Who Really Wrote the Old Testament?
Scripture:
2 Timothy 3:16–17 – “All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”
Devotional:
One of the most common questions about the Bible is: Where did it come from? If we say Moses wrote Genesis, but he wasn’t alive for the events in it, how did he know what to write?
That’s a fair question—and the answer is rich, not shaky.
God used a combination of divine revelation, oral tradition, and early written history to tell His story through human hands. The Israelites passed down stories verbally for generations, a tradition known as oral transmission. But they weren’t just making it up—God also spoke to them, guided them, and revealed things only He could know.
Moses, raised in Pharaoh’s court, was educated in reading and writing—giving him access to Egyptian literary methods. And when he encountered God, he became more than just a political leader; he became a prophetic voice, inspired to record what had been passed down and what God revealed directly.
Understanding how Scripture came together doesn’t weaken its authority—it deepens our awe. It shows how God’s Word is both divinely authored and historically grounded. The ancient scrolls are not just myths or metaphors. They’re sacred history.
Questions for Reflection:
- Have you ever struggled with how the Bible was written or preserved?
- How does knowing God used both divine revelation and human participation build your trust in Scripture?
Prayer:
Father, thank You for Your inspired Word. Thank You for using people like Moses to faithfully record Your truth. Help me not just believe the Bible because someone told me to, but because I’ve seen how trustworthy and beautiful it really is. Grow my confidence in Your Word, so I can speak it, live it, and share it boldly. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Daily Application:
Do some digging today: look up the story of how the Torah was written and preserved. Then ask yourself, “How can I become a more faithful steward of this story?” If you journal, write down one question you still have about the Bible’s origin—and bring it to a trusted teacher or study group this week.