Dead Sea Scrolls–for Christians?

For over two thousand years scrolls were forgotten in these caves, stored away for safety. Since they consist of Jewish writings completed before the birth of Jesus, why are they important for Christians?

I’m more interested in them right now since a number of them are on display at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth. With the exception of the book of Esther, the remaining books of the Hebrew Bible are represented in the scrolls. When they were found in 1947, they predated any known copies of Hebrew scriptures by a thousand years.

If you are unable to get to Fort Worth (actually, it’s your loss – it’s a very nice city, friendly and with lots of stuff to see) you can look through the Dead Sea Scrolls digitally. Take a look at the Isaiah scroll – the largest and best preserved of those found, and it was among those found in the original cave.

A thousand years older than other Isaiah texts, “is generally in agreement with the Masoretic or traditional version,” and there at least twenty other copies of Isaiah, along with scribes' notes. I do appreciate confirmation, don’t you?  Confirmation that God’s word came down two thousand years, studied all of that time and readable now as it was then.

The authoritative and scriptural status of the Book of Isaiah is consistent with the messianic beliefs of the community living at Qumran, since Isaiah is known for his prophecies of judgment and consolation, and his visions of the End of Days and the coming of the Kingdom of God.

Jesus knew that, and spoke of it after he read Isaiah 61:1-2 in the synagogue:

And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears. (Luke 4:21 KJV)

The digital site also describes ways to compare the original Hebrew with translations:

Thus you will be able to evaluate on your own the intricate issue of variant readings, which have obvious literary, historical and theological implications for the correct understanding of Isaiah's original words.

A dear friend of mine reads Isaiah and does not see anything there to tell her of Jesus. I read (and hear sermons) that connect multiple verses to fulfilled prophecy beginning with Jesus’ birth running through His crucifixion. It is very important to both of us that we study Isaiah, though our understanding of the meaning differ.

The people living in Qumran studied the scriptures, too.  Part of the scrolls found are commentaries, just as we have commentaries today. Are you using them?

Are you willing to be as the Bereans:

These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. (Acts 17:11 KJV)

That’s what I’ve asked of my readers, time and time again. Read the scriptures, study them and take time to find out if what they are saying is so. Look at them intellectually, but always remember that they speak of spiritual experiences. Be prepared to ask God about specifics, putting trust in His response.