p. 5 | Question Corner by Editor

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Mountain View, California · Mar 15, 1905

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 31, No. 11.

Question Corner

By Editor

1630.—Houghing Horses. Joshua 11:6.

Why should God's people in olden times be instructed to hough the horses? To-day it would seem cruel. H.

Houghing, or hocking, was the severing of the tendons and arteries of the hock, or ankle, of the hind foot of the horse. Of course this would weaken the hind legs, the horse would soon lie down, and bleed to death. This may have been one of the easiest ways of killing them. There are three reasons why horses were destroyed: (1) That God's children might learn to trust in Him, not in horses and chariots. Ps. 20:7; Isa. 31:1-3. (2) The horse seems in those days to have been especially devoted to war and sun worship, and God would not have His people educated in these things. See 2 Kings 23:11. (3) The Lord's people were an agricultural people. He designed them to so remain. The keeping of swift-traveling beasts would continually tempt them to go away from home, and to become unsteady. One of the evils which Solomon brought in was a multitude of horses from Egypt.

1631.—A Prophecy of Jesus and His Work. Luke 1:68-75.

Please explain Luke 1:68-75, especially verses 71-75. U.

It is impossible to give extended explanation in this department. This prophecy from the mouth of Zacharias covers in general the whole work of Jesus of whom John was the forerunner. The visiting, the redemption, the horn of salvation, were all met in the coming of the Son of God in human flesh, and it all looks forward to the ultimate glorious inheritance and kingdom when Christ shall reign forever.

1632.—Question of Tithing.

A man living on a farm, paying three hundred dollars rent, one hundred dollars for hired help, and fifty dollars for seed; and having for an income $1,500 per year; on what should he pay tithe? J. M. S

He should deduct the expenses and rent named, and pay tithe on $1,050.