p. 2 | Question Corner

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Sep 9, 1913

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 40, No. 35.

Question Corner

“IF YE WILL INQUIRE, INQUIRE YE.”

This Inquirer's Department is conducted for the purpose of helping those who are studying the Bible. The answers are oftentimes only suggestive. They are never to be considered infallible, only as they agree with the infallible Word. The writer who may answer these questions does not consider that his opinion is infallible. He will simply give the best that he has, and plead with the inquirer to search the Word. Such questions only will be answered as, to the editors, seem to minister to the good of the readers and to the mission of the paper. We can not answer repeatedly in the same volume questions upon the same scripture. The name and address must accompany question, not for publication, but as an evidence of good faith, and that answer may be made by letter if deemed advisable. No letters are answered which do not contain the name of the writer. It is well always to enclose stamp for reply.

4171 — What Generation

Please inform me what generation we are in. H.

We are in the last generation. We have no numbering of generations in chronology. A generation before the Flood was clearly much longer than the generation at the present time, and so it must have been immediately after the Flood. We have four hundred years mentioned in the fifteenth chapter of Genesis, and spoken of in connection with the fourth generation. This has led some to believe that a generation was about one hundred years long. We have forty-two generations mentioned in Matthew 1 from the time of Abraham to the time of Jesus. This gives about forty or more years to a generation, and some have concluded that that was the length of a generation. But we can not depend upon these at all. The clear teaching, it seems to us, of Matthew 24,—“This generation shall not pass away”—is that those to whom God has entrusted the last message will give that message. It will not fall outside of the generation that has to do with it. Its length we do not know. We do not know how long the long-suffering of God may wait, but we have the assurance of Jesus that this generation shall not pass till all these things be fulfilled. There we must rest. Its beginning, it seems clear to us, was in 1844; but where it ends is a matter that we must leave with the Lord, in whose hands are the times and seasons.

4172 — Flesh Food

Please explain 1 Tim. 4:3-5. Does this have reference to flesh food? F. S. L.

This text has been explained a great many times, and that quite recently, in the “Question Corner.” See a very extended explanation in “Questions and Answers,” page 192. The food referred to, we will say in brief, is any kind of food. Creature is anything created. The word “meats” comes from the Greek “bromaton,” food of any kind. Those who depart from the faith are those who command fasts, who seek, by mere formal regulations, to control the spiritual life. It would seem that the creature of God that is good, “and nothing to be refused,” is modified by verse 5.—“It is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.” God has very clearly set forth in His word that there are certain foods that are not good. 1 Cor. 10:31 ought to guide us in these things.

4173 — Holy Days and Sabbath Days, Col. 2:16

Please be so kind as to explain the difference between the terms “a holy day” and “sabbath days,” and state if the seven annual sabbaths, or annual convocation days, of Israel, are included in the expression “a holy day.” And if they were so included, kindly explain as to what “sabbath days” refers to. R. B. S.

The apostle Paul is not making definite, clear references to systematic feasts or systematic customs. He uses general terms covering all,—holy days, new moon festivals, sabbath days. The weekly Sabbath is generally referred to in the singular. One can very readily learn from Leviticus 23, the most elaborate list of the Jewish feasts that is to be found in the Scriptures, that there were other days designated as sabbath days besides the weekly Sabbath, as is mentioned in the first part of Leviticus 23, verses 1-3. Then we are given the feasts of the Lord, holy convocations. And the days connected with these feasts were all holy days; that is, they were set apart from the common days. Some of these holy days were sabbaths, in which no servile work was to be done. First in the year came the Passover, and the holy days of unleavened bread on the first day and on the seventh day of that feast were sabbaths. The offering of the wave-sheaf was one of the great days of the year. Of the feast of the trumpets, beginning the first day of the seventh month, we are expressly told, on this day “shall ye have a sabbath.” “Ye shall do no servile work therein.” And on the tenth day of that month is another solemn day,—the Day of Atonement; and that day, according to verse 32, was to them a sabbath of rest. Then there was the fifteenth day of the seventh month, which should also be a day in which there should be no servile work done. But all these were to be “beside the Sabbaths of the Lord.” Verse 38. All these shadowed forth Christ or some part of Christ's work. There was nothing, however, in the weekly Sabbath that was shadowy in any way. That of itself clearly shows that these were not a shadow of things to come. All those who teach otherwise are endeavoring to get rid of the law of God, the Sabbath which He Himself has given. God has taught elsewhere in His word, and multiplied teachings show, that the Sabbath commandment is a part of the eternal, immutable, unchangeable law, and that faith establishes that law in the heart. Rom. 3:31. Let us be willing to leave it there. There is only one reason why the heart of man should object to, or seek to overthrow, the law of God, and that is stated in Rom. 8:7.

4174 — Doing Work on the Sabbath

What is the wife's duty? She is a believer, the husband is an unbeliever. The husband sets the children to work on the Sabbath day; also expects fresh foods, etc., cooked on that day, cream separator and some dishes washed. I do as little as I can. What is duty? A Wife.

These and similar questions frequently come to us from perplexed souls, and it is impossible for any one to answer them in a precise way. Certainly nothing would be gained by opposition and strife. That the Lord does not want in families if it can be avoided. Rom. 12:18. We think that this sister is taking the wise way, if there is in connection with her work a peaceful disposition. It is possible for her, because it has been done again and again, so to teach her children that while they will obey their father, they will still have regard for the commandments of the Lord. Let her teach them both,—obedience to the father, if they are young and accountable to him; at the same time let her teach them the duty which they owe to God, and pray that the father's heart and mind will so be turned that he will not exact of the children that which is contrary to their conscience. But do not argue. Let her minimize her Sabbath work as much as possible. There always will be some connected with farm work. There must have been in the care of the flocks and herds in Abraham's and Jacob's and David's day; but let it be minimized. If the husband desires warm food, prepare it. Everything that can be done conscientiously should be done. And above all things, win; and some men are won through their stomach quicker than any other way. We sympathize with those who are placed as is this wife, and others; but let us make the best of it in every way. Let the husband or the wife take home to heart the words of the apostle, “For what knowest thou, O wife, whether thou shalt save thy husband? or how knowest thou, O man, whether thou shalt save thy wife?” It is a missionary field; let us use it for the Master.

4175 — Questions of Marriage and Divorce

In the many questions which arise over personal duty, we would like to urge all our readers to seek God, and seek Him earnestly, for the way. It is impossible for one to answer for another at the bar of God. Consequently one can not be conscience for another here. He to whom we are responsible will certainly not withhold the light that is necessary for us to meet our responsibility. This question, as summarized, is as follows:

Three years ago Mrs. A separated from her husband. He was guilty of breaking the marriage vow. Just recently she met B, who desires to marry her. The question is, Is it wrong for her to get a divorce from her former husband, A, and would it be wrong for B to furnish the money necessary to secure the divorce? Would such a course on their part prevent either of them from inheriting eternal life? S. W.

Now all this, as in many other things, depends on the motive. To our mind, according to Matt. 5:31, 32; and 19:9, the woman is entitled to a legal separation. When her husband committed adultery, he certainly showed that he had proved false to her. When she left him, he became dead to her. A legal separation on the part of proper authority leaves her free. She is no longer his, he is no longer hers; and if this is true, she has the right to marry again. As to the propriety of securing the divorce in the way referred to, we must leave that with the parties concerned. First of all let them seek God, that they may know whether their motives are right or not, whether they are glorifying God in the proposed union or not. We could understand how such a course might be right, and how such a course also might be wrong, and have a wrong influence upon others. This is a matter which must be settled by the parties concerned.

4176 — “Devour,” 1 Peter 5:8

What is the full and complete import of the word “devour” as used in 1 Peter 5:8? A. J. M.

It means literally “to drink down.” Satan goes about seeking whom he may devour,—seeking whom he may drink down, completely swallow up.