What Does The Bible Say About Writing Things Down?
The Bible has a lot to say about the importance of writing things down. In fact, the entirety of Scripture is a testament to the value of the written word. As we explore what the Bible teaches about writing, one truth becomes clear: God intends for His people to diligently record His words and works.
If you’re short on time, here’s the key point: According to the Bible, writing things down is vital for remembering, learning, and passing on God’s truth to future generations.
Writing in the Bible
The Bible itself provides extensive written revelation from God. The Old and New Testaments contain God’s inspired words communicated through around 40 human authors over 1500 years. Biblical writers like Moses, David, Solomon, Matthew, John and Paul wrote Scripture as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit (2 Peter 1:20-21).
The Bible itself is written revelation from God
The Bible did not originate from human insight or literary invention. Rather, men spoke from God as they were moved by the Holy Spirit to write God’s words down (2 Timothy 3:16). So the Bible is considered written revelation from God just as much as spoken revelation.
Biblical authors wrote down God’s words and revelations
Many sections of the Bible directly state that God commanded His revelations and very words to be written down. For example, God told Moses and Jeremiah, “Write down these words…” (Exodus 34:27, Jeremiah 30:2). The Ten Commandments were written on tablets by God’s own finger (Exodus 31:18).
The Apostle John also testified that he wrote down Jesus’ revelation that was communicated to him (Revelation 1:11).
God commanded His people to write down His laws and teachings
In several places God instructed His people to write down His laws and revelations so they would be remembered and passed on. For instance, He told the Israelites, “Write down this song and teach it to the Israelites” (Deuteronomy 31:19).
This has resulted in much of God’s revelation being preserved in written form including His laws, history, poetry, prophecy and letters that comprise the Old and New Testaments.
Purposes of Writing in Scripture
To remember and not forget God’s commands and deeds
The Bible contains many passages where God instructs His people to write down His commands and deeds so that future generations would remember them. For example, after the Israelites crossed the Jordan river into the Promised Land, God commanded Joshua to set up large stones and write the law on them as a memorial (Joshua 4:1-7).
King David frequently wrote in the Psalms about meditating on God’s commands and pondering His mighty deeds (Psalm 77:11-12). Writing these things down helped imprint them into the minds and hearts of God’s people so they would not forget all that He had spoken and done for them.
To learn and become wise
In addition to remembering, writing down God’s words and works enabled His people to learn from them and grow in wisdom. The book of Proverbs, for instance, was written down so that people could “receive instruction in wise dealing, righteousness, justice, and equity” (Proverbs 1:3).
By diligently studying the Scriptures, even kings were able to become wiser and rule their kingdoms better (Deuteronomy 17:18-20). The Bereans were considered noble for examining the Scriptures daily to see if what the apostle Paul taught matched what was written (Acts 17:11).
Writing facilitates learning, and the wisdom contained in God’s word spans generations when it is recorded in written form.
To pass truth on to future generations
The written word also allows the truth about God to be accurately transmitted from one generation to the next. In the days before mass communication, oral tradition was the primary way of passing on information. However, important details could get lost or distorted over time.
Writing provided a reliable way of preserving the truth. As Moses neared death, God told him to write down the law as a permanent witness against the people (Deuteronomy 31:24-26). The apostles regularly referred to the Old Testament writings in their teaching and preaching to affirm their witness about Jesus (Luke 24:27; Acts 17:2).
And Peter mentioned that he wrote his letters so that after his death, believers would still be able to remember the truth (2 Peter 1:12-15). God purposes writing to solidify His truth in written form so that it will endure.
Examples of Writing in the Bible
Moses wrote the Ten Commandments
As described in Exodus 24:12, God instructed Moses to come up to Mount Sinai to receive the stone tablets with the Ten Commandments inscribed on them. After going up the mountain and spending 40 days with God, Moses came down carrying the two stone tablets inscribed by the finger of God (Exodus 31:18).
This was the first time God directly provided the written form of His laws.
Old Testament prophets wrote down visions and prophecies
Many prophets in the Old Testament were instructed by God to write down the visions and prophecies they received. For example, in Jeremiah 30:2, God tells Jeremiah, “Write in a book all the words I have spoken to you.”
Other prophets like Isaiah, Ezekiel, and Daniel also wrote down prophecies and visions at God’s instruction.
Some key reasons God told the prophets to write these things down were to:
- Preserve the prophecies for future generations
- Allow people to test and validate them
- Remind the people of God’s promises and warnings
New Testament authors wrote Gospels and letters
All four Gospels – Matthew, Mark, Luke and John – contain written accounts of Jesus’s life and ministry as told by his close disciples. These provide eyewitness testimonies to Christ’s teachings, miracles, death, and resurrection.
In addition to the Gospels, nearly half of the books in the New Testament are letters written by apostles like Paul, Peter, John and others. There are 21 letters total. Through these letters, the apostles could preach the Gospel, give practical instructions for Christian living, settle disputes in the churches, and teach deep theological truths.
As shown on sites like OverviewBible, writing all of these accounts was crucial for spreading the Gospel worldwide in the decades and centuries after Christ’s ascension into Heaven.
Blessings from Writing Scripture
The written Word imparts wisdom and joy
The Bible is called the Word of God for good reason. When we read Scripture, it is as if God Himself is speaking directly to us. His words impart divine wisdom, revelation, and insight that our finite human minds could never arrive at on their own.
As the psalmist declared, “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path” (Psalm 119:105). Scripture illuminates our way through life’s dark valleys, showing us which path to take.
In addition to guidance, God’s Word also fills our hearts with joy. The psalmist again says, “I rejoice in your promises like one who finds great spoil” (Psalm 119:162). As we read the Bible, we uncover precious truths about God’s faithfulness, His compassion, and His mercy towards us.
These promises give us hope, comfort, and abiding joy. Truly, the Word of God is sweeter than honey (Psalm 119:103)!
God’s Word guides and lights our path
One of the greatest blessings of Scripture is that it acts as a lamp to guide our feet and light our path (Psalm 119:105). God’s Word gives us wisdom for daily living and reveals His perfect will so that we can walk in it.
When we face difficult life decisions, we need only consult the Bible to receive counsel and direction from the all-wise God. Scripture warns us away from destructive choices and points our steps down life-giving paths.
In a world filled with much darkness and deception, God’s Word shines brightly to cut through the confusion. We can trust Scripture to lead us rightly because it comes from the One who knows the beginning from the end. Though our own hearts and minds may falter, God’s Word remains a steadfast guide.
It is a gift beyond price to have such heavenly wisdom available to us on every page of Scripture!
Scripture records God’s faithfulness through the ages
One of the greatest treasures found in the pages of Scripture is the recounting of God’s steadfast love and faithfulness to His people throughout history. The Bible is filled with real stories of human struggles and God’s timely interventions on behalf of His people in need.
For example, the book of Exodus tells how God heard the cries of the enslaved Israelites and powerfully delivered them from Egypt. In the New Testament, we read about Jesus miraculously healing the sick and feeding the hungry crowds to demonstrate God’s compassion.
These examples, and countless others, remind us that our God sees, hears, and cares. He does not abandon His people. Perhaps that is why the most frequent command in Scripture is “Do not be afraid.” Time after time, in situation after situation, God proves Himself faithful.
The written record of His steadfast love throughout history brings courage to our hearts when we face trials of our own. We can have confidence that the God who helped His people then will surely help us now.
Conclusion
In summary, the act of writing is profoundly significant in Scripture. God revealed His truth in written form so that all generations could read, learn from, and be transformed by His Word. He commanded His people to diligently write down His commands, prophecies, and mighty deeds.
And as the Bible clearly shows, writing things down aids memory, learning, and the passing on of truth.
In a culture of tweets, texts, and ephemeral content, the Bible reminds us of the enduring power of the written word. Just as writing Scripture has indelibly shaped history, writing things down can help us remember, comprehend, and share truth today.
