A. Yes.
Q. 310. Why was there mercy for the murderer in Num. 35, and why was he to remain in the city of refuge till the death of the high priest? E. S.
A. He was hardly a murderer, but one who killed another by accident; hence the refuge provided for him.
A. (1) Does not Heb. 6 speak of such, who were still unregenerate? (2) The coming persecutions under the Roman emperors, indications of -which no doubt were already apparent.
Q. 312. In 2 Chron. 30:18,18For a multitude of the people, even many of Ephraim, and Manasseh, Issachar, and Zebulun, had not cleansed themselves, yet did they eat the passover otherwise than it was written. But Hezekiah prayed for them, saying, The good Lord pardon every one (2 Chronicles 30:18) I read that many of Ephraim, Manasseh, Issachar and Zebulon, ate the passover; and in ver. 5, that the decree went through all Israel. How could all Israel be in Palestine, seeing that the ten tribes had been carried captive into Assyria? F. E. le P.
Q. 313 (1). Is it right to say, that the ten tribes are lost? if not, where are they? (2) James 1:11James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting. (James 1:1)-where were the ten tribes that James wrote to? (3) Is there any record that the ten tribes ever returned to Palestine after their captivity? F. E. le P.
A. (1) Insomuch as no one can positively say where they now are, so far they are lost-but not to God. (2) James speaks of them as being " scattered abroad"; we have no proof that the apostle knew where they were scattered. We may notice, in connection with this, the remarkable expression of the apostle Paul in Acts 26:77Unto which promise our twelve tribes, instantly serving God day and night, hope to come. For which hope's sake, king Agrippa, I am accused of the Jews. (Acts 26:7). (3) No.
A. (1) We should suppose this would mean sins done willfully. (2) By the power of God that works in us, as pointed out in the following verse.
Q. 316. What does St. Paul mean by " neglecting of the body" (Col. 2:2323Which things have indeed a show of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honor to the satisfying of the flesh. (Colossians 2:23))? He cannot mean fasting and keeping the body under, because he so often advised that; and also tells us that he kept his body in subjection. M. H. U.
A. The apostle here speaks of the asceticism then practiced by philosophers (see p. 252), based on a false view of the body. Elsewhere the apostle speaks of fasting, not as being meritorious in itself, but simply as a means to an end.
A. The Lord was speaking of the time when He would be no longer with them, and showing them that then they would lose His direct protecting care. They understood it literally, and as referring to the present molt cot.
Q. 318. Referring to Q. 236, how do we know that David will be changed into Christ's image? IOTA.
A. Because it says in 1 Cor. 15 that all " in Christ " shall be made alive, and bear the image of the heavenly (ver. 49); and, in 1 John 3 that this shall be actually Christ's likeness.
A. It means, Act as I do, for I am what you are in reality, though not in practice-free from the law. (2) It refers to our heavenly origin. (3) The margin gives a more intelligible reading (see Chapter 12:12).
Q. 320. How can we make three days from 3 p.m. on Friday, to Sunday morning "while it was yet dark "? IOTA.
A. Simply from the well-known fact that by the Jews a part of a day was counted as a whole. The above time includes parts of three days.
Q. 321. (1) What does "bound in the Spirit," Acts 20:22,22And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there: (Acts 20:22) mean? (2) Acts 21 i 1: was Paul right in going to Jerusalem when forbidden by the Holy Ghost? S. P. T.
A. (1) Does not the following verse explain the apostle's meaning? (2) We judge, not; but, at the same time, one is slow to criticize the acting of so eminent an apostle.
Q. 322. Acts 22:16:-does this passage attribute the washing away of sins to baptism? S. P. T.
A. Yes, in figure.
Q. 323. Deut. 7-In what way do the commandments and promises, made to Israel, apply to us? s. P. T.
A. We do not see that they apply to Christians.
A. It means "saints by calling." All saints are called. "Calling means the effectual operation of the Spirit of God, and must be carefully distinguished from such a passage as " Many are called, but few chosen. To receive the invitation is one thing; to accept it, is another.
A. Does not verse 7 clearly explain the meaning of the passage?
A. (1) No; circumcision never went so far as death, of which baptism is the true figure. (2) Yes; see ver. 16.
A. (s) It means heir to all the territory promised to Abraham and to his seed, and this will be made good in Christ hereafter. (2) No, it does net refer to baptism; but the former part of the verse does.
Q. 328. (1) Rom. 7:17: If as in Rom. 6:6,6Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. (Romans 6:6) sin be dead, how can it still be dwelling in me? (2) Verse 25: Does the latter part of this verse imply that " the flesh" must go on committing sin: that there are two natures in us, with one of which we serve God, and with the other sin at the same time? S. P. T.
A. (1) It is dead to faith, and before God. (2) No; but it does mean that sin is no longer regarded as myself/f; but the new nature is. It points out the unchanged character of the old nature, even in the Christian.
A. Joshua saw their heart of unbelief.
Q. 330. Is it scriptural to say that Eve was formed at night, and presented to Adam in the morning? J. K. M.
A. Figuratively, it was so. Adam's sleep represented night, his awaking, the morning. In reality, the sleep probably took place on the afternoon of the sixth day.
Q. 331. Was Paul or Matthias the twelfth apostle? J. K. M.
A. Matthias.
Q. 332. Was the sheet knit at the four corners, and its contents, in Acts 10, a picture of the church? (2) What is "the law of sin and death" (Rom. 8:22For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. (Romans 8:2))? J. K. M.
A. Rather, of the kingdom, of which Peter had the keys (see Matt. 16). (2) It means the principle, and does not refer to the Jewish law.
A. (1) It refers to the cross, where the power of Satan was broken. (2) They were lost: the passage probably refers to scattered Jews. (See Q. 313)
Q. 334. Did the disciples, in Acts 1:6,6When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? (Acts 1:6) refer to the uniting of the two sticks-Judah and Israel? (see Ezek. 37:16- 2016Moreover, thou son of man, take thee one stick, and write upon it, For Judah, and for the children of Israel his companions: then take another stick, and write upon it, For Joseph, the stick of Ephraim, and for all the house of Israel his companions: 17And join them one to another into one stick; and they shall become one in thine hand. 18And when the children of thy people shall speak unto thee, saying, Wilt thou not show us what thou meanest by these? 19Say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I will take the stick of Joseph, which is in the hand of Ephraim, and the tribes of Israel his fellows, and will put them with him, even with the stick of Judah, and make them one stick, and they shall be one in mine hand. 20And the sticks whereon thou writest shall be in thine hand before their eyes. (Ezekiel 37:16‑20))? (2) Is the natural heart purified at conversion? If not, explain Acts 15:99And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. (Acts 15:9). J. K. M.
A. (1) We do not know that they referred to this directly, though an affirmative answer would have fulfilled it virtually. (2) The heart is purified, but the old nature remains unchanged.
Q. 335. (1) Rev. 17:99And here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth. (Revelation 17:9).-Do you consider that Rome or Babylon (literal) is indicated by "seven mountains"? (2) What is the meaning of "and here is the mind which hath wisdom?" E. M. B.
A. (1) Rome, undoubtedly. (2) It means that the passage is to be read carefully, and with spiritual discernment.
A. (1) The "host of the high ones" may refer to spiritual powers. The best light that we can throw upon the remainder of the passage is in Rev. 19:18-20,18That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great. 19And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army. 20And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone. (Revelation 19:18‑20) and 20:7-10.
A. It means, that it is included in the first resurrection, which begins when Christ comes.
Q. 339. Please explain the following differences:-(1) In Acts 7:6,6And God spake on this wise, That his seed should sojourn in a strange land; and that they should bring them into bondage, and entreat them evil four hundred years. (Acts 7:6) the time of the bondage is given as 400 years; in Ex. 12:40,41,40Now the sojourning of the children of Israel, who dwelt in Egypt, was four hundred and thirty years. 41And it came to pass at the end of the four hundred and thirty years, even the selfsame day it came to pass, that all the hosts of the Lord went out from the land of Egypt. (Exodus 12:40‑41) as 430 years. (2) In Acts 7:14,14Then sent Joseph, and called his father Jacob to him, and all his kindred, threescore and fifteen souls. (Acts 7:14) the number of those who went down to Egypt is given as 75; in Gen. 46:27,27And the sons of Joseph, which were born him in Egypt, were two souls: all the souls of the house of Jacob, which came into Egypt, were threescore and ten. (Genesis 46:27) as 70; and in ver. 26 as 66. J. K. M.
A. (1) Acts 7:66And God spake on this wise, That his seed should sojourn in a strange land; and that they should bring them into bondage, and entreat them evil four hundred years. (Acts 7:6) says 400 years; Exod. 12:40, 430; Gal. 3:1717And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect. (Galatians 3:17) says the law was 430 years after the promise to Abraham. First, notice Gen. 15:16,16But in the fourth generation they shall come hither again: for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full. (Genesis 15:16) "fourth generation," i.e. Levi, Kohath, Amram, Moses: or, as Levi was grown when he went down to Egypt, and Moses So when he came out, the generation after Moses may be called the fourth. Ex. 12:4040Now the sojourning of the children of Israel, who dwelt in Egypt, was four hundred and thirty years. (Exodus 12:40) says, "the sojourning of those who dwelt in Egypt was 430 years" not that they dwelt in Egypt that time, which they could not do; for Moses' mother was Levi's daughter: now Levi only lived 537 years, and, in Egypt, about 88. Jochebed was born during these years, and Moses was 80 at the Exodus. If Israel dwelt in Egypt 430 years, Jochebed must have been 262 at least when she bare Moses: but Abraham was "very old" at too! Now Galatians names 430 years from the promise (Gen. 15) to the law, and is made up thus:Abraham when he received the promise was 75,
Abraham when Isaac was born was 100; difference 25 years.
Isaac when Jacob was born—60
Jacob when he stood before Pharaoh—130
Total—215 years
Levi when Jochebed was born—88
Moses at the Exodus was—80
Jochebed when Moses was born, say—47
Total—430 years.
Now Gen. 15 was spoken to Abraham himself, and would not include the 25 years of his life; this would leave about 400 years that they were strangers in a land that was not theirs. Ex. 12:4040Now the sojourning of the children of Israel, who dwelt in Egypt, was four hundred and thirty years. (Exodus 12:40) is of course clear that the whole time of their sojourning was 430 years. The Samaritan Pentateuch and the Septuagint read at Ex. 12:40,40Now the sojourning of the children of Israel, who dwelt in Egypt, was four hundred and thirty years. (Exodus 12:40) "the sojourning of the children of Israel and of their fathers, which they sojourned in the land of Canaan and in the land of Egypt, was 430 years," which makes all clear, if true. if not, "children of Israel" might very well include Abraham and Isaac. See John 8:3939They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham. (John 8:39). (2) We shall he glad to receive answers as to this point.