Old Testament references to a book were more comprehensive than our modern usage of the word. For example, the Sacred Scripture/Holy Bible uses scroll and book almost interchangeably to specify a certificate or a bill-any written notice certifying a contract or a decision. By these standards a simple sales receipt could be called a book. Book refers to a collection sheets, bound together along one edge and protected by a cover. In ancient times a book was almost anything in written form usually preserved on a scroll, a roll of papyrus, leather or parchment.

With the edge of the sword Joshua cut down Amalek and his people. Then Yahweh said to Moses, 'Write this action down in a book to keep the memory of it and say in Joshua's hearing that I shall wipe out the memory of Amalek from under heaven'. - Exodus 17:13-14 -

Book and scroll were used interchangeably until the second century, A.D. when the CODEX was introduced. The codex was man's first attempt to stack sheets, fasten together and bind them on one edge. This forerunner of today's book eliminated the problem of rolling and unrolling several bulky scrolls in order to read a written document.

The Sacred Scripture/Holy Bible sometimes uses the idea of book in a figurative manner. To 'eat a book' refers to the need to absorb the Word of God into one's system just as the body digests food.

You, son of man, listen to the words I say; do not be a rebel like that rebellious set. Open your mouth and eat what I am about to give you. I looked. A hand was there stretching out to me and holding a scroll. He unrolled it in front of me; it was written on back and front; on it was written lamentations, wailing, moaning. He said, Son of man, eat what is given to you; eat this scroll then go and speak to the House of Israel. I opened my mouth; he gave me the scroll to eat and said, Son of man, feed and be satisfied by the scroll I am giving you. I ate it and it tasted sweet as honey. - Ezekiel 2:8-10, 3:1-3 -

I went to the angel and asked him to give me the small scroll and he said, Take it and eat it; it will turn your stomach sour but in your mouth it will taste as sweet as honey. So I took it out of the angel's hand and swallowed it; it was as sweet as honey in my mouth but when I had eaten it my stomach turned sour. Then I was told, You are to prophesy again, this time about many different nations and countries and languages and emperors. - Rev. 10:9-11 -

Some references to symbolic language also appear in Sacred Scripture/Holy Bible passages that mention the "Book of Life" These women were a help to me when I was fighting to defend the Good News - and so at the same time were Clement and the others who worked with me. Their names are written in the book of life. - Phil. 4:3 - All Jewish people were registered in the citizenship book. - Jer. 22:30 -

The Sacred Scripture/Holy Bible also speaks of a "sealed book" - one with its content unrevealed and only the Son of God was worthy to open the seals of the book of the future.

There is no need to cry; the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed and he will open the scroll and the seven seal of it. Rev. 5:5 -

This, too, he said to me, Do not keep the prophecies in this book a secret because the Time is close. - Rev. 22:10 -

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Sunday, May 24, 2009

I have through years of reading, pondering, reflecting and contemplating, the 3 things that last; FAITH . HOPE . LOVE and I would like to made available my sharing from the many thinkers, authors, scholars and theologians whose ideas and thoughts I have borrowed. God be with them always. Amen!

I STILL HAVE MANY THINGS TO SAY TO YOU BUT THEY WOULD BE TOO MUCH FOR YOU NOW. BUT WHEN THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH COMES, HE WILL LEAD YOU TO THE COMPLETE TRUTH, SINCE HE WILL NOT BE SPEAKING AS FROM HIMSELF, BUT WILL SAY ONLY WHAT HE HAS LEARNT; AND HE WILL TELL YOU OF THE THINGS TO COME.

HE WILL GLORIFY ME, SINCE ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. EVERYTHING THE FATHER HAS IS MINE; THAT IS WHY I SAID: ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. - JOHN 16:12-15 -