Note on Lesson X | AdventAI

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Dec 2, 1886

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 12, No. 46.

Note on Lesson X.

Shall not God avenge his own elect?—A question used in this way is called a figure of interrogation. It is not asked for the purpose of obtaining an answer, but to make a stronger impression of a truth than could be made by a direct statement. It is put under such circumstances as to admit of but one answer, and that answer must declare the truth which the speaker wishes to impress. In this way the hearer, in answering the question, is compelled to testify to the fact which he is called upon to admit. If this unfeeling judge, who feared not God, nor regarded man, could in any way be induced to administer justice in favor of the widow, certainly God, a being of infinite love, will, without unnecessary delay, give help and protection to his own elect, whom he regards with such tender compassion. Nevertheless, to remove all doubt, and perhaps for the purpose of adding another thought, our Lord proceeds to answer the question himself.