ZION'S WATCH TOWER
AND
HERALD OF CHRIST'S PRESENCE.
----------
PUBLISHED TWICE A MONTH.
----------
TOWER PUBLISHING COMPANY,
"BIBLE HOUSE"
ARCH STREET, ALLEGHENY, PA., U.S.A.
C. T. RUSSELL, EDITOR.
----------
SUBSCRIPTION PRICE, $1.00 A YEAR, IN ADVANCE,
INCLUDES ALSO A SUBSCRIPTION, FOR ONE YEAR,
TO "THE OLD THEOLOGY" (TRACTS), QUARTERLY,
FREE TO THE LORD'S POOR.
N.B.--Those of the interested, who by reason of old age or accidents, or other adversity, are unable to pay, will be supplied FREE, if they will send a Postal Card each December, stating their case and requesting the paper.
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SPECIAL ITEMS FOR REGULAR READERS.
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YOUR PROMPT RESPONSES.
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Thanks, dear friends, for the promptness with which so many of you are responding to our request to know whether or not you desire the WATCH TOWER visits during 1893. Your welcome letters are just pouring in upon us. This together with the other extra work of this season has quite overpowered our office force. All are busy, but all are insufficient. We usually send a card of acknowledgment for all sums of two dollars or more where books, etc., are not ordered (leaving the date on the address-tag to indicate the receipts of smaller sums). But as we are quite unable to do this at present we know that you will kindly excuse us. We cannot at present find time even to give the ordinary newspaper receipt on the address-tag: this receipt we will endeavor to give to all on our next issue.
Just a word of answer now, therefore, to all your letters at once, to say that we greatly enjoy the testimonies which so many of them give, of your clearness of mental vision on spiritual subjects; of your devotion to the Lord, and to the Truth, and to us, as their servants and yours. God bless you!
The donations to the Tract Fund accompanying the above mentioned letters (which must be acknowledged in like manner) have been unusually large, and the newly filled out "Good Hopes" for 1893 are very numerous. The interest thus manifested is greatly appreciated by us, as well as by the Master, in whose name we receive and in whose service we use them. Be assured that every self-denial of an earthly sort these may cost you will be more than compensated for in spiritual favors. We regard this increase in your free-will offerings as a sign, either of much more prosperous times than before or else of a richer spiritual growth in appreciation of the lengths and breadths, the heights and depths of the love of God. We believe it to be the latter; and we praise God on your behalf.-- Phil. 4:17.
THE PREVAILING TYPE OF PREACHING.
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The Rev. Robert R. Proudfit, of Highlands, N.J., has withdrawn from the Presbyterian Church. His reasons are these:
"While humbly receiving the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments as containing the Word of God, I decline to subscribe to a merely human declaration of their contents, even though that declaration be so able and so venerable as the Westminster standards.
"I further decline to be called 'reverend' as being too much like being called 'rabbi,' against which our Lord expressly enjoined his disciples.
"Again I decidedly prefer not to be identified with any particular denomination of the followers of Christ, such names and the spirit which they engender seeming to me unscriptural and baneful rather than beneficial. It is sufficient for me to be a 'companion of all them that fear God.'
"Finally, I suspect that the world and the visible church are somewhat surfeited with preaching, at least of the prevailing type. Like the army of the Potomac early in 1862, the church has been abundantly, perhaps excessively, organized and drilled."--Selected.
BACK TO THE HOLY LAND.
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There is a report from Jerusalem that Baron Edmond de Rothschild has completed negotiations with the Turkish government for the establishment of Jewish colonies on the Rothschild lands in Palestine, and also for permitting Russian Jews to settle there.--New York Sun.
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ALLEGHENY CHURCH MEETINGS.
Our meetings are held in Bible House Chapel, Arch Street, Allegheny, Pa. Readers and friends will be warmly welcomed. Preaching in English every Sunday afternoon at 3:30 o'clock.
Preaching in German at 10:30 a.m.
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r1485 VOL. XIV. JANUARY 1, 1893. NO. 1.====================
[page 13]
STUDIES IN THE OLD TESTAMENT.
--INTERNATIONAL S.S. LESSONS.--
SUGGESTIVE THOUGHTS DESIGNED TO ASSIST THOSE OF OUR
READERS WHO ATTEND BIBLE CLASSES WHERE THESE
LESSONS ARE USED; THAT THEY MAY BE ENABLED TO
LEAD OTHERS INTO THE FULNESS OF THE GOSPEL.
PUBLISHED IN ADVANCE, AT THE REQUEST OF FOREIGN READERS.
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JOSHUA THE TYPICAL HIGH PRIEST.
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I. QUAR., LESSON IV., JAN. 22, ZECH. 3:1-10.
Golden Text--"Seeing then that we have a great High Priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession."--Heb. 4:14.
Although this chapter is not stated to be a vision, that is the inference. It will be remembered that a mixed multitude of those who trusted in God's promises, out of all the tribes, had returned from Babylon to the Holy Land. They had endeavored as best they could to restore the temple and its services, and Joshua was the High Priest; but withal their matters were in but a poor condition, very unlike the former glory of Solomon's time. The object of this vision was in part, no doubt, to encourage the then fainting hearts of Israel, and to lead them to trust in the acceptableness of their humble arrangements for God's service.
However, the vision's special significance is as a prophecy, in which the literal Joshua, of the prophet's time, has nothing whatever to do. Our interpretation of the vision, briefly stated, would be about as follows:--
Joshua typified the entire "Church of the first-born ones" during the present life--beset and opposed by their adversary, Satan. Our Lord Jesus is represented by the head and his consecrated followers by the body of the typical High Priest. All are opposed by the same adversary, for "He was tempted in all points like as we are, yet without sin." The body of Joshua was represented as clothed in filthy garments --which represents the fact that "all our [the Church's] righteousness is as filthy rags."
The change of raiment typifies the removal of our sins and the providing instead of Christ's righteousness in and through God's arranged way--Christ's sacrifice--which was not then made known. The announcement of the angel to the cleansed Joshua (verse 7) corresponds to the Church's high-calling to the divine nature and Kingdom of God after its members have been justified by faith in Christ.
VERSE 8addresses Joshua separately from the under priesthood (--his body--just as our Lord and the royal priesthood under him--his body --are sometimes addressed separately), telling them that they are not the reality, but merely types of the true Christ. "Hear now, O Joshua the high priest, and thy companions, sitting before thee, for they are sign-men [or types]. For, lo, I am about to bring in my [real] Servant [R1490 : page 14] the Sprout"--a fresh sprout--one not of the old Adamic stock, blighted and dying because of original sin, but a new sprout, having fresh vitality: holy, harmless and separate from sinners, and yet a man--"the man Christ Jesus."
Using another symbol, a stone, the Chief Corner Stone, to represent this coming One, verse 9declares: "Behold the stone that I have laid before Joshua [the type]. Upon that one stone rest seven eyes [perfect or divine wisdom, seven representing perfection and an eye representing knowledge]. Behold, I will engrave the engraving thereof, saith Jehovah of hosts. [God is superintending the engraving of his character and law upon all the "living stones" of the Church--the body of Christ--as surely as he superintended the trial development of our Lord, the Chief Corner Stone: as it is written, They shall be all taught of God.]-- 1 Pet. 2:4-7.
"And I will remove the iniquity [unfruitfulness, etc., as well as sin] of the land in one day [the Millennial Day--"a day with the Lord is as a thousand years" with men]. "In that day, saith Jehovah of hosts, ye shall call every man his neighbor, under the vine and under the fig tree."
The Golden Text is very appropriate. Our
Lord, the Captain of our salvation, has been
proved perfect through obedience to the things
which he suffered; and now, in the completing
of his body-members, he stands not only as our
Redeemer, to make us fit to stand trial under
the high-calling; and also as our Example of
how to overcome, but more: he, as our High
Priest, makes good our unintentional shortcomings,
and also stands ready to succor all
his consecrated members--promising that we
shall not be tempted above that we are able to
bear, because he will provide, for such, ways
of escape.
[R1490 : page 14]
ZERUBBABEL THE TYPICAL BUILDER.
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I. QUAR., LESSON V., JAN. 29, ZECH. 4:1-10.
Golden Text--"Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith Jehovah of hosts."--Verse 6.
This, like the vision of the preceding lesson, was doubtless intended to encourage the Israelites living at the time it was given; but, like [R1491 : page 14] it also, its chief lesson belonged not to them, but to us.--1 Pet. 1:12.
The golden candlestick (literally, lamp) with seven branches (or burners) is the same as that which, in the typical Tabernacle and Temple, shed the only light of "The Holy." The same seven lamps in one are brought to our attention in the Book of Revelation (1:20), and there explained to symbolize the Church of Christ during the present time. The seven represents perfection or completeness; hence as a whole the lamp-stand represents all the true saints or light-bearers in all the various phases of the Nominal Church development.--Rev. 2:1,5.
The oil represents the holy spirit which, burning in the true believers, causes the illumination of the sanctified in Christ Jesus.
The two olive trees from which the olive oil proceeds to the seven lamps we understand to be typical of the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments--God's two witnesses. The holy spirit is "the spirit of the truth;" and God's Word is truth! God explained this to Zerubbabel (verse 6), saying, "Not by an army nor by force but by my spirit [the spirit of the Truth --the spirit or influence of God given through his exceeding great and precious promises, etc. --the olive trees--(2 Pet. 1:4) the Word], saith Jehovah of hosts. Who art thou, O great mountain before Zerubbabel? Thou shalt become a plain, and he shall bring on the headstone with shoutings of, Grace, grace unto it."
A mountain symbolizes a kingdom; and the one here represented as an obstruction before Zerubbabel typifies Satan's kingdom--the dominion of evil under the Prince of this world. Zerubbabel typifies Christ. His name signifies "a shoot [or sprout] out of Babylon." Literally, he was a son or shoot out of David and Jesse (as our Lord also is called), and secondly, as a sprout out of Babylon [confusion], he was a further type of Christ, who was out of, and yet separate from, sin and all mixture of evil. Undoubtedly the people of that day understood Zerubbabel to be the branch or shoot mentioned in the vision of Chapter 3:8, not realizing that Zerubbabel and Joshua were but types of Christ, in whom the two offices of King and Priest would be combined.
VERSES 9,10blend the type and the antitype. Zerubbabel had begun the rebuilding of the literal Temple, and the people understood that it would be completed by him. They might not then despise the humble beginning of the work, but rejoice to see it progress under his direction --realizing that the seven eyes (i.e., the perfect wisdom of God which holds survey of all the earth) were superintending the work.
The real application of these verses is to Christ, who began the construction of the true Temple of God--"which temple ye are." His earthly ministry and the work of his followers have all along seemed small and weak, and far from what might be expected by any respecting so great a Temple for so grand a purpose. But those who realize the situation from God's standpoint can rejoice in the outcome, realizing the Lord's promise that "the day of small [R1491 : page 15] things," the day of suffering, the day of trials, will soon give place to the Millennial Day of joy, perfection and blessing. The despised "little flock," whom the world knows not, even as it knew not its Master, will soon be glorified with him, and share his Kingdom. The poor, rich in faith, and those that are nought, and that are despised, and that are foolish according to the wisdom of this world, are soon to be gloriously manifested as the Sons of God, the body of Christ and the embodiment of divine wisdom and power and love, that as his Kingdom they, with Christ their Lord and Head, may, as the "Sun of Righteousness," shine forth in blessing and life to the groaning creation-- already redeemed by the precious blood.
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[page 15]
ENCOURAGING WORDS FROM EARNEST WORKERS.
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Pennsylvania.
DEAR BROTHER RUSSELL:--The TOWER, to which I subscribed some time since, comes regularly to hand, and is much enjoyed by myself and wife. I note that you like to hear from subscribers, and I thought it might not be uninteresting to you to learn that I am one of those into whose hands "Food for Thinking Christians" [now out of print] fell, in London, about the year 1881. I had several years previously given up as entirely unscriptural and ridiculous the wretched dogma of eternal torment and the inherent immortality of mankind. I remember well your book being loaned to me by a friend, and my taking it home, sitting up all night and literally devouring its contents. Unfortunately it was read too quickly for perfect digestion and assimilation, but looking back, I can see now that it was not altogether seed sown by the wayside. I have been wandering about among the sects all these years since, "seeking rest and finding none," becoming successively a Methodist, a Disciple, a Baptist and again a Methodist. I have been clinging to the latter church, because it seemed to me that it had more love and zeal than some of the other denominations, but I have had no sympathy whatever with the erroneous doctrines I knew it to be teaching.
A year ago, in Baltimore, it was my good fortune to meet a Baptist brother who had been reading the DAWNS. He kindly lent me the volumes, one after another. I again swallowed their contents--getting through the three books in a little over a week, besides verifying most of the passages. I can scarcely tell you the change they have wrought in my whole religious life. I have been set to thinking as I have never thought before; and the blessed Word of God, which has to a large extent hitherto been a sealed book to me, is now unfolding to my mind in a truly wonderful manner. It is now my only study, and I have renounced all worldly ambition in order that I can find out fully what is the will of God concerning me, and that I may learn how best to do it. Many times in the past I have felt sick at heart at the thought that it seemed impossible to learn the truth fully, in view of the extraordinarily divergent teachings of the numerous sects, all claiming to expound the Bible aright; but it has been my humble and constant prayer to the good Lord to lead me into the light; and now, thank God, I feel that my prayer, to a very large extent, has been answered, and I am still trusting to the same leadings of the energizing and illuminating Spirit of God, praying fervently that the Word may yet become a "Lamp unto my feet and a light to my path."
I am glad to tell you that I was found by Brother Hewes some two months ago, when he called at my house selling DAWNS. Since then myself and wife have been meeting regularly at his house for study of the Word, singing and prayer, and these meetings have been wonderfully profitable to us. I have read, re-read and am still reading DAWNS with increasing interest and profit, and so is my dear wife; and we do feel that you have been the means, in the Lord's hands, of disseminating the needed light upon much of Scripture hitherto hidden, but now due to be revealed, and we are abundantly thankful to him therefor.
Yours in the one hope, W. J. C__________.
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Wisconsin.
DEAR BROTHER RUSSELL:--I am impelled to write and thank you for the last TOWER, especially the article, "Obedience Better than Sacrifice." It has been a great blessing to me, not only in awaking me to a realization of my own condition, but also in aiding me to regain at least a partial footing in the way of light and peace. The devil has surely been leading me by a quiet and subtle way into a condition of lethargy and doubt that found me, on awaking, nearly in the "outer darkness."
No doubt from a spirit of pride and overconfidence I was easily assailed. He began by persuading me that many of the expressions used in the TOWER, as regards false doctrines, were uncalled for. While I did not feel in sympathy [page 16] with such doctrines and theories, yet I can see now that he was leading me as an "angel of light," very stealthily but surely in this and other ways. I had partially realized it as I had begun to lose that rest and peace which should be ours; but your article seemed to be sent of God to awaken me, and lead me back. I assure you, dear brother, I feel my own unworthiness and weakness, and for a time I hardly dared to look up; but I know he is willing to help me.
Just at the proper time the devil caused the enclosed article on "Inspiration" to come in my way, and I seemed in just the condition for it to cause a disturbance--a doubtful spirit. How thankful that I was awakened before it was too late!
My object in writing you is not only to thank you, but to ask you to pray for me. I need it. Pray that I may be given a spirit of humility and strength to obey, and that my own will and pride may be subdued. Oh, I am so anxious. Your article was indeed to me "a word in season." I thank God for it! How forcibly I have learned to know the meaning of Paul's words, "Let him who thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall." Pray for me!
Sincerely, C__________.
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Michigan.
TOWER PUBLISHING CO., DEAR BRETHREN:--
Yours in our blessed Redeemer,
W. C. BROWN.
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Ohio.
DEAR BROTHER RUSSELL:--Enclosed please find $1.00 for the TOWER for '93. It can never be more appreciated than it has been, for it is more precious to me than its weight in fine gold. It has been like a mirror in aiding me to adjust the robe which my Master has given me, that I might appear at the royal marriage of the King--where (if I hold out faithful unto the end) I hope to meet you. I see so much to be done, by way of adorning the robe; and all I can do makes me realize all the more that it is all of Christ and nothing of self; yet I love to "wait upon the Lord." Yea, I would rather be a door-keeper in the house of the Lord than to dwell in a palace.
It seems as if I am now a mere drone in the bee-hive of earnest workers, but I leave that all to the Master of the harvest. He knows my heart. Paul tells us, "Having done all, stand;" and here is the standing in which patience is to have her perfect work. I find it requires strength from above to do this. I have done all I could, and now I am just resting with childlike confidence in my Lord, for he has answered my petition for strength to so do.
Yours in the blessed hope,
MRS. S. H. RAY.
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Canada.
MY DEAR BROTHER RUSSELL:--I enclose you a dollar for renewal of TOWER for 1893. Being a newspaper publisher of over thirteen years experience, I know the value of prompt renewals. The dollar in advance saves interest, saves disappointment and worry, and gives the sender an easy conscience. I would not do without the TOWER if I had to live on two meals a day until I saved the money to pay for it. Its teachings are priceless to the true child of God. May its influence for good increase from year to year, and be the means of scattering light and truth to the uttermost parts of the earth.
J. E. A__________.
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Illinois.
DEAR BROTHER RUSSELL:--I should like, if possible, to express to you my love and thankfulness for the blessings I have received through the reading of ZION'S WATCH TOWER during the year just closed. Many times have I been seemingly cold and despondent when the TOWER would come so full of rich food that in reading it the fire of zeal would glow in my heart, and I would feel like shouting praises to God, the Father, who has prepared such great things for his children. All praise to God, who gave his Son to die for us--and not for us, only, but also for the whole world--and to Christ, our blessed Redeemer.
May his favor ever abide with you and Sister Russell, that you may hand out meat in due season during the year just ahead. A happy new year to you both, is my prayer. I am glad to feel that I am remembered by you at the throne of grace, that the grand truths may become more clear to me.
Yours, in the Redeemer, J. F. SHEHORN.
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"With the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."
====================
[page 18]
ZION'S WATCH TOWER
AND
HERALD OF CHRIST'S PRESENCE.
----------
PUBLISHED TWICE A MONTH.
----------
TOWER PUBLISHING COMPANY,
"BIBLE HOUSE"
ARCH STREET, ALLEGHENY, PA., U.S.A.
C. T. RUSSELL, EDITOR.
----------
SUBSCRIPTION PRICE, $1.00 A YEAR, IN ADVANCE,
INCLUDES ALSO A SUBSCRIPTION, FOR ONE YEAR,
TO "THE OLD THEOLOGY" (TRACTS), QUARTERLY,
FREE TO THE LORD'S POOR.
N.B.--Those of the interested, who by reason of old age or accidents, or other adversity, are unable to pay, will be supplied FREE, if they will send a Postal Card each December, stating their case and requesting the paper.
----------
SPECIAL ITEMS FOR REGULAR READERS.
----------
DAILY FOOD CALENDAR FOR 1893.
----------
We imported a lot of calendars for this year, but not nearly sufficient to meet the orders received from our readers. An increasing number seem to appreciate the convenience of having these calendars (tearing off one date each day)--exhibiting a new text with each new date.
We have succeeded in procuring a large lot of such calendars, still handsomer than our own importation, from a New York importer: and as the season is now somewhat advanced we got them at a great bargain, and can supply them to you at about one-third the usual price, including postage, viz., FIFTEEN CENTS EACH.
Those who can spare this sum from other necessities cannot make much better use of it than to have one of these calendars in their dining room and have the Scripture verse committed to memory at the breakfast table. It may sometimes help direct the thoughts of an entire family into good channels for the day. Besides thus furnishing the mind with spiritual Daily Bread, it lays up a store of precious promises for future use. "Thy Word was found, and I did eat it."
THE ADDRESS-TAG RECEIPTS.
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We are still greatly behind in our office work, thanks to your loving promptness in renewing your subscriptions. (These, and especially the accompanying kind words of your letters, greatly encourage us in the service, corroborating the assurance of the Word that "our labor is not in vain in the Lord," and add to our strength and courage amidst discouragements and difficulties raised up by the world, the flesh and the devil.) We trust you will excuse our inability to get the date on your address-tag so changed as to furnish you a receipt for subscription moneys sent in recently. We will attend to this as soon as possible.
YOUNG'S ANALYTICAL CONCORDANCE.
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Orders for this work are delayed, waiting for a new, revised edition, now in preparation.
THE MEMORIAL SUPPER.
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The anniversary of our Lord's Last Supper, on the eve of his crucifixion, falls this year upon Thursday, March 30th,--after six P.M. At that hour begins the fourteenth day of the first month, (old) Jewish reckoning.
As usual, the Church meeting at Allegheny will celebrate it by commemorating our Lord's death. As usual, also, a protracted meeting for Bible Study will precede the memorial; and, as usual, friends from far and near will be invited to join in both, as may suit their convenience. These meetings will convene on Tuesday, March 28th, at 2 P.M., in Bible House Chapel, Allegheny (just across the river from Pittsburg), and be followed, on the 31st, by a Colporteurs' Meeting. Fuller particulars will be given in the February 15th WATCH TOWER.
OUR CRITICAL READERS.
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Few journals, if any other, have such critical readers as has ZION'S WATCH TOWER. And we are glad of this. Prove critically all that is offered you, by us and by others, by the Word of the Lord; and let us know whenever you find a discrepancy. We will be pleased to correct an error.
We refer more to a number of letters received calling attention to our comments on verses 15 and 16 of the Bible Study for Dec. 25th, in our issue of Dec. 1st, '92. These letters were nicely expressed; and inquired whether the "Shepherds," and the "Wise men" who visited the infant Jesus, were identical; and if so our proofs. We answer, No: it was merely "a slip of the pen" on our part which thus blended into one the two classes.
THE SYRIAC NEW TESTAMENT.
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Orders for this translation are for the present delayed awaiting a new edition which the publisher advises us is now on the press. Orders will be filled in rotation as received as soon as possible. Our price is $2.00, including postage.
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r1491 VOL. XIV. JANUARY 15, 1893. NO. 2.====================
[page 29]
STUDIES IN THE OLD TESTAMENT.
--INTERNATIONAL S.S. LESSONS.--
SUGGESTIVE THOUGHTS DESIGNED TO ASSIST THOSE OF OUR
READERS WHO ATTEND BIBLE CLASSES WHERE THESE
LESSONS ARE USED; THAT THEY MAY BE ENABLED TO
LEAD OTHERS INTO THE FULNESS OF THE GOSPEL.
PUBLISHED IN ADVANCE, AT THE REQUEST OF FOREIGN READERS.
----------
DEDICATING THE TEMPLE.
----------
I. QUAR., LESSON VI., FEB. 5th, EZRA 6:14-22.
Golden Text--"I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord."--Psa. 122:1.
The time of this lesson is about five years after that of the last two lessons. The Temple had been finished, although the wall of the city of Jerusalem was yet far from completed, and had been for a time abandoned.
VERSE 14evidently refers, not only to the rebuilding of the Temple, but also to the city wall; because it mentions the commandment of Artaxerxes as well as those of Cyrus and Darius. King Artaxerxes' command went forth long after the Temple was finished, and had reference merely to the city wall, completed over fifty years after the completion of the Temple.
VERSES 15,16draw special attention to "the house" of God, the Temple. This structure was undoubtedly built according to the specifications of King Cyrus, and if so was sixty cubits high and sixty cubits long (Ezra 6:3): it was therefore of larger dimensions than that of Solomon, although greatly inferior to it in ornamentation. Its dedication was, therefore, a very notable event with the people returned from Babylon, not one of whom, probably, had seen Solomon's Temple, which was destroyed about ninety years previous.
VERSES 17-22describe the elaborate ceremony with which the Temple was dedicated, although it was all as nothing compared with the dedication of Solomon's Temple; however, the people now were poor in comparison, and certainly did nobly and generously, their circumstances considered. This suggests to our minds the consecration of the living Temple, and how the offering of themselves to the Lord, on the part of the "living stones," is pleasing and acceptable to God through Christ, none the less on the part of those who have few talents than of those who have many.
One point of this lesson specially worthy of note, by those who have fallen into the error of supposing that Israel and Judah were never re-united after their separation in the days of Rehoboam, and who claim that the ten tribes, styled "Israel," were all lost and that only the two tribes, Judah and Benjamin, styled "Judah," returned to Palestine after the Babylonian captivity, is that the people of Judah and Benjamin are not mentioned in this narrative, while the Levites are mentioned and the people as a whole are referred to as "children of Israel;" and it is specially stated (verse 17) that the sin-offering was of "twelve he-goats according to the number of the tribes of Israel." What better evidence could we have that all the twelve tribes were represented among these returned captives than this fact that the sin-offering was for all the tribes? None; except that our Lord and the Apostles in their day repeatedly addressed the descendants of those people as "Israel" and "Israelites."
The Golden Text is frequently misapplied by Christian people to some earthly structure of wood or brick or stone. Let us see in it the real house of God--the Church of living stones, being fitted and prepared for the indwelling of God by his spirit. Let us rejoice to enter into this, the antitypical house of God, soon to be glorified. Let us rejoice to have our names written among its members--"written in heaven."-- Luke 10:20.
The time chosen for the dedication was the beginning of the Jewish year; hence in connection was the celebration of the Passover feast.
NEHEMIAH'S PRAYER.
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I. QUAR., LESSON VII., FEB. 12, NEH. 1:1-11.
Golden Text--"Lord, be thou my helper."--Psa. 30:10.
VERSES 1-3. Nehemiah was an Israelite of the tribe of Judah. He was of one of those families which had not returned to Palestine under Cyrus' decree of about ninety years previous. He was an influential man, a Counselor to King Artaxerxes; for such is the significance of the title, "Cup-bearer" (verse 11). His attention was called to the pitiable condition of the returned Jews by [R1496 : page 29] his brother and certain others of his tribe [R1496 : page 30] who had returned to Babylon. The seventy years intervening between this lesson and the last had not been years of prosperity, but of adversity, to the Israelites, both in Jerusalem and in Babylon. Their enemies, taking advantage of the weaknesses of Ahasuerus, who reigned during the interim, had attacked the partially rebuilt walls and gates of the city of Jerusalem and had wrecked the former and burned the latter, which were of wood: and at Babylon, as we learn from the Book of Esther, a plot for the complete extermination of the Israelites had almost succeeded under the guidance of their enemies led by Haman--but had been prevented by divine interposition.
VERSES 4-11. Nehemiah's subsequent history proves him to have been a great man --a man of wisdom and of executive ability --and his conduct as here related testifies to the same; for he at once sought the Lord, desiring of him wisdom and grace that he might act aright--that he might perform what he felt to be his duty toward his people --"Israel."
In this we have a lesson which every real Christian's experience corroborates. Let nothing be done through strife or vain-glory (i.e., for self-glorification or honor), but let all things be done for the Lord's glory. And whoever is seeking service from such a motive will surely seek the divine wisdom to guide into the divine will and work.
Prayer is not to be entered into with a view to changing the divine will and getting it to conform to our imperfect ideas, but rather to bring our hearts and minds and conduct into conformity to the divine will, assured that therein is our greatest and truest happiness. Nehemiah's prayer was of this proper sort. He confesses the justice of the Lord's chastisement of Israel for their sins. He properly includes himself with the others of his nation. He recalls the fact that God's dealings were just--in exact fulfilment of the covenant made with that nation. (Lev. 26:33, etc.; Deut. 4:25, etc.; 28:64.) Then he refers to the Lord's promises in the same connection, That if Israel would repent he would return his favor to them.--Deut. 30:4; 9:29; Isa. 11:12.
Nehemiah was so deeply in earnest that he continued his prayers and supplication after this manner for several days; not that the Lord needed urging on the subject, but that the subject was growing upon Nehemiah's mind and heart. Gradually he was made earnest and strong enough to take an important part in the answering of his own prayer, as is shown by verse 11. His petitions closed, not with a boastful feeling that he had thought out a plan for Israel which would bless them and cover himself with honor, but with a plan which he believed to be of God, and upon which he desired God's blessing. He was about to bring the matter which was so close to his heart to the attention of the King Artaxerxes, and he prayed, "Prosper, I pray thee, thy servant this day, and grant him mercy [favor] in the sight of this man"--the king.
Let us each follow this same course. "In all thy ways acknowledge him [God], and he shall direct thy paths."--Pro. 3:6.
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r1496 ENCOURAGING WORDS FROM EARNEST WORKERS.====================