p. 5 | Question Corner by Editor

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Mountain View, Cal. · Jul 26, 1905

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 31, No. 30.

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Question Corner

By Editor

1692.—What Is the Comforter?

Jesus said, "If I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you." What is the Comforter?

The Comforter is the Holy Spirit. John 14: 16, 17, 26.

1693.—Blindness to Israel. Rom. 11:25, 26.

Please explain Rom. 11:25, 26—"Blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in; and so all Israel shall be saved." M. B. H.

The blindness, or hardness, of Israel came because of their backsliding and sin. Because of it they rejected Christ as a nation. But this did not change the nature of God. Their unfaithfulness could not make of "none effect the faithfulness of God." Rom. 3:3. The nation missed the blessing, but God's people did not fail. He offered it to all the world, not through national Israel, but through His church of whatsoever nation. The fulness of both Jew and Gentile is found in Christ Jesus. Col. 1:19; 2:9, 10; John 1:16. Through Him all shall be saved; and all who by faith are saved through Him are members of the commonwealth of Israel. Eph. 2:11-20; 3:6. The "so" refers back to verses 19, 23, the way the Gentiles came in—by faith. "So," that is in the same manner, by faith, "all Israel shall be saved." See Bible Student's Library, No. 165. Sent singly by mail for two cents.

1694.—"Serve with Thy Sins." Isa. 43:24.

Please explain the meaning of the text, "Thou hast made Me to serve with thy sins." Isa. 43:24. I have heard it quoted to prove that we have God's blessing in our sins. L.

The text is a mistranslated and fearfully misused one. The "thou" applies to those who never knew God, who never professed to know Him. Read the context and it will be seen that the Lord is addressing His people who have departed from Him. And then read the text as given by the best translation in the English from the American Standard Revised Version: "Thou hast bought Me no sweet cane with money, neither hast thou filled me with the fat of thy sacrifices; but thou hast burdened Me with thy sins, thou hast wearied Me with thine iniquities." The endeavor to prove God in every man by this text is evil and perverse. See Rom. 2:23, 24.

1695.—"Keep Alive for Yourselves." Num. 31:18.

What is the meaning of the last clause of Num. 31:18? J. R. C.

It meant simply that the uncorrupted female children could be kept alive for servants by the Israelites, where they would be reared in virtue, and lead a life many times better than in their own nation. They were not for an immoral use; for because of this they were punished. How female captives should be treated is told in Deut. 21:10-14. This was the best God could do with this nation; and their regard for women far transcended that of all foreign nations.