But a definite "book" is spoken of throughout the Old
Testament as being constantly written in, with directions how it was to
be added to and kept up by the prophets raised up from time to time for
that purpose, among others.
The first occurrence is in Ex. 17.14. To this, in the margin, all the
others are referred back. They are given below, so that the chain may be
examined link by link and its completeness and perfection seen.
1. Ex. 17.14. Written by Jehovah's command (cp. Deut.25.19). Heb.
"the book" (bassepher).
2. Ex. 24.4,7. Written by Moses, and "the book of the covenant
sprinkled", with the people.
3. Ex. 34.27. Jehovah's command, "Write thou".
4. Num. 33.1,2. Written by Moses "by the commandment of
Jehovah". From the first three months of first year to last
quarter of fortieth year (cp. Deut.1.2,3 with 2.14).
5. Deut. 1.5. The word "declare" = set forth plainly,
and implies writing (the word occurs only in Deut. 27.8 and
Hab.2.2), and includes from Deut. 1.6 to 33.29.
6. Deut 4.8 includes more than this book of Deuteronomy, and 4.2
must refer to what was then written (cp. 26.16; 29.21)
7. Deut. 17.18. The book kept "before the priests the
Levites", and to be copied by the king. This was the standard
copy (ch. 31.9,25,26); to be read at the Feast of Tabernacles in the
Sabbatic years. (ch.31.10-13).
8. Deut. 31.19,22,24. "The song of Moses" to be written
(cp. the reason, vv.16-18). Ascribed to Jehovah.
9. Josh. 1.8. "This book of the law" came into the
custody of Joshua (cp. 1-8) as distinct from the book of Joshua, and
containing, not Deuteronomy merely, but the whole "book of the
law" as thus traced above (cp. Ps. 1.2. Luke 24.44).
10. Josh. 8. 30-35. A copy of the law made from "the
book" on the rocks in mount Ebal.
11. Josh. 23.6,7 again referred to.
12. Josh. 24.26. Joshua himself "wrote in the book", and
doubtlessly added Deut.34.
13. I Sam. 10.25. Samuel continued the writing in "the
book". (so the Hebrew.)
14. I Kings 2.1-4. David charges Solomon with regard to this
"written" law of Moses.
15. 2 Chron. 17. 7-9. Jehoshaphat sent the princes, Levites, and
priests, and they "taught in Judah, and had the book of the law
of Jehovah with them."
16. 2 Chron. 23.11 (2 Kings 11.12). It was given to Joash according
to Deut. 17.18.
17. 2 Chron. 25.4 (2 Kings 14.6) Amaziah spared the children of his
father's murderers according to "that which was written in the
book of the law of Moses" (cp. Deut 24.4).
18. 2 Chron. 30.2,5,18. Hezekiah's passover kept in second month as
"it was written". This was written in Num. 9. 6-14.
19. 2 Chron. 35.12. Josiah's passover kept "as it is written
in the book of Moses".
20. 2 Kings 17.37. "The law... which He wrote for you", i.e.,
Jehovah (cp. v.35).
21. 2 Kings 22.8. "Hilkiah, the high priest... found the book
of the law in the house of the Lord". In v.10, "Shaphan read
it before the king" (Josiah). Huldah the prophetess confirms this
reference (vv.14-20). In 2 Chron. 34.14 it is described as "the
book of the law of Jehovah by the hand of Moses".
22. Jeremiah refers to this event when he speaks, as in ch. 15.16.
23. Isaiah refers to this book as in his day, a "sealed"
book (ch. 29.11-13). The Lord Jesus refers to this as opposed to the
"precepts of man" (Matt. 15. 1-9 Mark 7.1-3).
24. Ezra ascribes the law to Moses. Cp.3.2 (Num.28,29); 6.18;
7.6,10,14,21,25. And all is to be done according to it (cp. 10.3 with
9.11,12. Lev.18.24-30, and Deut. 23.3-6).
25. In Esther 3.8, the laws were extant, and known as "diverse
from all people."
26. Nehemiah (1.7-9) speaks to Jehovah of the "statutes and
judgments He gave by Moses".
27. Neh. 8.8. The book is read according to its requirements.
28. Neh.8.14,17. The Feast of Tabernacles was kept according to
Lev.23.39-43.
29. Neh. 10.28,29. A solemn covenant was made "to walk in
God's law, which was given by Moses the servant of God".
30. Neh. 13.1. "They read in the book of Moses"
concerning the law as written in Deut. 23.3,4.
31. Daniel in his prayer (ch.9.11) refers to the curse fulfilled on
the nation as "written in the law of Moses the servant of
God".
32. Mal. 4.4 completes the cycle, and refers all to Horeb where the
people received the law (as distinct from Sinai, where Moses received
it), and to Moses by whom it was given (not to Ezra or to some
"Redactors" of a later day).
