“It Is Written”

“It Is Written” is one of the most famous and familiar phrases in the Bible, occurring nearly eighty times throughout the Old and New Testaments alike. It always refers the audience back to God’s prior instructions. 

Sometimes it refers to prophesy, as when Jesus quoted Isa. 54:13 in John 6:45, “It is written in the prophets, ‘AND THEY SHALL ALL BE TAUGHT OF GOD.’ Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father, comes to Me.’’” or in Luke 19:46 as Jesus cast out those selling in the temple, “saying to them, ‘It is written, “AND MY HOUSE SHALL BE A HOUSE OF PRAYER,” but you have made it a ROBBERS’ DEN,’“ referring back to Isaiah 56:7 and Jeremiah 7:11.

Sometimes it refers to instructions of the Law of Moses, as when the apostle Paul said, “for it is written, ‘YOU SHALL NOT SPEAK EVIL OF A RULER OF YOUR PEOPLE.’” (Acts 23:5) quoting Exodus 22:28.

The most famous use of “It Is Written” might be when Jesus used it three times to meet the devil’s temptations and his twisting of God’s teaching by referring back to what God really meant. 

 Let us always follow Jesus and use this powerful tool to meet our needs today: 

“It Is Written” takes the focus off of our ourselves and to the words of God. 

“It Is Written” strengthens us in moments of uncertainty and doubt giving us the clarity and certainty of God’s will and unchanging revelation. 

“It Is Written” gives us power and wisdom beyond ourselves when our own strength and knowledge falters and fails. 

“It Is Written” takes us above ourselves and our prideful and selfish thoughts and concerns, reminding us of the mind and way of God. 

“It Is Written” gives us the wisdom of God in a world sorely lacking in wisdom, and clarity in a world where nothing seems clear anymore.