Q. 303. In Numbers 12 we are told that both Aaron and Miriam spoke against Moses, but only Miriam is punished. Can you give the reason for this? E. B.
A. The anger of the Lord was against both of them, but Aaron’s priestly office may have saved him from the outward sign of God’s displeasure. It is also possible that Miriam may have been first in the transgression, being named first in ver. 1 but not in ver. 4, where the natural order is given.
A. (1) See B. S. January, 1882, p. 16, Q. 26. (2) It is set apart by the word of God which reveals that every creature of God is good, and by prayer which receives all with thanksgiving. (ver. 4).
A. Does not the epistle give the godly reason on which the apostolic injunction is based? It was not intended to bring the Gentiles into bondage, but in this matter at any rate there was a concession to the conscience of their Jewish brethren, and it is on this ground Paul so lovingly puts it in the Scripture referred to.
Q. 306. Referring to Q. 218, we read of our Lord being “weary,” “hungry,” and of His weeping. Would not these be called infirmities? S. B.
A. The bodily suffering and weakness that Christ felt, and to which you allude, were a part of the perfection of His sinless humanity. In a sense they may be called infirmities, but the modern use of the word rather implies disease, or some physical, or mental deficiency. Hence, we would rather say, Our Savior had all the feelings proper to a perfect, sinless humanity.
Q. 307. Please explain Daniel 7:9-149I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire. 10A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened. 11I beheld then because of the voice of the great words which the horn spake: I beheld even till the beast was slain, and his body destroyed, and given to the burning flame. 12As concerning the rest of the beasts, they had their dominion taken away: yet their lives were prolonged for a season and time. 13I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. 14And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed. (Daniel 7:9‑14). Who is the “Ancient of Days,” and who is the one “like the Son of Man?” E. B.
A. Is not the former God the Father, and the latter Christ, as “Son of Man?”
Q. 308. What is the meaning of “purifying their hearts by faith” Acts 15:99And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. (Acts 15:9)? It does not appear to be the extirpation of sin. F. C. B.
A. It is in no way different from the other passages which speak of the cleansing, or washing, or renewing consequent on conversion. On believing I receive a new and holy nature, my heart is practically cleansed. It is not that my old evil nature is gone, but that it no longer reigns supreme in my being, that is in myself, as a source of will and action.
Q. 309. (1) When will Isaiah 19:1919In that day shall there be an altar to the Lord in the midst of the land of Egypt, and a pillar at the border thereof to the Lord. (Isaiah 19:19) be fulfilled? Can the “altar” be applied to the great Pyramid? (2) Did Jephthah act rightly with regard to his daughter, Judges 11:30-4030And Jephthah vowed a vow unto the Lord, and said, If thou shalt without fail deliver the children of Ammon into mine hands, 31Then it shall be, that whatsoever cometh forth of the doors of my house to meet me, when I return in peace from the children of Ammon, shall surely be the Lord's, and I will offer it up for a burnt offering. 32So Jephthah passed over unto the children of Ammon to fight against them; and the Lord delivered them into his hands. 33And he smote them from Aroer, even till thou come to Minnith, even twenty cities, and unto the plain of the vineyards, with a very great slaughter. Thus the children of Ammon were subdued before the children of Israel. 34And Jephthah came to Mizpeh unto his house, and, behold, his daughter came out to meet him with timbrels and with dances: and she was his only child; beside her he had neither son nor daughter. 35And it came to pass, when he saw her, that he rent his clothes, and said, Alas, my daughter! thou hast brought me very low, and thou art one of them that trouble me: for I have opened my mouth unto the Lord, and I cannot go back. 36And she said unto him, My father, if thou hast opened thy mouth unto the Lord, do to me according to that which hath proceeded out of thy mouth; forasmuch as the Lord hath taken vengeance for thee of thine enemies, even of the children of Ammon. 37And she said unto her father, Let this thing be done for me: let me alone two months, that I may go up and down upon the mountains, and bewail my virginity, I and my fellows. 38And he said, Go. And he sent her away for two months: and she went with her companions, and bewailed her virginity upon the mountains. 39And it came to pass at the end of two months, that she returned unto her father, who did with her according to his vow which he had vowed: and she knew no man. And it was a custom in Israel, 40That the daughters of Israel went yearly to lament the daughter of Jephthah the Gileadite four days in a year. (Judges 11:30‑40)? E.
A. In the Millennium, when Egypt shall share in the blessing of the Jews. From the rising of the sun, even to the going down of the same. Jehovah’s name will be great among the Gentiles; and in every place incense shall be offered unto it and a pure offering. No wonder there shall be an altar to Jehovah in the land of Egypt and a pillar at the border thereof—a sign and a witness unto God in that land. We do not know where this altar will be. (2) Jephthah acted wrongly in making his foolish and rash vow. According to Numbers 30:22If a man vow a vow unto the Lord, or swear an oath to bind his soul with a bond; he shall not break his word, he shall do according to all that proceedeth out of his mouth. (Numbers 30:2), the vow once made could not be broken. The difficulty that has always been felt with regard to this passage arises no doubt from the way in which Jephthah is spoken of in Hebrews 11:3232And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets: (Hebrews 11:32).
A. This Chapter contains both literal blessings, &c., and a prophetic glance at the whole history of the children of Israel. Dan typically represents the power and treachery of Satan, while the remnant looking out for Christ cry as in verse 18. The typical character of the Chapter may be shown thus: Apostate Israel of old—Reuben, unstable—Simeon and Levi—rebels and murderers.
Christ at His coming and now—Judah.
The despised nation now Zebulun—Israel a merchant, and Issachar—subject to Gentile rule.
The Remnant saved— Gad— victory at last, and Asher—blessed. Naphtali—freedom and worship.
Christ at His second coming—JosEphesians
A. In Job they are clearly the angelic host. Probably also in the former passage. See B. S., April, 1882, p. 122, Q. 153: also the note to the same query on p. 201.
Q. 312. How do you reconcile John 1:3434And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God. (John 1:34), and Matthew 11:33And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another? (Matthew 11:3). (This was put ver. 13 in Q. 239). The generally accepted, but I think entirely mistaken view, is that John’s faith was failing, was it not on account of the Character of Christ so utterly unlike what he had expected? “There is one coming,” saith he “who will burn you up as chaff with unquenchable fire.” But as months pass on and John himself is cast into prison, and hears only of deeds of mercy, and healing, is it to be wondered at that he feels confused, not as to Jesus being the Christ, but as to why He was so different from all former prophets? J. L.
A. Your remarks only tend to explain the cause of the wave of doubt that passed over John’s mind, not to deny it. No doubt neither John nor even the Apostles could understand the meekness and lowliness of Christ when both had expected a king to reign over them in power. Still less doubtless could John see why One who was all powerful would permit His faithful follower to languish in prison and not lift a finger to release him. The plain meaning, however, of the Baptist’s words leaves no doubt that for the moment his faith in the Messiah was clouded.
A. (1) Why not redemption of both body and soul? (2) All that God is. It is not “filled with,” otherwise we could bold it, that is, the finite could hold the infinite! But “filled unto” or “into,” just as an empty vessel without a bottom might float about in the ocean and be filled into all its fullness, any amount of water passing through it as long as it remained in the ocean, but incapable of holding a drop if taken out. Such is the believer.
Q. 314. Why is it that in Acts believers are always said to be baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus, instead of in the name of the Trinity according to Matthew 28:1919Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: (Matthew 28:19)? E. M. B.
A. The words used were doubtless those of Matthew, for this was the only commission given. Still, in the historical record, it is said to be in the name of Jesus Christ, of the Lord, and of the Lord Jesus, all meaning that it was in confession of His name and belief in Him they were baptized, thus showing it was Christian, as opposed to Jewish baptism.
Q. 315. Please explain Acts 22:1616And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord. (Acts 22:16). Was Paul baptized unto John’s or Christian baptism? If the latter, why is it added, “and wash away thy sins?” E. M. B.
A. Baptism is but the figure. It is not the washing away of the filth of the flesh by the water that saves me, but the answer of a good conscience towards God (see 1 Peter 3:2121The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ: (1 Peter 3:21)). Besides, it is here added “calling upon the name of the Lord” (Romans 10:1313For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. (Romans 10:13)). It is through identification with Christ in death that my old self is gone and my sins washed away. Baptism is but the figure of this.
A. Were things in their normal condition we should know the benefits of being introduced into the Christian family in a way we little know now. Hundreds of houses would be opened to us, and we should feel we had gained ten friends for every one lost. As it is, some of us have experienced even in the present ruin, in no small measure, the truth of this verse, in the wide circle of Christian love and sympathy practically shown. See also Matthew 6:3333But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. (Matthew 6:33).
Q. 317. How can a believer be denied by Christ before His Father? E. M. B.
A. It warranted a tender regard on the part of Gentile converts towards the consciences of their Jewish brethren who had been taught by God to observe days and months, &c. It affords no excuse for Gentiles, who have never been so taught by God.
Q. 320. (1) What tidings out of the East and out of the North will trouble Antichrist, Daniel 11:4444But tidings out of the east and out of the north shall trouble him: therefore he shall go forth with great fury to destroy, and utterly to make away many. (Daniel 11:44)? (2) Is there any Scripture which states that he will profess to the Jews that he is Christ? (3) Is there any evidence that he will be at Armageddon in person? J. T.
A. It is important to observe that tidings out of the East and out of North (which we can only conjecture) trouble not Antichrist, but the last king of the North, who is in question from the middle of ver. 40 to the end of Chapter 11 “The king” who is attacked by the king of the South (Egypt) and by the king of the North (Syria) is Antichrist, whose end is not given here but in many other Scriptures. The closing verses follow up his history with the doings and the end of the Assyrian or king of the north, who is really the enemy of the Antichrist, and is to stand up against the Prince of princes, but to be broken without hand. (2) It is “the king” who reigns in the land of Palestine, as if he were the Christ; but he is really the Antichrist. See verse 36-39, and compare John 5:4343I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive. (John 5:43), 2 Thessalonians 2:3-103Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; 4Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God. 5Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things? 6And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. 7For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. 8And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: 9Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, 10And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. (2 Thessalonians 2:3‑10), Revelation 13:11-1311And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon. 12And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. 13And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, (Revelation 13:11‑13). (3) The Antichrist is to be destroyed along with the Emperor of the West, the revived Roman beast, by the Epiphany of the Lord Jesus from heaven, and consigned to the lake of fire alive, (Revelation 19.20), as, it would seem, the king of the North also and later. Compare Isaiah 30:3333For Tophet is ordained of old; yea, for the king it is prepared; he hath made it deep and large: the pile thereof is fire and much wood; the breath of the Lord, like a stream of brimstone, doth kindle it. (Isaiah 30:33), reading “for the king also.”
A. The Gentiles who are to be brought to know and confess the name of Jehovah in the future days of Messiah’s kingdom. James cites this scripture for the principle, which overturned the Judaizing desire that Gentiles should not be now owned, though believing in the name of the Lord, unless they were circumcised, i.e., became practically Jews. The apostle applied it to God’s present work of grace in calling Gentiles as such will be true in another and far larger way when the Lord reigns over the earth and fulfills the prophets in all their extent.
A. The flesh is not “born of God,” but the believer is, having received a new nature. In this Chapter the Christian is regarded solely as living and acting in the power of this new nature. Provision is made elsewhere for failure, but not here. The doctrine of perfectionism, that is, the absence of the flesh, “sin,” is however carefully guarded against even in this epistle (Chapter 1:8). Refer to B. S., May 1882, p. 159, Q. 170.
Q. 323. Do you consider that the various passages which speak of Christ’s second coming lead to the belief of his temporal and personal, or spiritual reign on the earth? T. H.
A. His temporal reign for 1000 years over this earth; not however, reigning (as is indicated in Ezekiel) personally over Jerusalem (a prince of the house of Judah will here be His vicegerent), but personally as regards the earth at large, and we shall reign with Him.
A. (1) Oil is actually and typically used for healing in Scripture (see Luke 10 &c.). We cannot say more. (2) A literal man, only without father and mother, &c. in a priestly sense, i.e., his priesthood was of a different order from Aaron’s which entirely depended on descent and genealogy and lasted for a definite period. All that is said about him in Hebrews 7 is as a priest.
Q. 325. Please explain the parable in Luke 19 who is meant by the wicked servant, and what by the pounds and the bank? H. C.
A. It shows forth man’s responsibility until the Lord’s return, just as Matthew 25 (the talents) shows forth God’s sovereignty. The former says “You have all got something; whatever it is, use it to the best advantage for God’s glory, and you will be rewarded accordingly.” Matthew says “Although one may have far more brilliant gifts than another, yet all who are equally faithful shall alike enter the joy of their Lord.” The wicked servant is a professor only. The pounds are the gifts God gives us.