"Behold,
I have told you in advance."
Chapter 1:
Scripture Never Contradicts Itself
While this principle may be on the elementary side, it is of the utmost importance that one come to the realization that the Scripture is the written word of YHWH, and, as such, cannot contradict itself. Many today struggle with this truth. So much so, that there are many individuals and groups today who are going through Scripture and literally throwing out whole books of Scripture simply because they cannot rectify seemingly contradictory passages. But these seemingly contradictory passages will only be rectified through hard work, understanding the historical context of the individual passages, being honest with oneself as well as the text, and going back to the original language they were written in.
Without much thought, anyone probably could think of verses that seem to say conflicting truths. However, one must come to the conclusion that they do not present conflicting truths, but rather it is one’s lack of understanding that does not enable one to harmonize the verses in question. Also one should understand that each of these alleged difficulties and discrepancies are capable of a fair and reasonable solution.[3]So, if it were possible to increase one’s understanding of the verses in question, then one would come to know that the verses were teaching complimentary truths, rather than conflicting truths.
One verse that teaches this wonderful truth can be found in Psalm 119.
Tehillim (Psalm) 119:160
Your word is true from the beginning;
And every one of Your righteous judgments endures forever.
It would be a spiritual impossibility for every one of the ordinances of YHWH to be everlasting if any one of them contradicted another one. Since they are all everlasting as YHWH Himself is eternal, then one can know that they are all complementary of one another rather than contradictory. We just have to put in some hard work in study and listening to His Spirit to be able to rectify these types of passages.
Within this next verse, it can be shown that the word which YHWH spoke or delivered through angels has proven to be steadfast or unalterable.
Ivrim (Hebrews) 2:2a
For if the word spoken by angels was steadfast,
If the Scripture is to be accepted as the word of YHWH, then one cannot pick and choose which part to believe and which part to discard. Picking and choosing what to accept and what to reject in Scripture is a sure way to go down the wrong path and end up in a place where one did not want to end up in. In many cases those who walk down this path end up rejecting Yeshua as Messiah.
Since YHWH is the one who inspired Scripture to be written, and since it is unalterable from His perspective, then it is the duty of the student of Scripture to work diligently at discovering the unifying truth contained within its pages.
Finally, one needs understand that the Word of YHWH is a direct reflection of who He is; and therefore, one can discover truths about the Scripture by also knowing who YHWH is. In part, this means that we can know with a great deal of certainty that there is nothing within YHWH’s own nature that contradicts another part of His nature.
Ya’aqov (James) 1:17
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
It can be seen in this verse that there is no variation in YHWH. This is a very comforting truth that also can be applied to the Scriptures. This is not to say that the Scripture is divine or to be worshipped, but rather that the Scripture is inspired by YHWH, and as such, is a reflection of His divine nature. Therefore, if one seeks hard enough and long enough, the truth of the Scripture can be discovered.
What it then comes to, is one’s own willingness to be honest with oneself, the Scripture, and what it says, and how much effort one wants to put forth to discover the truths contained therein. It is not enough in these days simply to take another man’s word for what is in Scripture. Each person must study to show themselves approved!
2nd Timothy 2:15
Study to show yourself approved to Elohim, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
[3] John W. Haley, Alleged Discrepancies, Pub. by Whitaker House, pg. 1.