We could soon see the most expensive historical document ever to be auctioned. Currently, that record his held by the first printing of the US Constitution, sold for $43 million in 2021.
But a new challenger could sell for as much as $50 million. The Bible. Actually, a copy of the 24 books of the Hebrew Bible (see more details below under Further Meditation). Called Codex Sassoon, it is over 1,100 years old and believed to be one of only two ancient manuscripts containing all 24 books.
That’s a valuable Bible!
I’ve actually seen three Bibles even more valuable than $50 million. If you pay close attention, and subscribe to receive these blogs via email, you’ve seen them too. Look up or scroll up. See the Bibles?
One of them is a kids’ Bible with pictures. The girl is drawn into the words as the Holy Spirit speaks through them and calls her to believe, to explore and inquire, to learn. That’s valuable!
Another one is tattered and torn. Well used! I respect people who have tape on their Bible—duct tape, electrical tape, masking tape, Scotch tape—trying to hold it all together (and not usually working). Someone doesn’t just have that Bible, but reads that Bible. That’s valuable!
The third Bible is lying open on a table, and two women are sitting at the table praying. The Bible can offer words of comfort, guidance, help, forgiveness and hope that you can’t find in your own wisdom. But the words of God are the answer. That’s valuable!
7
The law of the Lord is perfect,
refreshing the soul.
The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy,
making wise the simple.
8
The precepts of the Lord are right,
giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the Lord are radiant,
giving light to the eyes.
9
The fear of the Lord is pure,
enduring forever.
The decrees of the Lord are firm,
and all of them are righteous.
10
They are more precious than gold,
than much pure gold;
they are sweeter than honey,
than honey from the honeycomb. (Psalm 19:7-10)
If you don’t own a Bible, but would like to, reach out to me and I’ll help you find one that fits your needs. There are some good options.
If you do own a Bible, when you use it then it’s more valuable than the most expensive historical document in the world. Use it to teach your kids. Use it often. Use it to discover and share truth in an uncertain world.
But, sorry, if you sell your Bible it’s not worth $50 million to anyone else. Only you.
PRAYER: God, is my Bible worth more than $50 million? It all depends on how I use it. I believe it is your holy Word, God, and I also confess I need to read, study and apply your Word so much that my Bible starts looking tattered and torn. Open my heart to your Word as I open my Bible. Amen.
FURTHER MEDITATION: The Hebrew Bible contains 24 books, one for each of the scrolls on which these works were written in ancient times. It is organized into three main sections: The Torah, or “Teaching,” also called the Pentateuch or the “Five Books of Moses”; the Nevim, or Prophets; and the Ketuvim, or Writings. It is often referred to as the Tanakh, a word combining the first letter from the names of each of the three main divisions. Each of the three main groupings of texts is further subdivided. The Hebrew Bible as adopted by Christianity as the Old Testament features more than 24 books. Why? Christians divided some of the original Hebrew texts into two or more parts: Samuel, Kings, and Chronicles into two parts each; Ezra-Nehemiah into two separate books; and the Minor Prophets into 12 separate books.
