Vol. 85 No. 1,006 July 2015 TESTIMONY For the study and defence of the holy Scripture

262 The need for evil

Also in this issue: Your letters: Satan in Scripture; changes in Eden 258 Another look at the Ethiopian eunuch 282 Middle East update 270 A reflection on time 280

Contents TESTIMONY

Editors:

DAVID BURGES. 7 Whitehead Drive, Wellesbourne, Warwick, CV35 9PW. Tel. 01789 842692; email: [email protected] Science; Archaeology Contents

SHAUN MAHER. 5 Birch Court, Doune, FK16 6JD. Tel. 01786 842996; email: [email protected] Publishing Editor’s column 249 The coming of the Lord is Watchman (Review) The faithful of old—studied at hand Imogen Kemp 275 ERIC MARSHALL. The Pines, by the young Ling Common Road, Castle Philip the evangelist The rod of God (2) Rising, King’s Lynn, Norfolk, Jordan Walton 251 David E. Green 276 PE31 6AE. Tel. 01553 631279; email: [email protected] The Letter to the Hebrews Time Exposition; Principles, preach- 23. Hebrews 12:1-11 G.B. 280 (pro tem.) ing and problems Peter Caudery 255 Scriptural inferencing Your Letters Wilfred Alleyne 282 JOHN NICHOLLS. 17 ­Upper Satan in Scripture Trinity Road, ­Halstead, Essex, CO9 258 The goodness of God 1EE. Tel. 01787 473089; email: Transmitted change 260 Chris Davenport 284 [email protected] Necessary evil Reviews Singing hymns Sam Alexander 262 Adah Jones 286 JEREMY THOMAS. 22 Four owls of Israel At the memorial meeting Kingswood Close, Kings Paul Maplethorpe 266 Norton, Birmingham, B30 4. Brothers’ duties in 3NX. Tel. 0121 444 6810; The Middle East: a whirlpool general email: [email protected] of competing forces George Booker 287 Exhortation Shaun Maher 270 Bible coins A pro-Israel Sunni alliance 15. The Colosseum GEOFF HENSTOCK. 13 ­Alpha Crescent, ­Panorama 5041, emerging? Simon Dean XII S. Australia. Tel. 8277-0730; email: Geoff Henstock 272 [email protected] Australia Editor; Prophecy Testimony books Publishing Editor: JEREMY THOMAS (see above) Articles for publication Articles to be considered for publication are welcome and should be Testimony website: forwarded to the Publishing Editor (in Australia, the local editor) in the http://testimonymagazine.com first instance.

Publication of articles in the Testimony does not presume editorial endorsement except on matters of fundamental doctrine, as defined in the Birmingham Amended Statement of Faith.

XI Contents “And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Send thou men, that they may search the land of Canaan . . . And Moses . . . said unto them, Get you up this way southward, and go up into the mountain: and see the land, what it is . . . and bring of the fruit of the land . . . And they came unto the brook of TESTIMONY Eshcol, and cut down from thence a branch with one cluster of grapes, and they bare it between two upon a staff . . . And they went and came to Moses, and to Aaron . . . and brought back word unto them, and unto all the congregation, and shewed them the fruit of the land. And they told them, and said, We came unto the land whither thou sentest us, and surely it floweth with milk and honey; and this is the fruit of it” (Num. 13:1-27).

Cover picture: “The spies’ return,” Events series, Abigail Halstead Publishing Editor’s column ENERAL ELECTIONS usually deliver a in at least two respects it is possible to see why few surprises, and the United Kingdom’s it may be that Britain now has a Conservative G2015 election has been no exception. David government in office. Cameron’s Conservative Party has gained a ma- jority of seats in the new parliament, confound- Biblical issues ing the opinion pollsters, who, almost without First there is the issue of Europe. Prime Minister exception, had predicted a second successive Cameron was the only party leader in the elec- hung parliament, with no single party in overall tion campaign to offer an ‘in/out’ referendum control, and the balance of power in the hands on the UK’s continued membership of the EU. of one of the minority parties. True to his word so far, Mr Cameron has been Hindsight is a wonderful thing, but in retro- shuttling between European capitals to start the spect the outcome of the election may not be such process of trying to implement changes to the a surprise. There is general acknowledgement way the European Union is run, so that he can that the British economy is in better shape than recommend to the British people that they vote five years ago. With inflation in the UK remaining to remain within a reformed EU—his preferred very low indeed, austerity is not so bad provided outcome. A bill to authorise the holding of the that you have a reasonable job. The Labour Party, referendum before the end of 2017 has been one in power immediately before the 2010 election, of the first pieces of legislation introduced in the has not yet shaken off the blame for the economic new parliament. woes in which the UK found itself at that time. At this stage the outcome of the referendum is Add to this the presence of some unappealing not easy to predict. In any case it may not even personalities amongst Labour’s ‘front bench’ require the UK actually to leave the EU for it still team, and the decision for many voters appears to be part of the group of nations, described in to have been made on the basis of the maxim, Ezekiel 38:13, who will challenge the invasion of “Better the devil you know . . .” God’s chosen land by Gog and his hosts: “Sheba, Probably the result of the election was also and Dedan, and the merchants of Tarshish, with what some Bible students expected as the return all the young lions thereof, shall say unto [Gog], of our Lord draws closer. We need to be careful Art thou come to take a spoil? hast thou gathered about such statements, for what seems at the time thy company to take a prey? to carry away silver to be a step in the ‘right’ direction, prophetically and gold, to take away cattle and goods, to take a speaking, can easily be followed soon afterwards great spoil?” But one of those steps in the ‘right’ by some very unexpected twists and turns. But prophetic direction may have been taken. Testimony, July 2015 Contents 249 Secondly, and connected with the same verse mention of Christadelphians, with the following in Ezekiel, is Britain’s relationship with Israel. explanation: The Conservative Party has been much more “Similarly, Christadelphians choose not to pro-Israel than Labour. During the election cam- vote, saying: ‘[Leaders] will come and go. But paign the Labour leader Ed Miliband spoke of there will be no lasting peace or happiness for recognising Palestine ‘when the time was right,’ the world until the reign of Jesus, the ideal something that is harder to see happening under leader, chosen and prepared by God.’” a Conservative government. Labour MPs have A timely reminder, if it is needed for some, of the been vocal in their support of the Palestinian Brotherhood’s long-standing appreciation that cause, and in October 2014 they played a leading participation in the politics of the current age, part in a symbolic parliamentary vote in favour and support for a system that is passing away, of recognising the State of Palestine. In that vote is not possible for those whose “citizenship is in around eighty per cent of Labour MPs (who were heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a under a three-line whip) supported the motion, Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ” (Phil. 3:20, NASB). while only fifteen per cent of Conservative MPs * * * * * voted at all. If Britain is amongst the nations of verse 13 then we would expect her to have a pro- Announcement: back issues in electronic Israel stance at the time. So here may be further format evidence that we are moving inexorably towards Since 2007, back issues of the Testimony, from the the Kingdom of God. first magazine in January 1931 to the end of 2004, have been available in electronic format on DVD, The small print thanks to the work of Brother Stephen Genusa. During its coverage of the election, BBC News Over the last few years preparations have been published two lesser articles that caught my eye underway for extending this resource for the for other reasons. MPs of whatever political per- period from 2005 to 2014. The labour involved suasion are required to declare their allegiance to in this project has been considerable. Month by the monarch before they can take their seats in month it has been carried on ‘behind the scenes’ parliament. It was observed that most Conserva- on a voluntary basis, in addition to the work of tive cabinet ministers swore a religious oath to bringing the monthly magazine to readers. this effect, whilst most of their Labour opponents I am therefore delighted, not only that the pro- made a secular affirmation to do so. The first ject is now complete, but also that the Testimony is news article noted that provision for making a able to make the material available to all current nonreligious affirmation came about as a result subscribers free of charge. This has been made of the efforts of the noted nineteenth-century possible, in part, by a generous legacy received atheist MP Charles Bradlaugh (1833–1891).1 I was from a former reader of the magazine who now reminded that over six nights in 1876 Bradlaugh sleeps in Christ. We expect that printed copies debated with Brother Robert Roberts the question of the August issue will be accompanied by a “Is the Bible divine?” The debates were reported flash drive containing all back numbers of the at some length in the 1876 Christadelphian and magazine, representing the entire output of the were published in book form soon afterwards.2 Testimony from 1931 to 2014. Further informa- We will not agree with Charles Bradlaugh on tion, including guidance for subscribers to the the origins of the Bible, but to an extent it is due electronic version of the magazine, should appear to his efforts 3 that we are permitted in a British next month. court of law to affirm that we will tell the truth, allowing us to obey the scriptural injunction, “do 1. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-32809040 not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with 2. Contained within the book The Three Great Debates of any other oath, but your yes is to be yes, and your Robert Roberts. no, no, so that you may not fall under judgment” 3. “. . . in 1888, he secured passage of a new Oaths Act, (Jas. 5:12, NASB). which enshrined into law the right of affirmation And finally there was an article about those for members of both Houses [of Parliament], as well as extending and clarifying the law as it related who did not vote in the election.4 In the list— to witnesses in civil and criminal trials . . .” http:// which included members of the royal family, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Bradlaugh#Imprisonment members of the House of Lords, and the so- 4. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/election-2015-england-324 called ‘Jehovah’s Witnesses’—it was nice to see a 19393 Testimony, July 2015 250 Contents Young people’s section The faithful of old— studied by the young Philip the evangelist Jordan Walton

HILIP THE EVANGELIST was one of the it had not been preached before. Throughout this seven men appointed by the ecclesia in Jeru- article we will see Philip living up to this title, as Psalem to supervise daily ministry, especially he proclaims the message and so converts men in the assistance of widows in the community and women to the true and living God. (Acts 6:1-6). Philip’s name means ‘lover of horses or battles,’ which is suggestive of a valiant man, The appointment of Philip strong in the faith and willing to fight for his Philip the evangelist is mentioned in only three God. passages of Scripture, all in the book of Acts. The death of Stephen, whose work preceded The first concerns the appointment of the seven Philip’s, led to the hope of salvation reaching brethren in the Jerusalem ecclesia. At this time the Samaria (8:1). Philip built on this foundation ecclesia was experiencing a rapid increase in the and proclaimed the Word of God to the Samari- numbers of believers. Table 1 shows the growth tans, revealing to them the glorious hope of the of the ecclesia, and how it “multiplied” in a short Kingdom: “Then Philip went down to the city space of time. However, 6:1 highlights that this of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them” multiplying of disciples caused problems between (v. 5). What a wonderful ‘Bible echo’ this is of the Greek-speaking and Hebrew-speaking believ- John the Baptist and the Lord Jesus Christ! John ers. Naturally we think that the more members “[prepared] the way of the Lord” (Mt. 3:3), and there are in an ecclesia, the better or more vibrant the Lord Jesus then opened that way of salvation the ecclesia will be. True, at times this may be so; in his sinless life, his death and his resurrection. however, large ecclesias will also have their own Stephen and Philip promoted the Lord’s teach- special problems, just as smaller ecclesias have ings and example in their work amongst the their own particular challenges. early ecclesias, extending the ‘way’ that leads to When an ecclesia grows, it may experience life eternal. The title ‘evangelist’ given to Philip, problems such as: uniquely in Scripture, means ‘bringer of good • care for individual members declining news,’ indicating somebody who is active in • contact between members being lost preaching the gospel, especially in areas where • fellowship outside ecclesial events drying up. Such was the case in Acts 6. Table 1 The growth of the Jerusalem ecclesia Even with the shepherding of the apostles, the ecclesia in Jerusalem Acts Number of believers still experienced these problems. 1:15 120 The apostles addressed the prob- lem by proposing that the ecclesia 2:41 120 + 3,000 = 3,120 should look for “seven men of hon- 4:4 5,000 est report, full of the Holy [Spirit] and wisdom” (v. 3.), to help solve 5:14 “And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes the issues and silence the mur- both of men and women” murings. The apostles set about this 6:1 “the number of the disciples was multiplied” selection in the right and proper Testimony, July 2015 Contents 251 way, through “[giving themselves] continually Jesus Christ. In the amazing work of God through to prayer” (v. 4). Philip, calling out a people for His name, Samaria Within our own ecclesias, when we too make became a city that accepted the Truth, with many decisions or select members for positions or posts, of its inhabitants committing their lives to God. we must likewise dedicate ourselves to prayer when considering which choices to make. Then The Lord works in mysterious ways the ecclesia collectively must make the decision. In the midst of this spectacular work of the proc- “Except the LORD build the house, they labour in lamation of the Truth, Philip was instructed by vain that build it” (Ps. 127:1). Unless we ask God the angel of the Lord to leave Samaria and go for His guidance in ecclesial matters we risk doing down to the desert area in the southern part of our service in vain. In all matters we must seek the Land. Humanly speaking, for him to turn the Lord’s direction, and include Him in all the away from the multitudes, who were so eagerly decisions we make, personal and ecclesial. The responding to his preaching, and to go to unin- apostles in Jerusalem did exactly this, and their habited territory in the south, might have seemed proposals “pleased the whole multitude” (Acts foolish. Yet Philip showed himself faithful and 6:5). The people then chose seven men, one of obedient to the will of the Lord, following his whom was Philip. Interestingly, of the seven men guidance without question. Even when the Lord’s named, only Philip and Stephen appear again in command might have seemed confusing, Philip the New Testament record. saw through the eye of faith and appreciated that it is “God that giveth the increase” (1 Cor. 3:7). The Ethiopian eunuch As a servant of God, Philip understood that Philip’s second appearance in the Scriptures is God knew best, and trusted that He would give his famous encounter with the Ethiopian eunuch the increase and bring many more sons and in Acts 8. This meeting took place during the daughters unto glory. “How rich and deep are the period when Saul was persecuting the ecclesia wisdom and the knowledge of God! We cannot in Jerusalem. Through this persecution, believers reach to the root of His decisions or His ways” were “scattered abroad throughout the regions (Rom. 11:33, NJB). Who are we to question the of Judæa and Samaria . . . preaching the word” knowledge and understanding of Almighty God? (vv. 1,4). It is against this background that we are Philip certainly was not such a man; instead “he reintroduced to Philip: “Then Philip went down arose and went” (Acts 8:27). No questioning; he to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto acted in faith and obedience—a true exhortation them. And the people with one accord listened and lesson for us. When life may not be going in unto those things which Philip spake, hearing the direction we anticipated, let us, like Philip, and seeing the miracles which he did” (v. 5,6). have trust in our Lord. Philip went to the city where the believers (his When Philip arrived in the desert, he found, brothers and sisters) had already been scattered, not a crowd, as in Samaria, but a single person, and preached. He spoke with such power and an important Ethiopian court official, who had conviction that the Samaritans “gave heed” (Gk. visited Jerusalem to worship and was now return- prosēchō, ‘to hold the mind,’ v. 6) to what he said ing to Africa. Thus the wisdom of God in direct- to them. ing Philip to this place was fully vindicated, for The Holy Spirit inspired Philip, and today we in his chariot the Ethiopian was reading Isaiah do not have brethren with the Spirit gifts; but we 53. To him Philip was directed: “Then the Spirit do have the inspired Spirit Word—a book from said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this God to read and listen to, to guide our lives in chariot. And Philip ran thither to him, and heard the direction of His Kingdom. Do we allow it him read the prophet Esaias” (Acts 8:29,30). Here to ‘hold our minds,’ so that we pay attention to is another exhortation for us—that Philip “ran” the things that have been recorded in it by the to meet the Ethiopian. Philip was so excited and Spirit? Those in Samaria did so with the things enthused by his God-given task that he could not that Philip taught them, and on account of this wait to preach to this man. How many of us run “there was great joy in that city” (v. 8). If we ‘give with enthusiasm to ecclesial events, to preaching heed’ in the same spirit, then we too may rejoice. activities, or even to go the extra mile to preach Philip’s preaching led to the baptism of many the Word to someone? “Let us”—like Philip— in Samaria, “both men and women” (v. 12), and “run with patience [endurance] the race that is gained more disciples in the name of the Lord set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and Testimony, July 2015 252 Contents When Philip arrived in the desert, he found, not a crowd, as in Samaria, but a single person, an important Ethiopian court official.

“Understandest thou what thou readest?” he asked. Testimony, July 2015 Contents 253 finisher of our faith” (Heb. 12:1,2). Let us be prepared to go that extra mile Table 2 The four steps to baptism in Acts 8 for our Lord. Step Action Verse Philip then questioned the man as to his understanding of Isaiah. The 1 Read the Word 28 eunuch replied, “How can I, except 2 Receive instruction from someone 31 some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would [teach 3 Confess our belief 37 him]” (Acts 8:31). We know that it was 4 Be baptised 38 Isaiah 53 from which the eunuch was reading, because Acts 8:32,33 is a direct quotation is neither male nor female: for you are all one in from Isaiah 53:7,8. How fitting it was that the Christ Jesus” (Gal. 3:27,28). eunuch was reading this passage of prophecy, which speaks of our Saviour, into whose name Given to hospitality we are baptised! “Then Philip opened his mouth, The final verses concerning Philip the Evangelist and began at the same scripture, and preached are in Acts 21:8-10, where we join the narrative unto him Jesus” (Acts 8:35). Here we see Philip of Paul on his third missionary journey, heading living up to his title: bringing good news about towards Jerusalem. We left Philip “at Azotus,” the Word of God and the message of salvation. where “passing through he preached in all the cities, till he came to Caesarea” (8:40). Philip is Do not delay still in Caesarea when we next meet him, which The passage does not say explicitly say for how suggests that he made his home in this city. long the eunuch and Philip travelled, but the Here Philip gives us another faithful example events of Acts 8 appear to have taken place within to follow: “And the next day we that were of Paul’s a single day. The instruction that Philip gave the company . . . came unto Caesarea: and we entered eunuch caused him to want to be baptised with- into the house of Philip the Evangelist, which was out delay. The eunuch believed and was ready to one of the seven; and abode with him” (21:8). The commit his life to God. So many times over the focus of this verse is on Paul and his journey, years I have heard friends and other young people but the comment that he and his companions (including myself) offering reasons and excuses entered Philip’s house and stayed with him is as to why we are not ‘ready’ to be baptised. How- significant. Philip would have been acquainted ever, the case of the eunuch teaches us that if we with the ecclesial roles of bishop (overseer) and understand, and have been properly instructed, deacon (servant), and the numerous qualities and believe, then there is nothing to stop us. By that these positions require. Paul tells Timothy, putting off baptism we risk saying that God has “This is a true saying, If a man desire the office made a mistake in calling us, and we know that of a bishop, he desireth a good work. A bishop God never makes mistakes! So, like the eunuch, then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, those in his position should consider their own vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospital- life, and ask the question, ‘What’s stopping me ity, apt to teach” (1 Tim. 3:1,2). Philip recognised from being baptised?’ (v. 36). This is an extremely the attributes that believers need to demonstrate, personal question, which each of us can answer and he put them into practice. The Greek word only for ourselves. Table 2 lists the four steps translated “given to hospitality” is philoxenos, leading to baptism, as indicated in Acts 8. which means ‘to be fond of strangers.’ Philip puts The conversion of this one person allowed Paul’s words into practice, showing us how to be the gospel to be taken by the Ethiopian courtier faithful servants in the ecclesias of God; and we to the continent of Africa. Philip, by his eager do well to follow his generous example. preaching of Christ, first to the Samaritans and then to the Ethiopian, showed that the gospel Do the work of an evangelist dissolves racial prejudices and overcomes social In his Second Letter to Timothy, Paul exhorts barriers. This demonstrated that the grace of God him: “watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, through Jesus Christ is freely available to all: do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of “For as many of you as have been baptized into thy ministry” (4:5). The enthusiastic example of Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew Philip has provided us with a number of lessons nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there for everyday and ecclesial life. Although he is not Testimony, July 2015 254 Contents an especially well-known Bible character, the few of God. Let us, like Philip, show the same love and times he is mentioned speak volumes about his devotion towards the work of God, “[preaching] love for his Lord and his dedication to the Word the word . . . in season [and] out of season” (v. 2).

Contents

Exposition The Letter to the Hebrews 23. Hebrews 12:1-11

Peter Caudery

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, The writer also talks about the training of the let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, athletes before the race be- and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking gins, exhorting his readers to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that to lay aside every weight. was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is The word ‘weight’ is unu- seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who sual, occurring only here in the New Testament. endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may This word has three mean- not grow weary or fainthearted” (Heb. 12:1-3).1 ings, all of which have reference to the athlete: HE WRITER HAS GIVEN a long list of inci- 1 The Greek doctor would use this word to tell dents showing the faith of men and women the athlete that he was too fat and must train Tin the Old Testament. There is one idea in to reduce his body weight and replace the fat the first verse which overshadows the next few with muscle. verses. It is the image of a vast cloud of people 2 The word could refer to unnecessary cloth- that cannot be ignored. The word for ‘cloud’ does ing. In the Greek games it was usual to run not signify one separate cloud in a blue sky, but naked. Any clothing was regarded as an rather the grey cloud that stretches from one encumbrance. horizon to another, which one cannot ignore. 3 It also referred to the state of mind. It was possible for the athlete to have an attitude The race of life of arrogance or undue confidence, his self- The scene is the Roman amphitheatre, where assurance of victory dulling the need to strive. rising tiers of cheering spectators surround the No athlete could afford to neglect his training. runners below who are striving for victory. Those seats are completely packed out with those men Spiritual development and women of the Old Testament, who are look- These literal meanings each have their spiritual ing down on the arena. And there are we, like counterpart. It is not a literal race that we run, the Christians from age to age, engaged in the but a progression in our Christian discipleship. conflict of the race. They are there to encourage We can be hampered by the spiritual equivalent us, to urge us on. They witness by their faith, for of being too fat, which makes us lazy or hinders they have already engaged in the same conflict. us spiritually. One such hindrance is worry. Jesus, This was why the writer piled on the names and in the Sermon on the Mount, told us not to worry the incidents of faith. They sit around the arena too much, but to trust in God. Too much worry in their thousands, a great crowd of witnesses, about everyday matters will clog up and hinder and those still in conflict in the centre know they are there and cannot escape their witness and encouragement. 1. All Bible quotations are from the ESV. Testimony, July 2015 Contents 255 any real attempts to find the Kingdom of God discipleship, and they needed endurance and and His righteousness. perseverance to submit to its discipline. The same is true of clothes. Some clothes are The writer has described the great cloud of useful, others are just for display, worn because witnesses, the men of faith spoken of in chapter we are concerned about what others think of us. 11. But there is one person to whom they must This can also be true of our spiritual state, if we give particular attention: Jesus Christ, the chief are concerned about the picture we present to witness. In Revelation 3:14 Jesus is called “the the world. The clothes worn for display are an faithful and true witness,” and he is the one who encumbrance in the race. Sometimes we may put will present the successful competitors with the on an outward show that does not really belong victor’s crown. In the chief place at the games to us—we take someone else’s clothes! We need to was the one who would award the prizes at the strip down to the bare essentials of our spiritual end. The phrase “looking to Jesus” gives the idea life and not lose sight of the goal. that we should look away to him. The runners With regard to our state of mind, if we imagine would usually keep their eyes on the race and that we are able to conquer in our own strength, concentrate on the goal, but the writer tells them then we shall be severely disappointed. Paul said to glance up to Jesus, who will give them the that he could do all things—through Jesus Christ, crown. Paul, when writing to Timothy, speaks who strengthened him. We need the help and of a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, example of Christ and must not trust in ourselves. the righteous judge, will give him on that day. We need to lay aside every weight, all three of As the runner perseveres and endures the race, these aspects, because each weight deflects us he needs to draw inspiration from the one who from our purpose. will crown him at the end. We must get rid of sin, “which clings so closely,” or, as the phrase literally means, ‘which Jesus—the faithful forerunner stands around us.’ Sin stands around us like un- Jesus is described as “the founder and perfecter necessary clothing, and it stands in our way. It of our faith.” As the founder, he has already run can be a stumblingblock, which is the greatest the race and so can watch over us and sympathise hindrance to a runner, causing him to lose his with us, knowing what we are going through. opportunity of winning the race. We must avoid This idea links the beginning and the end of all these things, training to rid ourselves of the the letter. In Hebrews 2:10 Jesus is described as weights, and avoiding anything that might trip the founder of salvation, who was made perfect us up as we run. The Jews looked upon Greek through suffering. Jesus was the forerunner, who runners with contempt because they ran naked. was tempted in all points as we are yet had the Jesus discarded all encumbrance of sin, and be- faith to complete the race. This is emphasised came “despised and rejected by men” (Isa. 53:3). again and again. As the disciple runs and strug- Yet in his conquest over sin he “endured the cross, gles, he looks for encouragement to the one who despising the shame.” We must bear the shame of has suffered before him. those who would deride our attempts to follow Jesus is also the perfecter of faith. The word Jesus, and run the race with endurance. ‘our’ is not in the original. Faith, as described in chapter 11, is an essential ingredient of the Enduring to the end Christian character. Christ is our inspiration and Endurance is not just submissively waiting for example, and we should in an active way look suffering to go by, but is a state of mind that to him for help and forgiveness. He is our High controls what we are doing. It stands in direct Priest, and we can come to the throne of grace contrast to the arrogant state of mind attributed to and find grace and help in time of need. This is weights, as above. The root of the Greek word for how our faith is perfected by Jesus Christ and “endurance” gives us our English word ‘agonise.’ what he has achieved. We must struggle and agonise, putting all we Jesus is now seated at the right hand of God, have into the race. “Endurance,” “struggle” and the position given him as the risen Christ, to “discipline” are words that recur in the next few intercede for his people. With the metaphor of verses. The writer is appealing to his readers to the amphitheatre in mind again, Jesus is looking resist the attempts that were being made to per- at the athletes contesting; and they, by the eye suade them to revert to Judaism. The suffering of faith, can see and be encouraged by him. The they were experiencing was part of their Christian writer has assembled the participants of the race: Testimony, July 2015 256 Contents • the Christian athletes running the race almost ready to fail because of what he had to • the witnesses of faith cheering the athletes on suffer, but he believed in the resurrection and • Jesus Christ, the one who will award the endured for the joy of new life and of bringing crown, the founder and perfecter of faith. many sons to glory. Through his obedience to his The ideas are brought together in a metaphorical Father’s will he found strength and developed picture and the ideas will be used again. The the state of mind whereby he despised the shame dead saints are witnesses who encourage us as and the rejection of his people as they shouted we run the race, and the Lord Jesus is helping out, “We have no king but Caesar” (Jno. 19:15). us from heaven. He endured physical shame as he was stripped and beaten, spat on and reviled, and finally hung The joy set before us up like a criminal. His faith was focused on the “In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted final outcome, and he is now seated at the right to the point of shedding your blood. And have you hand of glory. forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? We may have to endure people thinking ill of ‘My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, us, maybe mocking us. When we are suffering nor be weary when reproved by Him. For the Lord we should consider the sufferings of Christ point disciplines the one He loves, and chastises every son by point. We must not fail through weariness, whom He receives.’ It is for discipline that you have to becoming worn down with our sufferings. The endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is suffering of Jesus increased through his minis- there whom his father does not discipline? If you are try, but he had to endure to the end. The writer left without discipline, in which all have participated, reminds his readers that they have not yet had then you are illegitimate children and not sons. Besides to shed their blood in their struggle or agonis- this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and ing against sin. Jesus endured the same struggle we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject against sin in himself and was crucified because to the Father of spirits and live? For they disciplined he declared he was the King, the Son of God. us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but He He could have denied this and escaped, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share His resisted the temptation, standing firm, even to holiness. For the moment all discipline seems painful the shedding of blood. rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained Discipline to develop faithfulness by it” (12:4-11). The sufferings of Jesus and the Jewish Christians THE suffering that the Jewish Christians were were for a purpose, for their eternal good. There encountering was necessary for them. They must is a parallel between the discipline they received look to Jesus, who was not only their founder and as children and the discipline of the believers, perfecter but who also endured great hostility as described in Proverbs 3:11,12. The believers against himself and was perfected by the things needed to take this exhortation to heart. The he suffered. Jesus had to endure men working writer, in his argument, sees the believer as a child against him, who misrepresented his teaching, who should not treat discipline lightly. The word accused him of casting out demons by Beelze- “discipline” is used of training, for example in bub, and plotted to kill him. He patiently and Acts 7:22, where Moses was “instructed” in all the constantly endured, even to the final moments wisdom of the Egyptians, and in 22:3, where Paul when the thief, the people and the chief priests was “educated” after the strict manner of their mocked him, saying, “If you are the Son of God fathers. The mind was trained and disciplined. . . .” (Mt. 27:40). Proverbs views physical discipline as part of the Jesus had faith because he saw the joy set be- training of a child. The word “discipline” can refer fore him. He endured, and had the perseverance to either education or physical punishment and to go through the crisis, because he understood the application of both for our eternal wellbeing. the results that God would accomplish by his Physical affliction is permitted by God, so we suffering, and looked forward to the joy of his should react to it in a way that will allow it to have resurrection. We may sometimes fail to see how a good effect on us, not becoming discouraged, close Jesus came to breaking point. His sweat was but enduring God’s discipline as part of our train- as great drops of blood in Gethsemane, and on ing. The writer uses the idea of an earthly father. the cross he cried out, “My God, my God, why God is treating us as His children. What father have You forsaken me?” (v. 46). His faith was does not train his child? If we are not chastised Testimony, July 2015 Contents 257 by our father, then we have been rejected. We God disciplines us so that we can share His holi- respected the efforts which our earthly father ness. It is an interesting idea that God’s discipline, made to discipline and train us. How much more in the suffering we endure, helps to alienate us should we respect the chastening from God! We from the sin of the world and draw us nearer to must accept that the training and discipline is Him in preparation for the joy which is set before for our good. An earthly father is responsible us. We are brought face to face with our need to for our natural upbringing, in contrast to our share God’s character. heavenly Father, who is moulding our character Discipline, persecution, hostility and pres- and spirituality to the end that we develop the sures, if they are accepted in the right way, help mind of Christ. us to have a share in Christ’s righteousness, Our earthly father disciplined us for a short that peaceful fruit of righteousness. We must time, as seemed best to him. The method and consider Jesus and take encouragement to hold severity were his decision and we had to accept­ it. fast to the end. Contents (To be continued) Your Letters Satan in Scripture

May I thank Brother Trevor Hughes1 for pro- The second allusion is in verse 11: “Thou hast voking further thoughts on my own research turned for me my mourning into dancing: Thou on this puzzle? The two versions of the story of hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with David numbering Israel have always provided a gladness . . .” When David approached the site of conundrum, but readers may like to know that the threshingfloor of Araunah (Ornan), and came there is a third source of information in the title before the angel of the Lord, he was clothed in and verse 1 of Psalm 30: “A Psalm and Song at sackcloth: “And the angel of the LORD stood by the dedication of the house of David. I will extol the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite. And Thee, O LORD; for Thou hast lifted me up, and David lifted up his eyes, and saw the angel of the hast not made my foes to rejoice over me.” The title LORD stand between the earth and the heaven, has puzzled some, but I think it is clear that it is having a drawn sword in his hand stretched out not David’s house that is referred to here, but the over Jerusalem. Then David and the elders of site of the house of the Lord, and the title better Israel, who were clothed in sackcloth, fell upon reads, ‘A Psalm of David, a Song at the dedication their faces” (1 Chron. 21:15,16). of the house of the Lord’—for the outcome of the Reviewing Psalm 30 then provides a fascinat- two accounts in 2 Samuel 24 and 1 Chronicles 21 ing personal reason for David’s punishment: is that the location of God’s house is established. “And in my prosperity I said, I shall never be There are two strong allusions in this psalm moved” (v. 6). This confirms Brother Hughes’ to the incident of the numbering of Israel. The conclusion concerning the elevation of David’s prophet Gad offered David three options: “So pride. Yet not only was it David who suffered (as Gad came to David, and told him, and said unto verse 2 indicates: “O LORD my God, I cried unto him, Shall seven years of famine come unto thee Thee, and Thou hast healed me”—a suffering that in thy land? or wilt thou flee three months before was close to death, as verse 9 further shows), but thine enemies, while they pursue thee? or that punishment was also brought upon Israel, pre- there be three days’ pestilence in thy land?” (2 sumably for their waywardness, as 70,000 men Sam. 24:13). It is the second of these options that I believe is referred to the first verse of Psalm 30. 1. “Satan in Scripture (1)”, Mar. 2015, p. 95. Testimony, July 2015 258 Contents died. Brother Dudley Fifield, in his own studies the Israelites, which God evidently intended from of the Psalms,2 reaches the same conclusion. the outset, came about by the choice which David Where is the exhortation? It is very human to made to “fall . . . into the hand of the LORD [and] count our army, to check our bank balance, or not fall into the hand of man” (1 Chron. 21:13; to peruse our pension! What matters is that we 2 Sam. 24:14). The subsequent plague on the trust the Lord—“to the end that my glory may people in which 70,000 men died was stayed over sing praise to Thee, and not be silent. O LORD my Jerusalem in the mercy of God. The place where God, I will give thanks unto Thee for ever” (v. 12). it halted was the threshing floor of Araunah the David Noakes Jebusite. This was a special place in Israel. It Peterborough was the ‘Mount Moriah’ where Isaac had been symbolically sacrificed by his father Abraham (Gen. 22) and the place where Solomon’s temple 2. The Praises of Israel vol. 1, The Christadelphian, 2008, was to be built (2 Chron. 3:1). p. 180. On witnessing the plague, David is filled with regret and concern for his people, and asks that I thank Brother Hughes for his first article on God’s hand should be against him, not against Satan. There is no doubt that human pride is a “these sheep” (1 Chron. 21:17). He is told by the great ‘adversary’ to our adopting the disposition prophet Gad to rear up an altar in the threshing­ required in us by our heavenly Father. Brother floor. Araunah, the owner, offers to David all John Pople identifies this in his excellent book on that is required for this work, but David insists Job,1 where he identifies Leviathan with human on paying the full price for everything: “And the pride. The Satan of the early chapters thus reap- king said unto Araunah, Nay; but I will surely pears as “a king over all the children of pride” buy it of thee at a price: neither will I offer burnt (Job 41:34). However, I would like to present the offerings unto the LORD my God of that which incident of David’s numbering of the children doth cost me nothing. So David bought the of Israel in a rather different way, which reflects threshingfloor and the oxen for fifty shekels of somewhat more favourably on David. silver” (2 Sam. 24:24). Thus David paid the full I do not think that David was generally mo- price for all that was required. He offered burnt tivated by pride, as he said of himself in the offerings and peace offerings, and the Lord was inspired words of Psalm 131:1,2: “LORD, my heart intreated for the land and the plague stayed from is not haughty, nor mine eyes lofty: neither do I Israel. exercise myself in great matters, or in things too Israel had sinned. The consequences were a high for me. Surely I have behaved and quieted plague resulting in death. “The wages of sin is myself, as a child that is weaned of his mother: death” (Rom. 6:23). The solution lay in the sacri- my soul is even as a weaned child.” And as God fices of a man who paid the ‘full price’ by offering said of him: “David did that which was right in sacrifice, a man who was, in the process, put ‘in the eyes of the LORD, and turned not aside from the wrong’ in being identified with his wayward any thing that He commanded him all the days people, the ‘lost sheep.’ Can we not see in all this a of his life, save only in the matter of Uriah the type of God’s work in sending a Redeemer to save Hittite” (1 Kgs. 15:5). This is not to imply that His people from their sins? This Redeemer was David did nothing else wrong in his life, of course, Christ, who has paid the full price, and, though but he was not a man generally motivated by without transgression himself, was nonetheless pride. “numbered with the transgressors” (Isa. 53:12; In the incident in question, recorded in 2 Sam- Mk. 15:28) and so identified with those whom uel 24, we note from verse 1 that: he came to redeem. 1 God was the initiator of the action; I therefore think that it is better to see as the 2 His anger was kindled not against David but prime mover in all this, not the pride in David’s against the people of Israel; heart, but God, who from the incident set in place 3 God was the one who moved David against a plan to redeem His people from their sins. them. Chris Davenport The implication of the AV margin—that the “he” Rugby is someone other than the LORD, namely the Sa- tan of 1 Chronicles 21:1—obscures a remarkable aspect of the whole incident. The deaths among 1. To Speak Well of God, 2009, ch. 7. Testimony, July 2015 Contents 259 It was stated in the March issue that Job’s Satan completely at peace with God (for example, Job equates to the attitude of Job’s three friends. May 3:25,26). We might think that an adversarial voice I suggest that in so identifying the adversary spoke inside Job himself, but the interesting fact we are limiting the scope and purpose of this is that every voice that addresses Job in the book wonderful book? To equate the adversary with is adversarial, for good or ill. The purpose of his Job’s friends is to do them an injustice. These experience is to break down and remove every were good-hearted men who journeyed to their ‘satanic’ barrier that exists in him or his friends. stricken friend “to mourn with him and to com- He benefits beyond measure by his experience, fort him” (2:11). Regrettably, when they saw him and his friends benefit too. So also do his family, and his condition they put two and two together when he is restored and enhanced. In chapters and made five! Their thinking was restricted by 41 and 42 the Satan (everything adversarial) is their belief in the principle of retributive justice, brought to nothing. There remains no shadow as indeed Job’s was. They thought that they un- of any kind between Job and his God. All is put derstood how God works, and why, and sought right by understanding, self-recrimination and to explain Job’s suffering accordingly. And so recantation, sacrifice, prayer and acceptance. This the arguments began. They were wrong about is followed by restoration, increase in blessing, Job, and he was wrong about God. They were harmony and tranquillity. It goes without saying not motivated by seeking to destroy the faith of that, in considering the sufferings of Job and what a righteous man, but thought how best to advise follows, we are looking at the sufferings of Christ him on the cause (as they saw it) of his fractured and his ultimate destiny. relationship with God. Tom McCarthy Are we to believe that the Almighty would Newport subject his devoted servant (the best there was— 1:3) to such a severe trial just to respond to the pettiness or jealousy of mere men? We should re- 1. “The Questions of the Book of Job,” Ecclesiastes and member that, as Brother L. G. Sargent wrote,1 the Other Studies, CMPA, 1965, pp. 101–2. cynical challenge of the adversary is a challenge 2. “The Perfecting of Job,” Christadelphian, vol. 116, no. 1,386, Dec. 1979, p. 445 (electronic edition). to the integrity of God Himself. Satan challenges 3. Job, CMPA, 1957, p. 20. God in respect of what Job has. Yahweh knows better: He knows what Job is. But He also knows that there is a deficiency in Job that needs to be Transmitted change rooted out: that Job is entrenched in a certain view of his God that needs to be replaced by Thank you to Brother Bernard Burt for the “Gems a much larger comprehension of things divine. from early Genesis” series.1 The first article on As Brother Fred Pearce wrote: “God’s ways are authorship was especially welcome. I found it so full of wisdom in all things that we cannot really helpful to see how compilation and editor- conceive of his allowing this bitter experience ship in Scripture can be understood in a way that to come upon Job unless there was some profit does not conflict with our belief in the inspiration in it for Job himself.”2 Brother Ralph Lovelock of the Bible. wrote: “The logical pattern of the book . . . would In connection with the consequences of Adam’s force us to recognise in the cynicism of Satan sin, Brother Burt writes several times in the sec- the human frailties of comprehension in Job and ond article about ‘transmitted changes.’ It would his friends . . . The adversary represented that be helpful to outline the reasons for this view in which has always resisted the operation of God’s greater detail, as these changes are not stated saving grace within man, man’s refusal to trust explicitly in Scripture. I suggest that they need God, and his equally obstinate trust in his own to be understood in the light of Paul’s comment i m a g i n a t i o n .” 3 that “death spread to all men, because all sinned” I suggest that the encounter between Yahweh (Rom. 5:12, NASB, ESV). and the adversary is a literary device to intro- An amazing picture of Eden restored is pre- duce us to the reality of what is to follow, rather sented in the third article. Brother Burt points in the manner of 1 Kings 22:19-23. Satan in the out that the word for “tree” in Revelation 22:2 is book of Job represents all that is adversarial, firstly to God and His motives, and secondly to Job and his motives. Furthermore, Job was not 1. Jan.–Mar. 2015. Testimony, July 2015 260 Contents ‘wood’ (Gk. xulon). However, ‘wood’ here refers with the result that all sinned.’ (3) Others take to wood as a material, whether alive or dead the phrase as causal in force: ‘death spread to (“a green tree,” Lk. 23:31). It does not, as Brother all people because a l l s i n n e d .’ ” Thomas mistakenly claims in Eureka (vol. IIIb, p. Doctrinally speaking, I think it can fairly be 295), refer to a forest. The tree of life in Revela- said that there are senses in which all three of tion is therefore a single tree, providing life and these options are true. Each view has certainly healing to the nations from one source. May we been expressed in mainstream Christadelphian be given “right to the tree of life” (Rev. 22:14)! writing on this verse. What Romans 5:12 cannot Richard Benson mean is that men and women become subject to Walsall death only when they first sin. Were this the case then we would not witness the sad death of very Reply young children and even babes in the womb. In- In the February article Brother Burt suggested deed, Paul continues his argument by observing four things that were transmitted by Adam to that death has been the experience of all, even his descendants: during the era when there was no penal code 1 ‘moral nakedness,’ or shame in the presence that required death for disobedience: “for until of God or of His angel; the law [of Moses] sin was in the world: but sin is 2 experience of sorrow generally; not imputed when there is no law. Nevertheless 3 experience of the knowledge of the difference death reigned from Adam to Moses . . .” (vv. 13,14). between good and evil; and Paul’s argument in verse 12 is interrupted by 4 condemnation to death. a parenthesis in verses 13-17. The sense of the It is true that Genesis does not explicitly state argument can be seen if we jump from verse 12 the transmission of the first three; but they are to verse 18, missing out the parenthesis: “. . . and bound up with the problem of man’s mortality so death spread to all men, because all sinned and sinfulness, and, from the limited information . . . So then as through one transgression there given to us in Genesis, there is no indication that resulted condemnation to all men . . .” (NASB). It they were ever felt by Adam and Eve before they is important to note the words “so [in this man- sinned. It does not seem unreasonable, therefore, ner]” and “spread” in verse 12, which consolidate to suggest that these three things entered human the connection between what Adam did and what experience as a result of Adam’s sin. There were happens to us. certainly changes that resulted from eating the In practice it may not be helpful to try and forbidden fruit: “And the eyes of them both were separate out mankind’s inheritance from Adam opened, and they knew that they were naked . . . into two separate component parts—mortality (3:7); “Behold, the man is become as one of Us, to and proneness to sin—given that they are so in- know good and evil . . .” (v. 22). extricably linked. Brother John Carter ably made That condemnation to death was transmitted this point in his book Paul’s Letter to the Romans: to Adam’s descendants is stated categorically in “Through one man sin entered the world; Romans 5:12. Regarding the phrase “because all through him came death; through him death sinned,” as it is rendered by numerous English passed upon all, for that, or because, all sinned translations, it appears that the Greek is trouble- as the result of his sin . . . Adam sinned and some even for the experts. For those who are not was punished with death. His children inherit experts (which is most of us), an indication of mortality and also a tendency to sin so inevi- the problem may be had from the NET footnote table in its sin-producing power that Paul can to this verse: say that through Adam’s sin all sinned, and “The translation of the phrase [eph hō] has been therefore all die through him.” 2 heavily debated . . . Only a few of the major Readers are recommended to read the whole options can be mentioned here: (1) the phrase of Brother Carter’s book, and the section “The can be taken as a relative clause in which the constitution of sin” in Brother John Thomas’ Elpis pronoun refers to Adam, ‘death spread to all Israel, chapter 4.—J.D.T. people in whom [Adam] all sinned.’ (2) The phrase can be taken with consecutive (resulta- tive) force, meaning ‘death spread to all people 2. 1978 edition, p. 61.

Testimony, July 2015 Contents 261 Principles, preaching and problems Necessary evil Sam Alexander

“Nothing that can be said can begin to take away the fires and other natural disasters? Why anguish and the pain of these moments. Grief is the price can’t everything just be happy? This is a question that causes we pay for love.” thousands of men and women of faith to stumble. It’s a key argument HAT WAS HOW QUEEN ELIZABETH II for atheists, and often the question that we might famously ended a message read out for especially fumble to answer. This is the question Ther by the British ambassador at a memo- that we consider in this essay. rial service in New York after the September 11 attacks of 2001. Some have noted that these were Why? strangely personal words from a monarch not Christians talk a lot about the meaning of suf- known for passionate outbursts of emotion. But fering. Sometimes people place all the blame on perhaps what many people at the time—certainly mankind itself—if it were not for mankind there in America—did not realise was that the Queen would be no wars, for example. But that does herself had lost one of her closest friends on the not explain why volcanoes erupt or why people same day. So when she wrote those words I think get struck by lightning; it does not explain why she really knew how people were feeling. Grief people get sick, and why eventually we all die. is the price we pay for love. Many place the blame on Adam and Eve, be- It turns out that she was actually quoting Dr cause if they had not sinned then mankind would Colin Murray Parkes, who was a psychiatrist at not have become mortal—so maybe it’s all their St. Christopher’s Hospice in south London. The fault. But I seriously struggle with any view of full quote goes like this: God’s purpose that makes the life and death of “The pain of grief is just as much part of life Jesus Christ just a contingency ‘plan B’ because as the joy of love: it is perhaps the price we the fruit tree didn’t work out; I don’t believe that pay for love, the cost of commitment. To ig- God decided to have an only begotten Son only nore this fact, or to pretend that it is not so, is because Adam and Eve messed up.2 to put on emotional blinkers which leave us Sometimes other people say that God lets us unprepared for the losses that will inevitably suffer in order to bring us closer to Him. But this occur in our own lives and unprepared to help cannot be the full story; would you ever let your others cope with losses in theirs.”1 own children suffer terribly when you could ef- The more that I think about this, the more I fortlessly save them, only because you wanted to think that he is absolutely correct. For if you have a closer relationship with them? are ever going to love someone, and enjoy all In any case, none of these ideas explains why of the blessings and the joy which that brings, God, who knows the very end from the begin- then one day in the future—this is just the way ning, would give Adam and Eve a test in the things are—there lies a sharply contrasting time garden that He knew they were going to fail. If of suffering and loss. Nothing yet lasts for ever. He had to give them a test, and He already knew This is a hard truth, but it is a truth—and it is beforehand what the outcome was going to be, best if we acknowledge it. then why not give them a free-will test that He Yet for many people this raises the hardest knew that they would pass? And even if they question with which they will ever have to had passed, presumably one of their children, at wrestle: Why does God allow suffering? If God is all-loving and all-powerful, then why do some 1. Parkes, C. (1972). Bereavement: studies of grief in adult people get sick and die? Why do some people live life. New York: International Universities Press. in plenty while others live with wars, famines and 2. Jesus was a part of God’s plan from before creation, bloodshed? Why are there earthquakes, floods, let alone before the fall (Jno. 17:24; 1 Pet. 1:20). Testimony, July 2015 262 Contents some stage in eternity, was going to fail eventu- “The LORD passed before [Moses] and pro- ally. 3 What’s more, are billions of human deaths, claimed, ‘The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and untold, unimaginable suffering, really a ‘fair’ and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding consequence of one man in some garden eating in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping a piece of fruit one day? Does that punishment steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniq- really meet the crime? uity and transgression and sin, but who will I suppose all of these are reasons why this is by no means clear the guilty, visiting the a question. But what if the answer were not so iniquity of the fathers on the children and hard after all? In fact, is it possible that God has the children’s children, to the third and the left the key to all this right in front of our noses fourth generation.’”5 all along? Maybe, just as the Queen hinted, the The first of God’s characteristics here is mercy. power lies in the contrast. Grief really is a price Now, applying the same reasoning as before, we pay for love—and for a very good reason. could it ever be possible to learn about mercy, and to understand what that means, in a world We learn through opposites where nobody ever needs it—in a world where What I’d like to propose in this essay is really everything always goes well? And the answer very simple, and I’d like to cut straight to the is no, I don’t think that it would be. How could chase. So here goes—this is our point: anyone possibly learn about mercy if nobody Most of the big things in life we understand through ever saw it—if nobody ever gave it, or nobody opposites. ever needed it? That would be like trying to Let me explain. When you were a child, and understand hot and cold in a world that was you were learning about, say, ‘up’ and ‘down,’ always at forty degrees; it would not have any do you think you learned about them one at a meaning at all. time—maybe ‘up’ one week and ‘down’ the next? Or what about the second of God’s attributes in Or did you learn about them together, both at the this passage, grace? Here again we have the same same time, the one in opposition to the other? I’m dilemma: how could anyone ever learn about going to suggest that it was the latter—because grace if nobody in the history of humanity had what does ‘up’ even mean, if you don’t know what ever needed it? What exactly would it mean to be ‘down’ is? (Not very much at all.) This is what I kind to someone if every last person whom you mean when I say that we often learn through had ever met had always been completely satis- opposites. fied anyway? Where is the good in “a cup of cold Or, imagine that you live in a make-believe water” if nobody has ever been thirsty? And of world where every single sound is at sixty course it’s the same answer—that the concept of decibels. Do you think that you are going to grace is also left utterly without meaning unless understand what ‘loud’ and ‘soft’ are? Or if the sometimes people actually need it. temperature were always forty degrees, day and We could repeat these ideas for every one of night for ever, would you really understand the the other attributes of God in Exodus 34 that difference between ‘hot’ and ‘cold’? It seems to me define who He is: slow to anger, loving, faithful, that the answer is no, of course you wouldn’t— forgiving and just. How can you be slow to anger because we can only understand these and many without a cause for anger? How can you learn other basic concepts through their opposites. about forgiving iniquity and sin if there is no The interesting part comes when we take this iniquity and sin, or if there were not the possibil- idea a little further and apply it to the character of ity that we might not forgive somebody? None God; for the Bible is clear that the overall purpose of these qualities mean anything at all without of God with creation—His master plan behind their opposites. Just as we suggested, the power everything—is to fill the earth with a family of sons and daughters who have developed His character, like children who copy a father.4 If we 3. There is nothing in the Bible that states explicitly that understand most of the big things in life through the prohibition against eating from the tree of the opposites, then how are we going to learn about knowledge of good and evil would have been tem- porary if Adam and Eve had resisted the temptation God’s character, and so fulfil His purpose? to eat from it. To answer this question we do well to consider 4. Numbers 14:21; Matthew 5:48. Exodus 34:6,7, which famously lists for us some 5. Bible quotations are from the ESV unless otherwise of God’s attributes: stated. Testimony, July 2015 Contents 263 is in the contrast. For ‘good’ to have any meaning ‘You may surely eat of every tree of the garden, at all as ‘good’ then there must also be evil—at but of the tree of the knowledge of good and least for a while. evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die’” (2:15-17). From the very beginning So in the Garden of Eden there was just one tree I think we have already made a strong case that, in from which Adam and Eve were not permitted to order to learn about God’s character, we must also eat: the tree of the knowledge of good and evil; experience bad times as well as good—because and the implication was that as soon as you ate what does mercy mean if nobody ever needs it? of its fruit you would understand both good and If we want to appreciate the shiny side of life’s evil, clearly intended here as a contrast. However, coin then we need to see the rough side too, be- with regard to this contrast there is a simple cause it’s only the contrast that gives either any observation that we can make which it seems to meaning. That just seems to be the way things me is supremely important—but it’s so obvious are; this all has the ring of truth. that, if we’re not careful, we might not see it at But we can do much, much better than just a all: that there was just one tree of the knowledge little thought experiment. In fact, this contrast of both good and evil. You might have thought between good and evil—suffering and joy—has that God would have created two trees—one for always been at the heart of God’s message, and the knowledge of evil, which would have been has always been inevitable. In fact, it’s the very forbidden, and the other for the knowledge of first theme of the entire Bible: good, which God would have encouraged Adam “In the beginning, God created the heavens to eat from—but He did not. There was just one and the earth. The earth was without form tree, which taught about both good and evil. and void, and darkness was over the face of Why would God want to limit mankind’s ac- the deep . . . And God said, ‘Let there be light,’ cess to the knowledge of good (as well as of evil) and there was light. And God saw that the by putting this one tree out of bounds? Didn’t light was good. And God separated the light God want Adam to know about good? After from the darkness. God called the light Day, all, by this stage we have already spent the first and the darkness he called Night. And there chapter of Genesis reading about how “good” was evening and there was morning, the first creation was, so why forbid Adam and Eve to day” (Gen. 1:1-5). know about good? So we see that the very first thing God does is The answer lies in the fact that there was just to “separate” light from darkness—it’s a contrast. one tree—for there is no such thing as knowledge And because the light is called “good,” and the of good without knowledge of evil; they must go light is separated from the darkness, then it seems together. You may like to read that last sentence to me that by verse 4 of Genesis 1 there is already again. Do you see how this is the same lesson? an implied contrast between good and evil. Just Just as we can comprehend light only through as darkness is, by opposition, what gives meaning darkness, or hot through cold, or loud through to light, so evil gives meaning to good. Of course, soft, so too can we only truly understand good in hindsight we know that this contrast is going by contrast with evil, in exactly the same way as to be the grand, overarching theme of the entire these other concepts that we considered before. Bible—this separation between light and dark, There is no other way that God can teach us this. good and evil. The one has always defined the The joys in your own life are your joys only be- other, right from the very beginning.6 cause your trials have been your trials.7

Just one tree 6. Of course, in Revelation 22:5 we find that in the King- This idea of separation and contrast continues dom there is only light and goodness, as darkness to develop as a key motif throughout the early will by then have served its purpose and evil run chapters in Genesis: in verse 7 the sky is sepa- its course. Could there have been a better plan? “Oh, rated from the sea, and in verse 9 the land from the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge the sea. But the climax of this idea takes shape of God!” (Rom. 11:33). 7. It is fashionable for critics of religion to imagine a in the form of a very special tree: ‘more moral’ creation where there is no suffering— “The LORD God took the man and put him in but perhaps they haven’t thought this through to its the garden of Eden to work it and keep it. And conclusion. Anyone for whom a Utopia was all they the LORD God commanded the man, saying, had known would not have the awareness to enjoy it. Testimony, July 2015 264 Contents Following this thought to its conclusion, per- sometimes in our friends and sometimes in our haps, paradoxically, God prohibited Adam and own lives. Yet, as painful as this can be, the pres- Eve’s eating of the fruit in the garden because ence of evil in the world is absolutely necessary they could never properly understand good for the development of God’s character in His unless they sinned—so that they could indeed children. That, above all else, is the reason why learn about good. Otherwise, what did Adam or God allows suffering. It’s clear from Genesis 1 and Eve know about mercy or forgiveness before the 2 that the knowledge of good and the knowledge fall? What did they know about grace, or justice? of evil must come together as a package. Only Remember that as early as Genesis 1:4 there was through the existence of suffering can God one already a contrast between light and dark, good day fill the earth with His character, His glory and evil; it was always inevitable that man would and His goodness. face darkness to learn about good.8 Such a sug- The Bible teaches that this was just as true gestion may seem challenging to us, given what for our Lord Jesus Christ as it is for us. Hebrews the rest of Scripture says about sin, but if God 5:8 tells us that Jesus was not born obedient, but gave mankind a test that they were (apparently) rather “learned obedience through what he suf- certain to fail, what is the alternative? In any case, fered.” John 15:13 says, “Greater love has no one the sufferings and the sacrifice of Jesus were never than this, that someone lay down his life for his just a reactionary ‘plan B’; his life and his death friends”; so the greatest act of love required the were always at the centre of God’s purpose, and greatest act of sacrifice. “For the moment all dis- at the core of His creation. cipline seems painful . . . but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have Alone before together been trained by it” (Heb. 12:11). So Jesus looked If we wanted even more proof that to learn about forward to joy. good we must also learn about evil, then this And lastly, remember that this present time of comes in the very next section in chapter 2, im- sin and suffering will not last for ever; it’s going to mediately after the law of the tree. Ask yourself pass away for ever in the Kingdom, when “sorrow what God is trying to achieve in this incident: and sighing shall flee away” (Isa. 35:10). It says in “Then the LORD God said, ‘It is not good that Revelation 21:3,4 that “God Himself . . . will wipe the man should be alone; I will make him a away every tear from their eyes, and death shall helper fit for him.’ Now out of the ground the be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor LORD God had formed every beast of the field crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things and every bird of the heavens and brought have passed away.” A favourite image of mine them to the man to see what he would call is especially vivid: “They that sow in tears shall them. And whatever the man called every reap in joy” (Ps. 126:5, AV). living creature, that was its name. The man gave names to all livestock and to the birds Final thoughts of the heavens and to every beast of the field. So far in this essay we have erred on the side But for Adam there was not found a helper fit of theory, and haven’t tried to address how you for him” (vv. 18-20). might actually help someone who is suffering. Of course, what follows in verses 21-25 is the But I would like to finish with a few practical creation of Eve, who was a good companion lessons that arise from everything we have con- for Adam. But again it’s the same lesson: before sidered so far. Adam could understand his companionship First, we cannot pretend to understand exactly with Eve he first had to confront what must have why every terrible or good event happens in our been an alarming lack of companionship when, 9 one by one, the animals passed by. If you want 8. Needless to say, this doesn’t justify what Adam did. Sin to have knowledge of good then you must have is still sin, and we should learn from others’ mistakes. knowledge of evil, so Adam appreciated Eve only But perhaps this need for the knowledge of evil can through the contrast, only because of the opposite. help us to understand how the story in the Garden of Eden fits into God’s overall plan to fill the earth with good. Sow in tears—but reap in joy 9. Perhaps Adam’s sense of aloneness was heightened The suffering in the world around us is horrible. even further by God bringing the animals to him Sometimes we see this suffering on the news in in their pairs, male and female. If every one of the a faraway country, sometimes in our families, animals had a companion, then where was his? Testimony, July 2015 Contents 265 lives, and I’m not suggesting that we try. Maybe clay; and whether or not we allow God, through in ten years’ time we shall look back and see His grace, to mould us into something beautiful how certain events have shaped our characters, is a choice that we alone can make. It’s up to us or maybe we won’t. Either way, it’s important to to let God use the pain in or around our lives for understand that God does have a plan—even if something better. we don’t—and that He knows what He is do- So, if you’re sorry to see someone suffering, ing, both in our lives and in the world at large. then good—go and help them. If you’re sorry to So sometimes life will be hard, sometimes it see someone ignorant of the gospel, then good— will be easy; but it is in the hands of God, who go and teach them. And if you’re sorry to be suf- knows what is best for us and cares for us very fering yourself, then at least (even if in hindsight much. years later) try to grow from the experience.10 Secondly, it’s important to understand that, It’s true that suffering may never be easy to live paradoxically, it’s the bad times that make the with or to witness—I think we all understand good times good—and if not in this life, then cer- that—but it is how we can develop our Father’s tainly in the next. “Blessed are those who mourn,” character and follow our Lord Jesus, who has said Jesus, “for they shall be comforted” (Mt. 5:4). trodden the path before us. This has always been Grief truly is the price we pay for love—but only God’s plan, right from the very beginning—and in this life; and our final ending will be happy. I think that’s a comforting thought. Yet perhaps the most important lesson to take from all this is that there is nothing automatic about suffering that will necessarily develop 10. Psalm 119:71; Romans 5:3-5; 2 Corinthians 4:17; He- godliness in us. God is the potter and we are the brews 12:11; James 1:2-4. Contents Window on Israel Four owls of Israel A philatelist’s reflection Paul Maplethorpe

S A PHILATELIST, I was interested to ob- great wisdom (hence the expression ‘wise as serve some similarities between the recent an owl’) and the ancient Greeks chose the Aarticle on owls1 and the February 1987 image of the Little owl (Athene noctua) as the Israel Philatelic Bulletin “Biblical birds 2—the owls symbol of their goddess of wisdom, Athena.” (Strigiformes).” Israel’s 1987 stamp issue, like an Before considering these four stamps in more earlier issue on birds of prey showing eagles and detail, it should be noted that there are more than vultures, consisted of four stamps, each featuring ten different Hebrew words that translators and a bird native to Israel, and included a biblical commentators have identified with owls. Even quotation in Hebrew on the ‘tabs’ on the bottom with the growth of knowledge of the Hebrew row. There was also a miniature sheet containing language and academic research over the past two each of the four stamps. The quotations on these hundred years, there are many differing opinions four stamps are identical to those referred to in on the meanings of some of these words. Perhaps the Testimony article. Although the stamps show this explains why, on this occasion, the Israeli different owls from the Little owl illustrated in Post Office did not include an English translation the article, the bulletin states: of the biblical quotations on the actual stamps. “Unlike most other birds, owls have their eyes situated at the front of their heads, lending them what might be a ‘human’ expression. For 1. David Burges, “The owl—unique and perfect in de- this reason, the owl was thought to possess­ sign”, Mar. 2015, p. 101. Testimony, July 2015 266 Contents Eagle owl The lowest value stamp, the 30 agorot, shows the Eagle owl, with its Latin name Bubo bubo. This, and the next lowest stamp, the 40 agorot, which shows Bruce’s scops owl, each has on its respective cover sheet an English quotation from Isaiah 13:21. For the 30 agorot stamp the quotation reads, “. . . and its houses will be full of howling creatures,” and for the 40 agorot stamp, “. . . there owls will dwell.” The Hebrew word ochim in this verse, translated “doleful creatures” (AV) and “howling creatures” (ESV), occur nowhere else in Scripture. Isaiah refers to the destruction of Babylon: “And Babylon, the glory of kingdoms, the beauty of the Chaldees’ excellency, shall be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah. It shall never be inhabited, neither shall it be Bruce’s scops owl dwelt in from generation to generation: neither By contrast with the Eagle owl, the Bruce’s scops shall the Arabian pitch tent there; neither shall owl (Otus brucei) is the smallest owl to be found in the shepherds make their fold there. But wild Israel. Its habitat is localised to northeast Africa, beasts of the desert shall lie there; and their including Egypt and the Sinai, and the Middle houses shall be full of doleful creatures; and East (Israel, Syria and Iraq) and parts of southwest owls shall dwell there, and satyrs shall dance and central Asia. Unlike the Eagle owl, which there. And the wild beasts of the islands shall nests in the steep slopes of rocky areas, Bruce’s cry in their desolate houses, and dragons in scops owl nests in the trunks of hollow trees, their pleasant palaces: and her time is near to where its plumage blends in with the tree bark. come, and her days shall not be prolonged” Deuteronomy 14, quoted on the 50 agorot (vv. 19-22). stamp, mentions two owls, the Little owl and The Eagle owl can be found in a large part of the the Great owl: Eurasian landmass stretching from the Iberian “But these are they of which ye shall not eat: peninsula to Scandinavia, across Asia as far as the eagle, and the ossifrage, and the ospray China and the northern Middle East, including . . . the little owl, and the great owl, and the Iraq, ancient Babylon, through Syria and Lebanon swan, and the pelican, and the gier eagle, and and into the Holy Land, where its southernmost the cormorant, and the stork, and the heron extent is the Negev wilderness. It would be in- after her kind, and the lapwing, and the bat. teresting to know why the current cover sheet And every creeping thing that flieth is unclean follows the ESV’s “howling creature” for the Eagle unto you: they shall not be eaten” (vv. 12,16-19). owl, the largest of all the owls found in Israel The tab on this stamp renders “the swan” as “the and the Middle East, rather than choosing ‘owl.’ w a t e r h e n .” Similar phrasing is found in Leviticus 11: “And these are they which ye shall have in abomination among the fowls; they shall not be eaten, they are an abomination: the eagle, and the ossifrage, and the ospray . . . and the little owl, and the cormorant, and the great owl, and the swan, and the pelican, and the gier eagle, and the stork, the heron after her kind, and the lapwing, and the bat” (vv. 13,17-19).

Barn owl Two Hebrew words are translated “owl” in Deu- teronomy 14:16, kos (little or small owl) and yan- shuph (great owl). The first is the small owl shown Testimony, July 2015 Contents 267 for the LORD hath a sacrifice in Bozrah, and a great slaughter in the land of Idumea . . . For it is the day of the LORD’S vengeance, and the year of recompences for the controversy of Zion . . . But the cormorant and the bittern shall possess it; the owl also and the raven shall dwell in it . . . the screech owl also shall rest there, and find for herself a place of rest. There shall the great owl make her nest, and lay, and hatch, and gather under her shadow: there shall the vultures also be gathered, every one with her mate” (vv. 1-3,6,8,11,14,15). By contrast with this destruction of Edom, the following chapter portrays the glorious Mes- sianic age: “The wilderness and the solitary place shall on the 50 agorot stamp, where it is described as be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice, Tito albo, translated “Barn owl” on the tab. This and blossom as the rose. It shall blossom owl is the most widespread of owls, and can be abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and found almost everywhere in the world, with the singing . . . in the wilderness shall waters exception of the polar and desert regions and break out, and streams in the desert . . . And other very remote areas. The Barn owl frequents the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and most of Western Europe, including the British come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy Isles, most of the Mediterranean, including Tur- upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and key, and lives as far south as Egypt and northeast gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee Sudan. It always favours dwellings close to hu- away” (35:1,2,6,10). man habitation, roosting in attics, cattle sheds and chicken coops. Some consider this owl to Hume’s tawny owl be one of the farmer’s best friends, as it devours The last of the four bird stamps, the 80 agorot, the troublesome rodents that can devastate food shows Hume’s tawny owl with its Latin name crops. In years when there are plentiful supplies Strix butleri. The Hebrew quotation from Isaiah of rodents, female owls will breed two or three 34:14 on the tab reads: “. . . there shall the night times, producing as many as ten eggs. Unlike hag alight, and find for herself a resting place.” many other birds, this owl mates for life, finding The AV translation is: “The wild beasts of the a new partner only when its partner dies. desert shall also meet with the wild beasts of The “great owl” (not shown on the Israeli the island, and the satyr shall cry to his fellow; stamps) mentioned in verse 16 is thought by the screech owl also shall rest there, and find for some to be the Egyptian eagle owl, which lives herself a place of rest.” in ruins and crevices of rocks, generally away from civilisation. This is a bird of the wilderness and desert, favouring little or no contact with humans—hence the interesting association with the destruction of the land of Edom or Idumea in Isaiah 34: “Come near, ye nations, to hear; and hearken, ye people: let the earth hear, and all that is therein; the world, and all things that come forth of it. For the indignation of the LORD is upon all nations, and His fury upon all their armies: He hath utterly destroyed them, He hath delivered them to the slaughter. Their slain also shall be cast out, and their stink shall come up out of their carcases, and the mountains shall be melted with their blood . . . Testimony, July 2015 268 Contents The Hebrew word lilith (“night hag”; “screech a well-known nineteenth-century naturalist and owl”) is again unique to this passage, and has led a keen ornithologist, who had several species to very diverse opinions amongst commentators named after him but who became one of the and translators. Wycliffe used the word ‘lamya,’ first Anglican clergymen to accept Darwinism. and similar expressions are found in medieval Unlike the Israeli Post Office’s opinion that this translations, including the Bishop’s Bible and bird of prey is Hume’s owl, he thought that lilith Douay-Rheims Bible. The Geneva Bible of 1587 refers to the Screech owl or Barn owl shown on translated the word “shriche owle.” Modern the 50 agorot stamp. translations are similarly varied: “night owl” in Hume’s owl is largely resident in Israel, Syria Young’s translation (1898), “night monster” in the and the Arabian peninsula, living in arid desert American Standard Version (1901) and the Good areas, and nesting in holes in cliffs, where it feeds News Bible (1992), “vampires” (!) by Moffatt (1922), upon small mammals and some insects. “night bird” in the English Standard Version To the best of the writer’s knowledge, Israel (2001), “night creature” in the New International is the only country in the former Ottoman terri- Version (1978) and the New King James Version tory of the Middle East (including Iraq, Jordan, (1982), “night hag” in the Revised Standard Ver- Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority and Syria) to sion (1947), “nightjar” in the New World Transla- have issued stamps featuring owls. Is there some tion (1984) and the Revised English Bible (1989). significance in this? While three of these nations, Others demonstrate their uncertainty by retain- and other Arab states, have issued stamps show- ing the Hebrew word lilith or lilit: the Jerusalem ing the birds that live in and nest in the Middle Bible (1966), the New Revised Standard Version East, strangely the owl is missing. Not one owl (1989) and the Complete Jewish Bible (1998). It is is found on any stamp from this region, with the amazing that one bird and one Hebrew word can exception of these from Israel. Perhaps this is cause so much confusion. pure coincidence—or perhaps an unrecognised Hume’s owl is a medium-sized owl, named reminder of past and future times which saw, and after Allan Hume, a nineteenth-century orni- will see again, the cities of the cruel oppressors thologist of some renown. While readers would of Israel made desolate, when “the wilderness disagree with much of his theology, which tended and the solitary place shall be glad for them; and towards the religions of the Indian subcontinent, the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose where he lived for much of his life, he is said to . . . and the ransomed of the LORD shall return, have written, “There is no department of natural and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy science, the faithful study of which does not leave upon their heads” (Isa. 35:1,10). “There shall the us with juster and loftier views of the greatness, great owl make her nest, and lay, and hatch, and goodness and wisdom of the Creator and does gather under her shadow: there shall the vul- not leave us less selfish and less worldly.” Contrast tures also be gathered, every one with her mate” that with the opinions of Canon Henry Tristram, (34:15). The shadow of Peter One curious reference in Acts 5:15 needs some explanation. The sick were brought into the street so that the shadow of Peter might fall on the sick. This goes beyond even the touching of the hem of the garment of the Lord himself. What is the inspired record telling us? When Peter was on the mount of transfiguration the power of God as a bright cloud overshadowed them and the voice declared, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Mt. 17:5). Now Peter himself was an overshadowing presence of the Spirit of God declaring the Son. But there is another passage of Scripture that may be the source of this idea. Isaiah 32:1 refers us to Christ reigning in righteousness, and to the princes who will rule with him. These princes must in the first instance be the twelve apostles, who were promised to judge the twelve tribes (Mt. 19:28). Therefore Isaiah’s next verse should have special reference to the apostles and Peter: “And a man shall be as an hiding place from the wind, and a covert from the tempest; as rivers of water in a dry place, as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land” (32:2). The shadow of this “man” (called Petros, rock) was cast over a people suffering in the wilderness of life, and brought healing to prove that through the gospel of the Kingdom of God the power of the Son of the living God (the petra) was active to save.—Stephen Palmer

Testimony, July 2015 Contents 269 Watchman The Middle East: a whirlpool of competing forces Shaun Maher 1

HE WORLD LOOKS ON aghast and de- Meanwhile, in Iraq the impotent Shiite gov- void of solutions as the various intractable ernment is attempting halfheartedly to regain conflicts of the Middle East rage on. The territory lost to the Sunni IS, but as soon as gains T 4 perplexingly complex Syrian civil war, with a are made in one place, ground is lost in another. ­ range of participants that is bewildering to the most seasoned of political analysts, continues to 1. With thanks to Brother Jonie Barrett for material lay waste a once stable and relatively prosperous submitted. nation. The Shiite forces of Hezbollah directly, 2. http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-sec and Iran and Russia indirectly, are propping up urity/lawmakers-move-to-curb-1-billion-cia-program-to- the beleaguered Assad régime, while the Sunni train-syrian-rebels/2015/06/12/b0f45a9e-1114-11e5-adec- forces of the Islamic State (IS) and a smorgasbord e82f8395c032_story.html 3. http://triblive.com/usworld/nation/8557371-74/cia-syria- of secular and Islamist tribal factions, many program#axzz3cwQE0he9 backed covertly by the West, attempt to topple 4. http://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/12/world/middleeast/ him.2,3 isis-ramadi-tikrit-iraqi-army.html?_r=0

Turkey

Tunisia Syria Jordan Iraq Iran Morocco Kuwait Algeria Libya Egypt Saudi United Arab Arabia Emirates

Sudan Oman Yemen Bahrain and Qatar Ethiopia

Middle Eastern countries with more than five per cent Muslim population. Green: Sunni; red: Shiite; blue: Ibadi. Baba66/Wikimedia Commons

Testimony, July 2015 270 Contents Tensions are also growing in the Arabian pen- to the old Soviet Union, whereas the southern insula, where the Sunni Gulf States have joined Sunni states established by the British, more on forces to coordinate air strikes against the tribal Islamist foundations, have been allied to Iranian-backed Shiite Houthis in Yemen.5 Egypt the British and American powers. has wrestled herself to a semblance of stability, Following the break-up of the Soviet Union and in June hosted a meeting of Muslim nations and a number of American-led incursions into opposed to the Assad régime, led by Saudi Ara- the region, once-authoritarian governments in the bia, Turkey and Egypt, to discuss their strategy Shia-dominated nations have faltered and fallen, to topple him.6 To the north, Sunni Turkey is in the face of Western assault or civil war, as can entering a new political phase, as the incumbent be seen in the case of Iraq and most recently Syria. President Erdoğan’s power wanes and competing This brings us to where we are today, with a political parties come to the fore.7 IS is fighting in ‘miry’ mix of weak and strong, waxing and wan- Syria right up to the Turkish border, but thus far ing as they struggle for power, influence and has made no incursion into its Sunni brethren’s territory in the region (cf. Dan. 2:41-43). territory, and neither have the Turks interfered In summary, there are three regional powers with IS’s progress. This probably results partly seeking to expand their sphere of influence and from shared sectarian roots, but mainly from a to limit that of their opponents: in the south, the mutual desire to remove Assad from power. Western-allied Sunni Saudi Arabia; in the north, the Russian-backed Shia Iran; and alongside How did we get here? them Turkey. Turkey’s place in this trio seems Even the simplified summary above is bewilder- superficially to load the dice in favour of the ingly complex, so what are we to make of this Sunni nations. However, the confounding factor confusion and conflict in these territories and in this scenario is waxing Russian influence in peoples of which the Scriptures have so much the Middle East at a time when the West’s in- to say? volvement is waning. In recent years Turkey has It would be over-simplistic to suggest that the turned from friend of Israel to foe. And in recent current troubles are due purely to a religious months, emboldened by Russian weakness on the dispute about who is the rightful successor to back of falling energy prices, she has sensed an the prophet Muhammad (the root of the origi- opportunity to strengthen ties with Ukraine (a nal Sunni-Shia schism). Although the warring fellow Black Sea nation), forging economic and factions are undeniably divided along sectarian military links.9,10 This is almost certain to create lines, this is also a battle for economic power tension between Moscow and Ankara. and territorial control, as much as it is a battle to During the past four centuries, Russia and overcome opponents viewed as ‘apostate’. 8 Turkey have fought at least twelve wars as they The modern nations and boundaries of the have vied for power and influence in the Black region owe their origins to the British, and to a Sea region, most recently during the First World lesser degree French, empires, who, at the peak War. The Russo-Turkish interface and the conse- of their imperial power, redrew borders in the quent impact on the Middle East may prove to Middle East at the end of the First World War as Ottoman power receded and re-formed itself as the modern-day Turkish Republic. The bounda- 5. http://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Saudi-Arabia-vs-Iran- ries imposed cut across ancient tribal and other What-should-we-expect-403700 sub-national groupings, to form the nations we 6. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middle know as Syria, Egypt, Iraq, Saudi Arabia and the east/syria/11660971/Assad-opponents-meet-in-Cairo-to- form-new-opposition-alliance.html Gulf States. Other nation states, namely Iran and 7. http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/jun/10/ Turkey itself, coalesced in the wider region more turkeys-recep-tayyip-erdogan-election-defeat independently of the imperial powers. Approxi- 8. https://www.stratfor.com/analysis/why-shiite-expan mate borders could perhaps be traced back even sion-will-be-short-lived?utm_source=freelist-f&utm_ further, to the provinces of the Roman Empire medium=email&utm_term=article&utm_campaign= and beyond. 20150514&mc_cid=0ac147a275&mc_eid=5615fdeeab 9. In subsequent years the nations in this re- http://www.defensenews.com/story/defense/policy- budget/industry/2015/04/25/turkey-ukraine-russia- gion have divided loosely into two camps. The armor-tank-engines-jet-joint/26231635/ northern, often politically corrupt, Shia nations 10. https://www.stratfor.com/sample/analysis/russia-weak have tended to be secular socialist states allied ens-turkey-grows-assertive Testimony, July 2015 Contents 271 be hugely significant as we move closer to our Lord’s return.

A clear view Daniel’s prophecy of the end times describes a situation of warring southern and northern pow- ers in the very region we have been considering (11:5-45). Many view much of this prophecy as fulfilled, but there is a view that the latter section (vv. 40-45) has yet to be fulfilled, or even that the entire prophecy may have a dual application, and is linked with the alliance and events described in Ezekiel 38:1-6. The situation today, as summarised above, seems to confirm that the ancient rivalries and conflicts described in Daniel 11 have been re- ignited and fanned as a result of Western inter- vention in Iraq and the Arab Spring. This has created the circumstances for age-old enmities to re-emerge, leading to the situation we observe today. Undoubtedly the angels are at work in the Bust of Antiochus IV, now in the Altes Museum kingdom of men (4:17). While the world looks on in Berlin. The conflicts between Antiochus aghast, and with no solutions to these problems, (the king of the north) and Egypt (the king of we know that these are but the birth pangs that the south) are prophesied in Daniel 11. These give us confidence in the hope of a glorious new ancient rivalries are perhaps being reignited by beginning when the greater Son of David will current interventions in the Middle East. reign in truth and righteousness. Jniemenmaa/Wikimedia Commons Contents

Watchman A pro-Israel Sunni alliance emerging? Geoff Henstock

HRISTADELPHIANS have long expected After the proclamation of Israeli independence to see the emergence of two basic camps in 1948 the region endured decades of instability, Cin the Middle East at the time of the end: although in the early decades of Israel’s exist- a coalition led by Gog which invades the Middle ence one thing did remain stable and constant: East and attacks Israel, and a group objecting to the fact that Israel was essentially alone in the the actions of Gog and his allies and opposes Middle East, surrounded by more or less hostile them, seemingly half-heartedly. While this broad regimes intent on her destruction. This started to outline was enunciated clearly in 1849 in Elpis change in the 1970s when Israel signed a peace Israel, there have been times since then when treaty with Egypt. That treaty was followed in the vicissitudes of international diplomacy and the 1990s by one with Jordan. At about the same national politics have made it hard to see how the time Israel entered into formal negotiations with groupings described in Ezekiel 38 might coalesce, the Palestinians, with the seemingly illusive especially with regard to those players based in objective of reaching a mutually agreeable settle- the Middle East. ment. Testimony, July 2015 272 Contents Arab spring—or should that be winter? Much of Dr Spyer’s essay is devoted to the An incisive essay titled “Battle Lines—the great growing influence and reach of Iran—the Persia conflict now reshaping the Middle East” was of Ezekiel 38:5. Notwithstanding the fact that published in the May 2015 issue of the Australia Iran is not an Arab state and its language is not Israel Review.1 The author, Dr Jonathan Spyer, is Arabic, Teheran has worked tirelessly to spread a senior research fellow at the Global Research its tentacles across the Arab world. It actively in International Affairs Centre (‘GLORIA’). He supports the Assad Syrian régime, Hezbollah in opened his essay with these words: Lebanon and Hamas in the Palestinian territories. “In the last decade, the Middle East has It is also providing practical and moral support been living through a political convulsion of to the Houthi rebels who seem to be on the verge historic proportions. Regimes that once ap- of assuming control in Yemen. peared immovable have been destroyed or have receded. New forces have risen up and Opposing Iran are making war over the ruins. In recent years more moderate, more pro-Western “The result of the effective eclipse in recent Middle Eastern states, such as Saudi Arabia, Jor- years of the states of Iraq, Syria and Lebanon dan, the United Arab Emirates and other states has been the emergence of a large and chaotic along the Persian Gulf, have become increasingly conflict in the contiguous area once covered by concerned about Iran’s aggressive policies. In those states. The failure to develop coherent part their concern is political and national—they state-loyal national identities in the areas in recognise the threat Iran poses to their internal question has meant that once central authori- stability and even sovereignty. At another level ties disappear, a political-military competition their concern is religiously motivated. The Sunni based on forces assembled according to ethnic Muslim powers in these states are opposed to the and sectarian identity emerges” (emphasis Shia version of Islam favoured by the Iranians added). and the forces the Iranians support. The concepts in these paragraphs will resonate Although they have been slow to respond, in with many students of the Bible because they pick recent years these Sunni powers have become up themes that the prophets lead us to expect to more assertive in their opposition to the tactics see at the time of the end. All the nations listed and policies of Iran. As Dr Spyer remarks: “A by Dr Spyer were included within the territory of Sunni coalition which seeks to mobilise to chal- the Ottoman Empire before its drying up under lenge the Iranian advance towards regional domi- the sixth vial of Revelation 16. “Chaotic conflict” nation is now in the process of being established. is a perfect description of the outworking of the Saudi Arabia stands at the head of this effort.” froglike spirits, which have a destabilising influ- Emergence of this Sunni coalition was helped ence, in particular, in the area formerly occupied by the military coup in Egypt in July 2013, and by the Ottoman Empire. The end result of that has been further assisted by the accession of a instability will be the gathering of all nations to new monarch in Saudi Arabia. A Riyadh/Cairo- Armageddon (vv. 12-16). led axis of powers opposed to Iran is develop- The picture that emerges when we view the ing. Under its new king, Salman, Saudi Arabia chaos that has engulfed Iraq, Syria and Lebanon, has stepped up its opposition to the Houthis in which has brought so much suffering to Gaza and Yemen. Saudi Arabia has good reason to be wor- which is now convulsing Yemen, is of warring ried about the civil war in her neighbour, given factions such as Isis, Hamas and the Houthis that she shares a poorly guarded, 1,500-kilometre justifying on religious grounds their aggressive border with Yemen. That there are much more promotion of their own interests without regard serious and broad strategic issues at stake, how- to the suffering inflicted on others. The terms of ever, is reflected in the fact that this campaign another passage that describes the events leading is actively supported by nine other Sunni states: up to Armageddon come to mind: “Proclaim this Morocco, Egypt, Jordan, Sudan, Pakistan, Qatar, among the nations: Consecrate for war; stir up the Kuwait, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates, mighty men. Let all the men of war draw near; none of whom is contiguous with Yemen (see map let them come up. Beat your plowshares into on p. 270). Of these nine nations, all but Pakistan swords, and your pruning hooks into spears; let the weak say, ‘I am a warrior’” (Joel 3:9,10, 1. The full article is available online at http://www.aijac. ESV). org.au/news/article/battle-lines Testimony, July 2015 Contents 273 and Sudan were once part of the Ottoman Empire, the picture painted by the prophets of the time as was Yemen. of the end with regard to the Middle East: Dr Spyer sums up the situation now develop- “So the direction of events in the Middle East ing in the region by describing a strategic picture is towards an ongoing conflict in several fronts in which he sees four key factors: between a bloc of mainly Shi’ite forces led by • Political chaos in Yemen, Syria, Iraq, Libya Iran, and a looser, more disparate gathering (also mentioned in Ezekiel 38:5 as an ally of of Sunni forces in which Saudi Arabia (and Gog), Lebanon and Gaza, following the demise probably also Turkey and Qatar) are set to of strong former regimes in these countries, play central roles. This conflict is set to define with potential follow-up governments coalesc- the next chapter of the troubled history of ing instead around issues of ethnicity, tribal our region.” loyalties and sectarian interests. The next chapter of the history of this region • Iran’s continued push for regional supremacy, was set forth long ago in the Bible. Our read- as she takes further advantage of this chaos, ing of Ezekiel 38 would lead us to substitute as seeking to increase her influence in Yemen, leaders of the two opposing blocs Gog (Russia) Iraq, Syria and Gaza via her closely controlled and Tarshish, but the conflict as described by Dr representatives in these countries. Spyer is broadly consistent with that picture. The • The reaction to this from within Sunni Islam, nations he identifies—Iran, Saudi Arabia, Qatar fearful of Iran’s efforts to dominate the re- and Turkey—all have a part to play in the drama gion. So far Sunni efforts have succeeded in that will usher in the Kingdom of God and the preventing Iran’s dominance in Yemen, Syria reign of Christ. and Iraq, but have not been able to overcome Perhaps we have wondered why Sheba and the representative powers promoting Iran’s Dedan should come to Israel’s support when interests. Gog invades, as Ezekiel 38:13 says they will. The • The USA’s absence from involvement. Wash- scenario emerging today suggests their support ington is mistaken, Dr Spyer says, in its as- might be motivated by their own self-interest sumption that Iran is willing to ‘engage’ with rather than friendship for the Jewish state. If they the USA, a misreading of the situation which have little else in common, it looks likely that they will serve only to promote Iran’s regional will share a common enemy! Such is the way that intentions, and a corresponding increase in God’s angels sometimes work in bringing about tension with Sunni powers which is certain outcomes men would not expect. It is encourag- to follow. ing to those who are watching and waiting to Dr Spyer concludes his essay with words which, see signs of the emergence of the scenario they with only minor rebalancing, could summarise have long expected. Contents

The valley of dry bones (Ezek. 37) has been stirring since Israel became a nation again:

• worldwide Jewish population 13.3 million (approx. 50% in the USA)

• 8 million people live in Israel, of whom only 37% (2.96 million) are Jewish

• two thirds (1.973 million) die (Zech. 13:8)

• one third (0.987 million) live and are saved and refined

• 6.65 million died in the Holocaust, and a further 1.97 million is the Lord’s cull, before the nation—still in denial of what they have done—finally comes to its senses.

Jerusalem’s warfare is not yet accomplished. Jacob’s woes yet remain. The times of the Gentiles are not yet fulfilled.

Testimony, July 2015 274 Contents Review The coming of the Lord is at hand Imogen Kemp

Eleven Weeks. and tirelessly tries to guide all those who come Anna Tikvah. into his life to follow God and the Lord Jesus ISBN 9781499217650. above all else. The brothers’ parents desperately CreateSpace want Jake and Zach to turn fully to God, but Independent this often leads to frustrated exchanges between Publishing Platform them. (2014). The book allows us to identify aspects of each character’s personality with the way we live and Available from The act before others and, more importantly, before Christadelphian, 404 God. We see the way they behave in public and Shaftmoor Lane, in private, and the consequences of the decisions Birmingham, B28 they make. Anna Tikvah deals with a range of 8SZ; http://www. temptations we all face, and the ease with which thechristadelphian. sin creeps into our lives. She captures succinctly com/eleven_weeks.htm the fact that each of us is “lured and enticed by 360 pages. UK price £11.99 plus postage. his own desire” (Jas. 1:14, ESV). The attempts made by the characters to justify sin resonate LEVEN WEEKS IS the fourth book in the with every follower of Christ, for of course we all series by ‘Anna Tikvah’ (the pen name of face this same battle. Our knowledge that Jesus’ Ea Christadelphian sister from Canada), yet return may be imminent makes us all too aware it can be read as a stand-alone novel. Perhaps that we are in the same position as they—and it should come with a warning: this book will that our time to act is limited. make you rethink your everyday actions and motives, your commitment to God, your zeal For all ages to follow Him, and your desire to seek first His This is a simply written novel rather than a study Kingdom! It may even shock you, and reading it looking at finer points of doctrine; as a result it was certainly a wake-up call for me. does not require a great deal of biblical knowledge The novel follows the story of twins Jake and prior to reading. Consequently it is very suitable Zach, living in Canada, who are unaware that the for those with only a little understanding of God. Lord Jesus will return in exactly eleven weeks. At It offers considerable insight into our belief that the start of the book one twin is baptised and one Jesus will establish God’s Kingdom on earth, and is not. The story covers the period between the the implications of how we must live now to have end of the school year and the summer break. We a place in it, by God’s grace. Nevertheless this trace the twins’ lives as they follow inevitably dif- does not exempt the more mature reader from ferent paths—yet perhaps not as one would have picking up this book. The way the novel pricks expected. En route an assortment of characters the conscience, asking us whether we really are test and pull Jake and Zach in different directions. prepared for Jesus’ return, is something that Melissa, the beautiful school friend, is a tempta- everyone can benefit from. We always need such tion for both boys, as she tests each one’s resolve reminders, and require constantly to take time to put God first. The basketball team and their to consider how we are living and serving, and coach Brett oblige the boys to choose between whether this is bringing God glory. a Bible study week or a basketball camp. Uncle Every believer has a view on what the phrase James (a character who returns from previous ‘the last days’ means; this book does not provide novels) has a zealous passion for Bible prophecy, a scriptural blueprint of what will happen, but Testimony, July 2015 Contents 275 only one person’s scripturally informed ideas. fear, joy and excitement of the day of Christ’s There is no need for readers to take offence if they coming. disagree with the exact order of events suggested; Perhaps all too often we are guilty of putting if that happens, we may have missed the point off the need to act, comforting ourselves in the of the book. It is written to make us examine ‘assurance’ that it may be ten, twenty years before our attitudes to the return of the Lord Jesus, not the Lord returns. But what if it were just ‘eleven to create contention. Anna Tikvah exercises her weeks’ from now? Gather the oil, preach the good imagination powerfully, and will cause all who news, help the widows and orphans while we read her book to shiver with the anticipation, have the opportunity, for he will surely come!

Contents Exposition The rod of God (2) David E. Green

The concluding part of this study reviews the scriptural rider He has thrown into the sea!” (Ex. 15:1); “Your right hand, O LORD, references to the ‘rod of God,’ many of which point forward has become glorious in power; Your to the work of our Lord Jesus Christ. right hand, O LORD, has dashed the enemy in pieces” (v. 6); “You stretched T WAS NECESSARY for the Israelites to pass out Your right hand; the earth swallowed them” through the Red Sea in order to escape fully (v. 12). Ifrom the bondage of Egypt. The Apostle Paul de- What happened to the Egyptians becomes scribes this as being a type of baptism: “Moreover, prophetic of God’s judgements that are due to brethren, I do not want you to be unaware that be poured out against “Babylon the Great” when all our fathers were under the cloud, all passed Jesus returns to establish God’s Kingdom: “Then through the sea, all were baptised into Moses in a mighty angel took up a stone like a great mill- the cloud and in the sea” (1 Cor. 10:1,2).1 stone and threw it into the sea, saying, ‘Thus with This event pointed forward to the work of violence the great city Babylon shall be thrown Christ, who, having conquered the serpent power down, and shall not be found anymore’” (Rev. of sin in himself, became ‘the rod of God’ who 18:21). At that time, Jesus, the rod (Heb. matteh) opened up the way of salvation for believers who of God, will use his rod (Heb. shebet)3 of iron to are baptised into his death: “Or do you not know punish those who refuse his rule, by smiting the that as many of us as were baptised into Christ nations with a rod of iron (Ps. 2:9; Rev. 2:27; 19:15). Jesus were baptised into his death? Therefore we were buried with him through baptism into death, Water from the rock that just as Christ was raised from the dead by Moses’ rod that had turned the Nile waters to the glory of the Father, even so we also should blood, making them undrinkable, was now used walk in newness of life” (Rom. 6:3,4). to smite the rock to produce living (running) wa- ter (Ex. 17:5,6): “[God] opened the rock, and water Drowning the Egyptian army gushed out; it ran in the dry places like a river” The rod of God had already been used a number (Ps. 105:41). The Apostle Paul informs us that of times by Moses to inflict God’s judgements this rock that provided the living water for the upon the Egyptians in the form of various thirsty Israelites represented Christ: “. . . all drank plagues, as set out in the table in Part 1.2 Now the same spiritual drink. For they drank of the in its implied, final use against the Egyptians spiritual rock that followed them, and that rock as a rod of punishment, it brings destruction on was Christ” (1 Cor. 10:4). It should be noted that the Egyptian army as God’s hand is stretched the word “them” in the phrase “followed them” out against them: “I will sing to the LORD, for is not present in most Greek manuscripts. The He has triumphed gloriously! The horse and its most likely sense of Paul’s words may therefore Testimony, July 2015 276 Contents be that the provision of water (Ex. 17) followed manifested in the flesh. Just as sin attacks spir- the giving of manna (ch. 16), thus matching the itual ‘stragglers,’ so Amalek had been attacking order in which they are mentioned in 1 Corin- the Israelite stragglers as they travelled through thians 10:3,4. the wilderness (Deut. 25:17-19). Jesus, speaking to the Samaritan woman about Moses stood on the top of the hill with the rod this spiritual drink, said, “whoever drinks of the of God in his hand while Joshua led the battle water that I shall give him will never thirst. But against the Amalekites. But it was only when the water that I shall give him will become in him Moses held up his rod that the Israelites prevailed, a fountain of water springing up into everlasting so Aaron and Hur supported his hands on either life” (Jno. 4:14). side until the sun went down, ensuring a complete The smiting of the rock in Horeb with the victory (Ex. 17:8-13). The real weapon of victory serpent-rod represented the crucifixion of Christ, was the rod in the hand of Moses; and, since whereby the power of sin was finally destroyed both hands were raised, it may be assumed that so that ‘water of life’ might be supplied to God’s intercession and supplication were also involved. people. Jesus was bruised in his heel by the Here we have foreshadowed the destruction of serpent through the malicious actions of the those nations whose sinful ways motivate them serpent’s seed, described in the New Testament to oppose God’s people and their King, the Lord as a “brood of vipers” (Mt. 3:7; 12:34; 23:33). Jesus Christ. He will be the rod of God’s wrath, If the rod of God used in plaguing the Egyp- who will complete the victory that involves the tians represented Jesus with his sin-prone nature utter extinction of sin and the eradication of all subdued and put to death, it seems unfitting to who set themselves against God and His holy view it differently in this later event—as if it now laws. For this reason the annihilation of the represents the active serpent power of sinful nation of Amalek is prophesied in no uncertain human nature smiting the rock that Scripture terms: “Write this for a memorial in the book and informs us represents Christ. Perhaps a better recount it in the hearing of Joshua, that I will ut- point of view is to see the incident as the part terly blot out the remembrance of Amalek from Jesus played in his sacrificial death, in that he under heaven” (v. 14); “for [Moses] said, ‘Because willingly laid down his life for the sheep (Jno. the LORD has sworn: the LORD will have war 10:15,17). He allowed himself to be put to death with Amalek from generation to generation’” so that the waters of life might flow (Jno. 4:14; (v. 16). All shall be brought under the feet of the 7:37, 3 8). Lord Jesus (Ps. 110:1,2; 1 Cor. 15:25) and sin will A lesson for us lies in Christ’s self-sacrifice: be eliminated completely, so that “God may be that we should deny ourselves and take up the all in all” (v. 28). cross and follow the example of our Lord and Master. In a sense we need to ‘smite’ ourselves, Yahweh is my banner “[putting] to death the deeds of the body” (Rom Moses built an altar called ‘Yahweh is my ban- 8:13). “Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to ner’ (Heb. Yahweh-nissi) in commemoration of be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Israel’s victory over Amalek (Ex. 17:15). This altar Jesus our Lord” (6:11). Alternatively, the rod of foreshadowed Jesus Christ, whom God has given God smiting the rock may be seen from the point as “a leader and commander for the people” (Isa. of view of God’s involvement: “. . . and the LORD 55:4). The rod of God, held aloft in Moses’ hand has laid on him the iniquity of us all” (Isa. 53:6). and bringing victory to the Israelites, becomes “Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; He has the banner or rallying point that will lead God’s put him to grief . . .” (v. 10). people to victory over sin in all its manifestations, so that they might find a glorious resting place in The rod of God in my hand God’s Kingdom: “And in that day there shall be a The next incident involving the rod of God was Root of Jesse, who shall stand as a banner to the the battle against the Amalekites, who attacked the Israelites at Rephidim, presumably seeking to get control of the miraculously provided water 1. All Bible quotations are from the NKJV. 2. See “The rod of God (1),” Apr. 2015, p. 137. supply (Ex. 17:8-16). The Amalekites were the 3. Job 21:9 is the only other time “the rod of God” is offspring of Amalek, a grandson of Esau (Gen. referred to in the AV. In this passage the Hebrew 36:12), a man of the flesh. Like Egypt, Amalek was word shebet is used, and it is a rod of punishment, as another nation that represented the power of sin in Psalm 2:9. Testimony, July 2015 Contents 277 people; for the Gentiles shall seek him, and his nature that seeks to draw us into the darkness resting place shall be glorious” (11:10). of worldliness. With prayer and meditation on The Hebrew word nissi, translated “banner” the Word of life, and our weekly memorial of the in these passages, is also variously translated great sacrifice that has been made on our behalf, ‘ensign,’ ‘standard’ and ‘pole.’ One such nissi was we find strength to overcome through our Lord used by Moses in the wilderness to provide a Jesus Christ; for our commander is leading us cure for those Israelites, bitten by fiery serpents, to a glorious resting place. Like the children of who looked at it in faith (Num. 21:4-9): “So Moses Israel long ago, we are on a pilgrimage, coming made a bronze serpent, and put it on a pole; and away from the darkness of Egypt and being led so it was, if a serpent had bitten anyone, when by the light of God’s glory to a glorious resting he looked at the bronze serpent, he lived” (v. 9). place in His Kingdom. In this foreshadowing of the redemptive work of the Lord Jesus, the deadly bite of the fiery serpent Aaron’s rod that budded represented the ‘bite’ of sin, which inevitably Following the rebellion by Korah, Dathan and leads to death. Abiram, when they attempted to displace Israel’s An important connection between the rod of divinely appointed leaders Moses and Aaron God and the pole Moses set up in the wilderness (Num. 16), God confirmed his choice of Aaron is that both incorporated a serpent in a harmless from amongst the leaders of the twelve tribes form, and both pointed forward to the Lord Jesus by causing his rod to blossom into life. Within Christ having put to death his sin-prone human twenty-four hours of being placed before the Lord nature: “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in in the tabernacle of witness, it “had sprouted the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be and put forth buds, had produced blossoms and lifted up, that whoever believes in him should not yielded ripe almonds” (17:8). Aaron’s rod coming perish [because they have been bitten by sin] but to life after being long dead becomes a symbol of have eternal life” (Jno. 3:14,15); “‘And I, if I am resurrection—doubly so, since the almond tree is lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to the earliest tree in the Holy Land to waken from myself.’ This he said, signifying by what death he the sleep of winter, with its mass of pinkish white would die” (12:32,33). blossom. This feature leads to its Hebrew name We take comfort that we have Jesus as our shaqed, meaning the ‘wakening’ tree. commander and leader in the battle of life as Aaron’s rod was then kept in the tabernacle, we fight against the pull of our sinful nature, a being placed before the testimony (the ark of the

Almond tree blossoming in early springtime in Israel. The almond is one of the earliest of the trees to flower in Israel, being seen in blossom in February, leading to its Hebrew name shaqed, ‘the wakening tree’, and making it a fitting symbol of resurrection. Wikimedia Commons/Avishai Teicher, via the PikiWiki Israel free image collection project.

Testimony, July 2015 278 Contents covenant) to be a sign against the rebels (v. 10). It and judgement to the times in which we live. should be noted that in this position the rod that When Egypt was plunged into darkness, the budded becomes an emblem for the tree of life. people of Israel “had light in their dwellings” (Ex. Just as the cherubim positioned on the east side 10:21-23). Although we live in a world pervaded of the garden of Eden guarded “the way to the by an intense spiritual darkness, we enjoy the tree of life” (Gen. 3:24), so the access to Aaron’s spiritual light that comes to us from the Word rod was only through the veil embroidered with of God. Let us not neglect the daily reading of cherubim, which hung on the east side of the the Scriptures of truth that guide our footsteps Most Holy Place (Ex. 26:31-33). in ways pleasing to our heavenly Father. And, as we read and meditate on God’s Word, let us Water from the rock at Kadesh always be on the lookout for the frequent types The final mention of one of the rods relates to and shadows that point to “the coming one” the miraculous provision of water from the rock (Mt. 11:3) who delivers us from the bondage of at Kadesh (Num. 20:1-13). There is a difference sin and death. of opinion as to which rod was used by Moses Let us do our utmost to be prepared for our to strike the rock when he should have spoken Master’s coming, for he also comes to bring to it. We read that Moses took the rod “from God’s judgement on an ungodly world steeped before the LORD” (v. 9), which suggests that this in ‘Egyptian’ darkness. Since the day of the Lord was Aaron’s rod, which had been placed before is coming as a thief in the night, when both the the testimony (17:10). On the other hand, the rod earth and the works that are in it will be burned that Moses used to smite the rock is described up, it is essential that we pay attention to Peter’s as “his rod” (20:11), so was Moses’ rod also kept exhortation to exhibit holy behaviour and acts of before the Lord? godliness in our lives: “Therefore, since all these Different Hebrew words are used of the two things will be dissolved, what manner of persons rocks that provided water in the wilderness, ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, tzur for the one in Horeb and sela for the one in looking for and hastening the coming of the day Kadesh. The tzur at Horeb represented the lowly of God . . . ?” (2 Pet. 3:11,12). The Greek word Christ, who was smitten for our sins, whilst the translated “hastening” in this verse has the idea sela at Kadesh represented the resurrected and of ‘earnestly desiring’ (see RV). In God’s mercy the exalted Christ, officiating as our High Priest.Sela day of the Lord brings for us “new heavens and is said to refer to a cleft in a rock, hence a cliff or a new earth, in which righteousness dwells” (v. crag, which implies an elevated rock separated 13). So let us give priority in our lives to seeking from its surroundings,4 and as such is a fitting first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, symbol for our risen Lord. To fit the type it must for the signs of the times make it clear that our have been Aaron’s rod that Moses held, because Lord Jesus Christ will soon appear. There is “the it represented resurrection and the tree of life. It crown of righteousness” laid up for those who is relevant that Aaron, the high priest, was also “have loved his appearing” (2 Tim. 4:8). required to be present on this occasion, whereas at Horeb it was some of the elders of Israel that (Concluded) Contents accompanied Moses, and Aaron is not mentioned as being present. 4. For a good example of this use of sela see 1 Samuel Deliverance and judgement 14:4. However, its use in Judges 6:20 does not seem It is useful to conclude this study by thinking to refer to a high rock, but merely to a separate or about the relevance of the themes of deliverance isolated rock.

God is sanctified and glorified when His Word is honoured and believed and obeyed. It is a rudimentary lesson men will not learn. They say of the Scriptures that it is not the Word of God, or with what amounts to no more respect, that it contains the Word of God amid much which is the word of man. Its appointments are ignored or explained away even when they are understood. The coming day will make manifest with the same devastating effect as in the case of Nadab and Abihu that His Word has been disobeyed. John Carter, The Letter to the Hebrews (1964), p. 133

Testimony, July 2015 Contents 279 Exhortation Time G.B.

A contemplative look at Ecclesiastes 3:1-8. God, man is as insignificant as an ant, borne away as chaff before the wind, O EVERY THING there is a season, destined to fade and die like grass that has no and a time to every purpose under the water. We can see within the book shadows of “Theaven.” This statement catapults us our whole life and destiny. Man is destined to right back to Genesis, with its short but succinct die, yet God “has put eternity into man’s heart” account of the beginning of our world and our (3:11, ESV)—an awareness of a future, a striving life. Within these first few words of the Preacher to obtain it—yet still we cannot know what God we can see unfolding before our eyes the story has done and what He plans. Only by coming of creation—a time of beginning when God set into the family of God by His good grace can out the order of things: He set the world on its we achieve a future. axis; bound the sea and set the moon upon its So the Preacher tells of life’s experiences, and course; planned the seasons and patterns of the concludes that everything achieved by man is changing weather—a time when He not only vanity. Yet perhaps there is another, more spir- created but set His law over all that was made. itual picture within the Preacher’s words. He was He created life and ordained the reproduction of a king, a man of wealth; but, more importantly, the species, from man to the lower animals. “Do God had given him wisdom; and so in poignant you know when the mountain goats give birth? words he discerns God’s purpose with man. It Do you observe the calving of the does? Can you is as if he has set out to prove the Word of God. number the months that they fulfil, and do you Unlike most of us, he was in a position to achieve know the time when they give birth . . . ?” (Job all the desires of a man’s heart, but he concludes 39:1,2, ESV). that all is vanity. This is a salutary warning to God gave to the world energy to keep the mankind. systems from failure, in which we see the order of His planning, for without grass man could God’s time frame not live, without water plants could not live, and Much of Ecclesiastes is about mortality; but if without light there would be no life. So in the we look for deeper meaning we find the history short creation story we see a complex ecological of God’s people described in chapter 3. “A time system established that is still present today. Fur- to be born” not only references the renewing of thermore, God put into the earth precious metals the species but anticipates the planned birth of and jewels for man to find, and developed the Christ, set out in a promise in the early chapters knowledge and skills for man to use them. Do we of Genesis. Likewise “a time to die”; for as surely ever think who taught man about these jewels, or as the birth of the Saviour was foretold, so also who taught him to make and play musical instru- was the day of his death, already on the horizon ments? There were no teachers for the first man, when he was born. so surely such knowledge came from God. The Our own time to die was set after the begin- Preacher frequently uses the term “under the sun,” ning of sin—also in the early chapters of Gen- an acknowledgement that everything was made esis—and although in our mortal life we can at the creation, and that there is nothing new. relate to the “a time to . . .” statements, surely the Preacher is talking about God’s time, God’s Here today, gone tomorrow purpose, and God’s actions, not ours. We delude The whole of Ecclesiastes is about the limited ourselves if we think we have plenty of time time that man has and the ‘vanity’ of everything until our death or until the Lord’s return, time that he does; through the ages man has achieved to think about our future and the way we live. great things, but these are nothing compared “Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required with the greatness and majesty of God. Without of thee” (Lk. 12:20). The few verses of Ecclesiastes Testimony, July 2015 280 Contents 3 set out the story of God’s purpose and actions breaking down demonstrates to man how futile with His children. his efforts, how vain his workmanship and toil. Having begun with creation, the Preacher re- We experience today the great forces of nature flects on the interaction of God with His people that war against us; how puny man is when God in numerous short statements. The statements are releases the force of His elements! all opposites, contrasting good times with bad, We need to work hard at establishing and God’s way with man’s. The emotions within these building up our faith in Our Lord and Saviour, statements—mourning, love, hate and laughter constructing a firm foundation so that we may (joy)—are all attributed in the Scriptures to God; eventually be fit stones in the temple of our God. for we read, “it repented the LORD . . .” (Gen. We must build up the ecclesia, bear each other’s 6:6); “. . . which the LORD thy God hateth” (Deut. load, care for each other as Christ cares for us; 16:22); “the LORD loved you” (7:8); and “He will keep the lampstand burning; keep our faith joy over thee with singing” (Zeph. 3:17), to give and hope strong so that we may be granted a just a few examples. place when God builds His temple and selects the stones. A time to plant, and a time to pluck up Did not God plant a garden and, in time, allow A time to weep, and a time to laugh . . . it be destroyed? He taught early man husbandry How well we know the sorrows of this life! Yet so he could plant and harvest food. Later God “weeping may tarry for the night, but joy cometh overturned His Land and laid it desolate. He in the morning” (Ps. 30:5 RV). We weep for sor- planted His people in the Land, and then, because rows we accumulate in this life, but do we weep of disobedience, because they did not follow His as Christ did over the sorrow caused to God by ways, He sent them into captivity and the Land our backsliding, our less-than-perfect longing was left barren. “Behold, what I have built I am for the coming Kingdom, for our forgetfulness breaking down, and what I have planted I am of what we have committed to and promised? plucking up . . .” (Jer. 45:4, ESV). Do we weep for the times when we have allowed the problems and the enticements of this world A time to kill, and a time to heal to come before our commitment to God’s Word? On many occasions God has instructed His peo- While man is trying to ‘save’ the planet and ple to kill or has used other nations to punish work out his destiny there will always be weep- His people for sin. Individuals were put to death ing, but there will come a time for which we long, for sin so that the people would not become cor- and when all sorrow is wiped away. This can be rupt and the Land impure. Whole nations were brought about only by the establishment of the destroyed because of their worship of idols and Kingdom; then, and only then, will there be a time associated corrupt practices. In the miracles of of joy and laughter. Then our time of mourning Jesus and the apostles we see examples of tempo- will be over and we will dance for joy before the rary healing, but sin and death have continued; Lord, as David danced when his heart was full of there are killings, wars and tumult. But there love for spiritual things (1 Chron. 15:29); we will will be a time of healing when the purpose of “praise His name with dancing” (Ps. 149:3, NIV), God is fully worked out. To heal means to restore with music and song, in that great day when the to health or soundness, to make right or return Lord establishes his Kingdom. Our mourning to spiritual wholeness. Thus we see that man is will be over; and if we have truly repented of our unable to give true healing; this will come about sins we will laugh and be full of joy that we have only with the return of Christ and the establish- been blessed with the wonderful gift of eternal ment of the Kingdom. life and a place in the Kingdom.

A time to break down, and a time to build A time to cast away stones, and a time to up gather stones together . . . We see numerous examples in Scripture of break- The Hebrew word for ‘stones’ is ebenim, and the ing down: cities destroyed, idol images torn word for children is benim, so we see a connec- down, and the destruction of the temple. God tion between the two and the paradox of God uses the force of other nations and the natural being able to raise children from stones (Mt. forces of the environment to bring destruction 3:9). Just as He cast away a building made of and punishment on His wayward children. This stones, so He cast off His disobedient children. Testimony, July 2015 Contents 281 But there will come a time when He gathers in endless strivings to bring about peace. “Vanity . . . these ‘stones’ and embraces them. According to all is vanity” (12:8), says the Preacher. some, the Hebrew chabaq means ‘to embrace, to It is as if the Preacher set his mind to ‘test’ be redeemed or atoned’—to be received into the God in trying out all that he could experience close embrace of God. in human life, while acknowledging that God We cast our minds back to that first sacrifice endures for ever. All man’s wisdom, his wealth to cover the sin of Adam and Eve, the animal and his experiences are as nothing compared sacrifices of atonement for the sins of God’s with the order of God. He talks of all the things people, and the supreme sacrifice of God’s Son, he has seen “under the sun.” We wait for the time Jesus, who died that we might have salvation, when God will speak to redeem the world; then who reigns on high, and who will return as King. will come the new order, ‘under the Son.’ In the Then the time for refraining from embracing salutary description of ageing man in Ecclesiastes will be over; God’s people will no longer be lost 12 the Preacher exhorts man to enjoy life while and cast away, but will be actively sought out he can. But this is for earthbound man, not for and restored to the loving embrace of a merciful those who are under the saving name of grace heavenly Father, clothed in garments sewn and and have the hope of resurrection. Nevertheless, repaired, and worshipping Him in spirit and in as we wait for Christ’s coming we heed the con- truth. Yet before the Kingdom comes there will be cluding words of the Preacher: “Fear God, and a time of hate and war, when God keeps silent as keep His commandments: for this is the whole He watches the turmoil that man creates and his duty of man” (v. 13). Contents

Exposition Scriptural inferencing Wilfred Alleyne

Although it is inevitably somewhat speculative in nature, have exceeded our expectations. We exercising our imaginations with the information given hope that readers will experiment to us in Scripture can still be beneficial. Here is one such for themselves with other passages— they abound in Holy Scripture. treatment of a familiar New Testament passage.

F WE RECEIVED a legal document giving us The text to consider title to a medicinal preparation which would “And [Philip] arose and went: and, behold, a man Iensure that we would live forever, it is certain of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under that we would pay the most minute attention to Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the what was said in the document, wouldn’t we? charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusa- So it is with the Word of God. It does show us lem for to worship, was returning, and sitting in the way to eternal life. Therefore it deserves our his chariot read Esaias the prophet” (Acts 8:27,28). most careful attention. What we should and can do is to take a piece of Inferences text, and consider, by reasoning backwards from 1 “. . . of Ethiopia”—therefore he was probably a given statement, how a certain situation may a black man. have arisen. It may not be easy to do at first, but 2 “. . . of great authority” and “[in] charge of once we have acquired the knack by practising all her treasure”—that is, ‘chancellor of the regularly and frequently, it can become almost exchequer’ to Candace. Therefore, he was second nature. highly trustworthy and of great integrity. It is Here we present some material in which this improbable that such a man would be allowed practice was followed rigorously, and the results to travel alone, given all the secrets he must Testimony, July 2015 282 Contents have carried in his head. The risk of kidnap, have taken six months or so to copy, so may torture or murder was too great. Therefore he have witnessed the crucifixion? we may fairly infer an accompanying platoon, 6 “The eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray or a caravan with cavalrymen with him. Did thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of they all hear the word of the Lord that day? himself, or of some other man?” (v. 34). From 3 “. . . had come to Jerusalem for to worship”— this we infer that he may have heard the therefore he was a Jewish proselyte; but, being argument the Jews were advancing against a eunuch, could not enter the temple (Deut. the disciples’ claims that Jesus fulfilled Isaiah 23:1). Since Ethiopia was about eight hundred 53. Clearly, the Jews were saying that the miles from Jerusalem (which is only about two prophecy applied to Isaiah himself, while the hundred miles less than the distance between disciples insisted that it referred to Jesus of Great Britain and North Africa), this may have Nazareth. been his only, once-in-a-lifetime, pilgrimage. 7 Therefore he was a very humble man, unlike Candace may not have allowed him more than Naaman the Syrian. He was willing to admit one such absence. He may also have been in that he didn’t know all the answers. For a upper-echelon negotiations with the Jewish man of this intellectual stature (see inference authorities about political or economic matters 4 above) to make such an admission, to listen of mutual interest to both countries, and have attentively to the answers, to believe them, come into contact with the problem that was and then to act upon them, is testimony to vexing Jerusalem. the nobility and humility of his character. 4 Most remarkable of all, he was reading Isaiah. 8 Philip “heard him read.” Therefore we infer This indirectly confirms his status, since not that he was reading not only for himself but everybody of that day could read. His posi- also out loud, so possibly for his accompany- tion demanded this skill. Moreover, he could ing detachment as well, indirectly confirming read Hebrew. He was therefore multilingual inference 2 above. (speaking the Ethiopian language, perhaps 9 The eunuch bade him “come up and sit with Aramaic for Jerusalem, Hebrew for reading, him” (v. 31). Therefore it was a high chariot, and doubtless other languages to converse as well as a large one, with room for at least with delegates from other lands) and/or a a driver (we infer this from verse 38—“he classical scholar—possibly a reader in his [the eunuch] commanded the chariot to stand home synagogue. still”—that is, he commanded the charioteer), 5 We infer that the scroll of Isaiah was his own a canopy to protect the reader from direct purchase, if these things were unlikely to have sunlight, the eunuch himself and Philip. Wor- been lent out. This would indicate wealth, thy indeed of a chancellor of the exchequer! since a scroll of Isaiah must have cost the 10 Philip “began” at the same scripture (v. 35)— equivalent of £20,000 sterling, since it would so he started in Isaiah 53 and presumably went have taken many hours to copy exactly, cor- all through Isaiah, showing him the relevant rectly, manually. He may have been taking it passages. Maybe the eunuch had other scrolls back to Ethiopia for his synagogue there. A with him and Philip went through those as subsidiary but not implausible inference is that well. We therefore infer a perhaps extended if he ordered the scroll in Jerusalem, it could preaching session. A new era inaugurated It has been pointed out that the scene of 120 disciples (Acts 1:15) “of one accord” (v. 14; 2:1,46) echoes the time of Solomon, when the glory of God “filled the house” (2 Chron. 5:14), and when there were 120 priests (v. 12) standing and praying “as one” (v. 13). At this time the ark was devoid of those elements that spoke of resurrection—the golden pot of incorruptible manna and Aaron’s rod that budded (v. 10). In the type, the resurrection is accomplished. A new era has dawned and Jerusalem needs to know. And so, as with Solomon, ‘the house was filled’ with God’s Spirit (Acts 2:2). The parallels suggest that this house where they were “with one accord in one place” (v. 1), rather than being the upper room of 1:13, was the same place where they were “with one accord” in 2:46—the temple precinct itself, probably Solomon’s Porch, where Jesus had taught (Jno. 10:23) and where the apostles later were to be found (Acts 3:11). It is the inauguration of this new era that Peter announces to Jerusalem.—Stephen Palmer

Testimony, July 2015 Contents 283 Exhortation The goodness of God Chris Davenport

Jesus’ answer to his disciples’ question, “Who then can be to the poor, and thou shalt have treas- saved?” reminds us that God does not see things as man ure in heaven: and come and follow does, and that things considered valuable in this world’s me” (Mt. 19:21). The man went away very sorrowful because he had great terms may be of no account in determining our salvation. possessions.

ESUS WAS ONCE ASKED, “Good Master, Riches and the kingdom of heaven what good thing shall I do, that I may have Seeing his sorrow, Jesus commented: “Verily I Jeternal life?” (Mt. 19:16). At first Jesus does say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter not answer the question, but rather challenges into the kingdom of heaven” (v. 23). Jesus then the description of himself as “good.” “And [Jesus] likens the difficulty of a rich man entering the said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there kingdom to that of a camel passing through the is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou eye of a needle. We may ask why Jesus used this wilt enter into life, keep the commandments” (v. strange comparison. 17). The word ‘God’ does not appear in the best It is common to identify this “eye of a needle” Greek manuscripts of this verse and is omitted as a narrow gate into Jerusalem through which in some translations, yet is strongly implied in a camel could pass only by removing its load Jesus’ reply. It is God’s goodness that Jesus wishes and getting onto its knees. The lesson from this to highlight. would be that we can enter the Kingdom only by We hope to show that it is the goodness of shedding our own burden of sins and praying God that features in the next two discourses in to the Father. Matthew—one relating to the difficulty of a rich However, there is a difficulty with this inter- man entering the kingdom of heaven, and the pretation. No gate known as ‘the eye of the needle’ other the Parable of the Labourers in the Vineyard has been identified in the Jerusalem of Jesus’ who were each promised a penny for their work. day. It seems extremely unlikely, therefore, that Jesus concludes this parable with the words of Jesus would be referring to such a nonexistent the owner of the vineyard: “Is it not lawful for gate which would mean nothing to his hearers. me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine It has also been suggested that the Greek eye evil, because I am good?” (20:15). Thus this word translated “camel,” kamēlos, should really collection of three discourses starts and finishes be kamilos, meaning ‘cable’ or ‘rope,’ indicating with references to the goodness of God. that it would be difficult to thread such a rope Jesus was often plied with trick questions by through the eye of a needle. the ‘learned’ of his day but the question in 19:16 The problem with these ‘explanations’ is that was not one of these, for in Mark’s account of Jesus wished to convey the idea of something this incident we learn that Jesus beheld the man that was humanly impossible. This is shown by who asked the question and “loved him” (10:21). his answer to the disciples’ query, “Who then Jesus addresses the question asked by the man, can be saved?” (v. 25). Jesus replied: “With men reminding him of the commandments in the this is impossible; but with God all things are Law of Moses. possible” (v. 26). A very similar saying is found Having kept all these since he was young, the in Jewish Talmudic literature which refers to an man wishes to know what more is required, what elephant passing through the eye of a needle as a other “good thing” he might do to procure eternal figure of speech to imply that which was highly life. Jesus tells him to do something that he would unlikely or impossible. Jesus was thus speak- find very painful: “Jesus said unto him, If thou ing of something that was not just difficult but wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give impossible. Testimony, July 2015 284 Contents Riches: a blessing from God? shall be first” (v. 30). The word translated “first” Did the Lord mean that it is literally impossible (Gk. prōtos) means first in time, place, order or for rich men to enter the Kingdom of God? Clearly importance. Here is further reassurance for those this cannot be the case, for Jesus said in another who desire to procure themselves entry to the place: “. . . ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Kingdom. God is no respecter of persons. It is Jacob . . . in the kingdom of God” (Lk. 13:28). All not necessarily those who are ‘first’ in time or these three were rich men, and will be in the King- place or importance who will enter the Kingdom. dom. Job was one of the richest men of the east The Jews were the ‘first’ to hear the oracles of (Job 1:1-3), yet from Scripture’s testimony of him God, chronologically, yet Gentiles who become it seems most unlikely that he will be excluded spiritual ‘Jews’ by adoption may enter in before from the Kingdom (see Ezek. 14:12-20; Jas. 5:11). them. The scribes and Pharisees were ‘first’ in Before we identify what the “impossible” importance in their day, but Jesus assured them thing is, it is worth remembering that in ancient that “the kingdom of God shall be taken from times it was commonly thought that riches were you, and given to a nation bringing forth the a sign of God’s approval. Such an opinion prob- fruits thereof” (21:43). ably prompted the amazement of the disciples Jesus emphasises this similar point by means and their question, “Who then can be saved?” of the Parable of the Labourers in the Vineyard. The same thinking is apparent in the book of Early in the morning the owner of the vineyard Job, where Job’s friends thought that the loss hires labourers to tend his vineyard, agreeing to of his riches must have been caused by some pay them each a penny. These work through the unrighteousness on his part. Even Job himself heat of the day. He later hires other labourers who exclaimed: “As God liveth, who hath taken away work for only an hour. At the end of the day he my judgment [RV: right; Heb. mishpat, verdict] . . rewards them each with the penny agreed. Those .” (27:2). To Job, the loss of his wealth seemed to who have worked all day then murmur that they suggest that God’s verdict of his righteousness have received only the same as those who have had been withdrawn. laboured for just an hour. In truth, although riches are not necessarily What is the lesson of this parable? We may a sign of divine approval, neither are they a bar demur at the suggestion that the penny represents to entry into the Kingdom. What is impossible, eternal life because we cannot imagine that any though, is to suggest that riches are a guarantee given such a reward would be discontented. But of eternal life. This is what Jesus says is impos- the parable was not meant to be a ‘play’ enacting sible. The Apostle Paul, writing to Timothy, future events; it was told to make a point. The said: “Charge them that are rich in this world, point is that God’s offered reward is not propor- that they be not highminded, nor trust in un- tional to the labour we expend in return. Here certain riches, but in the living God, who giveth then is something else by which a man cannot us richly all things to enjoy” (1 Tim. 6:17). The attain to eternal life. It may be attained, but not relevant characteristic of wealthy men of faith, because of the ‘good things’ a man may have like Abraham, was their trust in God, not their done. Rather, it may be gained exclusively because trust in riches. Conversely men like Peter, who of the goodness of God. Hence the householder followed God’s Son at the cost of riches in this replies to the discontented: “Is it not lawful for world, were assured: “And every one that hath me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, evil, because I am good?” (20:15). or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and Possible with God shall inherit everlasting life” (Mt. 19:29). Such It is possible, then, for men—rich or otherwise— people can inherit everlasting life despite their to be given eternal life. What is impossible with humble circumstances because with God “all merely human resources is made possible by things are possible”. God, so long as men and women trust in Him and follow His Son. Any ‘good things’ or works The first shall be last done by them serve simply to demonstrate the Following this promise to his disciples that they faith by which they are saved; but the salvation will not be losers by their forsaking all and fol- itself is through God’s grace. lowing him, Jesus underlines the point: “But The Kingdom will be inherited by those like many that are first shall be last; and the last Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, who, despite their Testimony, July 2015 Contents 285 wealth, were nonetheless “strangers and pilgrims us (2 Cor. 8:9), and did not faint but “believed to on the earth” and who “[desired] a better country” see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the (Heb. 11:13,16), putting their trust not in what living” (Ps. 27:13). The same reward is for those riches they had but rather in the God who had who similarly believe and follow the Son of God, made promises to them. Jesus “became poor” for regardless of their wealth or status in this world.

Singing hymns At a meeting some time ago the presiding brother read out all the verses of one of the hymns before it was sung by the audience. My first reaction was that this was unnec- essary. However, I then found that I had a much greater awareness of the meaning of the words of the hymn when we sang it. I realised on reflection that frequently, in the process of concentrating on matching the words to the music, I was singing without really thinking of the meaning of the content. In most ecclesias the hymns for the service are displayed on a board, and I find it helpful if I read each hymn before it is sung. This is especially true if there are hymns we do not sing very often. However, there is one hymn which, having reviewed the words, I find impossible to sing with sincerity. The hymn in question is “Take my life.” “Take my silver and my gold; Not a mite would I withhold.” When the widow put her mite into the box in the temple court she put in all her living. Can I really go home with my purse and wallet still containing a relatively large sum of money and feel that I have done the same? “Take my voice, and let me sing Always, only, for my King.” When I am at home, I sometimes find myself singing snatches of songs from my past which are totally irrelevant to the praise of God. “Take myself, and I will be Ever, only, all for Thee.” Can I honestly say that is how I live? Yet I hope to be given the opportunity to sing all hymns with sincerity and true understanding in the Kingdom Age. Adah Jones

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Testimony, July 2015 286 Contents At the memorial meeting 4. Brothers’ duties in general

E WILL NOW THINK about some of simply ask that his name be left off the duty the duties that brothers are expected list. If Brother Y feels that he can’t do justice Wto perform. First of all, some general to his duty to exhort, then he can do the same: introductory exhortations for the brothers: simply request that he be left off the next list. 1 There is never an excuse for not knowing, ahead of time, when you are scheduled for any 3 One more general matter: young brothers of your duties. There is a schedule of duties, should never feel that they are being rushed probably for months in advance, available for into performing any duties (presiding, exhort- everyone. There are the Sunday morning an- ing, praying, serving and so on). But if they nouncements for the forthcoming week. There wish to do so, and if they are put on the duty may even be an email that goes out during lists, then they also have the duty, as young the week, with the same information. brothers or novices: 2 There are very small ecclesias, let us say an • to learn exactly what is required of them; ecclesia with only three or four, or half a • to pay special attention to what the more dozen, brothers. In such an ecclesia it is very experienced brothers do; helpful to everyone if practically every brother takes a turn presiding and reading and pray- • to ask questions if they are unsure of ing, and perhaps also exhorting, unless he something; and feels that he is truly unable to do so. • to ask the older brothers for help and advice. 3 For a larger ecclesia, with twenty-five or thirty brothers, I have this suggestion: there is really You should always be able to find a more expe- no great reason why any brother should feel rienced brother (or sister) who is willing to look that he absolutely must fulfil any and every over your written exhortation or notes ahead of possible duty. If Brother X feels that he is past time, and offer helpful comments or constructive the age where he is comfortable presiding, or criticism. has difficulty reading in public, then he should George Booker

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Bible coins 15. The Colosseum

olosseum ‘built with loot from sack of Jerusalem temple.’” 1 Jesus predicted a “Ctime of great crisis in which the failure of Israel to repent and to acknowledge their Messiah would have its disastrous result. The Romans would come and lay siege to the city. And it was so: Titus came, saw, and looted. But what happened to the treasures in the temple after it was destroyed in AD 70? Josephus describes the temple as “covered on all sides with massive plates of gold.” 2 The arch in the Forum in Rome, built to commemorate Titus’ triumphal parade, depicts Roman soldiers carrying the menorah, the showbread table and trumpets, which were then deposited in the Temple of Peace.3 And then what? Titus and his father Vespasian built the Colosseum. But Vespasian faced a seri- ous financial deficit when he became emperor, and none of the historical sources mentions how the building was funded. Where did he find the cash? An Austrian scholar examining one of the architrave blocks on the Colosseum found a Titus; struck AD 80–81. The Colosseum; Meta ‘ghost’ inscription, made up of pinholes that once Sudans; portico of the Baths of Titus (British Museum). held bronze letters. Re-use of a dedicatory panel, and inscriptions on top of inscriptions, were not unknown in the coin series.4 Although most Christian martyrs ancient world. Professor Geza Alfödy painstak- died probably in the Circus Maximus, it is pos- ingly worked out the shape of the bronze let- sible some met their end in the amphitheatre. Did ters that had been pegged into the holes. His they look up at the mourning Jewess and take conclusion was that the inscription had read: heart, however ironically, that the truth of their “The Emperor Caesar Vespasian Augustus had Lord’s words was at the very heart of the Roman this new amphitheatre erected with the spoils of beast? war.” The consensus of historians is that the only Many stones were taken from the Colosseum campaign that this can be linked to is the one in to build the Vatican. If the reconstruction theory Judea. is correct, then the coins of the temple tax, scat- Titus’ coin series showing the Colosseum is tered in anger by the Lord of the temple, provided the first appearance of an entertainment venue the funding for the foundation stones of the ‘Holy on a Roman coin. It provides a bird’s-eye view of S e e .’ — Simon Dean the building and gives a sense of its grandeur. In the minute detail carved by the engraver on the coin die we see the imperial box and the crowd. 1. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/1311985/ Recent study of the detail of the exterior has come Colosseum-built-with-loot-from-sack-of-Jerusalem- up with a further fascinating link to Judea’s God- temple.html 2. Jewish War, 5.5.6. ordained end. The third tier on some versions of 3. See “What happened to the temple treasures?,” Tes- the coin contains statues and a palm tree flanked timony, vol. 81, no. 966, Nov. 2011, p. 372 and no. by a standing emperor (or Nike) and a Jew or 967, Dec. 2011, p. 412. Jewess on the right, similar to the Judæa Capta 4. See part 13 of this series, Mar. 2015, p. VI.

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