Why, yes, God was kind in that regard, too. The Bible does come with instructions.
"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
Now this presupposes that our minds have been renewed by the Holy Spirit. In which case, we will read the words and understand them, comparing Scripture with Scripture. If not, the words will remain ink on a page and not much more.
The problem is that some men have been given ears to hear and eyes to see and a new heart with which to understand the inspired words of God, and some have not.
If our minds have been renewed by the Holy Spirit, we will read the Scriptures and know of our salvation by God's unmerited gift of faith in Jesus Christ.
"The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever." -- Isaiah 40:8 "Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away." -- Matthew 24:35 and Luke 21:33 "But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you." -- 1 Peter 1:25"The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever." -- Psalm 12:6
I believe the Lord has done as He promised. He has preserved His word through all ages and turmoil and deceit and darkness, even when some corrupted men chained the Bible to their altar to prevent the world from reading the words of God and knowing the truth which sets men free.
For I [am] the LORD: I will speak, and the word that I shall speak shall come to pass; it shall be no more prolonged: for in your days, O rebellious house, will I say the word, and will perform it, saith the Lord GOD. - Eze 12:25
For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. - Matthew 5:18
To God be the glory, not man, never man!
***”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***
They searched the OT to see how it fit with the Gospel preached to them.
***I believe the Lord has done as He promised. He has preserved His word through all ages and turmoil and deceit and darkness, even when some corrupted men chained the Bible to their altar to prevent the world from reading the words of God and knowing the truth which sets men free.***
I thought that you claimed knowledge, not belief.
The idea of prevention of people from reading the Bible is yet another Reformation base canard. Those who believe it ignore historical fact. It is no wonder that the ability to ignore and twist history often makes the transition over to the ability to ignore and twist Scripture as well.