God of the Times of Ignorance.
Notice three general principles which we shall do well to have clearly in mind always when we read our Bibles.
I. There is a progress in the Divine revelation in the Bible, a progress from limited to fuller revelation, from smaller to larger knowledge, from more contracted to expanded views of God and truth. The Bible is the record of a revelation given, as we are told in the Epistle to the Hebrews, "at sundry times and in divers manners." There is a progress from the morality which must be held in leading strings, kept to duty by specific rules and minute precepts, to the freedom with which Christ makes His disciples free, throwing them upon the guidance of the conscience, enlightened by the Spirit. The revelation of God and the unfolding of character in Scripture are as the progress from starlight to the brightness of noon.
II. The principle of accommodation. We must never forget that we as Christians read the Bible from the New Testament standpoint, and that consequently, if we read the Old Testament expecting to find New Testament standards and principles in operation there, we shall be constantly disappointed and puzzled. For reasons of His own God adapted His revelations to men as they were. And we ourselves stand upon the same basis. There is more in revelation than we have yet seen, there is a glory to be revealed; we might as properly ask why God does not fit us at once to receive the full weight of glory as it comes down upon a heavenly nature. We know simply that this is not His way, that we could not bear it if it were revealed.
III. Through this partial, growing, and accommodated revelation God is continually working toward His own perfect ideal.
M. R. Vincent, God and Bread,p. 323.
References: Acts 17:22. G. Martin, Christian World Pulpit,vol. vi., p. 270; Preacher's Monthly,vol. ii., p. 95; G. Brooks, Five Hundred Outlines,p. 265.Acts 17:23. J. M. Neale, Sermons in a Religious House,2nd series, vol. i., p. 27; Three Hundred Outlines on the New Testament,p. 116; J. Legge, Christian World Pulpit,vol. xxvi., p. 76; E. Medley, Ibid.,vol. xxvii., p. 295; R. Duckworth, Ibid.,vol. xxxii., p. 145.Acts 17:26. J. Greenhough, Ibid.,p. 246; Preacher's Monthly,vol. vi., p. 6; Ibid.,vol. x., p. 99. Acts 17:26; Acts 17:27. A. M. Fairbairn, Christian World Pulpit,vol. xv., p. 321; H. W. Beecher, Ibid.,vol. xxvi., p. 405; T. S. Bonney, Church of England Pulpit,vol. xix., p. 27.