A. Some have sought to explain this by supposing the evil of judgment is meant and not the evil of sin, but the word used is that generally used for evil and wickedness. We have not anything to add to the passage in explanation, but should be glad of remarks from any correspondent. (2) This is closely connected with the foregoing, unless the alternative marginal reading be adopted. There are mysteries in the origin of evil that no human mind can fathom.
Q. 182. Is there any particular significance in the seven pillars of wisdom’s house in Proverbs 9:11Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars: (Proverbs 9:1), beyond a perfect number, and are they spoken of anywhere else in Scripture? E. H.
A. Inasmuch as Christ is wisdom in Proverbs 8 the house in Proverbs 9 has been aptly compared to God’s house, the church. The idea of perfection is conveyed here and also by the seven branched candlestick (likewise foreshadowing the church) and the seven churches in Revelation 2 and 3.
A. To the disciples before the descent of the Holy Ghost. It will be again most appropriately used by the Jewish remnant after the church is gone. It does not fully express a Christian’s position, nor is it in the name of Christ. It is however perfect for those for whom it was intended, and to us also may serve as a pattern in many ways.
A. He refers to the yet future glory of the literal Mount Moriah, which should be exalted above all other mountains, as to glory and beauty, when the temple shall be rebuilt upon it.
A. The Pharisees said the former. The people, who were listening in crowds around, said the latter, most probably.
Q. 186. (1) What does Luke 11:4242But woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass over judgment and the love of God: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone. (Luke 11:42) mean? (2) Please explain Luke 12:58,5958When thou goest with thine adversary to the magistrate, as thou art in the way, give diligence that thou mayest be delivered from him; lest he hale thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and the officer cast thee into prison. 59I tell thee, thou shalt not depart thence, till thou hast paid the very last mite. (Luke 12:58‑59), F. E. L. P.
A. (1) It refers to the petty traditions of the Pharisees and their gross neglect of the greater principles of God’s law. (2) It refers to the Lord’s controversy with the Jewish nation, and He here advises them to agree now with their Messiah, lest the full measure of their judgments fall upon them, as indeed it has done since.
A. It is a beautiful symbol of heavenly, purity and that too in connection with the part most in contact with the dust and defilement of this world. The meaning therefore is obvious.
A. That such was the time since she lost her husband seems to be the meaning according to the Revised Version. If this be the case she would have been about Too.
Q. 189. Upon the occasion of the miraculous draft of fishes, recorded in Luke 5 we read that “ their net brake.” In John 21 it did not. Is the difference accounted for by the death and resurrection of Christ having taken place between? F. M. S.
A. Greater in privileges and blessings and in many other ways. John will never have the same position that the feeblest believer now has, not only as being in the kingdom, but as being a member of Christ.
A. The Revised Version reads “And if a son of peace be there.” One who will receive the Lord’s messenger.
A. It is typical of resurrection, just as the seventh, when the second purification occurred, is of perfect judgment of the evil. (2) No.
Q. 193. “ But he that denieth me before men shall be denied before the angels of God.” Does this mean that if a Christian should not openly acknowledge Christ, He would deny him? F. M. S.
A. It is a general principle which we do well to heed. No doubt the Lord’s sense of Christian unfaithfulness will be as marked as His reward of faithful service.
A. Of every element of uncleanness which corrupts the great mass of religious profession known as Christendom.
Q. 195. “Behold I cast out devils, and I do cures today and to-morrow, and the third day I shall be perfected,” (Luke 13:3232And he said unto them, Go ye, and tell that fox, Behold, I cast out devils, and I do cures to day and to morrow, and the third day I shall be perfected. (Luke 13:32)). To what do “to-day, and to-morrow, and the third day” here refer? F. M. S.
A. The Lord merely speaks figuratively of His coming death and glory, and means to say that He was not to be hurried on, or turned aside from His course.
A. We can Only understand this to mean that Christ being rejected, those who truly follow Him must be prepared to do it at all costs, even to the breaking of every earthly tie; not that natural relationships as such are to be repudiated, but Christ must be first, and His claims set before all else, even one’s own life.
A. Probably as a resolution; one of the first fruits of a changed heart.
Q. 198. (1) Are the husbandmen in Luke 20 typical of the Jewish nation? If so, what does the vineyard signify? (2) Please explain Luke 21:3232Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled. (Luke 21:32). F. M. S.
A. (1) Of the leaders; the vineyard is the people generally. (2) Not the literal people, but the generation characterized by unbelief and rejection of Christ. This generation still exists.
A. The Revised Version reads “For that concerning me hath fulfillment.”
Q. 200. Is it known to what nation Balaam belonged? Did any but the Israelites at that time worship the true God? Is Balaam specially typical of any person or thing? F. M. S.
A. No doubt he was a Midianite. He is one of the instances we have of a knowledge of God among the heathen. Job is another. Typically he may set forth the false prophet in the Revelation.
A. It means just what it says; Israel not being looked at as they were, but in the light: of the blood sprinkled mercy-seat—blessed picture of the atoning value of the blood of Christ.
Q. 202. What was the budding of Aaron’s rod (Numbers 17) intended by God to signify to the people, and how was it calculated to stop their murmurings as Scripture seems to signify? C. H. S.
A. That the true priesthood lay with Aaron. It allayed their murmurings by being an unanswerable proof of God’s approval. Typically it sets forth our great High priest in resurrection life.
Q. 203. After Christ came, how did the disciples of John differ from His own? Did they not follow Him? c. H. s.
A. Not at first. Probably after John’s death many of them did, but not necessarily so.
Q. 204. (1) Please explain Luke 10:1818And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. (Luke 10:18). (2) What was the heave offering, also the wave offering? C. H. S.
A. (1) It is a figure of His coming victory over the Devil (2) Simply the lifting up of the offering, figuratively presenting it to God, on account of its not being burned.
Q. 205. Leviticus 24. Why were the lamps placed without in the tabernacle of the congregation? A. M. C.
A. Because nothing not directly typical of Christ was in the most holy place. The seven-branched candlestick rather sets forth the church, and the twelve loaves the Jewish nation.
Q. 206. Matthew 8 —What is the meaning of the words in v. 22, “Let the dead bury their dead?” A. M. C.
A. Refer to B. S. vol 1. p. 141. Q. 434.
Q. 207. Matthew 11 What is the meaning of the words in v. 19, “But wisdom is justified of her children?” A. M. C.
A. The R. V. reads “And wisdom is justified by her works.” “Children” would however seem to be more according to Luke 7:3535But wisdom is justified of all her children. (Luke 7:35). It means, that those who were children or wisdom would justify the acts of Wisdom—which Christ was.
Q. 208. Numbers 4. Why were the coverings of the tabernacle of different colors—red, blue, and purple? A. M. C.
A. Because typical of the various perfections of Christ. Linen, the moral purity; blue, the heavenly character; purple, the royal dignity; scarlet, the atoning work; the badgers’ skin, the lowly form of the Son of God.
Q. 209. (1) Matthew 16:1414And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. (Matthew 16:14). Was our Lord’s teaching similar to that of John the Baptist, Elijah, and Jeremiah? (2) Matthew 17 What did Christ’s question to Peter in v. 25 mean? —that as God, Caesar had no claim on Him? A. M. C.
A. (1) Not very, judging by comparison. (2) It does not refer to the Roman tax, but to the Temple dues.
Q. 210.Matthew 24:2828For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together. (Matthew 24:28). To what do the following words refer: “Where the carcass is, there will the eagles be gathered together?” A. M. C.
A. The carcass, the corrupt and apostate part of the Jewish nation; the eagles, fit symbols of God’s judgment.
Q. 211. (1) Matthew 26:2323And he answered and said, He that dippeth his hand with me in the dish, the same shall betray me. (Matthew 26:23). Was not the person who dipped his hand with the host in the center dish a specially honored one? (2) Numbers 6 What was the meaning of the burnt offering? A. M. C.
A. (1) Yes; but this token of special favor only hardened yet more the heart of Judas. (2) That which was wholly consumed by fire, the meat offering was not.
Q. 212. Mark 2. Did the parables of the cloth and bottles refer to Christ’s words about fasting, and are they not to teach us that Jesus would not confuse His own teaching of grace with John’s teaching of works? A. M. C.
A. Doubtless. You cannot mix up law and grace: the doctrine of “do,” with the gospel of “done.”
A. No doubt; the supernatural nature of the appearances also greatly troubled them.
Q. 214. Numbers 12. Why was Miriam stricken with leprosy, and not Aaron? A. M. C.
A. Aaron’s official position as high priest in a way shielded him; for on him depended the atonement for the nation.
Q. 215. Mark 9. What is the meaning of the words, “For every one shall be salted with fire?” A. M. C.
A. It appears to be a fearful allusion to eternal punishment as regards the wicked, but it is also true generally of the evil and the good; only in the latter case, though the fire searches it does not consume; for we are chastened of the Lord that we should not be condemned with the world.
Q. 216. Luke 20. Was not the paying of tribute one of the Jews’ difficulties? v. 22-25. A. M. C.
A. It was felt to be a great grievance; only the Lord here shows that had they rendered to God the things that were God’s, they would never have had to pay it at all.
Q. 217. Numbers 22. Was the Angel of the Lord who met Balaam, God Himself? (v. 35). A. M. C.
A. It would appear so.
A. It refers to the time when the Jews should be restored from Babylon. When this took place, Tire regained some of her ancient prosperity, but did not use it for God’s glory.
A. The salvation is world-wide; but you could not say of any unbeliever that he was redeemed. The passage only gives the scope, as not being limited to a class, nor to a nation.
A. Doubtless Jehovah, who had appeared to him in an angelic form.
Q. 221. Are the angels ministering spirits to all believers? A.
A. Surely.
A. He was perfect in Himself; but had not had experience of sufferings: hence in experience He was perfected through them.
Q. 223. Luke 15:1616And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him. (Luke 15:16). “And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat, and no man gave unto him.” Does this mean that he did really eat the husks, or that he would willingly have done so if they had been given to him? E. N.
A. It is thought that the latter is the meaning, and we think with good reason.
A. No; but that he acted for his own interests, though not for his Master’s.
Q. 225. Numbers 22. In the 10th verse God tells Balaam to go with the men if they rise and call him: in ver. 21 he saddled his ass and went; and in ver. 22 God’s anger was kindled against him because he went. Do you think that the men did not call him, but that he went of his own accord? E. N.
A. He went in self-will, though he sought for God’s sanction. God let him take his own way, when He saw how bent he was on it.
A. We cannot see any difficulty in the passage. The crown is the reward for faithfulness.
Q. 227. (1) What is “the gospel of the kingdom?” (2) Who are they who live during the Millennium? (3) What is meant by a “new heaven” and “new earth,” and who will people them? (4) What, and where, is the future blessing of Israel? H. W. P.
A. (1) That in Revelation 14:77Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters. (Revelation 14:7). (2) The Jewish remnant and the saved nations on earth, the church and heavenly saints in heaven. (3) This will take place at the end of the moo years. It will be peopled by all the saved. (4) It is dwelling in perfect happiness for moo years in the literal land of Canaan.
A. Certainly; whether they were only mere professors, we cannot say.
Q. 229. Are “Stand fast in the Lord” (Philippians 4:11Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved. (Philippians 4:1)), and “Stand fast in the faith” (1 Corinthians 16:1313Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong. (1 Corinthians 16:13)) the same? (2) Are “Be strong in the grace” (2 Timothy 2:11Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. (2 Timothy 2:1)) and “Be strong in the Lord” (Ephesians 6:1010Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. (Ephesians 6:10)) the same? Please briefly explain them.
H. W. P.
A. (1) Not exactly; one speaks of the power, the other as to that we are to stand fast by. (2) No; a similar difference exists here.
Q. 231. “ If any man come unto me, and hate not his father, mother, wife,” &c. (Luke 14:2626If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. (Luke 14:26)). In what sense are we called to hate those that are nearest and dearest to us? E. L.
A. See Query 196.
A. Certainly they did not need any. They could not understand what the Lord was saying to them, but took it literally; hence they spoke of two swords. The Lord answered “ It is enough”; that is, “I see you do not understand.”
Q. 233. Numbers 25:1212Wherefore say, Behold, I give unto him my covenant of peace: (Numbers 25:12). “Behold, I give unto him (Phinehas) my covenant of peace.” What is the “covenant of peace” here spoken of? E. L.
A. It tell us in verse 13.
Q. 234. In Hebrews 4:1515For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. (Hebrews 4:15), we read that “Christ was tempted in all points like as we are.” As we have sinful natures, which answer to the temptations from without, and He was holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, how could this be? a. P.
A. Does not the latter part of the verse answer your question, limiting the “all points” to temptation from without by the words “yet without sin.” Sin being the root, the flesh, the evil nature within?
A. It is plain that all in the Millennium will not be regenerate, for Satan will succeed in the end in leading large numbers against Christ (Revelation 20:7-107And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, 8And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea. 9And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them. 10And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever. (Revelation 20:7‑10)). The Millennial sacrifices will have a retrospective aspect, looking back to the death of Christ, just as previous to His death they looked forward to it.
Q. 236. Will David be the prince spoken of in Ezekiel 45:1717And it shall be the prince's part to give burnt offerings, and meat offerings, and drink offerings, in the feasts, and in the new moons, and in the sabbaths, in all solemnities of the house of Israel: he shall prepare the sin offering, and the meat offering, and the burnt offering, and the peace offerings, to make reconciliation for the house of Israel. (Ezekiel 45:17) &c.? Iota.
A. We are not told. But inasmuch as he is one of the company of heavenly saints to be raised and caught up at our Lord’s return, it is not probable he will live on the earth. Moreover it seems impossible to conceive that one changed into Christ’s image will have to offer such offerings for himself as the prince will. We think it will be some literal man of the royal line of Judah.
Q. 237. (1) Is it Christ’s coming which is prophesied of in Numbers 24:17-1917I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth. 18And Edom shall be a possession, Seir also shall be a possession for his enemies; and Israel shall do valiantly. 19Out of Jacob shall come he that shall have dominion, and shall destroy him that remaineth of the city. (Numbers 24:17‑19)? If so, what is the meaning of the latter part of verses 17, 18. (2) Luke 23:4545And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst. (Luke 23:45), Did the Jews afterward repair the veil of the temple? S. P. T.
A. (1) Yes. The final victory of Messiah and the faithful remnant over their enemies. (2). Not that we know of.
Q. 238. Does John 3:1313And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven. (John 3:13) mean that no one except the Son of Man has ascended up to heaven and come down again? Were not all the Old Testament saints who had died in heaven, and did not Elijah in particular ascend to heaven? s. P. T.
A. This refers to the very presence of God, and Christ claims exclusive knowledge of heavenly mysteries on the ground that heaven was His dwelling place. We think we must distinguish here between that of which our Lord speaks, and the abode of the blessed dead in Hades, which does not involve the same intimacy with divine mysteries, as our Lord here claims.
Q. 239. (1) Is anything known of the origin of the pool mentioned in John 5:2-42Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches. 3In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water. 4For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had. (John 5:2‑4)? (2) Numbers 27:2121And he shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who shall ask counsel for him after the judgment of Urim before the Lord: at his word shall they go out, and at his word they shall come in, both he, and all the children of Israel with him, even all the congregation. (Numbers 27:21), Could the children of Israel pray to God themselves, or only through the priesthood? S. P. T.
A. (1) No, save that it is supposed to have been an ancient reservoir. (2) Themselves. See 1 Chronicles 4 Ito, &c.
Q. 240. (1) Where is it prophesied that Christ would he called a “Nazarene?” Matthew 2.23. (2) What is meant by Peter’s binding and loosing? Matthew 16:59. Have we any instance of his using the authority thus given to him? S. P. T.
A. (1) There is no such exact prophecy. The nearest are the following Numbers 6:1414And he shall offer his offering unto the Lord, one he lamb of the first year without blemish for a burnt offering, and one ewe lamb of the first year without blemish for a sin offering, and one ram without blemish for peace offerings, (Numbers 6:14); Judges 13:55For, lo, thou shalt conceive, and bear a son; and no razor shall come on his head: for the child shall be a Nazarite unto God from the womb: and he shall begin to deliver Israel out of the hand of the Philistines. (Judges 13:5); 1 Samuel 1:1111And she vowed a vow, and said, O Lord of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the Lord all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head. (1 Samuel 1:11); Psalms 69:9, 109For the zeal of thine house hath eaten me up; and the reproaches of them that reproached thee are fallen upon me. 10When I wept, and chastened my soul with fasting, that was to my reproach. (Psalm 69:9‑10); Isaiah 53:1, 21Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed? 2For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. (Isaiah 53:1‑2); Amos 2:10-1210Also I brought you up from the land of Egypt, and led you forty years through the wilderness, to possess the land of the Amorite. 11And I raised up of your sons for prophets, and of your young men for Nazarites. Is it not even thus, O ye children of Israel? saith the Lord. 12But ye gave the Nazarites wine to drink; and commanded the prophets, saying, Prophesy not. (Amos 2:10‑12). (2) His receiving into or excluding from the company of Christians on earth. He did the former in Acts 2, receiving 3,000 souls, and in Acts 10, receiving a Gentile, though most unwilling to do so at first: he did the latter probably in Acts 8
A. (1) Yes, sooner or later. (2) No, verse 8 shows that He told the unclean spirit to come out of the man.
A. (1) As a guide knowing all the desert so well. (2) They are the same word.
Q. 243. (1) Why is it the last trump in 1 Corinthians 10 v. 52? (2) How do you explain David’s sins in 2 Samuel 11 in the light of John 3:55? J. K. MC. F.
A. (1) It is a symbol borrowed from the customs of the Roman legions. When setting out on a march several trumpets were blown to prepare &c., but not until the last trump was blown did they actually start. (2) By his subsequent repentance, the proof of the workings of the Spirit of God in his heart.
Q. 244. Why was it that Deuteronomy 27 a new set of commandment, blessings and cursings were pronounced to Israel, and not the Ten Commandments? J. K. MC. E.
A. They were merely a more detailed list of the principles embodied in the ten commandments.
Q. 245. Did the crucifixion of Christ take place on Thursday or Friday? (2). Are there two “little whiles” in John 16? J. K. MC. E.
A. (1) On Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (2) Yes, He was still to be with them a little while, and He was to be separated from them a little while.
A. (1) The whole burnt-offering (Psalms 51:1919Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering: then shall they offer bullocks upon thine altar. (Psalm 51:19)) is so called in contradistinction to those offerings where only part was offered; and it represents the entire consecration and dedication of Christ to God’s will, as expressed in Hebrews 10 This is what is alluded to here. (2) We cannot say.
Q. 247. Explain Exodus 12 so, where the Israelites were told distinctly to allow nothing to remain until the morning; and yet we read “ And that which remaineth of it until the morning.” J. K. Mc. E.
A. It means, if any of it after all should be left—if they were not able to eat it all—that which was so left was to be burnt.
A. Christ, being set at the Father’s right hand in righteousness, having finished the work given Him to do, the presence of the Holy Ghost consequent on His exaltation bears witness to the fact that God’s righteousness had been manifested triumphantly, and abounding over man’s sin.