Question Corner

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Feb 4, 1903

1314.—Eze. 8:15-18 and 9.

Will some one explain Eze. 8:15-18 and all of the ninth chapter, and give light to one who is after the knowledge of God? M. J. McN.

The prophecy is too long for a detailed exposition in this department; yet we believe we can help our querist. (1) The record in both chapters is the story of a vision of the prophet regarding the sins of Israel, and especially those sins which were done in secret. Note the image of jealousy in the temple; the idols and abominable worship; the women weeping for Tammuz, the Grecian Adonis, worshiped with lascivious rites; and worse than all, the worship of the sun, the most abominable of all heathen worship. The temple of Jehovah was entered from the east, and those who worshiped therein worshiped toward the ark and mercy-seat, worshiping toward the west. Hence those who worshiped the sun in the morning, the special time of sun-worship, turned their faces toward the east and their backs upon Jehovah. The very outward act was characteristic of the nature of the worship. It was all in evil, that Jehovah's worship was not. The chief mark of that worship was the Sun-day, dedicated to its worship. The sign of the worship of God's people between Him and them was His Sabbath. Ex. 31:17; Eze. 20:12, 20. That stood as a mark of their loyalty to Jehovah. The ninth chapter of Ezekiel is the record of a representation of the judgment of God upon those who were not loyal. The whole record is a type of similar conditions in the last days. Compare with Rev. 7:1-4.

1315.—Order of the Ordinances.

In the celebration of the ordinances, which did Jesus do first—wash the disciples' feet or institute the Lord's supper? J. M.

He washed the feet of His disciples first. The Oxford Bible Helps, “Harmony of the Gospels,” gives this order of events: Preparation of the Passover (Matt. 26:17; Mark 14:12; Luke 22:13); washing the disciples' feet (John 13:1-17); breaking of bread (Matt. 26:26; Mark 14:22; Luke 22:19); “one of you shall betray Me” (Luke 22:21; John 13:18); “Is it I?” (Matt. 26:22-25; Mark 14:19); departure of Judas (John 13:26, 27, 30); Peter warned (Matt. 26:34; Mark 14:30; Luke 22:34; John 13:38); blessing the cup (Matt. 26:28; Mark 14:24). We see no reason why the breaking of bread and the giving of the cup should thus be separated. Did not the blessing of the cup follow immediately the breaking of the bread? Other “Harmonies” differ in minor details, but all put the washing of feet first.

1316.—Pharaoh's Free Will. Ex. 10:27.

How could Pharaoh let Israel go if God was hindering him? D. A.

But Pharaoh did let Israel go. Now if he could do it at last, he certainly could have done it at first. Only by withdrawing His Spirit does God harden any one's heart; and he does not withdraw His Spirit until men reject Him. It was God's desire that Pharaoh, like Nebuchadnezzar and Cyrus, should be converted. The Lord brought that king to the throne that His power might be manifest and the glory of His name spread abroad. And if the king had yielded to God this would have been the case. God would have used Egypt mightily, even as He did Babylon and Persia. Every request that Moses made of the king was reasonable (Ex. 4:23; 5:1; 8:1, etc.); and the plagues brought upon Egypt were to show Pharaoh and his people that the gods in which they trusted were nothing. Note also that it was not till all hope was gone that God “hardened Pharaoh's heart” by withdrawing His Spirit. In Ex. 4:21 the Lord declares there will a time come that He will harden the king's heart, but this does not take place till all hope is past. Ex. 9:12. Previous to that (Ex. 7:13, 22), “Pharaoh's heart was strong” (Ex. 8:15, 32); “he made heavy his heart” (Ex. 8:19); “Pharaoh's heart was made strong” (Ex. 9:7; “was made heavy” (stubborn). (See A. R. V. and margin.) But when even the magicians could not stand before Moses, and the king was still stubborn against the Spirit of God, God withdrew His Spirit, and thus fulfilled what He had said. Ex. 9:12.