LINGUISTICS AND SCRIPTURE (Continued from p. 15) CHAPTER FIVE
verse nine. The statement was to be issued in 127 provinces and in each one according to its own language. I wonder if we can realize what a tremendous achievement this was throughout the entire eastern king dom. Historians and archaeologists indicate that there were as many as 84 different languages spoken at that time. They didn’t have typewriters on which to write. It was all done by hand on folded manuscripts of leather. There were no printing presses or Xerox machines on which to duplicate copies as we do today. There was no mail, telegraph or ex press service. Radio or telephone couldn’t be used for communications. Hundreds of messengers, riding on backs of animals, had to fulfill the job. Think of the unspeakable hard ships and dangers to fulfill their task! The King’s command also required
There is a beautiful account in the book of Esther about how King Ahasuerus got his message out to all the people in his realm. This is one of the most thrilling stories ancient times has ever recorded. The story is one of crooked politics, intrigue, and merciless discrimination against a minority group. One man, Haman, was able to get an edict passed and made into law that these of the rela tively small group would be put to death. The decree became law and was published in all the provinces and states. You remember how, a short time later, Haman paid for his actions with his life. While the order could not be rescinded a new law was passed stipulating the Jews would not have to die but could defend themselves. You’ll find this in the eighth chapter beginning at
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