Vol. 88 No. 1,041 September 2018 TESTIMONY For the study and defence of the holy Scripture Interpreting Scripture: The Bible’s own guidance 325

Also in this issue: Your Letters: Gehenna 328 Israel: apartheid state? 337 Reconsidering Samson (review) 350 Contents Our response to the Lord’s sacrifice 351 TESTIMONY

Publishing Editor: JEREMY THOMAS. 22 Kingswood Close, Kings Norton, Birmingham, B30 3NX. Tel. 0121 444 6810; Contents email: [email protected]

Section Editors: Publishing Editor’s column 317 Bible Workshop DAVID BURGES. 7 Whitehead The healing of the paralysed Miriam of Masada Drive, Wellesbourne, Warwick, man Barbara Booker CV35 9PW. Tel. 01789 842692; 319 David Burges email: [email protected] 336 “In the days when the Science; Archaeology Israel’s nation-state law judges ruled” Shaun Maher EDWARD CARR. 46 New Street, 7. Unity and strife 337 Donisthorpe, DE12 7PG. Peter Forbes 321 Latter-day prophecies Tel. 01530 271522; 3. The controversy of Zion email: [email protected] Insights into the divine mind Eric Marshall 340 Exhortation ‘Authorial comments’ in Tyre, Tarshish and Brexit SHAUN MAHER. 5 Birch Court, Scripture Doune, FK16 6JD. Jamie Whittaker 325 Taking a closer look at Tel. 01786 842996; Isaiah 23 (2) email: [email protected] Your Letters Jeremy Thomas 345 Watchman The story of Gehenna 328 Gehenna and anti- A much-maligned character The Pines, ERIC MARSHALL. Semitism 328 reappraised (Review) Ling Common Road, Castle Geoff Henstock 350 Rising, King’s Lynn, Norfolk, “All things work together PE31 6AE. Tel. 01553 631279; Discerning the body of for good to those who love email: [email protected] the Lord God” Exposition Brian Armour David Nicholls 329 351 JEREMY THOMAS (see above) Give attendance to reading . . . Genesis in the light of Principles, preaching and in October ­problems modern discovery Geoff Henstock 354 Paul M. Genders 331 GEOFF HENSTOCK. 13 ­Alpha York scenes Crescent, ­Panorama 5041, Elijah—man of prayer 7. Medieval churches S. Australia. Tel. 8277-0730; email: Peter Banyard [email protected] 333 Neil Galilee XVI Australia Editor; Prophecy; Reviews Testimony books

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. XV “A garden locked is my sister, my bride, a rock garden locked, a spring sealed up. Your shoots are an orchard of pomegranates with choice fruits, henna with nard plants, nard and saffron, calamus and cinnamon, with all the trees of frankincense, myrrh and aloes, along with all the finest spices” (Song of Solomon 4:12-14, NASB). “The pomegranate tree, punica granatum, is usually small and bush-like, but may occasionally become a large branching shrub or a small tree reaching a height of 20 or 30 feet . . . The pomegranate . . . has been cultivated since prehistoric times and is now common in the Holy Land, Egypt, and along both shores of the Mediterranean” (H.N. & A.L. Moldenke, Plants of the Bible, p. 190).

Cover picture: Pomegranate Publishing Editor’s column AST MONTH’S Watchman article “Europe To many commentators these growth levels at the crossroads”1 reported a statement, are unrealistic, given that Greece’s working Lmade in June this year, in which European population is contracting by about 1.1% per an- Union Commissioner Pierre Moscovici antici- num—the country cannot grow economically pated the end of the EU’s eight-year debt-relief while its workforce is shrinking. Add to this the deal for Greece in the near future. Following expected increase in interest rates on Greece’s its 2007–8 debt crisis, the Greek government re- remaining loans, and it is not difficult to see the quired colossal loans of almost €300 billion, the country slipping back into deep trouble within biggest ‘bail-out’ in global financial history, for a generation. the country to prevent a default on its commit- In truth, Greece’s troubles may only have been ments to its creditors (effectively, to avoid going ‘kicked into the long grass.’ Professor Charles bankrupt). On 20 August, as predicted, Greece Wyplosz, a consultant to the IMF and to a number officially exited the debt-relief deal. Its govern- of other major international organisations, has ment is again free to borrow on international said that Greece has been “put to sleep under financial markets to fund its spending commit- ­anaesthesia”—and that the Greeks will one day ments. have to wake up from this sleep and “feel the The end of the deal has been greeted with p a i n .” sighs of relief across the eurozone, which at one stage appeared to be facing an existential threat Counting the personal cost from the crisis. The Greek prime minister, Alexis Perhaps the most distressing aspect of Greece’s Tsipras, optimistically called 20 August “a day financial woes has been the cost in human terms. of liberation.” Yet the difficulties still faced by Up to half-a-million Greeks, most of them young, Greece are considerable. Strict financial controls are thought to have departed the country. This set by the EU will remain in place until 2060, in turn leaves the country short of potential the earliest date by which Greece is expected to taxpayers, central government’s principal source be back to ‘square one.’ Gross domestic product of income. Unemployment is running at forty (the total value of goods and services produced) per cent amongst the young, many of whom is only three-quarters of its pre-crisis figure. despair of ever being able to make a living for Whilst Greece’s economy is now inching in the themselves. For those who still have jobs, wages right direction, the International Monetary Fund are typically thirty-five per cent lower than a (IMF) has observed that her projected return to decade ago. Pension payments to the elderly financial stability requires unprecedented levels of economic growth. 1. Vol. 88, no. 1,040, Aug. 2018, p. 295. Testimony, September 2018 Contents 317 have been cut too. Thirty-five per cent of Greece’s Biblical echoes? population is estimated to be living in abso- Mr Johnson’s comments were made, of course, lute poverty. Levels of depression and suicide in the context of Britain’s ongoing negotiations have increased. Commissioner Moscovici has to leave the EU. Yet the sense of Europe’s leaders described Greece as “a normal country again,” being motivated much more by a ‘sacred’ politi- but this is surely a strange kind of “normal” to cal ideology than by concern for its citizens has those citizens for whom daily life is a constant an interesting resonance with students of Bible struggle. prophecy, particularly in the events which lead To many commentators, the way in which up to the return of the Lord Jesus Christ. Greece has been ‘helped’ by its fellow-members Revelation 17 depicts the distasteful scene of a of the EU has been significant. A ‘textbook’ re- drunken prostitute, extravagantly attired, being sponse to the financial crisis would have been to carried along by a seven-headed scarlet beast. My allow the government to default on its financial own reading is that this chapter concerns events commitments. International support allowing the prior to the second coming, for the prostitute is country time to get back on its feet would have nowhere to be seen when, in chapter 19, the Lord been forthcoming, and the financial impact on is revealed to the nations and defeats the beast. Greece—although significant—would not have This is because the woman has already been ut- been insurmountable in the long term. A num- terly destroyed by the ten horns on the heads of ber of large economies have survived default the beast (17:16). As the beast is in turn destroyed scenarios and lived to fight another day. Such a by the Lord and his armies in chapter 19, it is decision, however, would have required Greece not logically possible for the prostitute still to to devalue its currency—which in practical terms be in existence at that point in the prophecy. The meant abandoning the euro. Such a policy was “one hour” in which the ten horns receive their therefore unthinkable to the political elite of the power to act (17:12) appears to correspond to the European Union, for whom the credibility of the “one hour” in which the woman (referred to by euro and the survival of the eurozone are nothing the name ‘Babylon’) is judged and overthrown less than articles of faith. (18:10,17,19). The scarlet beast of Revelation 17 is evidently A matter of ideology a later phase of ‘the beast of the sea’ who came There is a general impression amongst many ob- to power in Revelation 13. In that chapter, the servers that Greece has effectively been sacrificed component parts of the beast (v. 2) were very for the sake of European banks (Greece’s principal clearly derived from the four beasts of Daniel 7. creditors) and the euro. IMF representatives from The beast of the sea received his strength to act both India and Brazil protested as much back in from the great red dragon (v. 2), which symbolises 2010, and a similar accusation is made by Britain’s pagan Rome. For these and other reasons, Bible Boris Johnson, a ‘Eurosceptic’ former cabinet students have looked for a fulfilment of Revela- minister, in an article that appeared in a number tion and 13 and 17 within the territory that was of publications recently. Mr Johnson, renowned occupied by these powers, specifically in Europe. for his plain speaking, put it like this: The ten horns on the head of the scarlet beast “It is absolutely crucial to understand that are a coalition of ‘kings’ who think alike and when the EU imposed this programme they consequently delegate their powers—perhaps were not thinking first of Greece or the Greek we might say their sovereignty—to one strong people. No, they were thinking of the EU; of central power: “These have one mind, and shall the balance sheets of EU banks; of the risk give their power and strength [authority] unto to the euro of a Greek default. So the Greeks the beast” (17:13). found themselves in the appalling position of negotiating with people who did not really How close to the end are we? have their interests at heart, and who believed It has been customary amongst us to identify the furthermore that it was politically useful to prostitute as the Roman Catholic Church. There make an example of Greece, and that Greek are certainly significant religious aspects to her suffering might be a memento mori [a reminder character in the descriptions we have of her in of mortality] to anyone tempted to differ with Revelation 17 and 18. Yet the emphasis in chapter the orthodoxy of Brussels . . .” 18 is overwhelmingly on the woman’s role as an These are chilling words. affluent trading power. Those who lament her Testimony, September 2018 318 Contents fall are not religious leaders but “the merchants and naked, and devour her flesh and burn her of the earth” (v. 11). They bewail her because her up with fire” (v. 16, ESV). All the details of the fall means that there is now no-one to buy their prophecy may not be clear to us, and we may need goods. Considering this symbol through the lens to see further developments in Europe before the of a number of Old Testament passages, it seems final pieces of the jigsaw puzzle fall into place. to me to be likely that the prostitute represents But if the EU’s ‘beastly’ treatment of the people not a religious elite but a group of people who of Greece in their time of crisis is any indication have heard the Word of God and been called on of Europe’s future attitude towards her citizens, to obey it, but who have turned away in unfaith- then it is not inconceivable that believers are be- fulness. The nation of Judah is described in this ing given a valuable pointer to the nearness of way in Jeremiah 2 and 3. Space forbids a more our Lord’s return, and an important reminder detailed exposition in this article, but readers of the need for the servants of Jesus—for whom who are interested in exploring this suggestion Revelation is written (1:1)—to maintain their further may like to consult chapter 18 of Brother separateness from the world of their day. “Come Geoff and Sister Ray Walker’s book The Revelation out of her, My people, lest you take part in her of Jesus Christ.2 sins, lest you share in her plagues” (18:4, ESV). If the ideas above are on the right lines, then Revelation 17 may be depicting an alliance of powers in Western Europe (the scarlet beast) 2. Available from the Testimony (Brother Peter Forbes —see back cover for details; or online at which carries along its ungodly population (the http:// testimonymagazine.com/shop/books) and the Chris- prostitute) only to destroy her at the last: “And the tadelphian Office (https://thechristadelphian.com/ ten horns that you saw, they and the beast will the-revelation-of-jesus-christ.html), price £2.00 plus hate the prostitute. They will make her desolate postage. Contents

Miriam of Masada Barbara Booker

8. Rome and Israel then protests and rebellion broke out and many died. We knew, we just knew, that our God would ROM WHAT I’D HEARD, there was always an protect us. He always had, despite punishments Funeasy relationship between my people and throughout our history. But He always returned Rome. Rome didn’t understand us, and many of to us when we returned to Him. He would save us cared nothing at all for understanding Roman us. He would protect us and the Temple where ways and culture. Of course there were always He had dwelt since it was His, just as we were some, usually of the rich and priestly families, His. He would send Messiah. The surrounding who curried Roman favour, and so our own countries knew that the prophecies of old spoke leadership was divided, and the divisions were of the Anointed One who would come from deep. But generally, the people didn’t want Rome Judea and conquer the world. These were times in our lives or in our country. There had been a ripe with the exciting expectation of salvation, time when Rome’s presence had helped us, but of the Messiah. we knew in our hearts that we had but one true But such prophecies, arising out of such a ruler, our one God, the Almighty One. strange nation as ourselves, kept Rome on edge As I mentioned before, many couldn’t accept also. Its soldiers walked cautiously among a Greek or Roman culture with all their idolatry. restless Judea. And they never walked alone. And when at various times some of the emperors They were ever alert, ever aware of the ha- insisted that we honour their statues as our deity, tred held in Jewish hearts, from the rich city Testimony, September 2018 Contents 319 of Jerusalem to the poverty-ridden villages of against the masses of country people seeking Galilee. refuge; religious groups against other religious Officers and soldiers lived in what was sup- groups; until there was no solid leadership. It posed to be a conquered country, and they was a city and a people descending further into stayed only because they had imperial orders. anarchy. And he also found a small undermanned They never ceased feeling like foreigners in my Roman garrison. land. They were not wanted, and they were not Soon Menachem made a bold move: he de- welcome. The very wind of this land seemed to ceived the garrison into surrendering for their breathe revolt. Rome feared the whispers, the freedom; but, as the Roman troops laid down feast days and the crowds. their weapons and walked to the city gates, the There was so much that the Romans didn’t Zealots and many of Jerusalem’s inhabitants cut understand, my Lady. Take, for example, the idea the soldiers down, man by man. No mercy was that every seventh day life came to a complete asked and no mercy was offered. standstill, in keeping with our Sabbath laws. With such a victory, limited as it was, our Rome was also troubled by a people who would Jerusalem city council took the serious step of give their money to keep a wealthy, corrupt sys- stopping the daily Temple offerings for the em- tem of priests in office, but who refused to pay peror. This, Rome felt, was a declaration of war. taxes to Rome. And, as you know, my people did You’d think something like an impending war not worship gods and goddesses, but believed in would unite our people, but it did not. Rival politi- one supreme and invisible God in heaven. We cal factions of our people schemed and scuffled kept an endless series of special customs and for power. During the infighting, Menachem was commands, in our attempts to serve this one himself killed by one of the other factions, and unique God. the strife continued. There were numerous skirmishes with Rome 9. Rebellion throughout the land, and our forces did well. One of our greatest victories took place in the T WAS also about this time that one of the ravines at Beth Horon. Over a century before, IZealot leaders, Menachem, began to enforce his in these very ravines, our Judas Maccabeus had family’s philosophy. It centred on our roots: one won independence for our people. Surely it could God, ruler of our people, and an absolute refusal happen again, the whispers declared. to acknowledge the authority of any other ruler. And it did, at Beth Horon. Our men slaughtered Submission to Rome was just not possible. It was volunteers from the Twelfth Legion, and further believed that our God would establish His own disgraced their legate, Cestius Gallus, by captur- kingdom and that it would eradicate Rome. Our ing the legion’s eagle. This was a huge Roman God and His Messiah would do this. And if our defeat, but, to the victorious Jewish fighters, it God was not ready to save His people at this was a clear indication of the Almighty’s support. time, then the Zealots would surely step forward All divisions in the nation ended, temporarily; to do so. Civil war in all its terrible aspects was and, when a provisional government was estab- now upon us. lished, it took measures to defend the people’s Menachem and his troops somehow made a newly won freedom. It wasn’t that the elders and successful assault on the fortress of Masada and priests thought that our nation, by itself, could slaughtered the Roman garrison. What they found win a war with Rome, but they were sure that the within the fort was a wealth of weapons, food, God of Israel would intervene and bring success wines and water. Here, too, Herod had spared to His people. A war of liberation was under way. no expense in the remodelling and supplying of The great Messiah of Israel would come. It was his desert refuge. time, at least in many minds. Menachem left some of his men and their families to establish a base at the fort while he 10. Rome responds and the main detachment of troops set out for Jerusalem. The supply of weapons taken from UT Rome was far from finished with us. A Masada to Jerusalem would now play a significant Bretired general, Flavius Vespasian, returned part in the city’s misery. And what did he find to service and was appointed by Nero as legate in Jerusalem? He found a city divided. Faction and governor. His orders were to put down the against faction: rich against poor; city people insurrection in Judea and Galilee. He assembled Testimony, September 2018 320 Contents a great force from the Fifth Macedonia, Tenth my memory I could hear my grandparents saying Fretensis, Twelfth Fulminata and Fifteenth Apol- that the prophet from Galilee had warned that a linaris Legions, and many more troops made up city divided against itself could not stand. They of volunteers from surrounding nations. said that he had wept for Jerusalem and all that Vespasian and his son Titus planned their would come upon it. I wonder if the great prophet campaign carefully. They secured all of Galilee could actually have seen the coming devastation and Perea. Village after village fell. Massacre and heard the desperate cries of the victims? followed massacre. This was also the time when Finally, it was Jerusalem’s turn. the one known as Josephus became a consultant Meanwhile, as you know, the Emperor Nero of Vespasian. Those who escaped fled mainly to committed suicide and there was a year of tur- Jerusalem along with the bandits and brigands. moil as four men claimed the title. During this Jerusalem was filled to overflowing. Those now year, Vespasian couldn’t continue his campaign entering the city did so as a last resort. Here they in our land without imperial orders. This was the found a city filled with a sort of insanity, together time, if possible, for the city of Jerusalem to come with a feverish expectation of Messiah’s arrival. together with a plan, to fortify for the inevitable However, what followed was no kingdom age Roman siege. But the infighting continued, rich and no salvation. against poor, thief against thief, faction against Vespasian left Jerusalem till the last. Some faction. Nothing could be solved. This was also have since speculated that he did this because he the time to leave Jerusalem for any able to do so. knew that it would give our city more time to slip Finally, when various troops proclaimed Gover- further into the madness of anarchy, famine and nor Vespasian as emperor, he left our land and death. If so, he was right. I was told that the rival placed his son, Titus, in charge of the assault on factions even burned the food supplies, supplies Jerusalem. that would have lasted for years. Somewhere in (To be continued) Contents

Exposition “In the days when the judges ruled” 7. Unity and strife Peter Forbes

HERE ARE a number of times when the Deborah and Barak Book of Judges records details of set battles The events associated with Deborah, Barak and Si- Tbetween Israel and the nations inhabiting sera took place in the Jezreel valley. As such, they the land of Canaan. Each of these highlights impacted in particular on the tribes of Manasseh characteristics of the nation of Israel. A feature and Issachar (see Map 1). Whilst we might have of almost all the battles described in Judges is thought that all the tribes in the area would have that the nation was disunited. In fact, there is been involved in the battle against Sisera, God’s only one occasion when the record tells us that Word through Deborah was very specific: Barak the nation was united. On that occasion the na- was to call only the tribes of Naphtali and Zebu- tion was united in battle against one of its own lun. In fact, the command was even more specific: tribes: the tribe of Benjamin. These battles and Barak was told to take “ten thousand” (Judg. 4:6) the interaction of the tribes serve as warnings to from these two tribes. From Deborah’s inspired us about our personal and ecclesial lives. song after the battle we learn that “Zebulun­ and Testimony, September 2018 Contents 321 invited. However, we must acknowledge that The twelve Aram Deborah thought that they should have joined, tribes of Israel asking “why” they did not.

Naphtali

Asher Lessons for ecclesial life

Zebulun East Through questioning the actions of those tribes Issachar

Manasseh who did not join the fray we learn lesson for our- selves. Reuben’s uncertainty answers to the cry, Manasseh ‘I am not sure whether [whatever is planned] is a good idea.’ Objection is not raised. Simply put, Gad apathy produces an indecisive response. Ephraim Those who did not even come to the battle— Dan Ammon Gilead (east of the Jordan), Dan and Asher—may Benjamin be likened to those who never support ecclesial ac- tivities. Perhaps they reason that it is too far to go. Judah Reuben That may have been the reasoning of Asher and Gilead in particular. Another point to consider Simeon is whether the tribes did not see an immediate Moab benefit for themselves in a specific activity. After all, the battle was not on their doorstep, we might MAP 1 say. And we also note that the skills perceived to DEBORAH AND BARAK Edom be necessary were not in fact required. What God requires is a willing heart, for those who joined Naphtali were a people that jeoparded their lives from Zebulun were not warriors but those “that unto the death in the high places of the field” handle the pen of the writer” (v. 14).1 (5:18). The two tribes rose to the calling of God to the battle. They did so even though they would Gideon have been greatly outnumbered, and militarily Gideon, during the oppression by the Midianites, compromised, because Sisera had “nine hundred was called by God to deliver Israel. His home chariots of iron” (4:3). town was close to the border between Manasseh Whilst God had called named tribes to the bat- and Issachar. Whilst the marauding Midianites tle against Sisera, it seems that the extent of the were a force to be reckoned with, God determined battle grew and others joined the fray as events the size of the army. He reduced the number of progressed. Deborah said, “Out of Ephraim was those who came to the battle to just three hun- there a root of them against Amalek; after thee, dred, saying, “By the three hundred men . . . will Benjamin, among thy people; out of Machir came I save you” (7:7). down governors, and out of Zebulun they that Despite God’s clear instructions regarding the handle the pen of the writer. And the princes of size of the army and who should be involved, Issachar were with Deborah; even Issachar, and we see complaints from Ephraim: “And the men also Barak . . .” (5:14,15). So we see that men from of Ephraim said unto [Gideon], Why hast thou some of the other tribes joined the battle. served us thus, that thou calledst us not, when Yet not all the tribes were so willing. Of Reuben thou wentest to fight with the Midianites? And we learn: “For the divisions of Reuben there were they did chide with him sharply” (8:1). They felt great thoughts of heart” (v. 15); and of three other excluded, despite God’s clear choices for the army. tribes we read: “Gilead abode beyond Jordan: and Are we always happy with what has been why did Dan remain in ships? Asher continued decided for us? Or do we feel that the decision of on the sea shore, and abode in his breaches” (v. the ecclesia, when it does not result in a position 17). It might be reasoned that the tribes which we desire, is flawed, and is therefore something did not join the battle had not been specifically that we can complain about? Or are we happy with the decision, made prayerfully by others? 1. Most modern versions translate this phrase differ- ently. For example: “those who wield the staff of Jephthah office” (NASB); “those who bear a commander’s staff The Ammonites, whose territory had been given (NIV).—J.D.T. to Israel by God, complained to Jephthah about Testimony, September 2018 322 Contents Let us hope that we never become involved in The twelve Aram complaints when others do a good work; or that tribes of Israel we decline an invitation to help only to complain

Naphtali Asher about what was done in our absence; or that we question the status of a brother of sister who

Zebulun East faithfully does a job in our absence—when we Issachar

Manasseh have chosen not to participate, and then complain about what was done. Manasseh The Levite’s concubine Gad While “there was no king in Israel” (19:1) early 4 Ephraim in the time of the judges when Phinehas was Dan Ammon high priest (20:28), a terrible thing happened in Benjamin Gibeah of Benjamin. Jebus (Jerusalem) was a city shared by Benjamin and Judah, as it lay on the Judah Reuben border between these two tribes. It was a divided city, for “the children of Benjamin did not drive Simeon Moab 2. Judges 11:12-27 records the dialogue between Jephthah and the elders of Ammon. The force of the scriptural MAP 2 arguments is evidence of Jephthah’s faith. See part 6 GIDEON Edom of this series, “Faithful judges,” Testimony, vol. 88, no. 1,040, Aug. 2018, p. 281. their lot, refusing to accept the evidence of Israel’s 3. This is just the sort of thing that concerned the tribes Scriptures.2 on the east of Jordan when they built an altar in the Having defeated the Ammonites in battle, days of Joshua—see Joshua 22:10-29. In particular, note: Jephthah has to deal with the complaints of the “In time to come your children might speak unto our children, saying, What have ye to do with the LORD tribe of Ephraim, who “gathered themselves God of Israel?” (v. 24). together, and went northward, and said unto 4. This has been dealt with in part 4 of this series, “There Jephthah, Wherefore passedst thou over to fight was no king in Israel,” Testimony, vol. 88, no. 1,037, Apr. against the children of Ammon, and didst not 2018, p. 130. call us to go with thee?” (12:1). This is similar to the complaint made to Gideon by the men of The twelve Aram Ephraim in chapter 8. The Ephraimites are not tribes of Israel

even content with a complaint, but also threaten, Naphtali saying, “we will burn thine house upon thee Asher with fire.” They complained despite the fact that Zebulun East they themselves had decided not to be involved Issachar in the battle, for Jephthah says to them, “I and Manasseh my people were at great strife with the children of Ammon; and when I called you, ye delivered Manasseh me not out of their hands” (v. 2). But there was worse to come. “Then Jephthah Gad gathered together all the men of Gilead, and Ephraim Dan Ammon fought with Ephraim: and the men of Gilead Benjamin smote Ephraim, because they said, Ye Gileadites are fugitives of Ephraim among the Ephraimites, Judah Reuben and among the Manassites” (v. 4). Not only was brother now fighting brother, but brother was 3 Simeon questioning the status of the other brother. This Moab strife descended into the cold-blooded murder of brothers who simply could not pronounce a cer- MAP 3 tain word correctly—evidence that they belonged JEPHTHAH Edom on the west of the Jordan. Testimony, September 2018 Contents 323 united. Sadly, they were united against their own The twelve Aram brethren. We should notice that the decision to tribes of Israel attack Gibeah was taken without counsel being

Naphtali Asher asked of God as to whether they should do as they had planned. They asked only, “Which of us

Zebulun East shall go up first to the battle against the children Issachar

Manasseh of Benjamin?” (v. 18). To this God gave the answer that He had previously given (1:2): “Judah shall Manasseh go up first” (20:18). The nation sought counsel of God only when things were not going according Gad to their expectations, asking Phinehas, “Shall I Ephraim yet again go out to battle against the children of Dan Ammon Benjamin my brother, or shall I cease?” (v. 28). Benjamin God approved their actions, saying, “Go up; for to morrow I will deliver them into thine hand.” We Judah Reuben conclude, therefore, that their actions were right, but that they went about things in the wrong way. Simeon Only when they sought counsel of God, rather Moab than going to tell Him what they had decided to do, did He help them. MAP 4 Yet the folly of the nation does not end here, for Edom THE LEVITE’S CONCUBINE they had already “sworn by the LORD that we will not give [Benjamin] of our daughters to wives” out the Jebusites that inhabited Jerusalem” (1:21), (21:7). This decision compounded the problems even though Judah had taken Jerusalem (v. 8). It that they had brought upon themselves. Realising was these circumstances in Jebus which made that their oath—requiring the killing of the major- the Levite decide, “We will not turn aside hither ity of the men of Gibeah and, by implication, a into the city of a stranger . . . we will pass over to large number of the Benjamites—would cause one Gibeah” (19:12). This fateful decision triggered the tribe to be “lacking in Israel” (v. 3), they devised events which followed. Though we may wonder two workarounds. Because “there were none of how we might benefit from the subsequent narra- the inhabitants of Jabesh-gilead” present (v. 9), tive, we must remember the words of the inspired the nation determined to take wives for Benjamin apostle, that “whatsoever things were written from Jabesh Gilead once they had killed “every aforetime were written for our learning, that we male, and every woman that hath lain by man” (v. through patience and comfort of the scriptures 11) and “found . . . four hundred young virgins, might have hope” (Rom. 15:4). that had known no man by lying with any male” The immorality of the men of Gibeah became (v. 12). These they gave to the remaining men of manifest as the evening progressed. It terminated Benjamin. We note that they were brought “to in the death of the Levite’s concubine. The tribe Shiloh, which is in the land of Canaan.” The seem- of Benjamin would not deliver “the children of ingly casual mention of Shiloh’s location further Belial . . . in Gibeah” (Judg. 20:13), which prompted advertises that, at least early in the time of the the whole nation, “from Dan even to Beer-sheba” judges, the Israelites had not taken control of the (v. 1), 5 to assemble at Mizpeh to say, “We will not land. It was not yet ‘the land of Israel.’ any of us go to his tent, neither will we any of This first workaround still left the tribe of us turn into his house. But now this shall be the Benjamin deprived of wives. So a further worka- thing which we will do to Gibeah; we will go up round was devised—one which violated the Law by lot against it” (vv. 8,9). By contrast with Israel’s battles against their oppressors, when the nation was divided, on this 5. This is the first time that the extent of the land is occasion the nation was gathered “as one man” described as “from Dan to Beer-sheba.” Whilst the inheritance of the tribe of Dan was in the middle of (vv. 1,11). Their unity is described evenly more the land, some of the tribe of Dan had migrated north, pointedly: they were “knit together as one man” as described in Judges 18. This is further evidence (v. 11). This is the only time in the period of the that the events of this chapter took place early in the judges where we are informed that Israel was period of the judges. Testimony, September 2018 324 Contents of Moses. The nation ‘hijacked’ “a feast of the Lessons for us LORD in Shiloh” (v. 19), encouraging the men of Clearly the inhabitants of Gibeah had done Benjamin to “go and lie in wait in the vineyards wrong. Clearly the tribe of Benjamin was wrong [to] catch you every man his wife of the daugh- in defending the actions of the inhabitants of ters of Shiloh, and go to the land of Benjamin” Gibeah. Yet the response of the nation was also (vv. 20,21), with the assurance that, if the fathers lacking in wisdom. Rash decisions were made and brethren of the damsels complained, they with terrible consequences which, it seems, were would be pacified. The words to the aggrieved not thought of in advance. Once the decision had family members even went so far as to suggest been made, it was adhered to even though it that their complaint could be seen as a sin, for had awful consequences. Doubtless we all have they said: “for ye did not give unto them at this witnessed situations in ecclesial life where we time, that ye should be guilty” (21:22). This was have seen the principles of the events we have in direct violation of the teaching of the Law of considered. Maybe we have even been involved Moses: “he that stealeth a man, and selleth him, in those actions. The challenge, when confronted or if he be found in his hand, he shall surely be with unacceptable behaviour that others condone, put to death” (Ex. 21:16). Perhaps the counsel was is to avoid making hasty decisions which have ‘justified’ by those involved on the basis that not been tempered by consideration of the whole there was a greater good—the survival of the counsel of Scripture. tribe of Benjamin. (Series concluded) Contents

Exposition Insights into the divine mind ‘Authorial comments’ in Scripture Jamie Whittaker

Revealing remarks that we come across as we read the he made Israel sin; he did not Bible provide us with valuable guidance on how we are to depart from them” (2 Kgs. 3:2,3).1 interpret the passages in which they occur. The authorial comment here gives God’s definitive judgement on Jeho- GOOD HABIT to develop when reading ram. This kind of summative comment about the narrative sections of the Bible (Genesis the spiritual leadership of the kings of Israel Ato Ruth; parts of the Prophets; the Gospels and Judah, often bookending the story of their and Acts) is to notice the inclusion of what we lives, is found frequently throughout Kings and might call ‘authorial comments.’ To put it simply, Chronicles. As we read this royal history, we get these present God’s thoughts within the narrative of used to the way it is punctuated with God’s ‘last the story. In the Gospels, they present the thoughts word’ on the rare faith or routine faithlessness of of the Lord Jesus Christ. the men who ruled His people. In the Old Testament, one kind of authorial Another kind of authorial comment included comment gives God’s explicit judgement of some- in the narrative explicitly tells us why God is do- one’s character or actions. The following example ing something. An example of this occurs before about Jehoram, son of Ahab, is characteristic of God sends the Flood: many from this part of Scripture: “Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of “He did evil in the sight of the LORD, though man was great on the earth, and that every not like his father and his mother; for he intent of the thoughts of his heart was only put away the sacred pillar of Baal which his evil continually. The LORD was sorry that father had made. Nevertheless, he clung to the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, which 1. Bible quotations are from the NASB. Testimony, September 2018 Contents 325 He had made man on the earth, and He was and sending it throughout Israel as a clarion grieved in His heart” (Gen. 6:5,6). call: he wants help to get revenge on the men of But across the narrative sections of the Bible Gibeah. The tribe of Benjamin will not hand the this authorial commentary—whether it reveals men over, and instead the episode descends into God’s reasons for doing something, or His view civil war when the rest of Israel goes to battle about something or someone—is actually quite against Benjamin, brother against brother. rare. More often, as the story unfolds, we are left In this sad and bewildering account, the without authoritative divine statements and have reader can only count all the moral failings as to interpret the significance of events, or judge they go by. But a repeated authorial comment characters, for ourselves.2 (with which the book also concludes) frames our The call of Abraham provides a good example. understanding of the events and why they were There is no initial authorial comment to help us considered instructive enough to be included in understand why God chose an individual man God’s Word: “In those days there was no king in for special treatment: we have to let the story Israel; everyone did what was right in his own unfold in order to understand this. We soon eyes” (Judg. 21:25; 17:6; see also 18:1; 19:1). learn that God intends to make great promises In 2 Samuel 11 David’s machinations to cover to him about his descendants and a certain land. up his adultery with Bathsheba are hampered, As Abraham’s relationship with God develops, ironically, by Uriah’s loyalty to him. In a spiral- we watch Abraham (and Sarah) make decisions ling spiritual descent of his own, David arranges about the situations he is put into. Sometimes the Uriah’s murder, dressing it up to look like a record implies God’s view of things, as when the military misfortune. The course of this single angel asks Sarah why she laughed at the promise chapter takes us a long way: several lives are that she would have a child, and sometimes God changed forever, and David’s case of spiritual openly praises and rewards Abraham’s faith, but blindness removes him far from God. As we read, occasionally the record is silent about God’s view we witness David’s actions from the outside and and the reader is left to infer how God would are not privy to his motivations—although they judge Abraham’s actions. are perhaps easy to infer. But we are conscious of For instance, there is no direct authorial com- God’s opinion of the whole neatly-tied-up episode. ment about the episode with Abimelech, king In a memorable authorial comment, the chapter of Gerar (Gen. 20) who, through no fault of his concludes: “But the thing that David had done own, came to think that Sarah was Abraham’s was evil in the sight of the LORD” (v. 27). sister and not his wife. When Abimelech takes Sarah for himself, God helps Abraham out of the The Gospels situation by warning Abimelech in a dream to In the Gospels we find a similar pattern. Most return Sarah to her husband (and in the process of the time, these remarkable narratives present reveals Abraham’s ‘white lie’). We might construe Jesus from an external point of view: we watch God’s view of the incident from His words to him doing things, and we hear his words, even Abimelech, but there is no explicit comment from his personal prayers to his Father. As Luke God about what Abraham did. The reader has says in the introduction to Acts, referring to actively to ask this question of the text and seek his own Gospel, “The first account I composed, the answer for him- or herself. This is surely the Theophilus, about all that Jesus began to do and way we should be reading. teach”—the emphasis is on what Jesus did and what he said. For the most part, we are not given Judges, 2 Samuel . . . Jesus’ thoughts3 (but what a rich resource of his The last few chapters of the Book of Judges make thoughts the Psalms and Prophets are!), and for depressing reading because they relate two the reader is left to deduce his thoughts from very unsavoury stories, both involving Levites, his actions and words. For instance, in the four which demonstrate a sharp national decline in accounts of the crucifixion there is no explicit the true worship of God. In one, a Levite gives reference in the narratives themselves to what his concubine to the sexually perverted men of Gibeah in order to save himself from them, the 2. Although the New Testament often provides a com- terrible result being that they rape her and she mentary on the Old Testament, of course. dies of her injuries. He then takes the extreme 3. The temptations in the wilderness are an obvious and action of chopping her body into twelves pieces fascinating exception. Testimony, September 2018 326 Contents Jesus was thinking. In some ways, this is quite to guide our interpretation of this conversation, exceptional: at the emotional climax to the gos- and the character of the young man. pel story, the record positions readers alongside The fact that Jesus loved him speaks volumes Jesus, or stands them at the foot of the cross, but about the young man’s faith and the sincerity it does not explicitly invite them into his mind. that lay behind his question. Perhaps it also hints (Again, the Old Testament background, alluded at Jesus’ sad knowledge that his words would to by Jesus on the cross, certainly does.) divide the man’s loyalties and that he would There are many probable reasons for this and, choose to cling to his possessions. The comment as the commentaries say, the story of the cruci- highlights our Lord’s compassion and deep feel- fixion is all the more dignified and powerful for ing for those who strive to follow him, and his it. But it also aligns with how the Gospels are grief when they choose to put themselves before generally constructed: readers who have jour- his commands. If we are called upon to be like neyed with Jesus to this point in his ministry are Jesus, then in similar situations we should aim to presented with a momentous scene that they are develop this depth of feeling, too, for our brothers called upon to witness. Not only are they asked and sisters, and for those who are learning the to witness the events; they are required to bear Truth. witness to the glory of his character shown in In a sense, authorial comments like these his obedience to his Father. The Gospel records teach the reader how to read the Gospels. They do not spoon-feed this to us—we must see it for train us to ask the right questions about Jesus’ ourselves. encounters with people: Why did Jesus say that However, the Gospels’ external point of view at this time? What motivated him to do this? is occasionally broken by the use of an authorial And, from our perspective as his followers, how comment.4 In a similar way to the Old Testament, does this person’s reaction to Jesus compare with these shed light on why Jesus did something, mine? or reveal his thoughts about someone. In John’s account of the feeding of the five thousand, he Lessons for our reading makes clear that Jesus was using the circumstance God’s authorship of the Bible trains us how to to teach the disciples, and particularly Philip, a read it in order to extract its valuable lessons. spiritual lesson: “Therefore Jesus, lifting up his The stories about faithful men and women, and eyes and seeing that a large crowd was coming to pre-eminently about the Lord Jesus himself, him, said to Philip, ‘Where are we to buy bread, contain authorial comments that, as with all the so that these may eat?’ This he was saying to test other aspects of Scripture, provide insights into him, for he himself knew what he was intending to the divine mind. They are guides to the sorts of do” (Jno. 6:5,6). The authorial comment provides questions we need to ask of every story in the the reason for Jesus’ question, underlining the Bible: What am I meant to think about this? What fact that Jesus knew perfectly well what was would God’s view of this be? going to happen. This is a valuable insight into In particular, these comments tell us what one of his most pressing concerns as his sacrifice motivates God to act. This should cause us to approached: that his disciples grew in faith and analyse our own reasons for doing things. What began to understand what motivated their master motivates us to act? The search for God’s King- in every situation. dom and His righteousness, or other things? A particularly interesting authorial comment They also concern how our Father, and His Son, is inserted into the story of Jesus’ encounter with read people’s hearts. This wisdom is something the rich young ruler. This man, “who owned else we need to develop constantly through the much property” (Mk. 10:22), and who said that Word, to be better judges of ourselves, first and he had kept all the commandments listed here foremost, and wiser judges of others. by Jesus, wanted to know if there was anything Asking questions is an important part of more he should be doing to ensure he inherited learning. If we ask why God doesn’t explicitly eternal life. Mark writes: “Looking at him, Jesus tell us exactly what we should be thinking about felt a love for him and said to him, ‘One thing you every narrative section of the Bible, then the lack: go and sell all you possess and give to the answer must be that He expects us to think for poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me’” (v. 21). The poignant authorial 4. Interestingly, these authorial comments occur more comment, “Jesus felt a love for him,” is designed frequently in John than in the Synoptic Gospels. Testimony, September 2018 Contents 327 ourselves. A general rule of Scripture is that it in righteousness” (2 Tim. 3:16). And its gems of reveals its truth only to those ready to look for it. wisdom, many buried in the stories about faithful Then the Bible shows itself to be “profitable for men and women, are readily revealed to those teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training willing to dig for them. Contents Your Letters

The story of Gehenna In this he discusses what our attitude towards Israel and the Jews should be, saying that we I would like to thank Brother Sam Alexander for should “love the nation . . . deeply, despite her his carefully reasoned articles on this subject.1 faults and waywardness,” lest we be seen as be- As an addition to what he has had to say, I ing anti-Semitic. Whilst I agree that we must not suggest that the logical conclusion of his argu- become involved in the political field of “[tak- ment from Jeremiah’s prophecies is that the ing] up the cause of those who have despised primary warning the Lord Jesus was making to Israel with . . . perpetual enmity, hatred, anger his contemporaries in the Gehenna passages was and envy,” I feel I must say that I do not believe not of judgement to come at resurrection day. It that it is anti-Semitic to be realistic about Israel’s was that, if they failed to follow his teaching and shortcomings. amend their ways, then they and their beloved There can be no doubt that Israel has commit- city and temple would be destroyed by the Ro- ted some dastardly acts since the establishment mans in the fiery judgement of AD 70, just as of the new state. All that one needs to do is to surely as the Babylonian judgement came in the read some of the declassified material that has days of Jeremiah. Jesus’ use of other passages in been made available for anyone who cares to do Jeremiah (for example, his quotation of Jeremiah so. Nor does Israel acknowledge the Lord their 7:11 in Matthew 21:13) make the parallel hard to God, the nation being, by choice, a secular state. ignore.2 Even Orthodox Jewry, in general, is far from Mary Benson understanding the real purpose of our heavenly Norwich Father (in accordance with the words of Paul in Romans 11:7). Sad to say, Israel is morally lax, having im- 1. Jul. 2018, p. 244; Aug. 2018, p. 305. ported from the nations from which they have 2. For more on this subject, see my article “The times been gathered behaviours which are certainly of Jeremiah and the time of Christ” in Testimony, vol. not pleasing to the Lord. They are boastful of 63, Jul. 1993, p. 256. their expertise in many fields of technological importance to the world. I am not denying their Gehenna and anti-Semitism God-given ability, or the fact that many of their inventions have benefited mankind, only stating I would like to thank Brother Sam Alexander for that the glory is not given to God. In addition, his interesting articles “The story of Gehenna”1 they continue to ‘make alliances with Egypt’ and which serve to remind us of what happened to with any others who will serve their purpose Israel for neglecting the true worship of the Lord (again contrary to the words of the Lord). They and going after the abominable practices of the trust in their own arm of strength to see them nations. They also prove the reality of the Lord’s through their difficulties. judgements upon Israel, who refused to repent de- Are we to stand on the sidelines and cheer spite the numerous warnings they had received. them on? As I understand it, “the time of Jacob’s It is with these thoughts in mind that I want to take up a point made by Brother Shaun Maher 1. Jul. 2018, p. 244 and Aug. 2018, p. 305. concerning the “great and glorious day” of Israel.2 2. Jul. 2018, p. 257. Testimony, September 2018 328 Contents trouble” (Jer. 30:7) will come upon them as judge- are not being anti-Semitic; rather, we ought to ment for all these deeds, particularly for their be seeking ways to help them to see the coming failure to repent. That dread day will come, and disaster before it is too late. only a remnant will be saved. Surely that tells us Veronica Clark something. By acknowledging these things we Christchurch, New Zealand

Contents

Exposition “All things work together for good to those who love God” David Nicholls Is the book of Esther just a record of an event in the again to this land: and I will build them, and not pull them down; history of the Jews which shows the hand of God at work and I will plant them, and not protecting His people from destruction by their enemies? pluck them up” (24:5,6). Or is there more to the book than that? Notice the repeated phrase “for good.” It takes our minds to Paul’s words HE THEME of God’s unseen hand at work in Romans 8:28: “we know that all things work is stamped all over the story of Esther, ‘in together for good to them that love God, to them Tbetween the lines,’ as it were, but we suggest who are the called according to His purpose.” that the principles of God’s wonderful provision Paul assures us that the circumstances of of salvation from sin and death are also presented our lives are controlled by God so that we are in the book, in dramatic form. These were, of directed, and if necessary corrected, on the way course, real events concerning God’s people the of life that leads to His Kingdom. Sometimes we Jews, that took place in the time of the Persian refer to this as ‘providence.’ It involves the work Empire during the reign of King Ahasuerus, who of unseen angels in our lives, directed by God married the Jewess Esther in place of his first and the Lord Jesus Christ. Different experiences wife Vashti. But the events and characters are may befall us in this life. Some bring happiness presented in such a way that eternal principles and pleasure, some cause sorrow and pain. In are illustrated for our benefit. all of them there is purpose. God’s assurance is that if we love Him, and bring forth good fruit God’s work of good by trying to develop characters like Christ, then In Esther 2:5 we are introduced to one of the main all these experiences are working together for characters, Mordecai. Verse 6 tells us that he was our ultimate good. His purpose is to bring us to amongst those taken captive at the same time His Kingdom and His glory. as King Jeconiah of Judah. Jeremiah has some good things to say about this group of captives. Providence in Esther: Mordecai . . . They are likened to good figs, contrasted with The example of Mordecai and Esther show us the rotten figs representing the wicked people what to expect and what not to expect from God’s left in Jerusalem: providence. We are under the operation of the “Thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel; Like ways of providence, which means that events these good figs, so will I acknowledge them and circumstances of our lives are controlled that are carried away captive of Judah, whom by angelic supervision, with all things working I have sent out of this place into the land of together for good. But that does not guarantee the Chaldeans for their good. For I will set Mine us health, wealth, happiness and freedom from eyes upon them for good, and I will bring them all evil experiences in this life. By the mercy of Testimony, September 2018 Contents 329 God we may be well blessed in our lives with A pattern for salvation in Christ good things—from the hand of God. But times When we consider these principles in the Book of adversity and testing will also come—from of Esther, the wisdom and mercy of God is seen the hand of God. in His provision of salvation from sin and death. Taken captive by the Babylonians, Mordecai Because Adam brought sin into the world, a rose to a position of high status in the Persian decree went forth from the God of heaven: “dust kingdom—“Mordecai sat in the king’s gate” (Est. thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return” (Gen. 2:21)—but he also suffered personal and collec- 3:19). This is referred to by Paul as “the law of sin tive threat and persecution. However, when the and death” (Rom. 8:2). We all suffer the conse- need arose, Mordecai took on the responsibility quences of Adam’s offence: “As in Adam all die of taking action in order to save his people, God’s . . .” (1 Cor. 15:22). It is an unchangeable decree people, from destruction at the hand of a cruel from which no one is exempted, not even the Lord enemy. Esther also was prepared to risk her life Jesus Christ. That which is written concerning to make a request for her people. this Law of Death cannot be reversed or revoked. Paul states the fact that “flesh and blood cannot . . . and Haman inherit the kingdom of God” (v. 50). Flesh and In Esther 3 we are introduced to Haman, another blood cannot produce anything of value for God; main character in the book. From verse 1 we see it can produce only sin. that he was evidently a very proud man who The Lord Jesus Christ shared this same nature. expected everyone to bow down to him. But Mor- He was tempted in all points like as we are. decai did not bow down, or give him reverence. But he always resisted temptation, never once When this was reported to Haman he became so yielding to the power of sin. Nevertheless he angry that he plotted to take his revenge on all willingly accepted his Father’s commandment of Mordecai’s people, the Jews. and was obedient unto death, even the death of Verse 6 records that Haman “sought to destroy the cross. In that death the Lord Jesus declared all the Jews that were throughout the whole king- the righteousness of God. In effect he declared, dom of Ahasuerus, even the people of Mordecai” ‘My Father is right; the rightful destiny of flesh (v. 6); in verse 10 he is referred to as “the Jews’ and blood (human nature) is that it must be put enemy”; and in 9:24 he is called “the enemy of to death, destroyed, and caused to perish.’ What all the Jews.” By taking this stance Haman ef- the Lord Jesus Christ did literally at the end of his fectively signed his own death warrant. God had life, and figuratively all his life, we are required promised Abraham long ago: “I will . . . curse him to do figuratively in our lives. Paul exhorts us that curseth thee” (Gen. 12:3). But initially, as a to “[crucify] the flesh with [its] affections and result of Haman’s wicked plan, the decree went lusts” (Gal. 5:24). forth “in the name of King Ahasuerus . . . and sealed with the king’s ring” (Est. 3:12). Accord- Another law ing to the law of the Medes and Persians, such a But by another law called “the law of the Spirit decree could not be changed. It set out Haman’s of life” (Rom. 8:2), written in the heavenly King’s intention “to destroy, to kill, and to cause to per- name, the power of the first law has been over- ish, all Jews” (v. 13). come. The righteousness of God was also declared When Mordecai became aware of this he sent in resurrecting His sinless Son. By the mercy a message to Esther instructing her to make a and grace of God we can share Christ’s glorious request to King Ahasuerus to deliver her peo- victory over sin and death: “For as in Adam all ple. By a remarkable control and direction of die [the law of sin and death], even so in Christ circumstances the providence of God ensured shall all be made alive [the law of the spirit of that Haman’s evil intention was exposed and he life]” (1 Cor. 15:22); “For the law of the Spirit of was put to death on the same gallows that he life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the had prepared for Mordecai. However, this did law of sin and death” (Rom. 8:2). not entirely solve the problem since the decree In type in Mordecai’s time this involved a that had been issued was unchangeable. The Jews law that granted the Jews a means of defence. were still in danger of attack by those who hated In the reality (the antitype) it involved the death, them. The solution came by the king writing by crucifixion, of God’s beloved Son so that we another decree “for the Jews” (8:8), allowing the might be granted a defence, a way out of death, Jews to defend themselves. if we commit our lives to following faithfully the Testimony, September 2018 330 Contents Lord Jesus Christ: “And you, being dead in your the absolute surety that ‘God is for us,’ willing to sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath forgive us and deliver us if we love, honour and He quickened [made alive] together with him, seek to obey Him. “What shall we then say to having forgiven you all trespasses; blotting out these things? If God be for us, who can be against the handwriting of ordinances that was against us? He that spared not His own Son, but delivered us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of him up for us all, how shall He not with him also the way, nailing it to his cross” (Col. 2:13,14). freely give us all things?” (Rom. 8:31,32). Thanks When the time of the reality came, God did be to God, who gives us the victory through our not spare His own Son! That remarkable fact is Lord Jesus Christ! Contents

Principles, preaching and problems Genesis in the light of modern discovery Paul M. Genders Who wrote the Book of Genesis? How should we account postulated that the Book of Genesis for the fact that Genesis contains a number of words of was compiled from pre-existing clay tablets written in cuneiform script, Babylonian origin? Is this evidence for Genesis having which were then collated into a single been written in Babylon, long after the events which it record—supposedly by Moses, work- describes? Is there any biblical evidence which helps us to ing under inspiration. The theory has assess these questions? been considered by other Christadel- phian authors.2 HE ARTICLE which follows these introduc- The hypothesis may not have been widely ac- tory remarks is an extract from a longer cepted in academic circles, and it is not without article of the same name, published nearly its difficulties. Nevertheless it would, if true, T 1 sixty years ago. It examined a hypothesis by Brit- help to explain certain features of the Genesis ish Air Commodore P. J. Wiseman (1888–1948), set text—why, for instance, Genesis does not ascribe out in his book New Discoveries in Babylonia about names to the heavenly bodies, or name certain Genesis (1936). During his military career in the peoples and territories, both of which would Middle East, Wiseman had been able to visit nu- have been expected if Genesis was indeed writ- merous active archaeological sites. He had noticed ten in Babylon many centuries after the events it that many of the ancient clay tablets unearthed describes. It is the very absence of such details, at these sites ended with a ‘colophon’—that is, the hypothesis argues, which helps to establish a statement containing information such as the an early date for the book. Other evidence for an identity of the author of the tablet and the place early date for Genesis includes descriptions of and date of writing. Today such information is the land of Canaan in terms which would make usually found near the beginning of a book, but sense only to local readers, and certainly not to in ancient times it was normal to place it at the readers thousands of miles away and unfamiliar very end. with the land. Wiseman noted that this literary device also seemed to occur in the Book of Genesis, corre- sponding to the sections into which Genesis is 1. Essays, Christadelphian Mutual Improvement Socie- clearly divided. The divisions are marked by the ties’ Union, Session 1958–59. Hebrew word toledoth, translated “generations”— 2. See, for example: Edward Whittaker, “The Antedilu- for example, “This is the book of the genera- vian Patriarchs,” For the Study and Defence of the Holy tions of Adam” (5:1). The ‘Wiseman hypothesis’ Scripture (Testimony, 1987), pp. 76–89. Testimony, September 2018 Contents 331 The argument for Moses being the inspired explained to them the things concerning himself collator of the original records which make up the in all the Scriptures,” and he did so “beginning Book of Genesis is particularly attractive. There with Moses” (24:27, NASB). To those who know does not seem to be any direct evidence from that events in Genesis point forward clearly to elsewhere in Scripture that Moses wrote Genesis, the Lord’s work of salvation, it seems unthinkable in the way that there is evidence of him having that he would omit Genesis from his exposition written (or at least contributed large parts of) the of the Scriptures on that day. But with Moses as other four books of the Pentateuch. If Moses was its compiler, the Lord endorses Genesis as having involved as A. J. Wiseman suggests, however, then been produced with his involvement. light is shed even on the words of the Lord Jesus Wiseman’s book was republished by his son Christ. The Gospel of Luke tells that when, on the Donald, Professor of Assyriology at the University day of his resurrection, the Lord conversed with of London, as Ancient records and the structure of two of his disciples on the way to Emmaus, “he Genesis: A case for literary unity in 1985.—J.D.T.

Who wrote the original records? —evidence of their antiquity

E KNOW that God spoke to the Patriarchs. ­mankind in general. In all other accounts of crea- WHis revelation to them was a personal one. tion discovered by archaeologists, some reference In view of this it would be remarkable if they to the origins or gods of the nation concerned is did not write down what was revealed to them present. Here in Genesis 1 is a pure account of and how this affected their lives. They were rich creation written before any nation was formed. enough and quite capable of writing themselves The first eleven chapters of Genesis contain or of employing scribes to write these records words which are definitely Babylonian. Further, for them. these words only occur in the earlier part of The first tablet no one could have written from Genesis and are not found in the rest of the personal knowledge, and, significantly, it is the Pentateuch. In chapter 12 we read of God’s call only tablet in which the author is not stated. Its to Abraham to leave Babylonia. The evidence contents were revealed by God to man, most prob- suggests that the earlier records were written in ably to Adam before the Fall when God walked Babylonia before Abraham left. with him and instructed him. The Creation tablet Apart from the first chapter, the remaining is a simple one, but it contains all the essential chapters all contain narratives which were written facts and as much as would be understood by in great detail and give the impression of being Adam. It has much evidence to show that it is a written by eyewitnesses of the events related. The very ancient one. Names for the sun and moon do patriarchs mentioned in the phrase “These are the not appear. They are simply called the “greater” generations of . . .” (2:4 etc.) could all have been and “lesser” lights ruling over the day and night eyewitnesses, or at least have obtained first-hand respectively (Gen. 1:16). It is known, however, eyewitness accounts. For example, consider the that, long before the time of the Flood, men wor- detail given in Genesis 18, where the account of shipped the sun and the moon and had names Abraham entertaining three angels is given, fol- for them. Ur was renowned for its worship of the lowed by his intercession to God for the city of moon god called Sin long before Abraham’s day, Sodom. Who else but Abraham could have writ- and the Sun god Shamesh was one of the oldest, ten or dictated this account? Similarly with many if not the oldest, of the gods of Babylon. Yet in other narratives, so much detail is contained that Genesis 1 we find no name for the sun or moon, it is not feasible that anyone but those present and conclude therefore that it was written before could have written or at least dictated the account. they were given names. The last fourteen chapters contain mainly Another significant point about the creation the story of Joseph in Egypt. In the record many narrative is that it is an account completely de- purely Egyptian words and phrases are present, void of any mention of tribe, nation or country. such as “Potiphar” (37:36) and “Asenath” (41:45). The references are to the earth as a whole and Passages occur which show that the writer was Testimony, September 2018 332 Contents familiar with Egyptian customs, such as how • “the vale of Siddim, which is the salt sea” land was allocated to the priests (47:22) and how (v. 3) the bodies of Jacob and Joseph were embalmed • “En-mishpat, which is Kadesh” (v. 7) (50:2,26). It is probable that these records were • “the valley of Shaveh, which is the king’s dale” written in Egypt on papyrus, and this would (v. 17). explain why there is no colophon. These ancient names only occur in this chapter. Cuneiform writing was the diplomatic script in Another example is: the time of Moses, as the Tell-el-Amarna tablets • “Ephrath, which is Beth-lehem” (35:19; 48:7). show. Since Moses was educated as a prince in Thus Moses found it necessary to add the notes in Egypt he would be able to read this script. He order that his readers could identify these cities. would therefore have no difficulty in reading the tablets passed down to him and written by the Conclusion patriarchs before him. The evidence furnished by modern discoveries Further evidence that the book was compiled in archaeology is that Moses compiled the book from a number of early records and edited is of Genesis from tablets passed down to him and shown in the explanatory notes in the narratives. previously written by those who were intimately Many of the place names were so old at the time of connected with the facts narrated. It would be Moses that he had to add notes giving the current necessary to find some of the original tablets names of the places. Examples of this are found before it could be said that this was proved, but in chapter 14, referring to the battle of the kings the weight of evidence is now so great that it in which Lot was taken prisoner. The names of leaves little doubt that this was the way in which some of the cities mentioned had changed in Genesis was written. However, one thing about the period of approximately 400 years dividing which there is no doubt is that the book was Abraham and Moses. Examples are: compiled for our learning under the overriding • “Bela (the same is Zoar)” (v. 8) guidance of the hand of God. Contents

Exhortation Elijah—man of prayer Peter Banyard

“The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth Drought: preparations and much,” James tells us of Elijah, but even Elijah had to wait effects to see how his prayer would ultimately be answered. The Old Testament gives no hint of the preparation that preceded this LIJAH APPEARS ABRUPTLY in the narra- message. James tells us that the prophet made it tive of Israel’s history. One can imagine a a matter of earnest prayer that there should be Ehairy man, weathered and wearing minimal no rain: “Elias was a man subject to like passions rough clothing, striding into the king’s palace as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might with such an expression on his face and a steely not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the glint in his eyes that none dared to challenge him. space of three years and six months” (Jas. 5:17). He delivered his message to the king, and strode Had Elijah been meditating on Solomon’s prayer out. Ahab must have wondered at the message: at the dedication of the temple? “As the LORD God of Israel liveth, before whom “When heaven is shut up, and there is no rain, I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these because they have sinned against Thee; if years, but according to my word” (1 Kgs. 17:1). they pray toward this place, and confess Thy As the days passed, he and all Israel experienced name, and turn from their sin, when Thou the truth of those words, and suffered resulting afflictest them: then hear Thou in heaven, and hardship. forgive the sin of Thy servants, and of Thy Testimony, September 2018 Contents 333 people Israel, that Thou teach them the good everything they could think of to attract their way wherein they should walk, and give rain god’s attention and elicit a response, no doubt upon Thy land, which Thou hast given to Thy whipped to even greater frenzy by Elijah’s mock- people for an inheritance” (1 Kgs. 8:35,36). ing taunts; but they had to admit failure. There was certainly cause for such punishment: Was there another connection with Solomon’s “And Ahab made a grove; and Ahab did more to prayer in the nature of the challenge? provoke the LORD God of Israel to anger than all “Now when Solomon had made an end of the kings of Israel that were before him” (16:33). praying, the fire came down from heaven, The king, encouraged by Queen Jezebel, set the and consumed the burnt offering and the standard, and the nation as a whole descended sacrifices; and the glory of the LORD filled the to it. house. And the priests could not enter into Elijah did not escape the effects of the drought. the house of the LORD, because the glory of God made provision for food while Elijah had the LORD had filled the ORDL ’S house. And the flowing brook, but when that dried up he when all the children of Israel saw how the fire had to move on, going to the region of Zidon, came down, and the glory of the LORD upon where he, the widow of Zarephath and her son the house, they bowed themselves with their were miraculously sustained throughout the rest faces to the ground upon the pavement, and of the drought. His stay was interrupted by the worshipped, and praised the LORD, saying, death of the son, who was restored to life: For He is good; for His mercy endureth for “And he said unto her, Give me thy son. And ever” (2 Chron. 7:1-3). he took him out of her bosom, and carried If so, Elijah would have hoped for the same re- him up into a loft, where he abode, and laid sponse: both fear and reverence. him upon his own bed. And he cried unto the LORD, and said, O LORD my God, hast The fire descends Thou also brought evil upon the widow with At the time of the evening sacrifice, probably whom I sojourn, by slaying her son? And he around 3 p.m., it was Elijah’s turn. To emphasise stretched himself upon the child three times, the power of Yahweh, the prophet drenched the and cried unto the LORD, and said, O LORD sacrifice and surrounded it with a flooded ditch. my God, I pray Thee, let this child’s soul come Twelve stones for the altar, twelve barrels of water into him again. And the LORD heard the voice on the sacrifice—perhaps these were intended as of Elijah; and the soul of the child came into a reminder of the miraculous crossing of Jordan him again, and he revived. And Elijah took as the undivided Israel entered the land, and the the child, and brought him down out of the stones which were a memorial to the power of chamber into the house, and delivered him God. Then the prayer: unto his mother: and Elijah said, See, thy son “And it came to pass at the time of the offering liveth. And the woman said to Elijah, Now of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet by this I know that thou art a man of God, came near, and said, LORD God of Abraham, and that the word of the LORD in thy mouth Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day is truth” (17:19-24). that Thou art God in Israel, and that I am Thy This Gentile acknowledged what Israel had yet to servant, and that I have done all these things realise, as a result of the prophet’s effective prayer. at Thy word. Hear me, O LORD, hear me, that this people may know that Thou art the LORD The true God revealed God, and that Thou hast turned their heart When Israel had suffered and were desperate, back again” (1 Kgs. 18:36,37). Elijah’s orders were respected and obeyed. The Elijah was taking the people back to their fathers, nation had seen that he spoke with authority, who had been called out by God to receive great and so the contest between Baal and Yahweh promises; back to the way in which God was was arranged. The ringleaders in deception revealed to Moses at the burning bush (Ex. 3:6); were singled out for inclusion in the assembled back to the command to love God alone (Deut. throng—450 prophets of Baal and 400 prophets 6:4,5); back to the ‘turning again’ sought by the of the groves. The rules were simple: whichever psalmist (Ps. 80:3,7,19). Not the frenzied shouting, god accepted the unlit offering and consumed it screaming and leaping of the false prophets, but by fire from heaven had the undisputed right to a sober, impassioned plea for God to be glorified be worshipped alone. The prophets of Baal did in the chosen nation. Testimony, September 2018 334 Contents The Elijah monument on Mount Carmel, with raised sword ready to slay the prophets of Baal. Photo: Tony Benson The prophet’s name means ‘Yah is God,’ which band of false prophets, promised to kill Elijah expressed his mission to make Israel realise this. promptly. The prophet then had what we might That was his prayer, and it was answered spec- today call a ‘mood swing’—from the excitement tacularly: “Then the fire of the LORD fell, and of hearing Israel acknowledge Yahweh as God consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and to depression at his own loneliness as the only the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water faithful one in Israel, as he thought. He was not that was in the trench” (1 Kgs. 18:38). The accept- thinking of the hundred prophets hidden by ance by God was comprehensive, eliminating any Obadiah, nor of the possibility that there were possibility of doubt. The people’s response was other likeminded ones who were keeping a low as the prophet had hoped: “And when all the profile: people saw it, they fell on their faces: and they “And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had said, The LORD, He is the God; the LORD, He is the done, and withal how he had slain all the God” (v. 39). Thus convinced, for the moment at prophets with the sword. Then Jezebel sent least, they readily slaughtered the false prophets: a messenger unto Elijah, saying, So let the “And Elijah said unto them, Take the prophets of gods do to me, and more also, if I make not Baal; let not one of them escape. And they took thy life as the life of one of them by to mor- them: and Elijah brought them down to the brook row about this time. And when he saw that, Kishon, and slew them there” (v. 40). he arose, and went for his life, and came to Beer-sheba, which belongeth to Judah, and left Change of heart? his servant there. But he himself went a day’s With the bringing of the people to their senses journey into the wilderness, and came and sat came the need to acknowledge this in the return down under a juniper tree: and he requested of rain. Elijah spoke to Ahab of the sound of much for himself that he might die; and said, It is rain, and went to the top of Carmel and prostrated enough; now, O LORD, take away my life; himself. Seven times he told his servant to look for I am not better than my fathers” (1 Kgs. towards the sea, until the seventh time a cloud 19:1-4). appeared. Where was Elijah looking on the top This is the only recorded prayer of the prophet of Carmel that he could not see the sea? Surely, that was not answered as requested. Instead, he bearing in mind the prayer of Solomon, he was was shown the power of the Almighty on Horeb, looking towards the temple and praying for rain, assured that he was not the only one faithful in as James tells us: “And he prayed again, and the Israel, and given further work to do. It is only heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth in connection with Moses and Elijah that the her fruit” (Jas. 5:18). mountain is called ‘Horeb,’ and it is possible that The miracle was not enough to change the Elijah occupied the same cleft in the rock that minds of Jezebel, who, furious at the loss of her Moses had. Testimony, September 2018 Contents 335 Lesson not learned, lesson learned king said, Come down quickly. And Elijah When Ahab’s son Ahaziah sent to Baal-zebub answered and said unto them, If I be a man concerning his sickness, and instead received a of God, let fire come down from heaven, and message from God of his impending death, he consume thee and thy fifty. And the fire of sent for Elijah: God came down from heaven, and consumed “Then the king sent unto him a captain of fifty him and his fifty” (vv. 11,12). with his fifty. And he went up to him: and, Only the third captain had the sense to respect behold, he sat on the top of an hill. And he Elijah as a man of God, so Elijah went with him spake unto him, Thou man of God, the king to repeat the message already delivered by the hath said, Come down. And Elijah answered king’s messengers. Witnesses must have reported and said to the captain of fifty, If I be a man the destruction of the first two companies, and it of God, then let fire come down from heaven, made sufficient impression on the third captain to and consume thee and thy fifty. And there realise that, when the prophet invoked the power came down fire from heaven, and consumed of his God, nothing could resist. Now he realised him and his fifty” (2 Kgs. 1:9,10). that “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous Another who would not acknowledge the God man availeth much” (Jas. 5:16). who could send fire from heaven was sent to fetch For us this is one of the lessons of Elijah’s life. the prophet, urging a swift response this time, Not all prayers may be answered as we would with the same result: wish, but if our ambition is to serve and glorify “Again also he sent unto him another captain God to the best of our ability, then the answers of fifty with his fifty. And he answered and will be to our ultimate good, with the fulfilment said unto him, O man of God, thus hath the of that ambition in the strength of immortality.

Contents Bible Workshop The healing of the paralysed man David Burges

The following questions might be used as the basis of a miraculous healing, instructing the man to ‘arise’ (a word often used group discussion on the Lord’s healing of the paralysed for resurrection—for example, Mark man. The New Testament passages to read are: 12:26) and sending him home before Matthew 9:1-8; Mark 2:1-12; Luke 5:17-26. them all.

HE APOSTLE PAUL declared that “Christ Discussion topics Jesus came into the world to save sinners” 1 How can we be sure that the paralytic man, T(1 Tim. 1:15) and that we are “justified by and not just his friends, had faith (Lk. 5:20)? faith” (Rom. 5:1, where the word ‘justified’ means Compare Luke 7:50; 8:48; 17:19; 18:42; Romans ‘made right’—that is, forgiven). The Gospels 5:1. record a fine example of this, early in Jesus’ 2 Is it possible that the man’s paralysis was the ministry, in the healing of a paralysed man. The result of his own behaviour (Lk. 5:23)? Com- man and his four friends demonstrate their faith pare Luke 7:39,47; John 5:8,9,14. by their determination to reach Jesus through a 3 Can only God forgive sins, as the Pharisees hole in the roof of the house where he is preach- said (Lk. 5:21,24)? Compare Leviticus 6:2-7; ing to a large crowd, probably the synagogue. 16:29,30; Luke 17:3,4; Hebrews 10:11-14. Jesus declares that the paralysed man’s sins are 4 What does four men lowering a ‘body’ into a forgiven, showing that this is his real problem, hole remind you of (Lk. 5:19,24)—and the man and then demonstrates to the hostile Pharisees then being told to ‘rise’? Compare 2 Kings his divinely given authority to forgive sins by a 13:20,21; Romans 6:4-8. Testimony, September 2018 336 Contents Watchman Israel’s nation-state law Shaun Maher

Israel attracted global condemnation once more when, bribery on his part and mistreatment on 19 July, the Knesset passed a new law designed to of staff by his wife. The Israeli police enshrine the distinct Jewish identity of the State of Israel. have recommended that he should face charges for the former. The pass- What does this law contain, and why has it so enraged the ing of the new law is viewed by some nations? as an attempt both to galvanise the right and to distract attention from SRAEL’S NEW nation-state law has not only his personal troubles. attracted very strong criticism from around Ithe world, but has also divided Israelis, espe- A Jewish state cially left-wing secular Jews, who have protested What, then, is in this controversial new law? It alongside Arabs in Israeli cities.1 The Arab parties encompasses a number of key elements identified and the left-wing Jewish parties have accused the by its architects as the foundation characteristics beleaguered Prime Minister of giving a sop to the of modern Israel’s distinctly Jewish identity. As nationalist and religious parties in his right-wing far as legislation goes, the new law is relatively coalition.2 In recent months Mr Netanyahu has straightforward and comprehensible. A selection been plagued by a number of scandals, including of the core tenets can be seen in the table below.3

Basic law: Israel—the nation-state of the Jewish people 1 Basic principles a) The Land of Israel is the historical homeland of the Jewish people, in which the State of Israel was established. b) The State of Israel is the nation state of the Jewish people, in which it realises its natural, cultural, religious and historical right to self-determination. 2 State symbols a) The name of the State is “Israel.” b) The State flag is white, with two light-blue stripes close to the edge, and a light-blue Star of David in its centre. c) The State emblem is a seven-branched menorah with olive leaves on both sides, and the word “Israel” at its base. d) The State anthem is “Hatikvah.” 3 State capital Jerusalem, complete and united, is the capital of Israel. 4 Language a) Hebrew is the State language. b) The Arabic language has a special status in the State; arrangements regarding the use of Arabic in state institutions or vis-à-vis them will be set by law. 5 Ingathering of The State shall be open for Jewish immigration, and for the ingathering of the the exiles exiles. 6 The connection The State shall strive to ensure the safety of members of the Jewish people with the Jewish and of its citizens, who are in trouble and in captivity, due to their Jewishness people or due to their citizenship. 7 Jewish The State views the development of Jewish settlement as a national value, settlement and shall act to encourage and promote its establishment and strengthening.

Testimony, September 2018 Contents 337 Arab and left-wing Jewish demonstrators take part in a rally to protest against Israel’s nation-state law in Tel Aviv on 11 August 2018. Photo: © Xinhua/Alamy Stock Photo In essence this new law is an effort on the part civil service and eventually sanctioning legally of the Israeli state to declare its unique Jewish full economic exclusion and the sequestration of character, and its right to sovereignty and to Jewish assets of any kind.6 self-determination. From the perspective of her Turning to the criticism of Israel as an apart- current government, one can understand why heid state, perhaps it might be argued that the Israel might feel the need to pass such legisla- new law provides a basis (for those who are so tion. The recent United Nations (UN) resolutions inclined) to discriminate against other nationali- denying the historical relationship of the Jews to ties or ethnic groups. But to a degree Israel has their homeland may be one reason why Israel felt always been an apartheid state by some defini- it necessary to act in this way. tions of the word. Those readers who follow the Equally, from the perspective of the nations, Bible Companion will have read in August of the in particular the states of European Union, the non-Jewish forced labour used by Solomon to ful- Arab nations and the UN, one can understand fil his extravagant building projects over the first why this new legislation might attract displeasure twenty years of his reign (1 Kgs. 9:15-22). Many and condemnation—in particular, the sections similar examples could be considered. Returning which describe Jerusalem “complete and united” to the present day, such oppressive behaviour is as the capital of Israel, and extol “settlement” as a legislated against by Israel, not least in section 6a “national value” to be encouraged and promoted. of the new law, where all “citizens” of the State This is a brazen challenge to those who hold fast are protected, not only Jewish ones. to the ideological dogma of the two-state solution Clearly the State of Israel is not without its to Israel’s problems. faults, some of which are serious and extensive.

The freest Arab state in the Middle East 1. Tel Aviv protests: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/ Apart from the obvious areas of tension men- world/middle-east/israel-protest-palestine-nation-state- tioned above, even the section of the new law law-jews-arabs-tel-aviv-a8490106.html 2. http://time.com/5349519/benjamin-netanyahu-bremmer/ which states that Hebrew is the official lan- 3. Knesset press release: https://knesset.gov.il/spokesman/ guage of the State of Israel has drawn energetic eng/PR_eng.asp?PRID=13977; English translation of and highly-charged criticism, with Israel being the basic law: http://knesset.gov.il/laws/special/eng/ branded an apartheid state by some,4 and, even BasicLawNationState.pdf worse, compared to Hitler’s Nazi anti-Semitic 4. https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/ legislation in pre-war Germany.5 With regard to jul/23/netanyahu-israeli-apartheid-palestinians-nation- the latter, such comparisons are not only foolish state-law 5. https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/erdo-sees-hitler- and ignorant; they are just wrong. Nazi Germany s-spirit-israel-amid-new-nation-state-n893941 passed laws specifically discriminating against 6. https://www.ushmm.org/wlc/en/article.php?Module Jews, barring them from the professions and the Id=10007459 Testimony, September 2018 338 Contents Despite the difficulties that are obvious to any and Muslim alike. In their view Jerusalem can reasonably minded observer, however, an objec- never belong only to one people, to one faith— tive consideration of the plight of Arab citizens of certainly not to the Jews. Any move to disrupt Israel is worth a moment’s thought. By a number the current status quo is of great concern to the of indicators, Arabs in Israel have more liberty world’s main religions, not least to the most pow- and protection than do many of their brothers and erful and influential Christian denomination, the sisters in the Arab states around them. In Israel Catholic Church.9 there are prominent Arabs who are academics in Then there is the issue of the newly declared Israeli universities, serving members of parlia- national value of “settlements.” If ever there was ment, supreme court judges, senior civil servants, a poke in the eye to the world’s political estab- members of the civil and armed forces, teachers, lishment, then this is it. The two-state solution, doctors, lawyers and successful business owners. with Jerusalem as a shared capital, has long been Arabs are free to vote, and entitled to high-quality, held as an ideological dogma by virtually all the first-world-standard education and healthcare. world’s political leaders. It has been idealised and Even those Arab citizens imprisoned in Israeli has taken on an aura akin to that of the Hans jails appear to be treated humanely. For exam- Christian Anderson story about the emperor’s ple, up to 2018 nearly five hundred Palestinians new clothes. In this story, two weavers promise have earned bachelor degrees whilst in prison, the emperor a new suit of clothes which they say although this programme has now ceased.7 This is invisible to those who are stupid, incompetent, is not an isolated instance, as the experience of or unfit for their positions. In practice they weave the high-profile Palestinian schoolgirl activist no clothes at all, making everyone believe that the Ahed Tamimi inadvertently revealed, follow- clothes are there but invisible to them. When the ing her recent prison sentence. She studied law, emperor parades before his subjects in his ‘new completed her high-school diploma, and enjoyed clothes,’ for fear of being seen as stupid no-one social activities and meals with other inmates.8 dares to say that they see no suit of clothes on These don’t sound like the social and economic him. Finally a child cries out, “But he isn’t wear- outcomes that one might expect to find in an ing anything at all!” apartheid state. This well-known story teaches us a lot about There are undoubtedly downsides to being human nature. The way that the political es- an Arab in Israel, but in relative terms these are tablishment clings to the two-state solution as minimal when compared with the Arab leaders the ‘silver bullet’ that will solve the Arab-Israeli who oppress and mistreat their own citizens, conflict is at best naive and at worst motivated by and, in extreme cases, barrel-bomb or gas their human pride that disregards the God of Israel, people with impunity. Considered alongside such His Son and His Word. The men who devise such appalling acts, life as an Arab citizen in Israel plans believe that they are smart, powerful and seems to be preferable. rich—rather like the ecclesia at Laodicea, perhaps. In reality, they and their plans for God’s land and Paranoia or insight? nation will be shown for what they are: wretched, Does the passing of the new legislation reveal a pitiable, poor, blind and naked (Rev. 3:17)—just degree of delusional paranoia on the part of Israel? like the foolish emperor in the story. Or is it a rational attempt to pre-empt or prevent preparation for an assault on the sovereignty of The master plan the nation? It turns out that all this is no delusion, and Israel We know from Scripture that the nations is right to be paranoid about the intentions of will continue to be obsessed with the issue of the world’s leaders. Sadly for them, however, no Jerusalem (Zech. 12:1-3), particularly the nations amount of legislation will arrest the will of the immediately surrounding Israel (v. 2). After all, nations to take control of what they perceive to Jerusalem—and especially the ‘holy sites’—have be theirs by some kind of self-declared right. been in the possession of the Gentiles for millen- nia. What an affront, it is argued, for the Jews 7. to declare this land as theirs, and only theirs, http://www.palwatch.org/main.aspx?fi=157&doc_ id=20720 in perpetuity! One can see why such Jewish ‘ar- 8. https://www.algemeiner.com/2018/08/13/ahed-tamimi- rogance’ might enrage not only world political accidentally-shows-how-humane-israel-is/ leaders but especially religious leaders, Christian 9. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oj4KLgtHLQE Testimony, September 2018 Contents 339 This was borne out in August when news broke selves against the Almighty. Even when our Lord of a secretly developed European Union plan in Jesus is enthroned in Jerusalem with power and partnership with the Palestinian Authority to glory, they will not give up their proud thoughts build major transportation infrastructure be- and plans (Ps. 2:1-6; Rev. 17:13,14). The Lord will, tween the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, includ- and surely already does, hold them in derision. ing an airport, a rail link and a port. The Israeli As believers we need to ensure that we stay government has, unsurprisingly, rejected the plan awake and look out for “these things,” as exhorted with strong condemnation of the EU for failing by our Lord Jesus. We see Israel, the fig tree, to consult Israel on the plans which involved prosperous and flourishing (Mt. 24:32,33), but as building infrastructure for an Arab state through yet with no breath in them (Ezek. 37:8-11). They Israeli territory. EU officials rejected the criticism, await their spiritual awakening—they still need stating: “We do not need approval from Israel to to wake up and recognise their Messiah. formulate the master plan on transportation, and The exhortation for us is clear too. We need to therefore we did not ask for such approval. The maintain our own garments and to stay focused project is part of the EU’s overall investment in the on the work we have to do while we wait for our Palestinian Authority’s governmental activities Master to return. The things we see happening in and in the future vision for the establishment of Israel and the wider world remind us that Jesus a Palestinian state.” 10 One wonders how the EU is coming, and that God is faithful to keep His might have reacted if Britain had revealed plans promises. For this reason we put no faith or trust to build a rail link through France and Spain in the vain schemes of men, for our trust is in to connect the British Isles to Gibraltar without the God of Jacob “who made heaven and earth consulting the EU. We might also wonder what . . . who keeps faith forever; who executes justice other ‘master plans’ the EU has for Israel, and for the oppressed, who gives food to the hungry who is pulling the strings. [and] sets the prisoners free . . . The LORD will reign forever, your God, O Zion, to all generations. Put not your trust in princes Praise the LORD!” (Ps. 146:6-10). All the events we have been considering in this month’s Watchman reveal mankind’s arrogance and pride. All these plans will ultimately come to 10. https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20180809-israel- nought because those behind them have set them- rejects-eu-plan-to-link-gaza-to-the-west-bank/

Contents Prophecy Latter-day prophecies 3. The controversy of Zion Eric Marshall

The previous article concluded that Psalm 83 is a latter- Israel’s return to part of the Land of Promise after 1,900 years in exile. Its day prophecy. The final part in this series considers other rise to prominence on the world scene prophecies concerning the nations around Israel today and is a reminder that it is, even largely in how these prophecies may be fulfilled. unbelief, inextricably bound up with the purpose of God. OR MOST OF US now alive, the State of God declared through Isaiah, “Ye are My wit- Israel has always been part of the contem- nesses, saith the LORD, and My servant whom I Fporary world. It is therefore easy to miss the have chosen: that ye may know and believe Me, fact that its existence as a nation on some of its and understand that I am He: before Me there ancient territory is a unique and remarkable fact. was no God formed, neither shall there be after We should not underestimate the significance of Me” (43:10). Testimony, September 2018 340 Contents The re-emergence of Israel as a nation in the different to say, or parts, at least, of our overall Middle East is not some random event; it is part view may simply be wrong. of the purpose of God. He is at work among the There is also a natural desire to compress nations ultimately to fill the earth with His glory. the time frame of events. Not surprisingly, the Not only has God preserved the Jewish people establishment of the State of Israel in 1948 pro- during their dispersion after AD 70, but He has voked the expectation within the brotherhood of orchestrated the development of history to allow the imminent return of Jesus. Readers are now their re-establishment in the Land. The availabil- seventy years on from that event—during which ity of the Bible in print, coupled with ongoing time there have been four wars with the Arabs, persecution of Jews, undoubtedly influenced the development of Palestinian opposition and world leaders to promote a return of Jewry to the its support by most nations of the world, and the Land. Their presence in the Land and the rise of presence of Russian forces in Syria. Arab nationalism have inevitably rekindled the We also need to remember that the world of age-old question, Whose land is it? today, with the emergence both of Israel and of Israel’s return, and the consequences of that Arab groupings as nations in the Middle East, return in the resurrection of ancient animosi- is different from that of one hundred years ago. ties, are precursors to the establishment of the Writers before that time, therefore, could not Kingdom of God on earth. It will bring the final so easily see how matters could work out, even resolution of the family feud among Abraham’s though the overall thrust of a particular prophecy descendants; it will also bring divine judgement was understood. on the nations of the world. Latter-day conflicts Interpretation of prophecy A number of chapters in Scripture can be identi- At this point we need to remind ourselves to fied, by the terms used and by the outcome of the be careful in attempting rightly to understand events described, as relevant to the latter-day situ- prophecy that is yet to be fulfilled. The respective ation. The locations of the events described, and contexts of both the chapter and the book under the participants in those events, provide further consideration are vital to a correct interpretation, confirmation. A list of relevant chapters dealing as outlined in our first article. with named enemies of Israel in the latter days, A problem to avoid is that of our preconceived which may not be exhaustive, is given in Table 1. ideas, especially as we are often unaware of our The modern names of ancient nations are given biases. There is always a temptation to make a in Table 2 overleaf. It is significant for our pre- passage fit with what we see as the overall picture, sent study of the nations round about Israel that even though the passage might have something most of those occupying the areas involved are Palestinians, or Arab peoples Table 1. Named enemies of Israel in the last days potentially sympathetic to the Palestinian cause. Isaiah 19 Egypt, Assyria In Psalm 83, Edom is listed Isaiah 34 Bozrah, Idumea first among the confederacy of nations who plan to attack Isaiah 63 Edom, Bozrah and annihilate Israel. The his- Ezekiel 28 Tyre, Zidon torical record of the attitude of the Edomites towards Israel, Ezekiel 35, 36 Mount Seir, Idumea and a number of prophecies Ezekiel 38, 39 Gog, Magog, Meshech, Tubal, Gomer, Togarmah, about their expected behav- Libya, Persia, Ethiopia iour, show a continual hatred and opposition towards Israel. Amos 9 Edom They therefore represent the characteristic attitude of the Obadiah Esau, Edom, Philistines, Teman, Samaria, Gilead, nations round about Israel as il- Zarephath lustrated in Psalm 83, and who Micah 5 Assyria, Nimrod may be the prime movers of anti-Israel activities. A number Zechariah 10 Egypt, Assyria, Gilead, Lebanon of prophecies exist concerning Testimony, September 2018 Contents 341 Edom which were fulfilled during the historical period covered by Table 2. Modern equivalents of ancient nations the Hebrew Scriptures. However, Egypt Egypt Magog South Russia it will be seen that some of these prophecies also have yet to be Assyria Syria/Iraq Meshech South Russia fulfilled, even though Edom as Bozrah South Jordan* Tubal North Turkey an identifiable nation has died out. As proposed in the previous Idumea South Jordan* Gomer North Turkey article, we consider that the people Edom South Jordan* Togarmah North Turkey occupying the territory of Edom, if they are the same ethnicity and Tyre South Lebanon* Libya Libya exhibit the same attitude to Israel Zidon South Lebanon* Ethiopia Ethiopia/Sudan as Edom of old, are those to whom the latter-day fulfilment applies. Mount Seir South Jordan* Persia Iran Sheba Saudi Arabia Philistines Gaza* The controversy of Zion Isaiah 34 describes a dramatic Dedan Saudi Arabia Samaria West Bank* slaughter in Idumea (Edom). It is part of divine judgement on all Esau South Jordan* Gilead North Jordan* nations (v. 1). In the immediate Teman South Jordan* Nimrod Iraq context of Isaiah’s day, it would refer to those nations around Tarshish Britain? Zarephath South Lebanon* Israel whose armies had invaded *Occupied by Arab peoples the Land1 in alliance with the As- syrians (see 2 Chron. 32:22). The focus, however, ­silence, and give Him no rest, till He establish, is on events in Edom that would bring about its and till He make Jerusalem a praise in the earth.” annihilation, with the resulting blessings on a It is a frequent feature of news items that there is redeemed nation now free from the persistent controversy over the status of Jerusalem, which aggression and hatred of Edom, as described came to a head recently in President Trump’s relo- in Isaiah 35: “the ransomed of the LORD shall cation of the United States embassy to Jerusalem. return, and come to Zion with songs and ever- We have a related prophecy about the contro- lasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain versy of Zion in Zechariah’s prophecy. In chapter joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall 12 the prophet writes, flee away” (v. 10). “The burden of the word of the LORD for It would be true that Judah would rejoice at Israel, saith the LORD, which stretcheth forth the time of Hezekiah for their deliverance, and the heavens, and layeth the foundation of the that there was a return of captives from Assyria earth, and formeth the spirit of man within who had been redeemed by the slaughter of Sen- him. Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of nacherib’s army at Jerusalem.2 However, a greater trembling unto all the people round about, fulfilment is required for there to be “everlast- when they shall be in the siege both against ing joy” and for “sorrow and sighing” to “flee Judah and against Jerusalem. And in that day a w a y .” will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for The desolation of Edom and any surrounding all people: all that burden themselves with it nations that are opposed to Israel is described shall be cut in pieces, though all the people in 34:8 as the result of “the day of the LORD’S of the earth be gathered together against it” vengeance, and the year of recompences for the (vv. 1-3). controversy of Zion.” That controversy will not be There is no doubt that Jerusalem has been a prob- resolved until “the LORD . . . [makes] Jerusalem a lem to the nations round about since 1948 when praise in the earth.” Readers may remember that the State of Israel was declared. This ­situation this quotation from Isaiah 62:6,7 shows that we have a part to play to achieve this outcome: “I 1. The word for ‘earth ‘in verse 1 is eretz, which often is have set watchmen upon thy walls, O Jerusalem, also translated ‘land’ and so can have the more limited which shall never hold their peace day nor night: meaning of the Land of Israel. ye that make mention of the LORD, keep not 2. Harry Whittaker, Isaiah, Biblia, 1988, p. 377. Testimony, September 2018 342 Contents has intensified since Israel gained control of • Israel dwelling “safely” and “with confidence” Jerusalem in 1967. (v. 26)—both words are the same in the He- This gathering together is described as a siege brew and are repeated in Ezekiel 38:8 as the of both Judah and Jerusalem, which matches the situation prior to the Gogian invasion situation in Israel today. There are continuing acts • both the nations round about and Israel of terrorism, and the wall built to control incur- “[knowing] that I am the Lord GOD” (vv. 24, sions from Palestinian areas means that Israel 26). is constantly under pressure from Palestinian A more detailed prophecy concerning Edom is opponents as though under siege. Additional given in chapters 35 and 36. In these chapters pressure comes from the international commu- Edom is described as Mount Seir and Idumea, nity, which mostly supports the Palestinian cause the territories of the Edomites. Destruction of and looks to a two-state solution (as they see it) the Edomite cities of Mount Seir is the divine of the situation. judgement, “Because thou hast had a perpetual The siege situation, however, is depicted as hatred, and hast shed the blood of the children of intensifying to the point where Israel as a na- Israel by the force of the sword in the time of their tion, and Jerusalem with its inhabitants, as a calamity, in the time that their iniquity had an city, need saving from invaders (v. 9). Coincident end” (35:5). This time of hatred can be identified with this deliverance is the manifestation to the as the circumstances of the fall of Jerusalem in nation of “me whom they have pierced” (v. 10). 587 BC, because of the phrase, “the time that their This passage is quoted in John’s Gospel—“And iniquity had an end,” which is used in Ezekiel again another scripture saith, They shall look on 21:25: “And thou, profane wicked prince of Israel, him whom they pierced” (19:37)—and applied to whose day is come, when iniquity shall have an Jesus. This event is certainly latter-day and yet to end . . .” The wicked prince was Zedekiah, who, happen. with the nation, was taken captive by Nebuchad- nezzar’s forces. The nations round about—Ezekiel’s However, the prophecy seems to move to the prophecies last days when speaking of the final desolation of In chapters 25–28 Ezekiel describes the judge- Edom: “Thus saith the Lord GOD; When the whole ments of God on the nations of Ammon (25:2-7), earth rejoiceth, I will make thee desolate. As thou Moab (vv. 8-11), Edom (vv. 12-14), Philistia (vv. didst rejoice at the inheritance of the house of 15-17); Tyre (26:1–28:19) and Zidon (vv. 20-23). The Israel, because it was desolate, so will I do unto outcome of these judgements is described thus: thee: thou shalt be desolate, O mount Seir, and all “And there shall be no more a pricking brier Idumea, even all of it: and they shall know that I unto the house of Israel, nor any grieving am the LORD” (35:14,15). This theme is continued thorn of all that are round about them, that in chapter 36, where Edom is described as “the despised them; and they shall know that I am enemy” (v. 2) who “have appointed My land into the Lord GOD. Thus saith the Lord GOD; When their possession with the joy of all their heart, I shall have gathered the house of Israel from with despiteful minds, to cast it out for a prey” the people among whom they are scattered, (v. 5). God promises to judge them and to settle and shall be sanctified in them in the sight of Israel in the Land in prosperity. Israel themselves the heathen, then shall they dwell in their land will have a new relationship with their God: that I have given to My servant Jacob. And “A new heart also will I give you, and a new they shall dwell safely therein, and shall build spirit will I put within you: and I will take houses, and plant vineyards; yea, they shall away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I dwell with confidence, when I have executed will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put judgments upon all those that despise them My spirit within you, and cause you to walk in round about them; and they shall know that My statutes, and ye shall keep My judgments, I am the LORD their God” (vv. 24-26). and do them. And ye shall dwell in the land These judgements result in that I gave to your fathers; and ye shall be My • a regathered Israel (v. 25) people, and I will be your God” (vv. 26-28). • no more a pricking briar (v. 24)—an apt The resulting prosperity of a delivered nation will description of the Palestinian opposition to then be recognised as the work of God by those Israel by local terrorist acts and international of the nations round about who survive God’s lobbying judgements: “Then the heathen that are left round Testimony, September 2018 Contents 343 about you shall know that I the LORD build the be a war in which Israel will see that there has ruined places, and plant that that was desolate: I been divine help from their Messiah. Isaiah 63 the LORD have spoken it, and I will do it” (v. 36). is intriguing in this respect, for it has parallels with Isaiah 34. It speaks of a person who “cometh Obadiah’s prophecy about Edom from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah . . . Obadiah has a related prophecy about Edom that is glorious in his apparel, travelling in the which contains both contemporary and latter-day greatness of his strength . . . I that speak in fulfilments. The prophecy given in verses 1-14 was righteousness, mighty to save” (v. 1). Comparing fulfilled in the demise of the Edomites for their Isaiah 34:1-4 with Isaiah 63:6,8 it is the Lord—Yah- opportunist aggression against Israel at a time weh—who accomplishes this sacrifice in Bozrah. of calamity. There is no direct statement telling Is this a reference to Jesus, who has been given the the reader when Obadiah wrote his prophecy. It name above every name, coming in judgement? is not immediately evident to what specific time Some expect this to be Christ and the saints,7 but (or times) of calamity for the nation of Israel the the detail “I have trodden the winepress alone” prophet refers. Commentators are divided, some should cause us to consider that this may be the seeing this as referring to the Babylonian desola- work of Jesus himself who, in bringing victory tion of Jerusalem and the captivity of the nation,3 for his nation, is revealed to them as the Messiah, others to an earlier time of national trouble—for the one whom they pierced at his first coming. example, the Assyrian invasion in the time of Hezekiah,4 or the time of Jehoram.5 In any such The challenge to believers situation the Edomites are seen as taking ad- The people of Israel are God’s witnesses, and we vantage of a time when “strangers carried away therefore, as believers, must see in them evidence captive his forces, and foreigners entered into of God at work. Their final deliverance is the end his gates, and cast lots upon Jerusalem” (Obad. v. of “the controversy of Zion”; it is bound up with 11). This “perpetual hatred” which characterised the coming of our Lord and the establishment Edom of old remains to this day in the nations of the Kingdom of God on earth. This should currently around Israel. God’s final judgement of encourage us to be ready for the coming of our this hatred is described in verses 15-21 and in- Lord. One writer has said, “The most arresting volves successful Israeli destruction of the threat. feature [of the prophetic record] is that we are in Intriguingly, Israel is assisted in this victory, for the middle of the action right now! We are behold- “saviours shall come up on mount Zion to judge ing the most important, the most prophetically the mount of Esau; and the kingdom shall be the expansive, operation our age will ever see. We are LORD’S” (v. 21). living through it now. We are privileged ringside observers. We are experiencing the climax of How will the Palestinian problem be the pre-advent age, a climax which hundreds of resolved? previous generations hoped in vain they would The nations of the world propose that the conflict see—the events leading to the return of Christ.”8 between Israel and its neighbours be solved by ne- Let it not be truly said of us that “ye can dis- gotiation. They have in mind a two-state solution cern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern which would divide the Land and Jerusalem. This the signs of the times?” (Mt. 16:3). is certainly not the divine intention, for the Land is given to Israel—not for their particular merits (Series concluded) but to fulfil the covenants with the fathers. This does not, however, preclude an interim solution in which Israel and its neighbours do conclude 3. John Allfree, Edom in Bible Prophecy, Bible Study Pub- some agreement whereby they work together and lications, 2005, p. 74. become very prosperous prior to the invasion by 4. Harry Whittaker, op. cit., p. 335. Gog. It is true that this does not look likely from 5. Fred Pearce, From Hosea to Zephaniah: The minor prophets the situation as we see it today; 6 but we do have before the exile, The Christadelphian, 1979, p. 42. to accept that, if this is in the divine plan, then 6. The split in the Muslim world between Sunni and Shia adherents has resulted in closer co-operation between circumstances will operate to make it happen. Sunni nations and Israel—a trend that we might not It appears more likely that war will be in- have expected. volved, as seems to be the case prophesied in 7. John Allfree, op. cit., pp. 89–90. Zechariah 12:6 and Obadiah verse 18. If so, it will 8. Graham Bacon, Campaigns of the Kingdom, p. 81. Testimony, September 2018 344 Contents Prophecy Tyre, Tarshish and Brexit: Taking a closer look at Isaiah 23 (2) Jeremy Thomas

ART 2 OF THIS four-part series commences the report of Tyre” (vv. 2,3,5). our verse-by-verse analysis of Isaiah 23. The NASB’s “coastland” is probably to be pre- P ferred over “the isle” (AV, RV) or “the island” “Wail, O ships of Tarshish, for Tyre is (NIV), as verses 2 and 3 do not appear to be ad- destroyed, without house or harbour; it is dressed to Tyre—Tyre is being spoken of in the reported to them from the land of Cyprus” third person (“her,” “she”). The impact of Tyre’s (v. 1b).1 fall will be felt heavily by her littoral neighbours, Tarshish is either a specific geographic location or who are addressed in a similar way in verse 6. a description of the type of ship that Isaiah sees Tyre was a merchant to many such ‘coastlands,’ in his vision (cf. Ezek. 27:12,25). Either way, the and Ezekiel’s prophecy against the city uses the prophecy’s dramatic opening scene is of Phoeni- same Hebrew word in describing a similar fate for cian trading ships heading home from the distant Tyre at a later date (see Ezek. 26:15,18; 27:3,15,35). west and, even before reaching Cyprus (“Chittim,” Sidon, only a short distance north along the coast AV), still more than 200 kilometres northwest of from Tyre, who once had much to boast about Tyre, hearing the devastating news that the city regarding her relationship with Tyre, is the first is no more. As the NKJV bluntly puts it, “there is of Tyre’s trading partners who must now “be no house, no harbour”—the city and its ability to silent” (“be still,” AV, RV, NKJV, ESV). trade are gone. Imagine the shock to Phoenicia’s There is more irony in the statement that experienced sailors on learning this: not only Tyre’s messengers (“agents,” NET) had travelled has Tyre’s economic power been destroyed, but “on many waters.” Ezekiel’s prophecy against the city’s port no longer even exists. The “wail” Tyre uses the same words—“your rowers have of the sailors is echoed in verses 6 and 14 as a brought you into great waters” (27:26)—but adds kind of refrain which runs through the prophecy, that God would “bring up . . . the great waters” giving structure to it. to cover Tyre (26:19). In the maritime vocabulary Before long, the Tyrians still in the city would of the prophecy, it might be said that the tide has “pass over to Cyprus” (v. 12) in search of refuge turned against Tyre. amongst other Phoenicians there. Most English translations have the translitera- It is ironic that Tyre finds herself “without tion “Sihor” or “Shihor” instead of the NASB’s house.” Some centuries earlier the king of Tyre, “Nile.” According to the available biblical evi- Hiram, had contributed towards the building ma- dence, Shihor appears to be a river which once terials for both the house of King David (2 Sam. marked the border between Judah and Egypt (see 5:11) and the house of the Lord in Jerusalem Josh. 13:3; 1 Chron. 13:5; Jer. 2:18). “Nile” overin- (1 Kgs. 5:9). This is the first of several instances terprets the word, strictly speaking. Nevertheless, of irony in the prophecy. the parallelism of the verse justifies the connec- tion with Egypt: ‘The grain of the Shihor/the “Be silent, you inhabitants of the coastland, harvest of the River.’ The Hebrew word translated you merchants of Sidon; your messengers “River” routinely denotes the Nile in Exodus. crossed the sea and were on many waters. A NET note suggests that Shihor was the main The grain of the Nile, the harvest of the eastern branch of the Nile Delta. Shihor means River was her revenue; and she was the market of nations . . . When the report 1. Bible quotations are from the NASB except where reaches Egypt, they will be in anguish at otherwise stated. Testimony, September 2018 Contents 345 ‘dark,’ which may allude to the black alluvial silt fled from her hostile brother King Pygmalion, brought down in the Nile’s annual floods. Egypt sailing with a party of attendants and Tyrian no- traded with Tyre (see Ezek. 27:7) and, without her bles first to Cyprus and then onward to the coast own supply of timber, she imported large quanti- of North Africa. There, by a cunning stratagem, ties of cedar wood from Phoenicia. Thus Egypt Dido acquired from the local king sufficient land too would suffer financially from Tyre’s collapse. on which to found a new city for her people, nam- ing it Carthage, meaning ‘new city’ (in modern- “Be ashamed, O Sidon; for the sea speaks, day Tunisia). Although this legend is Carthage’s the stronghold of the sea, saying, ‘I have foundation myth, it is possible that Dido was a neither travailed nor given birth, I have genuine historical figure, as her putative father neither brought up young men nor reared and brother both appear in the list of the kings of virgins’” (v. 4). Tyre recorded by the second-century-BC historian It is hard to be certain of the identity of the pro- Menander of Ephesus, whose writings, although tagonists in this verse. We can tentatively begin now lost, are cited by Josephus.3 by taking “the stronghold [fortress, NET] of the There has been a progression between verse sea” to mean Sidon itself, the first city to feel the 2 and verse 7. At first the “inhabitants of the effects of Tyre’s fall, as we saw in verse 2. Sidon coastland” were reduced to silence (v. 2). Now was a city built, like Tyre, on an offshore island; that the shock of Tyre’s destruction has sunk in, the ruins of the Crusader ‘Sea Castle’ there remain however, the same “inhabitants of the coastland” to this day.2 Verse 4 is therefore best understood will “wail.” Stunned silence gives way to an out- as a lament to Sidon by the sea. Both are being burst of ineffable grief as the citizens of Tyre are personified in the poetry of the prophecy. Thus forced into overseas exile. the NET renders this verse: “Be ashamed, O The “antiquity” of Tyre is well attested in Sidon, for the sea says this, O fortress of the sea: ancient sources. Herodotus, who claims to have ‘I have not gone into labour or given birth . . .’” visited the city in the mid-fifth century BC, was Tyre is imagined as having been ‘born from the told that it had been founded around 2750 BC.4 sea,’ perhaps in accordance with some ancient The description of Tyre’s “feet [carrying] her to foundation myth. Now that Tyre is no more, the colonise distant places” may refer to the ability of sea feels ‘childless,’ with nothing to show for the her citizens to travel the Mediterranean world by labour pains which brought the city into being. their own power. The NASB’s “colonise” seems The word translated “travailed” is the same to be more of an interpretation than a transla- word used in verse 5 to describe Egypt’s “an- tion, however; overwhelmingly in Scripture, the guish.” The news of Tyre’s destruction which original word here has the sense of residing on causes her ‘mother’ the sea to recall her labour a temporary basis. The AV has “sojourn.” The pains brings labour pains upon Egypt too—more idea of Tyre’s sailors travelling overseas (to trade) irony. and then returning home therefore looks likely. Alternatively, following the AV’s future tense, the “Pass over to Tarshish; wail, O inhabitants verse may indicate that her citizens would now of the coastland. Is this your jubilant city, sail into exile on their own ships, without being whose origin is from antiquity, whose taken prisoner by their oppressors. In connection feet used to carry her to colonise distant with this point, there is an interesting archaeo- places?” (vv. 6,7). logical detail to which we shall return in verse 12. This invitation is addressed either to Tyre’s neigh- bours (as in verse 2), or perhaps to Tyre’s returning “Who has planned this against Tyre, the sailors whom we met in verse 1, and who find bestower of crowns, whose merchants themselves unable to make port and so forced to sail back to Tarshish instead. There is an arresting 2. See Jeremy Thomas, “Lebanon scenes 4”, Testimony, contrast with verse 2: although citizens of Tyre vol. 82, no. 978, Dec. 2012, p. XXII. once “crossed the sea” (v. 2) to trade confidently, 3. Flavius Josephus, Against Apion 1.18. Interestingly, the now they must “pass over [same word] to Tarsh- list of the kings of Tyre would make Dido the great- niece of Jezebel, “the daughter of Ethbaal king of the ish” (v. 6) in flight from their vanquished city. Sidonians [Phoenicians]” (1 Kgs. 16:31), who married At this point in the prophecy there may be an King Ahab of Judah. Jezebel was sister to Pygmalion’s allusion to a famous Tyrian legend. Dido (also paternal grandfather. known as Elissa), a princess of Tyre, is said to have 4. Herodotus, The Histories, 2.44. Testimony, September 2018 346 Contents were princes, whose traders were the was economic rather than military, but she had honoured of the earth? The LORD of hosts become compromised spiritually by her excessive has planned it, to defile the pride of all materialism. One might go so far as to say that beauty, to despise all the honoured of the her trade had become her religion. To God, the earth” (vv. 8,9). ruler of Tyre had once been like Adam in the Those who observe Tyre’s downfall ask who Garden: “You were in Eden, the garden of God . . . can have brought about such a calamity. It is the You were blameless in your ways from the day God of Israel who has done it. The two verses go you were created” (vv. 13,15). But, as in Adam’s together, as question and answer. case, transgression and rejection came: “By the The description of Tyre as “bestower of abundance of your trade you were internally crowns” is a reference to her practice of founding filled with violence, and you sinned; therefore I self-governing colonies overseas. The commercial have cast you as profane from the mountain of influence of these Phoenician colonies made God” (v. 16). them hugely powerful, and each one ultimately The spiritual danger for God’s people of get- derived its ruling authority from Tyre. Jeremiah ting too involved with Tyre and her ways starts to similarly refers to Phoenician colonies using the become clear. This is why so much of the language language of royalty, in a prophecy of Babylon’s of God’s judgements on Old Testament Tyre is seventy-year rule over the surrounding nations: taken up in Revelation (see the table below) in the “. . . all the kings of Tyre, all the kings of Sidon context of divine judgement on the harlot ‘Baby- and the kings of the coastlands which are beyond lon,’ who poses an even greater spiritual threat to the sea . . .” (Jer. 25:22). the last generation of God’s people—presumably Ellicott, in his Bible commentary, suggests that for similar reasons. there is a play on the respective Hebrew words for When judgement came on the original city “traders” (kenaan) and ‘Canaanite’ (kenaani). The of Tyre, “the honoured of the earth” would be first occurrence in Scripture of the name Sidon dishonoured by God. The Almighty does not see (which refers not to the Phoenician trading city as man sees. but to an individual) supplies a reason for this: “Canaan [the son of Ham, v. 6] became the father “Overflow your land like the Nile, O of Sidon, his firstborn” (Gen. 10:15). daughter of Tarshish, there is no more The word “defile” introduces a telling religious restraint” (v. 10). aspect into God’s judgement on Tyre. Later, Eze- Our understanding of this verse will be influ- kiel uses the same Hebrew word in his prophecy enced by who we think the “daughter of Tarsh- against the ruler of Tyre: “By the multitude of your ish” is. Taking Tarshish to be an ancient name iniquities, in the unrighteousness of your trade for Tyre herself, as some students have done, you profaned your sanctuaries” (Ezek. 28:18). There it is just about possible to read the verse as an is a disturbingly modern ring to this condemna- invitation to Tyre’s “daughter” colonies to take tion. Tyre’s influence over her trading partners advantage of her fall, exerting their independence Details of the harlot “Babylon the great” derived from Isaiah’s description of Tyre Isaiah 23 Revelation 18 vv. 1-15 generally: the impact of Tyre’s “And the merchants of the earth weep and mourn over her, destruction on her trading partners because no one buys their cargoes any more” (v. 11) “Wail, O ships of Tarshish, for your “every shipmaster and every passenger and sailor, and as stronghold is destroyed” (vv. 1,14) many as make their living by the sea . . . were crying out” (vv. 17,18) “Is this your jubilant city, whose origin “What city is like the great city?” (v. 18) is from antiquity . . . ?” (v. 7) “Tyre . . .whose merchants were “your merchants were the great men of the earth” (v. 23) princes, whose traders were the honoured of the earth” (v. 8)

Testimony, September 2018 Contents 347 Room 9 in the British Museum, London, showing stone wall panels taken from the Southwest Palace of King Sennacherib in Nineveh; c. 700–692 BC. A number of the panels depict the military campaign by Sennacherib against the Levant, during which the city of Tyre fell to Assyria, as prophesied in Isaiah 23. It was during the same campaign that the Assyrian army invaded Judah, as recounted in 2 Kings, 2 Chronicles and Isaiah. by overflowing the “restraint” (literally ‘girdle’) virgin daughter of Sidon. Arise, pass over that had been imposed on them, as the River Nile to Cyprus; even there you will find no rest’” overflowed its banks during its annual inunda- (vv. 11,12). tion. This seems to be an improbable reading, Ellicott suggests that “crushed” (“oppressed,” AV) however. Even at the peak of her powers, how has the idea of ‘deflowered.’ The impregnable, much direct influence could Tyre have exercised untouchable “virgin” Tyre has been violated by over these far-flung cities? her conquerors. Such language would neatly Rather, given the command to “pass over” anticipate Tyre’s transformation into a harlot in that we have already seen in verse 6, we should verses 15-18. probably see verse 10 as depicting the citizens Tyre’s exiles would find no relief even by of Tyre rushing headlong to the sea to escape fleeing across the sea to Cyprus. The Hebrew their enemies (as the Nile in flood rushed north word for Cyprus is Kitti or Kittiyyi (“Chittim,” towards the sea)—and then onwards, across the AV), and the prophecy almost certainly has in sea, to Tarshish in the far west. Tyre herself is view the city of Kitium or Kition (modern-day the one described as “daughter of Tarshish,” and Larnaca), the Phoenician colony on Cyprus. This now she “[passes] over to Tarshish” (v. 6)—fleeing would have been an obvious place of refuge for to her ancestral home for refuge, it seems.5 Tyre the citizens of Tyre. had benefited from trading in grain from the Nile In this regard there is a fascinating archaeo- region (v. 3), but now she flees her land like the logical find which helps us to identify the short- Nile—more irony. term fulfilment of Isaiah 23. Visitors to the British There is a third way of reading this verse, Museum in London will know of the stone reliefs which combines the two preceding views. Rather taken from the walls of the palaces of the kings than over-complicating things at this point, of Assyria in Calah and Nineveh (in modern-day however, we will postpone consideration of this Iraq) and brought to London in the 1840s by Sir reading until later in our study. Henry Layard. Although some of these reliefs Tyre is described in an interesting variety of were later lost, drawings of a number of the lost ways in this chapter. In verse 12 we will see her reliefs survive. In 1956 two of these drawings, called the “crushed virgin daughter of Sidon,” for, separated for decades, were recognised by Dr according to some, Tyre was originally founded R. D. Barnett of the British Museum as two sec- as a colony of Sidon, the older, ‘mother’ city. The tions of the same original relief and reunited (see various descriptions denote different aspects of illustrations opposite).6 They depict a military the city in God’s eyes. campaign against the city of Tyre by the Assyr- ians under King Sennacherib in 701 BC. This “He has stretched His hand out over the sea, He has made the kingdoms tremble; 5. The theme of ‘passing over’ is a significant one in this the LORD has given a command concerning chapter (vv. 6,10,12). Canaan to demolish its strongholds. He has 6. James B. Pritchard (ed.), Recovering Sarepta, A Phoeni- said, ‘You shall exult no more, O crushed cian City (1978), Princeton University Press, p. 30. Testimony, September 2018 348 Contents campaign was contemporary with the events of Greek name Elulaios) and the royal family of Tyre 2 Kings 18 during the reign of King Hezekiah of sailing westwards in Tyrian ships after the fall Judah. In human terms, one reason why Tyre was of their city to the Assyrians. Their destination a target for attack was that Assyria, like Egypt, is their colony Kitium on the island of Cyprus, did not have its own reliable supply of timber. which appears to have escaped Assyrian control By conquering Tyre, landlocked Assyria would at this time. This interpretation of the reliefs is also gain a reliable route to the Mediterranean. confirmed by the contemporary Assyrian annals Specifically, the drawings of the lost relief of Sennacherib: “In my third campaign, I went show King Luli (also known to historians by his against the Hittite land [Syria]. Luli, king of Sidon [Phoenicia]—the terrors of the splendours of my sovereignty overcame him and far off in the midst of the sea he fled. There he died.” 7 The Assyrian invasion of Luli’s kingdom is referred to by Josephus,8 who was—as we have seen— acquainted with the history of Tyre. Luli was replaced on the throne of Tyre by an Assyrian vassal. The drawings from the British Museum provide documentary evidence of the detailed fulfilment of Isaiah 23: the rulers of Tyre, fleeing from their conquered city in their own ships— “her own feet shall carry her afar off to sojourn” (v. 7, AV)—towards Cyprus. Assyrian warship (bireme), probably built (To be continued) by Phoenicians and manned by Phoenician mercenaries. The front of the ship carries a ram for use against enemy ships. From the Nineveh 7. Oriental Institute prism, Oriental Institute of Chicago. reliefs in the British Museum. 8. Flavius Josephus, The Antiquities of the Jews 9.14.2.

Drawing of the left-hand panel of two lost panels from a palace in the Assyrian capital, Nineveh; early seventh century BC. It shows Phoenician ships fleeing westward from Tyre towards the Phoenician colony of Kitium on Cyprus following the fall of the city to the Assyrians. Copy of the original drawing by Jim Willey.

Drawing of the right-hand panel, showing members of the royal family of Tyre taking ship to flee the city. Copy of the original drawing by Jim Willey. Testimony, September 2018 Contents 349 Review A much-maligned character reappraised Geoff Henstock

Samson Revisited. In context Brother Michael Storey. A feature of the analysis in this book is the effort The Christadelphian, to place Samson’s life in the broader context of 2017. the history of the judges and the early chapters 160 pages. Paperback. of 1 Samuel. A strong case is made for Samson’s life and ministry overlapping to a degree with Price £8.00 plus Samuel’s. The author builds on this to suggest postage. explanations for some aspects of the record Available from The with which many readers and students have Christadelphian, 404 struggled. Shaftmoor Lane, Hall Brother Michael gives close attention to lin- Green, Birmingham guistic details to support his arguments. In some B28 8SZ, UK. cases, these points are remarkably insightful. An Telephone: +44 (0)121 777 6328. example of this is his analysis of the description Available online at https://thechristadelphian in Judges 13:5 that Samson shall “begin to deliver .com/samson-revisited.html Israel,” a statement which is central to an apprecia- Also available in e-pub format, price £6.50: tion of Samson’s work. Another example is the https://thechristadelphian.com/samson- prominence he gives to statements that confirm revisited-e-book.html that God blessed Samson and was with him at key moments in his life (for example, Judges 13:24,25; AMSON IS an enigma. Popularly perceived 14:4; 15:14). In certain other cases, however, argu- as a self-willed, muscle-bound ladies’ man, ments drawn from the language used may be She is included in the list of faithful in He- found to be less convincing. brews 11. Many Bible readers struggle to reconcile Crucial to the author’s thesis is his reappraisal what is recorded about Samson in Judges with of Samson’s separation to the Lord. Chapter 2 the New Testament’s commendation of him. In includes a detailed review of the relevance of the seeking to resolve tensions that arise in their Nazarite law and how, in the author’s view, it is minds, some commentators have developed inappropriate to see this as applying to Samson. elaborate expositions of the text which raise as The arguments presented are quite compelling many questions as they answer. and may force some readers to challenge long- In his book Samson Revisited, published in held preconceptions about Samson. The points 2017 by the Christadelphian, Brother Michael brought out in this chapter are also relevant to the Storey reviews the text in Judges and proposes Nazarite law generally, and include an interesting an assessment of Samson which is rather more digression about the Apostle Paul and the vows positive than has often been the case. He sees in with which he is associated in Acts. Samson a type of the Lord Jesus Christ, “made of a woman, made under the law” (Gal. 4:4). Brother Systematic and well written Michael recognises that, like our Lord, Samson From chapter 3 to chapter 9, Brother Michael was tempted in all points like us; unlike our works his way systematically through the record Lord, Samson did sin. The author argues that, in Judges 13–16. Sprinkled through the exposition despite Samson’s failings, he was more faithful are useful exhortations for modern-day disciples than some commentators have been willing to which arise from the example of Samson and the acknowledge. Israelites of his day. Also sprinkled through these Testimony, September 2018 350 Contents chapters are tantalising suggestions about how arguments made in the text. These are comple- Samson’s life and actions prefigured the life and mented by thoughtful remarks on the broader ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ, hinted at by relevance of many of the places mentioned in the use of Messianic terminology. the record, which demonstrates once again that Their appetite having been whetted by the Bible history is much more than a mere chronicle many pointers embedded in the earlier chapters, of past events. readers are presented in the final chapter with Not every reader will be convinced about the detailed summaries of Samson as a type of more conclusions reached by Brother Michael; a few than one New Testament figure, most particularly may find his approach very challenging indeed. the Lord Jesus Christ. Some of the practical les- Some readers who find his thesis convincing may sons for their lives in Christ are also brought out not accept every point he makes, especially some in this concluding chapter. of the language-based arguments. All readers will Comprising 160 pages, including a Scripture benefit, however, from having their preconcep- index, Samson Revisited is a well-written, relatively tions about this enigmatic man challenged. And short work which deserves the attention of Bible all readers will benefit from the exhortations readers and students. It includes several sketch the author draws from this inspired record of a maps which show how geography supports the remarkable man. Contents

Exhortation Discerning the body of the Lord Brian Armour

A reconsideration of some well-known words of the Apostle The meaning of “discerning the Paul invites us to consider the extent of our response, in body” practical terms, to our appreciation of our Lord’s sacrifice. Strong’s Lexicon says that the Greek word for “discerning” here means CAREFUL STUDY of 1 Corinthians 11:29 primarily ‘to separate thoroughly’ or (figuratively) and its context reveals an exhortation to ‘to discriminate.’ This would suggest that Paul A pay close attention to the welfare needs is encouraging the members of the ecclesia to of our brothers and sisters. Paul’s words in this contemplate both Christ and his brethren—Christ verse pronounce severe judgement on those who as the head of the body, and Christ’s brethren eat the memorial supper without “discerning” the as the other members. Paul does exactly this in Lord’s body. It is important, therefore, to avoid Philippians 2. He considers and exhorts Christ’s being guilty of such lack of discernment. But brethren first: what is the Lord’s body, and what does ‘discern- “Do nothing out of rivalry or conceit, but in ment’ mean? humility consider others as more important than yourselves. Everyone should look out The body of the Lord not only for his own interests, but also for the In some Bible translations of this verse, the body interests of others” (vv. 3,4, Holman Christian is not stated as belonging to the Lord;1 but the Standard Bible). body with which Paul is so often concerned in his epistles is most certainly that of the Lord. The 1. For example: “For he who eats and drinks, eats and table overleaf shows how this theme looms large drinks judgment to himself if he does not judge the 2 body rightly” (NASB); “For anyone who eats and in his thinking. Paul’s concept of “the body of drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks the Lord” is clearly the ecclesial body, made up of judgment on himself” (ESV). Christ (its head) together with the other members 2. Quotations from the Updated King James Version of the ecclesia. unless otherwise stated. Testimony, September 2018 Contents 351 Reference Comment 1 Cor. 10:16,17 “The bread which we break, is it not the communion of Eating the memorial the body of Christ? For we being many are one bread, bread confirms that we and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread” are (spiritually) one body 1 Cor. 12:12 “For as the body is one, and has many members, and all Unity overrides diversity the members of that one body, being many, are one body”

“so also is Christ” Christ demonstrated this unity (of thought and action) in his own life. 1 Cor. 12:27 “Now all of you are the body of Christ, and members in This chapter is all about the particular” collective, ecclesial body of Christ, of which he is head Eph. 1:22,23 “the church . . . is his body, the fullness of him that fills Christ provides all that is all in all” necessary for the ecclesia Eph. 4:11,12 “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and The aim of these various some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for roles is to build up and the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, maintain the ecclesial for the edifying of the body of Christ” body of Christ Eph. 5:29-32 “For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but The loving bond of a nourishes and cherishes it, even as the Lord the married couple is a figure church: for we are members of his body, of his flesh, of Christ’s care for the and of his bones. For this cause shall a man leave ecclesia his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church” Col. 1:18 “And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the Christ is the most beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things important member of the he might have the preeminence” body—its head Col. 2:17-19 “. . . but the body is of Christ. Let no man beguile you Christ, the head of the of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping body, provides spiritual of angels, intruding into those things which he has (and material?) food for not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, and not the ecclesia through holding the Head, from which all the body by joints the mutual care of its and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit members. See also Eph. together, increases with the increase of God” 4:12 Col. 3:15 “And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the We should be governed which also all of you are called in one body; and be all by the peace that comes of you thankful” with ecclesial unity

In verses 5-11, Christ’s contribution to the salva- • his life of complete obedience tion of his brethren is singled out for special • his role as the Lamb without spot mention and examination. • his repudiation of the thinking of the flesh It is quite common among Christadelphians to • his death and resurrection understand that ‘discerning the body of Christ’ • his being endowed with immortality refers to an in-depth understanding of the per- • his ascension to be with the Father sonal body of Christ, involving the following • the meaning of the atonement. aspects: But even all this is an incomplete understanding • his essential humanity of ‘the body of Christ.’ The apostle’s words in the • his sufferings for our sake table above have shown that, as he writes to the Testimony, September 2018 352 Contents Corinthians, he has in mind the members of the his angels: for I was an hungered, and all of ecclesia together with their head. you gave me no food: I was thirsty, and all of you gave me no drink: I was a stranger, and Cause or effect? all of you took me not in: naked, and all of Paul goes on to say: “For this cause many are you clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and weak and sickly among you, and many sleep” all of you visited me not. Then shall they also (1 Cor. 11:30). “Sleep” here must mean the sleep answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we you of death. Whilst some understand the weakness, an hungered, or thirsty, or a stranger, or na- sickness and death of members to be the punish- ked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister ment meted out by the Lord upon those who unto you? Then shall he answer them, saying, have not (spiritually) discerned his body, closer Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as all of you examination of Paul’s words suggests that this did it not to one of the least of these, all of you is mistaken. The weakness, sickness and death did it not to me. And these shall go away into he writes of are surely the privations suffered by everlasting punishment: but the righteous into the poorer members of the ecclesia when they life eternal” (Mt. 25:41-46). are neglected by the richer members who do The damnation and judgement of which Paul not ‘discern’ (acknowledge and care about) their speaks in 1 Corinthians 11:29 and 31 corresponds plight—they are the consequences of a failure to the everlasting punishment of Matthew 25:46. to discern, rather than the punishment for those The undiscerning one who allows his languish- who are guilty of that failure. If weakness, ill- ing brother or sister to decline further without health and death are punishments for a lack of his help has much to answer for. We should run discernment of the Lord’s body, does that mean a discriminating eye over our own behaviour that there were degrees of this sin, some more and attitudes and amend our ways as necessary serious than others? There needs to be a better in order to avoid condemnation at the judgement explanation. seat (see 1 Cor. 11:31). True, even the most caring, Look again at the two verses under consid- thoughtful and expert help we can offer will not eration: be enough to cure all suffering; but that is no “For he that eats and drinks unworthily, eats excuse for not trying. Although we do not have and drinks damnation to himself, not discern- the power to restore to life, like Elisha (in the case ing the Lord’s body. For this cause many are of the Shunammite’s son), Peter (Dorcas), Paul weak and sickly among you, and many sleep” (Eutychus) or the Lord Jesus himself, it should (vv. 29,30). be possible to say of us, like the woman who The last sentence could reasonably be expanded anointed Jesus with spikenard, ‘They have done to read: ‘Because of this lack of discernment what they could’ (Mk. 14:8). many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep’—“this cause” refers to the lack of Practical obligations discernment as the cause of weakness and death There is ample evidence in the New Testament among ecclesial members. Neglect and ignorance narrative to show that Paul was a very practical of the needs of those in dire circumstances by man as well as being endowed with deep spiritual those who had the means to help could result in insight. These two aspects of his character worked physical decline into death. When there is a lack together to produce welfare measures that were of discernment of the struggles that a brother or based on his love both of the gospel message and sister is going through, there is no necessary in- of those who had responded positively to that tervention in the process that ends in their death. message. He exerted his influence as a preacher to We can sit back, blissfully unaware of our need gather funds which he then personally delivered to act, until it is too late. to Jerusalem for the relief of the struggling poor According to Christ’s own teaching, at his brethren residing there. In this he was continu- return judgement will be pronounced on the ing a tradition that began in the post-Pentecost neglectful ones who did not offer food, clothing, Jerusalem ecclesia, when seven men with the a cup of water, a caring word or healing balm to necessary qualities were appointed to oversee the Christ’s brethren: daily provision for the believing Greek widows “Then shall he say also unto them on the left who had no other means of support (Acts 6:1-6). hand, Depart from me, all of you cursed, into Ironically, those whom Paul had persecuted everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and severely in earlier days became a model for ­caring Testimony, September 2018 Contents 353 discernment of the needs of the struggling poor. in these countries problems can still beset our Here was the outworking of a conscience that ecclesial members. We must ever be lovingly regretted so deeply the persecution he had per- sensitive to the needs of those who share the petrated prior to his Damascus conversion: “For memorial supper with us. Then there are those in I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet many much less prosperous nations, whose hearts to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the the gospel has touched. Here is an opportunity church of God” (1 Cor. 15:9). to ‘discern’ the needs of these brethren, and to Paul was reluctant to receive payment for provide them with a share of our bounty as they his work as an itinerant preacher, preferring to have need. The telephone, mass media, the Inter- earn his keep by making tents. Funds could then net and inexpensive travel can all quickly bring be better used to help the poor. In his farewell us news of hardships and disasters that happen address to the Ephesian elders, having claimed in far-flung places. In this way too we can readily that he had laboured with his hands to support ‘discern’ the needs of our brothers and sisters and the ministry of himself and his fellow workers, respond quickly with help. he urged his hearers to do the same: “. . . that so Paul would undoubtedly applaud the efforts of labouring all of you ought to support the weak” our intra-ecclesial welfare committees, the vari- (Acts 20:35). It is not surprising that Paul, in ous regional mission committees, the charitable recounting to the Corinthians how Christ had organisations, the well-supported fund-raising established the solemn tradition of the memorial appeals and the labours of fieldworkers. His mind supper, insists that the Saviour’s self-sacrificing dwelt on the need to champion the cause of those love should be reflected in the generosity of the who lived in poverty even as he recounted the ‘haves’ towards the ‘have nots.’ details of the great spiritual memorial feast that Many of today’s ecclesias are located in pros- celebrated Christ’s victory over sin. We are surely perous countries that have robust social welfare right, then, to give welfare an important place in provisions, including income support and free our lives. Let us not become complacent; there is health services. Yet despite this prosperity, even much more that can be done. Contents Give attendance to reading . . . in October Geoff Henstock

UR OLD TESTAMENT readings in Octo- the Songs of Degrees being authored by Brother ber consider 1 and 2 Chronicles, the second George Booker). Several of the books relating Ohalf of Ezekiel, and the first nine chapters to 1 and 2 Kings recommended in July are also of Daniel. Our New Testament readings take us relevant to 1 and 2 Chronicles. through Paul’s letters to the Galatians, the Ephe- sians and the Philippians, before going through Ezekiel John and commencing Acts. Books which deal with the second half of Ezekiel include: 1 and 2 Chronicles • The Book of the Prophet Ezekiel by Brother W. H. The only Christadelphian work which deals with Boulton these books systematically is Chronicles of the Kings • Ezekiel: An Exposition of Chapters 1 to 39 by by Brother Michael Ashton, as mentioned in last Brother John Allfree month’s article. In addition to this work, there is • Ezekiel’s Prophecies of the Restoration by Brother a study of Hezekiah in Of Hearts and Minds by H. P. Mansfield, a verse-by-verse analysis of Brother Dennis Gillett. Brother Harry Whittaker Ezekiel 33–39 also wrote about Hezekiah in the book Hezekiah • The Temple of Ezekiel’s Prophecy by Brother Hen- the Great and the Songs of Degrees (the chapters on ry Sulley, which documents his understanding­ Testimony, September 2018 354 Contents of the arrangements for worship and the tem- Chapter 4 of Obeying God Rather Than Man by ple to be erected in Jerusalem in the Kingdom Brother Geoff Henstock considers the experi- age as set forth in Ezekiel 40–48. Another ences of Daniel and his friends when they were work which owes much to Brother Sulley’s persecuted for their commitment to God. exposition, while addressing what the author Two non-Christadelphian works on Daniel saw as “a few problems” in the earlier work, that are well regarded by many are Observations is The City of the Living God by Brother Peter Upon the Prophecies of Daniel and the Apocalypse of Schwartzkopff. St John by Sir Isaac Newton, and In and Around Ezekiel 38 and 39 have long intrigued students of the Book of Daniel by Charles Boutflower. prophecy and observers of the signs of the times. All the above authors support what might be In addition to the first three books listed above, termed the ‘traditional’ interpretation of the book. those who wish to consider this chapter in more Those who wish to consider an alternative ap- detail might like to consult chapters 13 and 14 proach could look at Visions in Daniel by Brother of The Sign of His Coming by Brethren Sid Levett Harry Whittaker. and Geoff Henstock. Brother John Thomas also comments at length on this section of Ezekiel in Galatians, Ephesians and Philippians Elpis Israel; he offers a different approach from There are no recommendations to be added to the interpretation of these chapters in volume the books recommended in the articles published 2 of Eureka. in March 2018.

Daniel John Apocalyptic prophecies have a powerful appeal Several books were recommended in the article for many Bible student. Several books which deal published in March 2018. In addition to those, with Daniel may be recommended, including: students may like to consider chapters entitled • Exposition of Daniel by Brother John Thomas “In and Around the Gospel of John” and “The • The Prophecy of Daniel by Brother Edmund Presence of Christ” in For the Study and Defence of Green the Holy Scripture, volume 1, by Brother Edward • Daniel Study Guide by Brother Michael Lewis Whittaker. They may also be interested in the es- • The Book of Daniel, a verse by verse analysis say entitled “The Little Things of John’s Gospel” by Brother H. P. Mansfield in Farther along the Way: A Wayfarer’s Guide by • Daniel: A Brief Illustrated Exposition by Brother Brother George Booker. H. C. Gates • Daniel and Christ by Brother Islip Collyer, an Acts apologetic work which rebuffs attacks made In addition to the books recommended in the on the book by critics. article published in March 2018, readers may wish An old pamphlet relating to Daniel which re- to look at Obeying God Rather Than Man by Brother mains well worth reading is The Book Unsealed Geoff Henstock, chapters 5 and 6 of which deal by Brother John Thomas. with the prison experiences of Peter and Paul.

“Genesis 1-2: a harmonised and historical reading” This new book by Brother Peter Heavyside expands on the series of his articles published in the Testimony in 2016 and 2017. Like the original articles, the book closely examines the text of Genesis 1–2 and supports the integrity of these chapters. It is a direct response to the claims of evolutionary creationism (also know as theistic evolu- tion) that the chapters are disharmonised and unhistorical. As well as dealing with these claims, the book explores some of the themes taken up by later Scriptures, and provides a basis for dealing with so-called ‘problem passages.’ Paperback, 182 pages. Printed to order. Price: $10.95 (proceeds to charity). Available at http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/ascentpublications

Testimony, September 2018 Contents 355 SUBSCRIPTION DETAILS for 2018 Subscriptions Secretary: SOUTH AFRICA Mrs Sarah Marshall, 2 Longridge Road, Please apply for rates and method of Woodthorpe, Nottingham, NG5 4LX. payment to the Subscriptions Secretary Tel. +44 (0)115 859 9297 (see left). email: [email protected] Remittances payable to THE TESTIMONY (CHRISTADELPHIAN) Subscriptions are obtainable from our website, http://testimonymagazine.com, through the USA agents listed below, or from the Subscriptions Surface mail US$52 (student rate $26; airmail Secretary, to whom all correspondence $95); e-magazine $24 (student rate $12). relating to the issue of the magazine (including Mrs Celia Coleman, 22450 Schoenborn change of address) should be addressed. Street, West Hills, CA 91304-3318. Tel. (818) 596 0905 Prices and Agents email: [email protected] UNITED KINGDOM Remittances payable to CELIA COLEMAN £30 for a regular annual subscription; EUROPE AND ALL OTHER Student rate (25 yrs or under) £15; COUNTRIES e-magazine £18; student e-magazine £9. £49 Sterling (student rate £18); e-magazine Apply to: Subscriptions Secretary (see above) £18 (student rate £9). Remittances payable to Apply to Subscriptions Secretary (see above). THE TESTIMONY (CHRISTADELPHIAN) Remittances payable to THE TESTIMONY (CHRISTADELPHIAN) AUSTRALIA Surface mail AU$62 (student rate $31; airmail $102); e-magazine $31 (student rate $16). TRIAL SUBSCRIPTIONS Mrs Beth Symes, PO Box 388, A free three-month trial subscription may be Gembrook, VIC 3783. obtained from the Subscriptions Secretary. Tel. (03) 5967 7069 email: [email protected] COMPLAINTS/QUERIES Remittances payable to Please address any complaints or queries TESTIMONY MAGAZINE to the Subscriptions Secretary, who will be pleased to investigate and arrange for CANADA replacement of faulty or missing copies. Surface mail CA$61 (student rate $31; airmail $100); e-magazine $30 (student rate $15). BACK COPIES Mrs Linda Fairhurst, Box 204, Rolling Hills, Back copies are available for the last two Alberta, T0J 2S0. Tel. (403) 964-2900; email: years. Please apply to the Subscriptions [email protected] Secretary. Remittances payable to MRS L. FAIRHURST NEW ZEALAND BINDERS Surface mail NZ$69 (student rate $35; airmail These hold two years’ magazines, and cost $119); e-magazine $34 (student rate $17). £4.25 + postage. Apply to Peter and Norma Philip Walker, “Christadelphians,” Forbes (see back cover). PO Box 458, Palmerston North 4440. Tel. (6) 354 0396; Fax (6) 354 0395 OTHER PUBLICATIONS email: [email protected] For a list of previous years’ Special Issues Remittances payable to available, please apply to the Subscriptions TESTIMONY MAGAZINE Secretary, to whom all orders should be sent. Published on behalf of The Testimony Committee (Christadelphian) by Jeremy Thomas, 22 Kingswood Close, Kings Norton, Birmingham, B30 3NX, UK • Printed by Reflex Litho Ltd., Thetford, Norfolk. Registered Charity No. 225908. Testimony, September 2018 356 Contents York scenes 7. Medieval churches

HERE WERE MORE THAN forty parish churches in the city of York in medieval St Sampson Ttimes. Less than half of them are still stand- ing today, and, of these, less than half are still used for regular worship. Most have a history that goes back before the thirteenth century, but piecemeal modifications mean that visible stone- work is often of a later time. Some examples are pictured: St Helen, still used for worship; St John the Evangelist, now a cocktail bar; St Sampson, now a day centre for the elderly; and St Mary Bishophill Junior, probably the oldest church in St John the Evangelist York, with its Anglo-Saxon tower.

To understand why there were so many churches despite York’s population being only a tenth of what it is today, we need to understand the way that the Catholic Church dominated English society before sixteenth-century reforms. It ex- pected everyone to attend church, and, through a vast, priest-based system of governance, law and economy, it controlled the lives of everyone. Compulsory tithing and other payments generated person’s destiny after death. Unbiblical teaching the wealth that funded stone-built churches, in about heaven and hell featured strongly in a mes- contrast with ordinary dwelling places that have sage of fear. Without direct access to the Bible, long since disappeared. few would appreciate Jesus’ message not to fear but to believe in him (Lk. 12:7,8). The Church claimed to mediate between God and the people, and to be able to determine a Despite the fear, some defied the system. In York in 1528, Gilbert Johnson said that he would make confession only to God, and not to a priest. He questioned the efficacy of prayers for the dead, asked what virtue there was in carrying candles on Candlemas Day, and said that Peter was neither a pope nor a priest. His punishment was to be paraded around York being forced to recant, and to be beaten by the dean of York in the marketplace. St Mary Bishophill Junior St Helen It would be easy to wander the streets of York and spot medieval churches, being impressed with their antiquity, and yet fail to appreciate the challenges faced by those searching for truth in those far-off days. It is sobering to think that there are parts of the world today with similar restric- tions on religious freedom. “Only fear the LORD, and serve Him in truth with all your heart: for consider how great things He hath done for you” (1 Sam. 12:24).—Neil Galilee

Contents XVI TESTIMONY BOOKS The Pilgrimage of Jesus: a devotional study. Parts 1 and 2. John Mitchell. Part 1 follows the Lord Jesus during the first part of his ministry, preaching and performing miracles beside the Sea of Galilee. Part 2 begins as the Lord Jesus sets his face steadfastly to go to Jerusalem for the Feast of Tabernacles, six months before his crucifixion, and takes us through to the resurrection morning and his ascension to heaven forty days later. Written in John Mitchell’s engaging and very readable style. Part 1: £8.50; Part 2: £7.50; Parts 1 and 2 together: £15.00.

One man’s pilgrimage: under God’s good hand. 88 pages. £2.00. Testimony Handbook of Bible Principles. 197 pages. £2.00. Family Trees of the Tribes of Israel. 117 pages. £5.50. Moses: Earth’s Meekest Man. 172 pages. £2.50. Paul’s Epic Journey to Rome. 153 pages. £6.00. The Pen of a Ready Writer. 272 pages. £2.50. Daniel’s Last Prophecy. 141 pages. £7.50. Man and Woman. 122 pages. £0.50. ‘Spirit’ in the New Testament. 185 pages. £1.00. “In the nurture and admonition of the Lord.” 196 pages. £8.50. The Exodus – A Commentary on Exodus 1–15. 237 pages. £1.00. Wonders of Creation: the works of the Divine Designer. 202 pages. £10.00. For the Study and Defence of the Holy Scripture: Volume 1. 236 pages. £5.00. Volume 2. 207 pages. £8.50. Volumes 1 & 2 together. £10.00

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