Seek Ye Out of the Book of the Lord

Isaiah 34:16 commands us to seek diligently in Scripture, the Book of Adonai. Joseph S. Exell, in his 1887 Biblical Illustrator, identifies why this pursuit matters.

First, the Holy Scripture is uniquely the Book of the Lord—discovered through Divine revelation alone, no mortal wisdom could produce it. Its doctrine bears perfect holiness. Second, Scripture's efficacy penetrates conscience with searching power (Hebrews 4:12), converting souls from beloved lusts when worldly incentives offer nothing, and rejoicing the heart amid deepest distress (Psalm 19:8). This transforming work flows not from letter-craft but from the Spirit wielding Scripture as His instrument.

Why must we seek into the Book of the Lord? Six presuppositions undergird this command: man has lost his way and needs direction; he risks wandering further astray; human hearts are slow to understand God's mind; Scripture contains real difficulties; understanding requires diligent inquiry; and faithful searching yields genuine gain.

Exell argues three compelling reasons: salvation's way exists only therein (John 5:39); Scripture alone rules our faith and practice (Isaiah 8:20)—the lawyer studies law books, the physician medical texts, yet shall not the Christian study Adonai's Book? Finally, Adonai Himself dictated Scripture for this purpose (2 Timothy 3:16–17), and we shall be judged by it at the great day (John 12:48). Systematic investigation of the Gospel transforms mere acquaintance into living comprehension.