- 5 -
Such, then, has been the plan and conception of this Bible History. The readers in view
were teachers, students, and generally the wider, educated and thoughtful public.
Throughout, the desire has been not to ignore nor pass by difficulties or questions that
might arise in the course of this History, but without always specially naming, rather to
anticipate and remove or answer them by what seemed the correct interpretation of the
narrative. How far this aim has been attained must be left to the judgment of others. This
only may be truthfully said, that as difficulties have not in any case been consciously
ignored, so their solution has not been sought by inventing an interpretation simply for
the purpose of removing an objection. If it may seem that sometimes suggestions have
been offered rather than positive statements made, it was because caution was felt to be
not only in place but even part of necessary reverence.
But beyond all this there are wider questions connected with the Old Testament, which
have, particularly of late, been prominently brought forward. In a work like the present it
seemed specially desirable to avoid controversial matters, which, in any case, could not
here be satisfactorily dealt with. And yet all reference to them could not be omitted. But
on the most fundamental of them - that of the origin and date of the Pentateuch it may be
well here to mark what appears an essential distinction. There is the widest difference
between the question whether the Pentateuch - legislation is of Mosaic origin, and this
other of the precise time when it, or any special part of it, may have been reduced to
writing or redacted. The former is a question of principle, the latter one chiefly of literary
criticism, and as such can have no absolute interest for general readers of the Bible.
On the first of these questions the present writer has not seen any reason for departing
from the old lines of the Church's faith, but rather everything to confirm our adherence to
them. Thus literary criticism may, and ought, in this, as in other matters, to continue its
independent course of investigation without causing any misgivings to those who, on
good and valid grounds, hold fast to the old truth concerning' Moses and the prophets'
and the assured fact of their testimony to Christ. And the final result of all investigations
can only be the confirmation and vindication of the faith of the Church.
In conclusion I have to thank the readers of this Bible History for their kindness, and the
indulgence extended to me in completing this series. Any delay in it has been caused by
literary engagements. To me, at least, it has afforded the refreshment of periodically
returning to a loved work, while the marked advance in cognate studies tending to the
illustration of this History has been of the greatest advantage during the progress of the
Series. It only remains, with all humility, to offer the results of these labors to those who
love the Old Testament, in the earnest hope that He in Whose service they were
undertaken may graciously accept, and by His blessing further them, not only to the fuller
knowledge, but to the spiritual understanding of His own Word.
(^)