brought.  'But being borne along (phero) by the Holy Spirit, holy men

of God spake'.  If we would see something of the force of this word phero we

should read through Acts 27, with its vivid description of the storm, the

wreck, and the utter helplessness of man in the tempest.  Look at the words

of verse 15: 'We let her drive' (phero), and again in verse 17, 'strake sail,

and so were driven' (phero).  The human element was of no avail in that

driving euroclydon, it was brushed aside.  Even so is it with the mighty

driving power of inspiration.

The word 'interpretation' could remain in this passage, so long as the

reader understands that prophecy did not arise from the attempt of the

individual prophet to interpret or unfold the purpose of the ages.  Such a

thing was impossible.  The matters were too vast.  God alone could, and did

make them known.  The position is somewhat parallel with the teaching of

Hebrews 11:3, where it may be read as: 'By faith we understand the ages to

have been fitted together by the declaration of God, to the end that, not out

of things appearing should that which is seen have come into experience'

(Author's translation).

Apart from revelation, the wisest men are baffled and but blind leaders

of the blind.  'Canst thou by searching find out God? canst thou find out the

Almighty unto perfection?' (Job 11:7).  This is a question we do well to

ponder, and to read with it the statement of the wise man: 'He hath set the

world (age) in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God

maketh from the beginning to the end' (Eccles. 3:11).  No eye can see far

enough, no human foot climb high enough, no brain or mind has the capacity to

grasp or express the purpose of the ages, and the way and will of God:

'Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart

of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him.  But

God hath revealed them unto us by His Spirit' (1 Cor. 2:9,10).

Like all doctrines of Scripture, the blessed doctrine of the

inspiration of the Word of God humbles the pride of man and exalts the Most

High.  'And God spake all these words'.

Intercession.  This word is the translation of the Hebrew paga and the Greek

words enteuxis, entugchano and huperentugchano.  The Hebrew word paga occurs

twice in Isaiah, chapter 53.  Once it is translated 'make intercession' (12),

and once 'laid on' (6).  In both passages there is a 'meeting place', which

can be set out thus:

A

The Suffering Servant.  Extolled

nasa  'be lifted up'.

B

a meeting place for sins

A

The Triumphant Servant He shall bear

nasa  'be lifted up'.

B

a meeting place for sinners

In both passages paga is causative 'He caused to meet'.  In one case

sin was met in judgment in the Person of the Saviour in His substitutionary

death, and in the second case, 'because He hath poured out His soul unto

death' He becomes a blessed meeting place for the reconciled sinner.