Code Breakers

    During World War II, thousands of messages from the Axis powers found their way into American hands. There was one problem, however. These messages were heavily encoded and enciphered. Hundreds of code breakers worked day and night to unlock the important secrets these messages held.

    The task was not easy. Some messages that were captured by Allied operators were disguised in the American's own code before being radioed to the code breakers. Upon arrival, the American code had to be deciphered before anyone could even begin to break the enemy code.

    Most codes followed mathematical patterns. Some used a system called false math. For example, the numbers 098 may be the code for some important word or phrase. Because radio service was sometimes sketchy, the radiomen would put a "check" number at the end of the code using false math. False math meant the numbers were added, but no carrying was used. Thus the check number for 098 would be 7. (0+9+8=7) Often a second random number would be added to the original code, just to deepen the disguise.

    So it was that 0987 may become 4531. The code breakers had to figure out the random added number, take away the false math, and then try to figure out what the original number really stood for. After that, someone needed to translate the message into English. 

    Hundreds of minor codes were broken during the war. Sometimes several easy ones were broken in a single day. The major codes could be more difficult. One major code took three years to break.

    I am so grateful that our Bible is not written in code, aren't you? It's so plain and easy to understand we can read it ourselves. We don't have to wait until Sunday when the the minister expounds on the scripture.

    There are times I feel overwhelmed by what I read. I'll admit I am occasionally reluctant to read in Revelations where I feel that I am in over my head. But it's incredible to me how, on those days that I can't understand, there is often a quiet moment sometime during the day when the Spirit speaks to me and breaks the code.

    The gift of the Bible is something I tend to take for granted. Here it is, given to me in a way that I can understand, often personalized to be exactly what I need for the day, and I don't fully appreciate it! There is no code, no cipher, no top-secret messages. Everything is open and honest.

    Today when you pick up your Bible, take just a moment to appreciate this gift you've been given, these words that are of God.

    The information I cited here about code breaking comes from the book Code Girls by Liza Mundy. If you enjoy nonfiction history, you might find it interesting as well.