The Dead Sea Scrolls are significant in many ways. The way that immediately presents itself is as an aid to the study of the Old Testament. Until the discovery of the scrolls, the oldest known Hebrew manuscript of the Old Testament was dated about 850 B.C. When the Dead Sea Scrolls were brought to light, the date of the oldest manuscript was pushed back 1000 years. Thus the Biblical scholars can place side-by-side and compare manuscripts produced at two widely separated dates in history.
The immediate questions that can he answered are, “Did the Jewish scribes transcribe the scriptures accurately or carelessly ?” “Are there large areas of difference between documents which have passed through the process of being transcribed and retranscribed for twenty-five generations ?” The answer is, “the scribes performed their duties with the utmost fidelity; there are no major differences between the old and new scrolls.” The only differences are in alterations of individual words, small groups of words and in the spelling. This is a general rule applicable to all the scriptural material found in the Qumran area.
Another advantage of the Dead Sea Scrolls is that the earlier manuscripts have helped to give a clearer meaning in many areas where the translation from the later documents was uncertain. It is interesting to note that the translators of the Revised Standard Version of the Bible had the Isaiah manuscript from the Dead Sea Scrolls to help them in their task of translation. The basic truths contained in the beautiful prophecies concerning the coming of the Messiah and the establishment of the Kingdom of God remained unchanged. The Isaiah manuscript was of invaluable assistance in adding one more piece of evidence that says these scriptures are the word of the eternal God and have been preserved intact for us down through the ages.
The Dead Sea Scrolls are also valuable ads in our study of the New Testament. They give a very accurate and detailed description of one community of people that lived during the time our Lord preached on earth. This historical information helps us to understand the people who lived in Jesus’ day and it helps us understand the customs of the time. The records of the Qumran Community show us just how far from the truth of the scriptures a group of people can stray when they isolate themselves and apply the prophecies of scripture to their small circle of events. The Dead Sea Scrolls illustrate the misbelief Christ had to contend with in his preaching. The Qumran community based their existence on the coming of the Messiah. Yet the true Messiah came and went completely unnoticed by this group.
It is interesting to speculate whether John the Baptist came into contact with the Qumran community. He inhabited the same general area at the same time in history when the community was flourishing and his spartan type of life certainly compares to that of the inhabitants of Qumran. If he did come into contact with them, one thing remains certain, he did not fall in with their misguided concepts and he was not able to convince them that the true Messiah was at hand and that they should follow him.
An understanding of the historical setting which was existing at the time that the scriptures were recorded does not detract from the fact that they are the revealed truth of God, but adds to it. Even though the Scriptures are the inspired word of God and are complete within themselves, they were recorded by men who had human experiences, who lived among their fellow men and who were influenced by the times in which they lived. Therefore, an understanding of the history of the times will help us to rightly divide the word of truth. The true beauty of the Song of Solomon can only be appreciated when it is understood that it is written in the oriental metaphorical style common to Solomon’s day. An intimate knowledge of Solomon’s reign, his life and fortunes is essential to an understanding of the book of Ecclesiastes. Most of Paul’s letters to the churches are aimed at problems which existed in the various ecclesias at that time. A knowledge of the problems which existed backed up with historical evidence is necessary to a proper application of the principle to similar problems which arise in our ecclesias today.
Therefore an understanding of the people of Qumran, the keepers of the Dead Sea Scrolls, is an invaluable aid in understanding the New Testament writings.
What do the Dead Sea Scrolls mean to us as individual Christadelphians ? They add one more solid, perfect fitting stone to the firm foundation of our faith. They tell us that the Bible we carry with us has been accurately translated and brings us the message of God just as he formed it within the minds of the inspired writers of old. The discovery of the scrolls and a study of the Qumran community show us that God has preserved his written word in many ways. The ways appear perfectly natural to us, the human observers, yet God’s guiding hand is back of it all, deftly and unerringly controlling the actions and lives of the people of the earth so that his word will be preserved.
We can draw an excellent exhortation from the keepers of the scrolls, the members of the Qumran community. Their example shows us that no matter how studious, devout and sincere we are, we cannot isolate ourselves and have thoughts only for our small circle of events. Isolation such as this only leads to narrow thinking and eventual error as experienced by the inhabitants of Qumran.
The scriptural admonition and example is directly opposed to this course of action. Christ said go into the world and preach the gospel. By devoting our lives to the service of others and the preaching of the gospel we will forget our own problems and become engrossed in God’s wonderful plan for bringing salvation to this world which is torn with war and corrupted with sin. We pray that we may be found working in the Lord’s vineyard when he returns to bring peace and righteousness to the earth.
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One