Canaan； a servant of servants shall he be unto his brethren。〃 The unnatural
crime of Ham declared that filial reverence had long before been cast from
his soul； and it revealed the impiety and vileness of his character。 These
evil characteristics were perpetuated in Canaan and his posterity； whose
continued guilt called upon them the judgments of God。
On the other hand； the reverence manifested by Shem and Japheth for their
father； and thus for the divine statutes； promised a brighter future for
their descendants。 Concerning these sons it was declared： 〃Blessed be
Jehovah； God of Shem； and Canaan shall be his servant。 God shall enlarge
Japheth； and he shall dwell in the tents of Shem； and Canaan shall be his
servant。〃 The line of Shem was to be that of the chosen people； of God's
covenant； of the promised Redeemer。 Jehovah was the God of Shem。 From him
would descend Abraham； and the people of Israel； through whom Christ was to
come。 〃Happy is that people； whose God is the Lord。〃 Psalm 144：15。 And
Japheth 〃shall dwell
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in the tents of Shem。〃 In the blessings of the gospel the descendants of
Japheth were especially to share。
The posterity of Canaan descended to the most degrading forms of heathenism。
Though the prophetic curse had doomed them to slavery； the doom was withheld
for centuries。 God bore with their impiety and corruption until they passed
the limits of divine forbearance。 Then they were dispossessed； and became
bondmen to the descendants of Shem and Japheth。
The prophecy of Noah was no arbitrary denunciation of wrath or declaration
of favor。 It did not fix the character and destin
