“Therefore it is said in the Book of the Wars of the LORD, ‘Waheb in Suphah, and the wadis of the Arnon, and the slope of the wadis that extends to the site of Ar, And leans to the border of Moab'” (Num 21:14-15).
This is one of those rare verses in the Torah where Moses reveals one of his written sources for the Torah: “The Book of the Wars of the LORD” (see also Gen 5:1). Does this mean some of the inspired books of the Bible were lost? And what if someone were to find this book hidden in a cave near the Dead Sea? Would we need to add it to the Bible? The answer to all of these questions is No!
The biblical authors never try to hide the fact they sometimes cite and/or make use of earlier written sources (see Josh 10:13; 2 Sam 1:18; 1 Chron 29:29; 2 Chron 9:29; 12:15; 13:22; 2 Tim 3:8). This does not mean these sources are inspired. Consider, for example, Paul’s citation of the pagan poets in Titus 1:12 and Acts 17:28. We would obviously not say these books belong in the Bible because Paul cited them. Such is also Jude’s citation of the Book of Enoch (a pseudepigraphic book) in Jude 1:14-15: this does not mean the Book of Enoch belongs in the Bible.
We’re Not Missing Anything
Because the biblical authors were inspired, the Spirit of God guided them as they gathered their sources, compiled, arranged, and composed their books. Because the books of the Bible are inspired, the Spirit of God guided the specific arrangement of each of the books in their final form. Inspiration, for example, means the placement of Jeremiah 23 between Jeremiah 22 and 24 is just as inspired as the words of Jeremiah 23 itself. We must never rearrange the chapters in a book of the Bible to suit our modern sensibilities (i.e., according to its chronological order). Inspiration means each Gospel has been put in the order intended by God’s Spirit.
When we rearrange the order of one Gospel or splice the Gospels together into a more accurate historical progression of events, we literally lose the message intended by the earthly authors and by the Spirit of God.
Because the biblical authors were inspired, and the books of the Bible are inspired, we can rest in knowing we have God’s word, all of it, just the way he intended it! With Bible in hand, therefore, we lack absolutely nothing from God’s perfect counsel to make us whole and complete!
“You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work” (2 Tim 3:14-17).
“So we have the prophetic word made more sure, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts. But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God” (2 Pet 1:19-21).
“I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues which are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his part from the tree of life and from the holy city, which are written in this book” (Rev 22:18-19).
