Chapter 18/ Wisdom in "the Word of God" - Why a Written Word?

Some may wonder, 'Why did Jehovah not use a more dramatic method-say, a voice from heaven-to communicate with humans?' In fact, Jehovah did at times speak from heaven by means of angelic representatives.  He did so, for example, when he gave the Law to Israel.  (Galatians 3:19)  The voice from heaven was awe-inspiring-so much so that the terrified Israelites asked that Jehovah not speak with them in this manner but that he communicate through Moses..  (Exodus 20:18, 20)  The Law, consisting of some 600 statutes, was thus transmitted to Moses orally, word-for-word. 

What, though, if that  Law had never been put in writing?  Would Moses  have been able to remember the precise wording of that detailed code and to convey it flawlessly to the rest of the nation?  What about later generations?  Would they have had to rely solely on word of mouth?  That would hardly have been a reliable method of handing down God's laws.  Imagine what would happen if you were to transmit a story to a long line of people by telling it to the first person and then having it relayed from another down the line.  What the person at the end of the line head would likely differ considerable from the original.  The words of God's Law were in not such danger.

Next time: Wisdom in "the Word of God" -Conclusion of Why a Written Word?

From the book: Draw Close to Jehovah