The subject worked out for this month is-
Animals used Symbolically.
It would appear from the papers furnished this month that very few animals indeed can be said to be used in a constantly symbolic sense in Scripture. In many instances certain natural characteristics are taken up to illustrate certain points in the history of a person or nation, but this does not of course justify us in considering the animal itself as symbolic of the person or nation, and this is the more evident from the fact that in many cases the different characteristics of the same animal are used in illustration of different nations. Some animals however come before us prominently both as symbolic and illustrative, and amongst these we may single out the Lamb and the Serpent. In arranging the subject we have included illustrative as well as symbolic uses.
The Lamb.
The Lamb is so pre-eminently typical of our Lord that we have ventured a little more into detail, and print below one of the papers which we have received on the subject, merely remarking in addition that the character of the animal is also used in Scripture as typical of certain graces which were prominent in the Lord's ways on earth.
In the Old TestamentFirst alluded to Gen. 4:4. This verse explains to us why (Luke 11:50, 51) Abel is called by Christ a prophet. The lamb was his prophecy.
First mentioned Gen. 22:7, 8. Here we have the prophecy of Abraham, who is counted amongst the prophets in Psa. 105:15.
The Passover lamb Ex. 12 it was to be
1. Without blemish
2. Set apart on the 10th day of the first month, answering to the day described John 12:12-36.
3. Killed on the 14th day, answering to the day of the Lord's death.
4. The blood ensured the perfect safety of the houses upon which it was put.
5. The flesh was food for the delivered people of God.
6. It was to be eaten with unleavened bread, 1 Cor. 5:7, 8.
7. With bitter herbs, repentance and humiliation.
8. It was roasted with fire. Fire, the constant figure of the wrath of God. Isa. 53:10.
9. The eating of the lamb the signal of departure from Egypt, (the world).
10. Not a bone of it to be broken.
11. A stranger not to eat it. 2 Cor. 6:14,
12. A bondsman not to eat it. Gal. 5:1, 2.
A daily sacrifice, Ex. 29:38. This was of two lambs, one morning, one evening. Thus a perpetual sacrifice was offered, answering to the perpetual value of the one offering of Christ. Other offerings on the following occasions:-
1. For a peace offering. Lev. 2.
2. Sin offering. Lev. 4:32, (This for one of the common people.) Lev. 5:6.
3. At the consecration of the priests, on the 8th day. Lev. 9.3
4. At the cleansing of the leper, three lambs. Lev. 14:10.
5. At the waving of the sheaf of the first-fruits. Lev. 23:12.
6. At the offering of the first-fruits of bread. Lev. 23:18,12.
7. At the defilement of the Nazarite. Num. 6:12.
8. At the expiration of the Nazarite's vow, Num. 6:14.
9. Two lambs every Sabbath, Num. 28:9, 10. (besides the usual daily offering.)
10. At: the beginning of the months. Num. 28:11.
11. At the feast of unleavened bread, Num. 28:19. (seven lambs on each of the seven days).
12. At the feast of trumpets. Num. 29:2.
13. On the day of atonement. Num. 29:8.
14. At the feast of tabernacles, 14 lambs each of the seven days and 7 lambs on the 8th day (15 times 7). Num. 29:12-38.
Other passages in the Old Testament where the lamb is the figure of Christ, Isa. 53:7; Jer. 11:1.9.
We find also the lamb as the figure of the people of God, Isa. 40:11.
In the New Testament, The Lord Jesus, John 1:29, 36; 1 Peter 1:19; Rev. 5:6, 8, 12; 6:16 &c. This is the prevailing name given to the Lord Jesus in the Revelation, and in many new connections. Thus we have not only the " Lamb slain," but described as with 7 horns, and 7 eyes, (the power and discernment of the Spirit). We have the Lamb as the object of worship to the 4 living creatures, the elders, the angels, and every creature in heaven, on the earth, under the earth, and in the sea.
The wrath of the Lamb, 6:16.
Robes washed in the blood of the Lamb, 7:14.
The Lamb as the One who feeds and leads to the living fountains of waters, 7:17.
The blood of the Lamb the victory over the devil, 12:11.
The Lamb as the avenger, 14:10.
The Song of the Lamb, 15:3.
The Lamb as the conqueror of the Beast, and the 10 Kings, 17:14.
The marriage of the Lamb, 19:7.
The Bride the Lamb's wife, 21:9.
The 12 apostles of the Lamb, 21:14.
The Lamb the temple of the City, 21:22.
The Lamb the light of the City, 21:23.
The book of life of the Lamb, 13:8; 21:27.
The throne of the Lamb, 22:1.
We thus have in Scripture the history of the Lord Jesus from the cross to the throne, as the Lamb of God.
The people of God, Luke 10:3; John 21:15.
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Animal
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Characteristic
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Symbolic of
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Reference
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Ass
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Generally
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Man in need of redemption
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Ever firstling of an ass shalt thou redeem, Ex. 13:13
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Natural man as stubborn
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A bridle for the ass, Prov. 26:3
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Ridden on - typical of humility
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Lowly and riding on an ass, Zech. 9:9; John 12:14
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White
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Place of authority
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Speak ye that ride on white asses, Judges 5:10
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Strong
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The tribe of Issachar as submitting to bondage
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Issachar is a strong ass, couching down between two burdens, Gen. 49:15
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Wild
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Natural man as refusing God's authority
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For vain man would be wise, though man be born like a wild ass's colt, Job. 11:12; 39:5
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The Assyrian power
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Assyria a wild ass alone by himself, Hos. 8:9
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The ungodly generally
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As wild asses they go forth, Job. 24:5
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Ishmaelites
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He will be a wild (Heb. ass) man, Gen. 16:12
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Israel as turning away from God
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A wild ass used to the wilderness, Jer. 2:24
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Bear
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Lying in wait
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Divine judgments
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He was unto me as a bear lying in wait, Lam. 3:10
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She-bear
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Divine judgments
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As a bear robbed of her whelps, Hos. 13:8
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Fierceness
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As a bear robbed of her whelps, 2 Sam. 17:8; Prov. 7:12
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Ranging
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Cruelty
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A ranging bear…so is a wicked ruler, Prov. 28:15
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Generally
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Kingdom of the Medes
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And behold, another beast…like to a bear, Dan. 7:5
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Calf
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Generally
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Playfulness
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To skip like a calf, Psa. 29:5
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Blood of
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Christ as the sin-offering
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Neither the blood of goats and calves, &c., Heb. 9:12
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As food, symbolic of the best thing that the heart of the giver (God or man) can provide
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Bring hither the fatted calf, Luke 15:23; Gen. 18:7; 1 Sam. 28:24; Amos 6:4
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Stalled
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Prosperity
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Ye shall grow up as the calves of the stall, Mal. 4:2
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Dog
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Generally
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That which is unclean
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Thou shalt not bring the price of a dog into the house of the Lord, Deut. 23:18; Matt. 7:6
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Persecutors
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For dogs have compassed me, Psa. 22:16; 59:6, 14
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The Gentiles
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Is not meet to take the children's bread and to cast it to dogs, Matt. 15:27
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Backsliders
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But it is happened unto them according the true proverb; the dog, &c., 2 Pet. 2:22
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False teachers
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Beware of dogs, Phil. 3:2
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Fools
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As a dog returneth to its vomit, Prov. 26:11
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Dog generally, or dead dog
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That which is contemptible, insignificant, or vile
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Am I a dog that thou comest, &c., 1 Sam. 17:43. After a dead dog, after a flea, 1 Sam. 24:14; 2 Sam. 3:8; 16:9
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Dumb
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Unfaithful ministers as to their testimony
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His watchmen are blind…they are all dumb dogs, Isa. 56:10
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Greedy
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Covetous ministers making a gain of their flock
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They all look to their own way, Isa. 56:11
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Dove
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In death
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Christ
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His offering of turtle doves, Lev. 1:14
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Generally
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Beauty and purity especially applied to the bride of Christ
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Many passages in the Song of Solomon
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Holy Ghost
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The Spirit of God descending like a dove, Matt. 3:16
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Mourning
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I did mourn as a dove, Isa. 38:14; 59:11; Ezek. 7:6
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Simplicity as befitting Christ's messengers
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Be ye harmless (simple as doves) Matt. 10:16
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Silly
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Ephraim
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Ephraim also is like a silly dove, Hos. 7:11
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Trial
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God's people in affliction
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O deliver not the soul of thy turtle dove, Psa. 74:19
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Eagle
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Generally
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God's care for His people
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I bare you on eagle's wings, Ex. 19:4. As an eagle…fluttereth over her young, so the Lord alone did lead them, Deut. 32:11
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Swiftness of divine judgments
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The Lord shall bring a nation against them…as the eagle flieth, Deut. 28:49; Hos. 8:1; Hab. 1:8
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Swiftness generally
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Swifter than the eagles of heaven, Lam. 4:19; Job 9:26
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Pride of Edom
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The pride of thine heart…though thou shouldest make thy nest as high as the eagle, Jer. 49:16
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Kings of Babylon and Egypt
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Ezek. 17:3, 7
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Fox
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Generally
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The destruction that shall overtake the enemies of God
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They shall be a portion for the foxes, Psa. 63:10
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Anything which destroys the communion of the people of God
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Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines, Song of Sol. 2:15
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The desolation that overtook Israel
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The mountain of Zion which is desolate, the foxes walk upon it, Lam. 5:18
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Deceit
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They prophets are like foxes of the desert, Ezek. 13:4
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Cunning
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Go ye and tell that fox, Luke 8:32
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Goat
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In death
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Christ as our passover
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Ye shall take it…from the goats, Ex. 12:5; 1 Cor. 5:7
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Christ as typified by the various offerings
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If his offering be…of the goats, Lev. 1:10
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The two scape goats
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Christ in the double aspect of the work of redemption - God-ward, making atonement, man-ward, bearing away sin
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Then shall he kill the goat of the sin-offering…and bring his blood within the vail…and he shall make an atonement. And Aaron shall lay both his hands upon the head of the live goat and confess over him all the iniquities of the children of Israel…and shall send him away, Lev. 16:15-21
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Rough
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King of Greece
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Now the rough goat is the king of Grecia, Dan. 8:21
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He-goat
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Those who oppress the weak of God's flock
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Behold I judge between the rams and the great he-goats, &c., Ezek. 34:18
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Generally
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the nations who reject Christ's messengers before the millennium
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He shall set…the goats on the left. Then shall He say also to them on the left, Matt. 25:31-46
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Hart
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Generally
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Christ
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Song of Sol. 2:9, 17, &c.
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Earnest desire
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As the hart…so panteth my soul after thee, O God, Psa. 42:1
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Lightness and joy of heart
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Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, Isa. 35:6
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Time of distress
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Her princes are become like harts that find no pasture, Lam. 1:6
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Hinds
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Sure footedness
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He maketh my feet like hind's feet, Psa. 18:33
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A good wife
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Let her be as loving as the hind, Prov. 5:19; Hab. 3:18
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Heifer
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In death
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Christ as the basis of an abiding covenant
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Take me an heifer, Gen. 15:9
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Red
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Christ whose blood alone can cleanse guilty Israel from their sin in killing Him
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Deut. 21:1-9; see Matt. 27:24, 25
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Christ on the ground of whose work the believer is cleansed from defilement contracted during his wilderness journey
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A red heifer, without spot, wherein is no blemish, and upon which never came yoke, Num. 19
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Fair
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Egypt
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Egypt is like a very fair heifer, Jer. 46:20
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Generally
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Babylon in its pride
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Ye are grown fat as heifers at grass, Jer. 50:11
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Backsliding
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Ephraim (Israel)
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Ephraim is as an heifer that is taught, Hos. 10:11
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Israel
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For Israel slideth back as a backsliding heifer, Hos. 4:16
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Three years old
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Moab in affliction
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Moab…an heifer of three years old, Isa. 15:5; Jer. 48:34
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Horse
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Generally
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Strength and swiftness in which man trusts (but vainly) instead of trusting in God
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An horse is a vain thing for safety: neither shall he deliver any by his great strength, Psa. 33;17; 20:7; 147:10; Prov. 21:31; Isa. 31:1
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Impatience of control and needing firm guidance
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Be ye not as the horse and the mule which have no understanding; whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, Psa. 32:9; Prov. 26:3; James 3:3
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Swiftness of destroying power
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His horses are swifter than eagles, Jer. 4:3; 8:36
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Blindness of Jerusalem rushing to destruction
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As the horse rusheth into the battle, Jer. 8:6
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Goodly
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House of Judah
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His goodly horse in the battle, Zech. 10:3
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White
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Victory
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He that sat on him had a bow, Rev. 6:2; 19:11, 14
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Red
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Bloodshed
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There was given unto him a great sword, Rev. 6:4
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Black
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Famine
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He that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand, Rev. 6:5
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Pale
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Death and hell
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His name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him, Rev. 6:7
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Leopard
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Generally
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Permanent characteristic of evil
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Or the leopard his spots? Jer. 13:23
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Fierceness of God's wrath against Israel
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A leopard shall watch over their cities: every one that goeth out shall be torn in pieces, Jer. 5:6; Hos. 13:7
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Antichrist
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And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, Rev. 13:2
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Lion
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Lion's whelp
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Symbolic generally of power, strength, and energy, and of that which is thoroughly able to provide for its own wants
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Numerous Scriptures in the Old Testament, e.g., What is stronger than a lion, Jud. 14:18
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Roaring lion
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Terrible, cruel, powerful, and unsparing
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They gaped upon me with their mouths as a ravening and roaring lion, Psa. 22:13
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Satan
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As a roaring lion…so is a wicked ruler, Prov. 38:15. Your adversary the devil as a roaring lion, 1 Pet. 5:8
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Generally
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Judah
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Judah is a lion's whelp: he couched as a lion, Gen. 49:9
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Christ
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The lion of the tribe of Judah, Rev. 5:5
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A difficulty that appears insurmountable
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The slothful man saith, There is a lion without, Prov. 26:13
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The character of the judgments which God will execute against Judah and Israel
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The young lions roared upon him, and they made his land waste, Jer. 2:15; Isa. 5:29; Jer. 4:7; 5:6; Lam. 3:10; Hos. 5:14; Amos 3:4; Joel 1:6
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The nations
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Jer. 25:30-38
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Moab
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Isa. 15:9
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Edom
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Jer. 49:19
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Babylon
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Jer. 50:44
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The Lord in defense of Mt. Zion
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Like as a lion…so shall the Lord of Hosts come down to fight for Mount Zion, Isa. 31:4
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Israel in rebellion against the Lord
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Mine heritage is unto me as a lion in the forest, Jer. 12:8
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Jehoahaz and Jehoiachin
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Ezek. 19:1-9
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The remnant of Jacob among the Gentiles
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As a lion among the beasts of the forest, Micah 5:8
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Nineveh in the day of its power
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Nahum 2:11, 12
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Ox
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In death
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Christ as offered to God
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For if the blood of bulls and goats…how much more shall the blood of Christ, Heb. 9:13, 14; Lev. 1:2-9
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Devotedness to the service of God
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For each prince an ox, Num. 7:3
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Generally
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Ephraim in rebellion
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Jer. 31:18; see also Deut. 33:17
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Strong bulls of Bashan
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Fierce and brutal enemies
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Psa. 22:12
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Wild bull
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Israel, during the tribulation, exhausted by her ineffectual efforts to escape from her enemies
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As a wild bull in a net, Isa. 51:20
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Generally
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The nations under the judgment of God
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Isa. 34:7, 8; Jer. 46:17, 22
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Patient labor
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Deut. 25:4; 1 Cor. 9:9, 10; 1 Tim. 5:17, 18
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Unsuspecting confidence
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An ox that is brought to the slaughter: and I knew not that they had devised devices against me, Jer. 11:19; Prov. 7:22
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Blessings provided in the gospel
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My oxen are…killed, Matt. 22:4
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Roe
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Generally
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Swiftness
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The Gadites…were swift as the roes upon the mountains, 1 Chron. 12:8; 2 Sam. 2:18; Prov. 6:5
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The beauty of Christ in the eyes of His bride
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Sol. 2:9; 17
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A good wife
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Let her be…as the pleasant roe, Prov. 5:19
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Sheep
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Generally
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The people of God, both Jewish and Christian
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The sheep of thy pasture, Psa. 74:1; Ezek. 34. The good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep, John 10:11. And other sheep I have which are not of this fold, John 10:16. Feed my sheep; John 21:16.
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Lost sheep
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Israel as departed from God
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The lost sheep of the house of Israel, Matt. 10:6; 15:24
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The sinner
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I have found my sheep which was lost, Luke 15:6
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Those who depart from God
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I have gone astray like a lost sheep, Psa. 119:176; 1 Pet. 2:25
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Generally
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The nations who receive the Jewish preachers sent by Christ
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Then shall he set the sheep on his right hand, &c., Matt. 25:31-46
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Prosperity
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That our sheep may bring forth thousands, Psa. 144:13
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Those who are persecuted
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We are counted as sheep for the slaughter, Psa. 44:22
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People without a leader
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That the congregations of the Lord be not as sheep which have no shepherd, Num. 27:17
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Those who do not trust in their own strength
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As sheep in the midst of wolves, Matt. 10:16
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Sheep's clothing
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An outward appearance of humility
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False prophets…in sheep's clothing, Matt. 7:15
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Serpent
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Generally
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Satan
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That old serpent, called the Devil and Satan which deceiveth the whole world, Rev. 12:9; 20:2; Gen. 3:1; Isa. 27:1
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Tribe of Dan
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Dan shall be a serpent by the way, Gen. 49:17
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Sin in its poisonous hurtful aspect
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Their poison is like the poison of a serpent, Psa. 58:4; 140:3
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The unfailing certainty of God's judgments
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I will command the serpent, and he shall bite them, Amos 9:3
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Abject fear
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The shall lick the dust like a serpent, Micah 7:17
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Satan in his beguiling character
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So your minds should be corrupted, &c., 2 Cor. 11:3; Gen. 3:1-6
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Satan in his persecuting character
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He persecuted the woman, Rev. 12:13-17
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Fiery
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Sin as bringing in death
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And the Lord sent fiery serpents among the people, Num. 21:6
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Brazen
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Christ as made sin for us
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So must the Son of man be lifted up, John 3:13
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Deaf
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The wicked obstinately refusing to listen to God
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The deaf adder that stoppeth her ear, Psa. 58:4
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New Queries, Nos. 196-217.
Q. 196. (1) What is the meaning of 1 Cor. 7:14, and (2) Rom. 11:26? How shall all Israel be saved? T. N. S.
A. (1) Refer to B. S. vol. i, p. 115, Q. 377. If more is wanted write again. (2) The time will come when all Israelites on earth will own their Messiah, their hearts being turned to Him according to Zech. 12:10. The word. " Israel " seems purposely to include not only those we know as " Jews," but also the lost ten tribes who will then be restored to their own land. Previously, however, to this glorious time numbers of Jews who have been deceived by Antichrist, and received the mark of the beast will have perished.
Q. 197. Isa. 66:23 and Zech. 14:6 seem to imply that there will not be night and day on earth during the millennial reign. How would this correspond with Isa. 4:6; 60:11? G. S.
A. Isa. 4:6 speaks of the " day-time " implying a "night-time," and lx. 11 speaks of day and night, Isa. 66:23 does not mean there will be no day nor night, and Zech. 14:6 speaks only of that special and glorious day when Christ will descend to the Mount of Olives. There will be day and night on earth during the millennium, but not in the heavenly Jerusalem.
Q. 198. Explain 1 Peter 4:1, more particularly the last clause. E. S. M.
A. The death of Christ is here presented in a peculiar aspect. He suffered on the cross, (thus accomplishing the will of God,) sooner than yield to sin in any way. By dying being tried to the uttermost, He had done forever with sin which constantly assailed Him from without. Now, we are to arm ourselves with the same steadfast purpose to accomplish God's will. But remark that the word " flesh " in the end of the verse does not mean the perfect human nature or life which is called flesh in the beginning of the text. Our temptations are not always from without, but often from within. Hence our old nature (called the flesh) suffers; that is, it is not indulged or gratified if we do not yield to it, and we thus cease from sin. When we do not suffer in the flesh we commit sin, for its desires are ever evil. This verse is only another way of rendering Rom. 6:11, 12, with the addition of the example of Christ as a model.
Q. 199. What passages prove that there will be a temple on earth during Christ's reign on earth? Will the sacrifices be offered according to the former Levitical dispensation? M. B. H.
A. Ezek. 40 to the end is taken up with a full detailed description of the millennial temple and sacrifices. Passover and Tabernacles will both be re-established (xlv. 21, 25). Pentecost, however, being "fully come" in Acts 2:1, in the formation of the church, will not be revived. The sacrifices will have a retrospective aspect with regard to the cross, to which previously to the coming they of Christ looked forward. Many scriptures speak of the temple in the earthly Jerusalem, Zech. 14:20, &c. &c. In the heavenly Jerusalem there will be no temple.
Q. 200. Is there any scriptural ground for the statement that doctrinal evil is worse in God's sight than moral evil? C. H. C.
A. There is just the difference between sin of practice and principle. In 1 Cor. 5 evil, wicked, immoral practice had crept into the Church of God, and apostle unsparingly pointed out the evil. But the sin was a plain offense against the laws of God, and could clearly be exposed and judged as such. In Galatians however there was not a question of immoral actions, but of a subtle principle of legality or fleshly religion creeping in, undermining, and supplanting the gospel. This struck at the very principle of the truth, and the tone and language of the apostle is much more severe here than to the Corinthians, and he has evidently more difficulty in exposing and getting them to judge the sin.
Q. 201. What is the connection between Job 38-41 and the rest of the book? Job's sin was justifying himself rather than God, and these chapters are occupied with God's power and not His righteousness, and power is not in itself a proof of justice or goodness. T.
A. Elihu's argument in the preceding chapters fully justifies and explains God's actions with regard to Job. What Job now needed was to understand that it really was GOD whom he had to do with. Job had spoken of God, and Elihu had spoken of Him, but now he was brought face to face with Him (proved to be God by His wonders in creation,) for the first time, (compare Rom. 1:20) and thus Job really understood his own utter insignificance and nothingness. We quite agree that these chapters are not enough alone, but neither are the others; for right thoughts of God's power are as necessary as of His righteousness. We too often forget that God is God, and that we are but men.
Q. 202. Is it in accordance with Scripture for us to draw inferences concerning the times and seasons of this dispensation from the symbolism apparently existing in the great Pyramid? To say for instance that the 1882 inches of the long passage typify the 1882 years of the Christian era? T.
A. We fear the deductions drawn from most of these measurements are but the result of the ingenuity of the human mind, and certainly we do not exalt the great pyramid to the level of a divine revelation. There is no hint in Scripture that we are to look for any such a supplement to the Bible, and we fear that excessive occupation with such a subject only tends to make one forsake the fountain of living water for cisterns of our own hewing that hold no water. What will be the result moreover, if the Christian era should last 1883 years, if as you say there are but 1882 inches? It is easy to find coincidences agreeing with past events. God alone can foretell the future.
Q. 203. Please explain 2 Peter 1:19-21. H. N.
A. Refer to B. S. vol. i., page 88, Q. 319.
Q. 204. When will the Jewish resurrection spoken of in Dan. 12:2 Occur? C. H. C.
A. Does not this refer rather to the bringing back the Jews to their land out of the earth (Gentile world) where they are scattered; ver. 1 describing the Jewish remnant who will be delivered through their trouble (under Antichrist) if their names are written in the book (see Rev. 7), verse 2 more especially referring to the lost 10 tribes of Israel, who will be brought back as life from the dead (see Luke 15:32; Rom. 11:1.5, similar expressions) to their land. See Ezek. 36;37
Q. 205. Does the term heretic apply not only to the one who forms a party round himself, but also to those who are gathered round him? C. H. C.
A. We presume you refer to Titus 3:10. There is nothing said here as to forming a party. The R. V. reads " a man-that is heretical (or factious) after a first and second admonition refuse (or avoid). The word does not apparently imply excommunication, but rather absence of friendship and intercourse. Of course his errors may lead him absolutely astray, and possibly as you say to form a party. About this however the Scripture says nothing. The term used would, apply equally to every man who held heretical views or followed heretical ways Q. 206. Will you please explain the genealogies in Matt. and Luke? Is the one of Joseph and the other of Mary? R. S. S. (U. S. A.)
A. Refer to B. S. vol. i, page 89, Q. 324, also to B. S., vol. ii, p. 81, Q. 63.
Q. 207. (1) Would you say that "Jesse" was David's mother's name? (see Q. 127 B. S.) (2) Could you give the correct rendering of 2 Sam. 17:25? E. B.
A. (1) No. What we said refers to the fact that if Nahash be not the name of David's mother, it is another name for Jesse (the name of his wife being unknown). It is a universal tradition among the Jews that Nahash and Jesse are identical, and in Ruth 4:22 They read, " and Obed begat Ishai (Jesse) whose name is Nachash." (2) We cannot give any better rendering than the text.
Q. 208. (1) "They drank of that spiritual rock that followed them," (1 Cor. 10:4.) Did the water flow on as they journeyed? (2) Can you tell me where to find the sentence " Thy favor which is better than life?" E. B.
A. (1) We do not see the slightest indication from the historical narrative that the children of Israel were followed by a continuous stream of water. Water is still found naturally in many parts of the Peninsula, and is believed to have been much more abundant formerly. We rather think the passage means that it was Christ, He who "carried them all the days of old," who followed them in all their wanderings. There is still evidence, as testified to by careful travelers, that there was formerly a far greater abundance both of vegetation and water in the wilderness than now, so that it was only on exceptional occasions that it was miraculously provided. (2) The nearest are the following, "Thy loving kindness is better than life," (Psa. 63:3); "Favor is better than silver and gold," (Prov. 22:1. margin).
Q. 209. Please explain Eph. 4:3. C. M. B.
A. The unity of the Spirit mainly refers to that unity that the Spirit forms the one body (1 Cor. 12), and it was to be kept practically in peace by Jew and Gentile, lately hating each other, but now made one in Christ. This exhortation was peculiarly needed at Ephesus. The way to fulfill it is by walking in the spirit of ver. 2. It is only as we realize the intense antagonism that existed naturally between Jew and Gentile in every detail of religious and social life, that we understand the peculiar force of such an exhortation at that time to those who had so recently been made one in Christ.
Q. 210. Do not " so many of us as" in Rom. 6:3, and " as many of you as" of Gal. 3:27 mean all of them? C. G. A.
A. Certainly. Gal. 3:26 says "For ye are all the sons of God, through faith in Christ Jesus," and then proceeds, " For as many of you," etc., evidently applying to the same company.
Q. 211. (1) Please explain Ezek. 13:18. (2) Explain briefly " Who is blind as my servant." (3) Also Isa. 63:17. T. H.
A. (1) Fastening cushions to the armholes, or rather for the arms to rest on, signified in the symbol which the false prophet uses, that the people might rest in security, for no enemy would disturb them; while "kerchiefs on the head of (people of) every stature" were badges of liberty or triumph, signifying that they should overcome the Chaldeans; thus the people were deluted. (2) We think, Israel that is reproached in Isa. 42:19, for being blind and deaf, but should be glad of further light on this difficult passage. (3) Refer to B. S. vol. i. page 134, Q. 409.
Q. 212. Will you please tell me if we are to eat and drink in heaven? If not, why did Jesus say that He would not hence-. forth drink... till He drank... in His Father's kingdom? A. C.
A. We believe that our Lord here used wine as a symbol of joy connected with the earth. The meaning of the passage is not therefore literal drinking from a cup, but rather entering with His disciples on the scene of earthly joys in the millennial morning. Till then, like the Nazarite of old, he gets no joy from this earth as such. We know no Scripture showing that we shall eat or drink in heaven.
Q. 213. In 2 Chron. 2:7 we read " with me in Judah and Jerusalem," does this skew that part of Jerusalem was not in Judah? (see Josh. 15:63;18. 28 and Judg. 1:21). H.S.
A. Jerusalem properly speaking was in Benjamin, the boundary line between it and Judah (Josh, 15:7, 8; 18:16, 17) running along the valley of Hinnom.
Q. 214. Please explain the following expressions (1) " went out to the south" (Josh. 15:3), (2) "fetched a compass," (3) " south side of the river," what river? (ver. 7), (4) " unto the south side of the Jebusite " (ver. 8), (5) "and the border was drawn " (ver. 9), (6) " They met together" (ch. 17:10), (7) "the mountain that hath before" (18:16). H. S.
A. (1)" towards the south side," (2) " made a detour," (3) " south side of the " torrent " a rocky gorge that runs into the Jordan near Jericho," (4) the city of Jebusites was on the north side of the valley of Hinnon, and forms part of Jerusalem, the part known in modern times as Sion, (5) " marked out," (6) It appears to mean that the boundary of Manasseh and Ephraim taken together was Asher in the north and Issachar in the east," (7) probably Mount Sion, or if not, the mountain to the south side of the valley of Hinnon.
Q. 215. Kindly say what is the meaning of Heb. 6:1-6. J. F. G.
A. Refer to B. S. Jan. 1882, p. 18, Q. 32. Heb. 6:4-6 describes the whole circle of christian privileges in contrast with the Jewish elements spoken of in verses 1 and 2, and proceeds to show that if a Hebrew, after tasting and being connected with all that Christ had brought in, returned to Judaism, and. gave all up, there was nothing further for him; he openly joined the crucifiers of Christ (ver. 6), and put Him to an open shame. Observe these people never went beyond more profession; there is not a hint of their being " safe in Christ " or of having believed on Him. They were enlightened, they had tasted of the heavenly gift (the revelation of the grace of God)-of the good word of God, of which they saw the preciousness, although not quickened by it, (see Matt. 13:20), and the powers of the world to come (miracles which they had seen); but only to reject all; they were also outward participators (the force of the word used) of the Holy Ghost, not as life, but as a new power known and felt among all professing christians. Thus no christian privilege was wanting, but the enjoyment of them all does not imply life; the simplest trust in Christ does. This is seen in ver. 18, God thus conclusively shewing in the same Chapter that the greatest privileges and professions do not give life, but that the weakest faith does. Moreover, although the apostle thus warns any Hebrew apostates, he expressly (ver. 9) excludes the christians whom he was addressing, however ignorant, because (ver. 10) their faith had shown itself in fruit.
Q. 217. By whom will the gospel be preached after the church is translated? E. S. M.
A. The present gospel will no longer be preached, the door of grace being then shut, but the everlasting gospel will be proclaimed to every heathen nation as we learn in Rev. 14:7, probably by Jewish messengers whose treatment by these nations will form the ground of the judgment of these according to Matt. 25.
Q. 218. Had our Savior sinless infirmity? E. B.
A. Scripture nowhere says so. On the contrary, it carefully contrasts human high priests " compassed with infirmity" (Heb. 5:2), having infirmity (Heb. 7:28) with Christ. The only place where we can find weakness or infirmity associated with the Lord is on the cross. " Crucified through weakness (infirmity)" 2 Cor. 13:4, where the meaning is obvious. We cannot say that we fully understand your question.
Q. 219. Referring to Q. 135, p. 118, does not Matt. v. 3436 refer to ordinary conversation only? If so, would 1 Peter 2:13,14 be a sufficient warrant for a christian to take the customary oath in courts of justice, and also to make affidavits? H. N.
A. Matt. 5 is evidently referring to conversation. With regard to the other point refer to B. S. vol. 2, p. 90, Q. 118.
Q. 220. What is the meaning of Jer. 17:13, " They that depart from me shall be written in the earth"? When the Lord stooped down and with His finger wrote on the ground (John 8:6), did He wish to show the Pharisees that he would write their names in the earth, because they would not receive Him? H. N.
A. Jer. 17:13 means that the names of the wicked should be blotted out like an inscription on the sand. We do not know what the Lord wrote on the ground. All explanations must he hypothetical, and yours is probably as good as any other.
Q. 221. (1) What is typified by the yoke in Num. 19:2? (2) What are the principalities and powers in Eph. 6:12? and are they the same as in ch. 3:10, and Col. 2:10. W. H. M.
A. (1) One never used in the service of man. (2) It is evident that those principalities and powers of which Christ is head (Col. 2:10, Eph. 1:21) cannot be the same as those in Eph. 6:12, of which Satan is chief. The word " principality" is a peculiar one, literally meaning and generally rendered "the beginning" (John 1:1, 2, etc.) It also has a secondary meaning of rule (1 Cor. 15:24) which is the meaning of the word " principality." Of course there is both good and bad rule in the spiritual world.
(Several Queries are left over for want of space).