Correspondence

 •  4 min. read  •  grade level: 9
19. “W. C,” Leamside. Your question as to the Lord’s teaching in Luke 16:19-3119There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: 20And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, 21And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. 22And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; 23And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. 24And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. 25But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. 26And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence. 27Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house: 28For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. 29Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. 30And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. 31And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead. (Luke 16:19‑31), is a most solemn one. Jesus said, “There was a certain rich man.” And again. “And there was a certain beggar,” &c. No doubt these were given as representative persons, as the Pharisees trusted in their circumstances as evidence of the favor of God. But we see no reason to doubt that there were two such persons, and that they, with the thousands and myriads of others, have been ever since in hades, in unspeakable happiness, or unutterable woe. The Lord described the state of departed spirits in such language as we can understand. We cannot have too strong or too simple faith in every word He uttered. No other person could thus describe the fearful reality of what it is to lift up the eyes in hell. How true His words: One has been raised up from the dead, but men did not believe Him. One after another departs—about one every second of time—either to lift up the eyes in hell, being in torment, or to be absent from the body, present with the Lord. Believing the words of Jesus, what manner of men ought we to be?
20. “S. Îœ. Α.,” Kent. The teaching of the Lord Jesus to His Jewish disciples, and to us as disciples, in the prayer, Matt. 6:1111Give us this day our daily bread. (Matthew 6:11), is, we judge, in reference chiefly to the government of God, yet known to us as Father. “Give us this day our daily bread” had special reference to the need of the body, and the Father’s care for our temporal needs. So of forgiveness of sins, this could not now refer to sins forgiven as to guilt, to be remembered no more (Heb. 10), but to forgiveness of debts, or trespasses, as under His discipline and government. (Jas. 5:15, 1615And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. 16Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. (James 5:15‑16) John 5:1616And therefore did the Jews persecute Jesus, and sought to slay him, because he had done these things on the sabbath day. (John 5:16).) The whole prayer breathes a spirit of entire dependence in those who can truthfully say, Our Father. It is most important to remember this, whilst avoiding the making it a form of prayer unsuited to the Christian, because it is not in the name of Jesus, and therefore never could have been intended for a form of prayer.
21. “J. J.,” Walker-on-Tine. All that we know about the book of Jasher is this, that there was such a book in Hebrew literature. Whether Jasher was the name of the author or title of the book is not certain. In various ancient languages the word used means upright, or just. In some ancient copies the sentence is omitted in Josh. 10:1313And the sun stood still, and the moon stayed, until the people had avenged themselves upon their enemies. Is not this written in the book of Jasher? So the sun stood still in the midst of heaven, and hasted not to go down about a whole day. (Joshua 10:13). The other books you refer to, such as the book of Nathan the prophet, &c, in the various scriptures, were uninspired books; or, if inspired, were only for the then present use, and almost every vestige of these is now lost. The Holy Ghost did not inspire them for the people of God through all ages. There has been much discussion, and little profit, in these matters. Suppose an absolutely perfect watch were given to a person, one that should go correctly through all time. The different parts have been made to order by many different persons, in different places, and wonderful and diverse machinery used in producing this perfect time-keeper. The owner of that watch would not need to be acquainted with the name, residence, &c, of each person employed by the designer and maker of that watch. Here, in this precious book, the inspired word of God, is the most wonderful production ever placed before the eyes of man. It not only unlocks and explains every secret thought of the heart of man—meeting his every spiritual need for time and for eternity—but it is the true and only full revelation of God to man. A great number of persons, in different places and conditions, have been used in producing this marvelous book of books, every part being as important in its place as the wheels of a watch. God the Holy Ghost alone could have designed and executed this greatest treasure on earth. But this revelation is so wholly of God that if we knew the minute history of every person employed, and the very day on which he wrote his part, it would not afford the smallest help; it is only (as we are assured you will agree with us) the divine Author that can, and does, enable us to understand and ever enjoy this inestimable treasure for which we would ever praise God.
In Psalm 106:33Blessed are they that keep judgment, and he that doeth righteousness at all times. (Psalm 106:3)1 There was in Phinehas the full owning of the righteous judgment of God on sin; just as we see it in another way in Abel—death as the judgment of sin. He believed the claims of God; this was seen in his act.
In Rom. 4 Abraham believed God, and in each case faith was reckoned as righteousness. It was just so, as we now believe, the righteous judgment of God has been executed on our Substitute for our sins, and being raised again for our justification, righteousness is reckoned unto us. This was not revealed to Abraham, that is explained, as it is to us.