Vol. 87 No. 1,033 December 2017 TESTIMONY For the study and defence of the holy Scripture

433, 458 Misreporting Scripture

Also in this issue: NEW SERIES: Recommended reading 436 Help from textual criticism of the Bible 444 Fearing God’s name 448 Haggai: challenging wrong attitudes 460

Contents 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 433 The work of God on men’s DAVID BURGES. 7 Whitehead Holiness hearts Drive, Wellesbourne, Warwick, 14. How holy is Christ now? 8. God at work amongst CV35 9PW. Tel. 01789 842692; believers email: [email protected] Joe Harding 435 Stephen Green 456 Science; Archaeology Give attendance to reading . . . Israel and the Canaanites EDWARD CARR. 46 New Street, in January Donisthorpe, DE12 7PG. Geoff Henstock 436 David Burges 458 Tel. 01530 271522; Haggai: apathy, attitude email: [email protected] The cherubim of glory and anticipation Exhortation 5. The four faces of the cherubim (1) Ian Coates 460 SHAUN MAHER. 5 Birch Court, Doune, FK16 6JD. David Green 438 Words from the mount Tel. 01786 842996; Your Letters and the cross (3) email: [email protected] Who was the firstborn Edward Carr 465 Watchman son of Josiah? 443 Genesis 1–2 ERIC MARSHALL. The Pines, The missing verse of Concluding remarks Ling Common Road, Castle Peter Heavyside 466 Rising, King’s Lynn, Norfolk, Romans 16 PE31 6AE. Tel. 01553 631279; Jeremy Thomas 444 The words of the wise email: [email protected] The glorious and fearful 9. The fate of enemies Exposition name Mark Vincent 469 JEREMY THOMAS (see above) Geoff Cave 448 Index of titles 2017 470 Principles, preaching and ­problems Pertinent pronouns (4) Jewish scenes GEOFF HENSTOCK. 13 ­Alpha Geoff Henstock 450 10. Algeria: Constantine Crescent, ­Panorama 5041, Jeremy Thomas S. Australia. Tel. 8277-0730; email: News from the nations XXII [email protected] Shaun Maher 451 Australia Editor; Prophecy; Reviews Storm clouds gather on Testimony books Israel’s northern border Shaun Maher 452

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. XXI “He spoke another parable to them, ‘The kingdom of heaven is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three pecks of flour until it was all leavened.’ All these things Jesus spoke to the crowds in parables, and he did not speak to them without a parable. This was to fulfil what was spoken through the prophet: ‘I will open My mouth in parables; I will utter things hidden since the foundation of the world’” (Mt. 13:33-35, NASB).

Cover picture: “The Parable of the Leaven.” Publishing Editor’s column N ARTICLE in this month’s magazine 1 Disturbing trends cites a report in a British newspaper which More surprising, and more disturbing, are trends Aalleged that the Bible’s record of Israel’s an- within the Brotherhood which similarly indicate nihilation of the Canaanites had been disproved a material shift in attitudes towards the Bible. by research in human genetics. The story was Amongst examples which can be cited is the claim inaccurate, because the Bible states that Israel that the record in Joshua and Judges of Israel’s did not wipe out the Canaanites. The Book of entry into the Promised Land cannot be histori- Judges makes this clear: “It came about when cally true, on the grounds that it is not supported Israel became strong, that they put the Canaanites by the evidence of archaeology. Some have gone to forced labour, but they did not drive them out as far as to say that Israel were never commanded completely” (1:28).2 The following verses describe to kill all the inhabitants of the Canaanite cities Israel living side by side with the Canaanites, they were given by God, and even that it would to their own disadvantage (vv. 29-36). Israel’s have been wrong for them to do so. This is de- subsequent relationship with God was seriously spite Moses being on record as instructing Israel, compromised by their disobedience to Him in “in the cities of the these peoples that the LORD this regard, as He foretold by His angel at Bochim: your God is giving you as an inheritance, you “I will not drive them out before you; but they shall not leave alive anything that breathes. But will become as thorns in your sides and their gods you shall utterly destroy them . . . as the LORD will be a snare to you” (2:3). The later experience your God has commanded you” (Deut. 20:16,17). of Israel, recorded in the historical books of the Consistent with this is Moses’ earlier statement, Old Testament, furnishes numerous instances of “we captured all [Sihon’s] cities at that time and this warning coming to fruition. utterly destroyed the men, women and children Some of the sources reporting the story of every city. We left no survivor” (2:34). published corrections when it was pointed out Objections to these features of the text might to them that they had misrepresented the bibli- be made on the grounds that they are grossly cal record. Yet the original story is more likely distasteful to modern thinking and that such to have stuck in the minds of the public, and behaviour has no place in the life of the people so damage to the reputation of the Bible will of God. Whilst that would be true for disciples unjustly have been done. Sad though this is, it of Christ, it should be remembered that Israel should come as no surprise in a world which is increasingly disbelieving of the Bible, not only 1. David Burges, Israel and the Canaanites, p. 458. as a source of authority but even of factually ac- 2. Bible quotations are from the NASB except where curate information. otherwise stated. Testimony, December 2017 Contents 433 under the Law of Moses were not subject to the of Scripture is in harmony with what Scripture principles of morality required under the Chris- says of itself. Misrepresenting Scripture is not a tian dispensation. It might not have been to the risk that anyone truly enlightened by the Word personal taste of an Israelite warrior to put to will wish to take. death ‘innocent’ Canaanites; but such was not the Almighty’s view of the inhabitants of the Flawed arguments Land, who were regarded by Him as so utterly On the specific matter of archaeology, it seems depraved in their religion and morals that they to me that there are fatal flaws in an approach were unfit to live any longer: “the nations which which judges the Bible in the light of other evi- I am casting out before you have become defiled. dence that is assumed to be authoritative. Brother For the land has become defiled, therefore I have Tony Benson put the matter supremely well in brought its punishment upon it, so the land has his introductory article in the Testimony’s 1990 spewed out its inhabitants” (Lev. 18:24,25). This Special Issue on archaeology: 3 is strong language indeed, yet the Israelite who “The Bible does not require the findings of disobeyed the divine command would himself archaeologists to prove it to be true, for, being have been counted as a sinner. the inspired and infallible Word of God, it is the ultimate standard of truth, and it has been Stating the problem plainly observed with some justification that ‘The It may be helpful to state plainly what seem to Bible Proves Archaeology True’ would more be the only two possible responses to the claim accurately represent the position.” that the biblical record is not historically accu- The chasm between this stance and some of the rate. Either God did not say the things that the views now current within the Brotherhood will writers of the Bible claim that He said, or He did be immediately apparent. ‘say’ them (in some sense) but they are not to be Other problems with an approach which re- read in the sense of their plain meaning. Each gards archaeological evidence as superior to the of these responses immediately encounters an Bible’s claims about itself include the following: insurmountable obstacle for those who regard the • The biblical record of Israel’s entry into, and Bible as truly the Word of God. In the first case conquest of, Canaan is not limited to earlier the Bible is no longer true, and its writings are not historical books, such as Joshua and Judges. inspired in the biblical sense of that word; and in It is referenced in a number of later books of the second case God is bearing false witness of the Old Testament, and is cited authoritatively Himself. Neither of these possibilities is remotely even by the apostles of the Lord Jesus Christ. reconcilable with the Bible’s claims about itself: Speaking by the Holy Spirit, Stephen spoke to “Every word of God is tested; He is a shield to the Sanhedrin of “our fathers . . . with Joshua those who take refuge in Him” (Prov. 30:5). The . . . dispossessing the nations whom God drove AV renders the highlighted word “pure.” The out before our fathers” (Acts 7:45). Joshua did NET has “purified,” and adds the helpful footnote: what the Old Testament says that he did. “The text here uses an implied comparison . . . • Absence of evidence is not necessarily evi- It compares the perfection of every word of dence of absence. Even assuming that the God with some precious metal that has been available evidence has been interpreted cor- refined and purified (e.g., Ps. 12:6). The point rectly (which for believers ought to mean in is that God’s word is trustworthy; it has no a biblically informed way), nothing need be defects or flaws, nothing false or misleading. read into the claim that archaeology does not The second half of the verse explains the support the text of the Bible. On the grounds significance of this point—it is safe to trust of absence of evidence many archaeologists the Lord.” once believed that the city of Babylon never “God . . . cannot lie” (Tit. 1:2)—not, be it noted, existed, but they were shown to be fools when that He does not lie, but He cannot do so. God’s archaeology caught up with Scripture. An as- Word, David testifies, restores the soul, makes sumption that archaeology has provided us the simple wise, rejoices the heart, enlightens the with a complete set of all the available data, eyes, endures for ever, and is altogether righteous and that this data has then been infallibly (Ps. 19:7-9), characteristics which are unthinkable in a text which is not factually true. Every be- 3. Tony Benson, “The importance of biblical archaeol- liever needs to ensure that his or her estimation o g y ,” Testimony, vol. 60, no. 718, Oct. 1990, p. 325. Testimony, December 2017 434 Contents interpreted, would be arrogant and unrea- the Brotherhood: something else has been el- sonable. New archaeological information evated above Scripture as the ultimate authority, will undoubtedly come to light, but the text and the Bible now needs to be reinterpreted in of Scripture will not change. the light of that authority. • There are serious challenges for belief in bibli- This approach seriously compromises the cal definitions of the doctrine of inspiration, Christadelphian position on the inspiration as already alluded to. and infallibility of Scripture, and we need to Essentially the mistake being made is the same be alert to the implications, individually and as with the promotion of theistic evolution within ecclesially. Contents

Exhortation Holiness 14. How holy is Christ now? Joe Harding

HIS QUESTION demands an answer. Christ Time and again in Revelation, white raiment was born holy and anointed most holy, but is promised and delivered to the faithful saints. Tdid it stop there? This was, as we have seen, the gift of holiness “And when he had taken the book, the four conferred by God upon the high priest on the beasts and four and twenty elders fell down Day of Atonement. Now the Lord Jesus is like- before the Lamb, having every one of them wise robing his disciples with the same ‘holiness harps, and golden vials full of odours, which from the Lord.’ are the prayers of saints. And they sung a Towards the end of chapter 4 a threefold new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the acclamation of holiness is made by the four book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou beasts and twenty-four elders (vv. 8-11). But the wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by language used could apply equally to Christ or thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, to the Almighty. This does not contradict a well- and people, and nation; and hast made us unto established scriptural precedent that “the head of our God kings and priests: and we shall reign Christ is God” (1 Cor. 11:3). What it does dem- on the earth” (Rev. 5:8-10). onstrate is that Christ’s attributes have become For this redeeming work the Lamb receives the merged with God’s because he is the firstfruits of accolade, those who have made this awesome journey back “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive to the Paradise of God, and the original union of power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, man and God that was severed by Adam’s sin. and honour, and glory, and blessing. And every creature which is in heaven, and on the Antitype earth, and under the earth, and such as are Joseph of Arimathea had a duty of devotion to in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I perform: saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and “And he bought fine linen, and took [Jesus] power, be unto Him that sitteth upon the down, and wrapped him in the linen, and laid throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. him in a sepulchre which was hewn out of a And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four rock, and rolled a stone unto the door of the and twenty elders fell down and worshipped sepulchre” (Mk. 15:46). Him that liveth for ever and ever” (vv. 12-14). Three of the Gospel records make the point that, This is a comprehensive acknowledgement of the at the resurrection, these linen clothes were left greatness of the immortal Christ. Jesus spoke of behind. For instance: himself this way in chapter 1: “I am Alpha and “Then cometh Simon Peter . . . and went into Omega, the first and the last” (v. 11). the sepulchre, and seeth the linen clothes lie, Testimony, December 2017 Contents 435 and the napkin, that was about his head, not the Almighty.­ Just as Adam and Eve were in- lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped nocent in their nakedness before the Lord, so together in a place by itself” (Jno. 20:6,7). Jesus Christ, having opened the holiest, had no Perhaps the point is that, having entered into guilt, stain or spot to conceal. The pathway back the holiest of all, Jesus had no need of garments to Paradise is complete. to ‘hide’ sinful flesh from the impeccable holi- “For Christ is not entered into the holy places ness of God—he had no fear of God’s holiness made with hands, which are the figures of the because he was now so purged from the danger true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in of taint as to be able to stand in the presence of the presence of God for us” (Heb. 9:24). (To be continued) Contents Give attendance to reading . . . in January Geoff Henstock

INCE THE EARLIEST DAYS of our com- comprehensive, and the compiler would welcome munity, daily reading of the Bible has been feedback as to other material readers have found Sa feature of our discipleship. Possession by helpful in this regard. ordinary men and women of a personal copy of January finds us grazing mainly in Genesis, the Bible is a relatively recent development. Only Psalms and Matthew, although we do start going two centuries ago, low levels of literacy and the through Exodus and Romans towards the end high cost of books denied many working people of the month. the privilege of personal Bible reading. We should recognise and cherish the privilege that is ours Genesis in this era when, in the developed world at least, Recent years have seen a plethora of new publi- there is no impediment to the availability of hard cation on Genesis, many focused on the creation copy and electronic copies of the Bible. record. Several of these are quite technical and Many Christadelphians use the Bible reading polemical. Those interested in the creation- chart developed by Robert Roberts while still evolution debate will most likely be aware of only a teenager. It is undoubtedly true that the the books which deal with this topic. One which Scripture is “able to make thee wise unto salvation might be less well known, and which can be through faith” (2 Tim. 3:15), but there are times recommended for general readers, is Create in when our own meditation on the Bible text can Me. Written by Brother Daniel Weatherall, it is a be enhanced, augmented and even challenged thoughtful consideration of the moral impact of by considering the observations of other faithful the creation record. Bible students. There are also times when we A recent work which covers the whole text of need assistance with technical, geographical or Genesis is Brother Andrew Walker’s The Genesis historical details relevant to the text. of Blessings. This thought-provoking work offers The purpose of this series of articles is to of- many intriguing insights into the record. fer suggestions about books which might assist Several helpful biographies about characters us as we read the sections of Scripture set down in Genesis can be recommended, including three for consideration each month. It does not include by Brother Harry Whittaker: the many sets of study notes produced over the • Abraham: Father of the Faithful years, nor the verse-by-verse notes available in • Wrestling Jacob The Christadelphian Expositor series. It also does not • Joseph the Saviour. include details of the many helpful articles which A recent character study, Brother Roger Lewis’s have appeared over the years in Christadelphian Abraham & Sarah—Heirs Together, considers these magazines. The suggestions made are far from two key figures as a couple. Another work which Testimony, December 2017 436 Contents includes consideration of several couples in parts of the text. Foremost among these must Genesis is For Better, For Worse by Brother Mark be Brother L. G. Sargent’s masterful analysis Vincent. In all these biographical studies read- of the Sermon on the Mount, The Teaching of the ers will meet suggestions they find more or less Master. Another book about this sermon which convincing. may be recommended is Brother Cyril Tennant’s Although long out of print, Brother Islip Col- Partakers of the Divine Nature, which considers the lyer’s The Hand of the Lord is well worth the effort beatitudes in Matthew 5. of finding and reading. Subtitled An Historical Other works which address parts of the Mat- Survey: Abraham to Saul, it offers interesting com- thew text include: ments on much of Genesis and Exodus in the • Nazareth Revisited, by Brother Robert Roberts insightful style for which the author is renowned. • A Life of Jesus, by Brother Melva Purkis • Studies in the Gospels, by Brother Harry Whit- Exodus taker Only chapters 1–4 of Exodus are read in January. • Parables of the Messiah, by Brother John Carter Two books which include comments on those • Parables and Miracles, by Brother John Bilello early chapters are Brother Harry Tennant’s Mo- • The Temptations of Jesus, by Brother Vic Aucott ses My Servant and Brother Mark Vincent’s The • His Twelve Disciples, by Brother Martin D. Exodus. Southgate • The Lord’s Mount Olivet Prophecy, by Brother Psalms John Allfree January takes us from Psalm 1 to Psalm 57. Read- • The Pilgrimage of Jesus, vols. 1 and 2, by Brother ers may have recourse to a wide range of works John Mitchell which comment on some or all these psalms, • People Jesus Knew, by Brother John Mitchell including: • Peter—Fisher of Men, by Brother Alfred Norris • The Praises of Israel, vol. 1 (The Christadel- • The Forerunner—John the Baptist, by Brother phian), by Brother Dudley Fifield Mark Allfree • Psalms 1–41 and Psalms 42–72 (CSSS), by vari- • Mary: Handmaid of the Lord, by Brother Geoff ous authors Henstock • Studies in the Psalms, vols. 1 and 2 (Tamarisk), • Women of the Bible, by various authors. by Brother Cyril Tennant Sister S. J. Knight has written three works of • Psalms Studies, vol. 1, by Brother George Booker historical fiction based on the Gospel records • God-Governed Life in the Psalms by Brother which some might enjoy in conjunction with Dennis Gillett their daily Bible readings: A Time to Hear, A Time • The Sons of Korah—their Faith and their Psalms, to See and A Time to Speak. These books can help by Brother Jonathan Cope provide insights into everyday life in the time of • The Songs of Zion (Psalm 24) by Brother H. D. our Lord’s ministry. Bartholomew. A work which does not attempt to expound each Romans psalm, but rather is a handbook intended to assist In the last week of January, we read up to Romans readers to better appreciate this hymnbook of 9. The quintessential Christadelphian work on God’s people, is Brother Mark Vincent’s Exploring this sublime letter is Brother John Carter’s Paul’s the Psalms. It includes analysis of the titles of the Letter to the Romans. If you have never read this psalms, an aspect of the inspired text that many book, it is time you did; if you have read it before, readers find perplexing. Another work with al- it is well worth re-reading. ternative views about these titles is The Titles of Those with more time available might also the Psalms by J. W. Thirtle (who was for a time a wish to consider Romans in the Light of John’s Christadelphian). Now out of print, copies of this Gospel by Brother Geoff and Sister Ray Walker, or book are sometimes offered by the second-hand Re-reading Romans in Context by Brother Graham book service provided by The Christadelphian. Jackman. Another work worth looking at when considering Romans is Brother Tecwyn Morgan’s Matthew Understand the Bible for Yourself. No Christadelphian books comment in a system- atic and comprehensive manner on the complete May God bless you in your efforts to understand text of Matthew, but there are several which cover and apply His Word each day in January. Testimony, December 2017 Contents 437 Exposition The cherubim of glory 5. The four faces of the cherubim (1) David Green ART 4 OF THIS SERIES considered the There are two views of the symbolism of the general, overall appearance of the cherubim four faces, which are complementary rather than Pseen in vision by Ezekiel, together with contradictory: those details which suggest that the symbolism 1 Yahweh’s universal rule over the earth relates to unity in a multitude. The next two 2 representative of the Israel of God. parts involve a fairly detailed exposition of the four faces of the cherubim and their connection 1. Yahweh’s universal rule over the earth with both natural and spiritual Israel. The im- The lion, the ox and the eagle are widely recog- portance of the number four and ‘foursquare’ is nised as the ‘kings’ or leaders of their respective also included in this part. orders of the animal creation. Man has dominion over them all (Gen. 1:26; Ps. 8:6-8). The face of God in the four faces of the According to Brother John Thomas,3 the cherubim ancients used the lion, the ox and the eagle to The cherubim were placed “at the east of the gar- symbolise the aspects of light, fire and spirit, den of Eden . . . to guard the way to the tree of which are intrinsic qualities of God: “God is life” (Gen. 3:24)1 following the expulsion of Adam light” (1 Jno. 1:5); “God is Spirit” (Jno. 4:24); and and Eve. Was Cain alluding to the faces of these “God is a consuming fire” (Heb. 12:29). Finally cherubim when he said, ‘I shall be hidden from we have the face of a man representing God Your faces’ (4:14, literal translation)? “manifested in the flesh” in the person of Jesus In Scripture the face of God is mentioned in Christ (1 Tim. 3:16). relation to the two aspects of safeguarding access It has been suggested that there is a link be- to the tree of life: tween the four faces of the cherubim and four of • the protection and preservation of His people, the zodiacal constellations. Both Ezekiel (Ezek. when God makes His face to shine on them 1:5) and the Apostle John (Rev. 4:6) describe the (Num. 6:25) cherubim as “living creatures,” with John and • the punishment and destruction of His en- the Septuagint version of Ezekiel using the same emies, when God hides His face from them Greek word zōon, from which the word ‘zodiac’ is (Deut. 31:17,18; Isa. 64:7; Jer. 33:5) or sets His said to be derived. Around 2700 BC, the approxi- face against them (Lev. 20:3; Ps. 34:16, quoted mate date of the devising of the zodiac,4 the lion, 1 Pet. 3:12). the ox, the eagle and the man also represented One head (Ezek. 10:11) with four faces suggests that the faces of these symbolic figures represent different aspects of the one mind and purpose 1. All Bible quotations are from the NKJV. of God manifested in His mighty ones, the ‘Elo- 2. The front of the temple faced east (Ezek. 47:1). For a him’ of 1:1. spectator facing in the same direction, on the basis What is meant by Ezekiel’s statement that “the of this important information the “right side” of the first face was the face of a cherub” (10:14), rather temple is its south side. than the ox of 1:10? At this juncture the cherubic 3. John Thomas, Elpis Israel, Birmingham: The Christa- chariot was “on the right side of the house” (10:3), delphian (1949 edition), p. 151. 2 4. E. W. Maunder, The Astronomy of the Bible, London: or “the south side” (NKJV, ESV, NIV). Ezekiel was T. Sealey Clark (1908), p. 161. This estimate places speaking of the cherub before which he stood, the origin of the Zodiac in the pre-Flood period, and we infer that the ox face, which faced west, which agrees with the Jewish tradition mentioned by presented itself to him at this point. Josephus (Antiquities of the Jews I.ii.3). Testimony, December 2017 438 Contents Table 1 Yahweh’s universal rule over the earth Face Aspect of God Kingship Constellation5 Lion Light (knowledge) King of the beasts (wild Leo, summer solstice animals) Calf/ox Fire (zeal/judgement) King/chief of the cattle Taurus, spring equinox (domesticated animals) Flying eagle Spirit (power) King of birds Aquila, autumn equinox Man God manifested Dominion over all Aquarius,6 winter in the flesh in the solstice person of Jesus the four most important positions of the constel- treads on the scorpion to crush and destroy it lations in the sky. Quoting from the astronomer (Lk. 10:19; Rom. 16:20). E. Walter Maunder: “The same four forms of the cherubim were 2. Representative of the Israel of God seen among the constellation figures; not The divine purpose was foreshadowed in the placed at random amongst them, but as far as nation of Israel, and will be fulfilled in “the possible in the four most important positions revealing of the sons of God” (Rom. 8:19) when in the sky . . . In the constellation figures, the God is revealed in Jesus and the redeemed saints, lion, the ox, the man and the eagle stood as who together constitute the multitudinous Christ. the upholders of the firmament, as ‘the pillars The living creatures seen by the Apostle John of heaven.’ They looked down like watchers represent the redeemed saints, since “they sang a upon all creation; they seemed to guard the new song, saying [to the Lamb]: ‘You are worthy four quarters of the sky.”7 to take the scroll, and to open its seals; for you The information above is summarised in Table 1. were slain, and have redeemed us to God by your However, it should be pointed out that the blood out of every tribe and tongue and people positions of these four constellations in the circle and nation, and have made us kings and priests of the Zodiac, although evenly spaced, do not to our God; and we shall reign on the earth’” match exactly the orientation of the four faces of (Rev, 5:9,10). the cherubim. The clockwise order in the Zodiac The faces of each cherub seen by Ezekiel were circle is the lion, the scorpion (with the eagle in a foursquare arrangement, and the four cheru- nearby), the water pourer and the bull, whereas bim themselves were in a foursquare formation the order progressing clockwise around the with their faces directed to the four cardinal cherubim is the lion, the man, the bull and eagle, points of the compass (see diagrams overleaf). as discussed in the following section. This corresponds to the square arrangement of The precise position for the autumn equinox the camp of the Israelites in the wilderness, dis- around 2700 BC would have coincided with the cussed more fully below, which prefigures “the zodiac constellation Scorpio, which has Aquila, camp of the saints” symbolised by the foursquare the eagle, close by. It is interesting to note that New Jerusalem (Rev. 20:9; 21:16). Furthermore, Scorpio has an associated constellation depicted the orientation of the faces seen by Ezekiel as a man wrestling with a serpent, treading on matches Jewish tradition concerning the four the scorpion with one foot and being pierced in main banners or standards of the camp of Israel. his other foot by the sting on its tail. As well as Ezekiel was facing north when he saw the face of a reflecting the promise given in Genesis 3:15, that the seed of the woman would bruise the serpent’s head though bruised in his heel by the serpent, 5. The solstice is the point at which the sun is furthest there is also a similarity with the description from the equator (approx. 21 June and 21 December). The equinox is the point at which the sun crosses the of Dan being a biting serpent lying in the path equator, giving equal lengths to day and night (approx. of the unwary traveller (49:17). However, rather 21 March and 21 September). than being the serpent that bites, Dan becomes 6. Aquarius is a man pouring water out of a water pot. the one who bruises the serpent in the head and 7. Op. cit., pp. 166–7. Testimony, December 2017 Contents 439 man on each cherub, as the cherubim approached is like a firstborn bull, and his horns like the him moving southwards (Ezek. 1:4). On the right horns of the wild ox” (Deut. 33:17). Jeremiah side, therefore, he would see the four lion faces likens Ephraim to “an untrained bull” (Jer. facing east, and on the left side he would see 31:18). The Jerusalem Targum comments that the four ox faces facing west (vv. 5,10). The four Jacob’s words regarding Simeon and Levi— eagle faces must therefore have faced north. See “and in their self-will they hamstrung an ox” Figure 1 below. (Gen. 49:6)—refer to “Joseph, who is likened to an ox.” Perhaps Jeroboam’s choice of golden EAGLE N calves for the false worship that he established at Bethel and Dan was prompted by the ox standard of the camp of Ephraim, the lead- W E ing tribe of the breakaway kingdom of Israel, Jeroboam himself being an Ephraimite (1 Kgs. OX LION 11:26; 12:25-30). • However, there are no obvious scriptural connections between the eagle and the tribe of Dan, which is likened by Jacob to a serpent (Gen. 49:17). It is interesting to note that Balaam uses both the MAN ox and the lion as similes for the nation of Israel Figure 1. Foursquare arrangement of faces for (Num. 23:22,24; 24:8,9), and also speaks of water each cherub. pouring from Israel’s buckets (v. 7), perhaps an allusion to the zodiacal sign Aquarius, which is Jewish tradition specifies a lion for the standard of a man pouring water from a water pot. Perhaps, the tribe of Judah, the leading tribe on the east side too, some connection with the twelve signs of of the camp of Israel (Num. 2:3), an ox or bull for the zodiac is intended in the stars in Joseph’s the standard of Ephraim encamped on the west second dream (Gen. 37:9,10). Josephus makes this side (v. 18), a man and a river (water) for Reuben connection when discussing the twelve stones of on the south side (v. 10), and finally an eagle and the breastplate. a serpent for Dan on the north side (v. 25). These standards do appear to match the four major The foursquare formation of the cherubim points in the circle of the zodiac as discussed It has already been suggested that the foursquare earlier, and it is interesting to note that Taurus formation of the cherubim seen by Ezekiel re- the bull was the leading zodiac constellation in flected the foursquare arrangement of the camp the days of Jacob and Joseph. Jewish tradition of Israel in the wilderness. The camp of Israel, is not necessarily reliable, of course, but there with God’s throne tabernacling in its midst, is additional scriptural information to consider stood ready to move forward to conquer the with regard to the allocation of these standards Promised Land. to the leading tribe on each side of the camp of Corresponding to this, the cherubim symbolis- Israel in the wilderness, as follows: ing the foursquare body of the saints, led by the • Of Reuben, Jacob said, “. . . you are my firstborn [a man] . . . Unstable as water, you shall not excel” N (Gen. 49:3,4). Moses added, “. . . nor let his men be few” (Deut. W E 33:6). • In blessing Judah, Jacob said, “Judah is a lion’s whelp . . . he lies down as a lion; and as a lion, who shall rouse him?” (Gen. 49:9). From his tribe comes “the Lion of the tribe of Judah” (Rev. 5:5). • Speaking of Joseph, the father of Figure 2. Alternative foursquare arrangements of the Ephraim, Moses says, “His glory cherubim. Testimony, December 2017 440 Contents Lion of the tribe of Judah, will a move in to take possession of DAN the Land of Israel and destroy Eagle the northern invader. The term “foursquare” is used once in the New Testa- ment (AV, RV, RSV, ESV) in connection with New Jerusa- Merarites lem, the Bride of Christ (Rev. N JUDAH

21:16). The Greek word used Lion is tetragōnos, from which is Gershonites Priests

Ox T derived the English word W E

‘tetragon,’ meaning a shape EPHRAIM with four corners or angles. Kohathites Among the Greeks a ‘te- tragonal’ man or body was an expression meaning a perfect man or body. In this way the square was used as a symbol REUBEN of perfection and strength. Man So it is reasonable to suggest that things arranged in a four- square formation in Scripture Figure 3. The foursquare camp of Israel in the wilderness. indicate perfect organisation and strength. the mercy seat. The tabernacle entrance faced The perfect orientation for a square is for its east, as did the veiled entrance to the most holy four sides to face the cardinal points of the com- place. pass: north, south, east and west. Taken together, Keeping to the foursquare formation, four these four directions speak of worldwide impact groups of Levites were camped around the tab- and total coverage. Scriptural examples of this ernacle, with the priests and their families on language include: “toward the four winds of the east side (Num. 3:38). The twelve tribes with heaven” (Dan. 8:8; 11:4); “from the four winds, their twelve ensigns (2:2) were then arranged from one end of heaven to the other” (Mt. 24:31); foursquare, in four groups of three, around the “toward any one of four directions” (Ezek. 1:17); Levites. Figure 3 above shows only the leading “the four corners of the earth” (Rev 7:1; 20:8); and tribe of each group. “the four winds of the earth” (7:1). In its foursquare perfection the Israelite camp Since Israel’s God is a God of perfection and foreshadowed spiritual Israel, which is portrayed order, it is not surprising to find the ‘square’ in symbol as the New Jerusalem, another perfect of perfect organisation and strength used in cube: “Its length, breadth, and height are equal” Scripture in connection with both natural and (Rev. 21:16). The spiritual Israel of the Kingdom spiritual Israel. If a square represents perfection, age are gathered from the four corners of the then a cube, which consists of six square faces, earth, and their cherubic work extends worldwide represents the ‘super-perfection’ of the immortal to the four points of the compass. state as represented by the cubic most holy place of the temple (1 Kgs. 6:20) and New Jerusalem Examples of squares and fours in Scripture (Rev. 21:16). There are many other examples of ‘squares’ and ‘fours’ in the Scriptures. These have been listed The foursquare camp of Israel in Table 2 overleaf, and it will be seen that they The camp of the Israelites in the wilderness was relate mostly to divine arrangements. Many of oriented to the cardinal points of the compass. these foursquare arrangements are stated as The tabernacle with its most holy place was at being oriented to the four cardinal points of the the very centre of the camp. The most holy place compass. Perhaps the garden of Eden, with its was a cube of 10 × 10 × 10 cubits, and there God entrance on the east side (Gen. 3:24), was also dwelt in the Shekinah glory that appeared above foursquare. Testimony, December 2017 Contents 441 The frequent occurrence in Scripture of ‘four’ with an examination of the chief characteristics and ‘foursquare’ gives weight to the suggestion of the creatures involved, and the significance of that the number four speaks of complete control, those characteristics in relation to the cherubim, supervision and effect, together with perfection together with lessons for those who seek to be- of strength and organisation. come incorporated into the multitudinous one This study of the four faces of the cherubim body in Christ. will be completed in the next part of this series, (To be continued)

Table 2 Foursquare arrangements The camp of Israel in the wilderness (Num. 2) The cubic most holy place in the tabernacle (Ex. 36) The altar of incense with its four horns (Ex. 37:25) The altar of burnt offering with its four horns (Ex. 38:1,2) The high priest’s breastplate (Ex. 39:9) The cubic most holy place in the temple (1 Kgs. 6:20) The bronze altar in Solomon’s temple (2 Chron. 4:1) The four living creatures and their four faces (Ezek. 1:5,10,15) The sanctuary and its plot (Ezek. 42:15-20; 45:2,4) The altar with its four horns (Ezek. 43:13) The foursquare district containing Yahweh’s portion and the city (Ezek. 48:20) The city called ‘Yahweh Shammah’ (Ezek. 48:30-35) The four living creatures seen by John (Rev. 4:6-8) The cubic New Jerusalem (Rev. 21:16)

Table 3 The number four Four horns on altars (Ex. 27:2; 38:2; Ezek. 43:15,20; Rev. 9:13) Four cherubim, each with four faces and four wings (Ezek. 1:5,6) Four wheels, one for each cherub (Ezek. 1:15) Four directions (north, south, east and west) (Ezek. 1:17) Four metal empires and four beast empires (Dan. chs. 2, 7) Four winds of heaven (Dan. 7:2; 8:8; 11:4; Mt. 24:31) Four heads and four wings of the leopard (Grecian Empire) (Dan. 7:6) Four horsemen and four chariots (Zech. 1:8; 6:1-3) Four enemy horns and four craftsmen (Zech. 1:18-20) Four living creatures (Rev. 4:6-8) Four horsemen, corresponding to the first four seals of the scroll (Rev. 6:1-8) Four angels, four winds and four corners of the earth (Rev. 7:1) Four angels bound at the great River Euphrates (Rev. 9:14,15) Four corners of the earth (Rev. 20:8)

Testimony, December 2017 442 Contents Your Letters

Who was the firstborn son of “punishment” of the king of Babylon would fall on Nebuchadnezzar’s grandson (27:6,7), when Josiah? “great kings [would] serve themselves of him.” It I wonder whether I might raise the following was during the reign of Belshazzar, Nebuchad­ suggestion with readers of the magazine and nezzar’s grandson, that Babylon fell to the Medes. invite their comments.1 Daniel was aware of all this. We know from 1 Chronicles 3:15 that Josiah had This prophecy of seventy years of desolation at least four sons. In this record they are called was given to Jeremiah in Nebuchadnezzar’s first Johanan, Jehoiakim, Zedekiah and Shallum. year (25:1), the very year in which Daniel was It is evident from Jeremiah 22:11 that Shallum taken captive. Thus Daniel would himself have corresponds to Jehoahaz, the son of Josiah taken been in exile for this same seventy years, and by the people to be king after his father’s death. therefore about one hundred years old in the first He was twenty-three when he began to reign and year of Darius the Mede when he “understood” reigned only three months before being replaced the prophecy and looked forward to and prayed by his brother Jehoiakim, who was twenty-five for its fulfilment. when he began to reign and was thus older than Another consideration is the order in which Jehoahaz (2 Kgs. 23:30,31,36). Zedekiah (also the sons of Josiah are listed in 1 Chronicles 3. known as Mattaniah) was the last king of Judah, It is evident that they are not listed strictly in succeeding Jehoiakim’s son Jehoiachin. We are order of birth. Zedekiah was twenty-one when therefore familiar with three of the sons of Josiah he began to reign (2 Kgs. 24:18), rather more than mentioned in Chronicles, but not the firstborn, eleven years after Jehoiakim began to reign at Johanan, who is apparently never mentioned in the age of twenty-five. Zedekiah must have been Scripture again. younger than both Jehoiakim and Jehoahaz. In the third (or fourth) year of the reign of Jehoahaz (or Shallum) could not therefore have Jehoiakim, Nebuchadnezzar, in the first year of been the youngest, even though he is described his own reign, first made siege against Jerusalem as “the fourth.” and took away treasure from the house of God Brother Stephen Palmer makes this point in (Dan. 1:1,2). He also took “certain of the children of his book Josiah and his Children,2 where he shows Israel, and of the king’s seed, and of the princes” that the term ‘firstborn’ can be applied to the most (v. 3). Prominent among these, of course, was prominent son. He cites the example, “Ephraim is Daniel himself. My suggestion is that Daniel, My firstborn” (Jer. 31:9), even though Manasseh being “of the king’s seed,” may have been Josiah’s was the physical firstborn of his father Joseph. ‘firstborn’ son, called Johanan in the Chronicles Applying this logic to 1 Chronicles 3, Johanan record. If this is the case, then as Josiah’s physical may have been the first, not in order of birth but firstborn he would have been older than Jehoi- rather in significance. This would relieve the akim, who was about twenty-eight or twenty-nine slight difficulty of Daniel’s age in the first year of years old when Nebuchadnezzar invaded. This Darius, and also strengthen the case that Johanan would make Daniel about thirty when he was was the most important son of Josiah. taken captive. If the above suggestion is correct, then it would Daniel was an avid reader of Scripture, and in indicate that Josiah had at least one godly son, particular the prophecies of Jeremiah. In Daniel for the other three mentioned in the Chronicles 9:1,2 we read that Daniel was aware of Jeremiah’s prophecy of seventy years of desolation for Jerusalem. This prophecy is found in Jeremiah 1. Readers are invited to send their comments to the 25:11,12, where we read of the king of Babylon Publishing Editor.—J.D.T. prevailing for seventy years over the land, after 2. Stephen Palmer, Josiah and his Children (The Christa- which he would be ‘punished.’ Furthermore, the delphian, 2007), p. 118. Testimony, December 2017 Contents 443 record would have been a source of grief to him Is anyone aware of anything which rules out had he been aware of their conduct. Daniel, the the above suggestion, and are there any other one “greatly beloved” (Dan. 10:11), was an excep- scriptures which bear on the likelihood or oth- tionally godly man who would have given good erwise of its validity? King Josiah great pleasure—and perhaps will yet Chris Davenport do so in the age to come. Rugby Contents Principles, preaching and problems The missing verse of Romans 16 Jeremy Thomas

Can New Testament textual criticism help us to confirm have said not,1 but how is the aver- our understanding of the ways in which the inspired age reader to decide such issues, and can a consideration of the manuscript authors wrote, and then circulated their writings? evidence for Romans 16 in particular shed any light on the way in which ROM TIME TO TIME the reader of a modern Paul’s letter was written and circulated? English translation of the New Testament Fmay come across a passage printed in square Textual variations brackets, and accompanied by a translators’ note Most readers of the Bible in translation appreci- expressing a degree of uncertainty whether the ate that there are numerous Greek manuscripts passage merits inclusion in the text. One example from which the translators have undertaken their I pondered recently, while reading in company, work, and that these manuscripts sometimes is Romans 16:24. In the AV this verse reads as differ from one another. Anyone who has tried follows: copy-typing, or copied out a document by hand, “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with will understand how easy it is for mistakes of you all. Amen.” transcription to be made (and this is to say noth- That is exactly what I read in my NASB, but there ing of any deliberate scribal changes to the New the words appear in brackets thus: Testament text). No matter how careful the New “[The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with Testament scribes have been, therefore, and no you all. Amen.]” matter how great their reverence for the Word of An adjacent marginal note states that early God while they transcribed it, it was inevitable manuscripts do not contain this verse. The RSV, that, over time, errors would creep into the text, from which my companion was reading, misses and that not all these errors would be spotted out verse 24 entirely, and in its place a marginal and corrected immediately afterwards. note reads: This fact is given due acknowledgement in the “Other ancient authorities insert verse 24, Brotherhood’s principal statement of faith: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you “THE FOUNDATION—That the book cur- all, Amen.” rently known as the Bible, consisting of the The NKJV follows the AV, but of the other transla- Scriptures of Moses, the prophets, and the tions which I consult regularly the RV, the NET, apostles, is the only source of knowledge the ESV and the NIV all omit the verse, most of them with a note indicating that there is doubt 1. “This verse is omitted in the Greek texts, and is about its genuineness. This leaves the AV and redundant, being merely a repetition of v. 20.” H. P. the NKJV in the minority. So, should the verse Mansfield,The Christadelphian Expositor: Romans, Logos be there or not? Other Christadelphian students Publications (1994), pp. 510–11. Testimony, December 2017 444 Contents concerning God and His purposes at present a practical option for most of us—or to rely on extant or available in the earth, and that the translations into our mother tongue. same were wholly given by inspiration of God The latter option seems to have scriptural in the writers, and are consequently without precedent, for I can think of no New Testament error in all parts of them, except such as may evidence that, as the apostles taught from the Old be due to errors of transcription or translation.” 2 Testament, they required their audiences to learn It is the original writings of Scripture which are Hebrew and Aramaic. They taught from the Old inspired, not transcriptions of them, and not Testament by translating it into the languages of translations of them into other languages—how- their hearers. This is not to suggest that today’s ever capable these later documents are of making translations of the Bible have the status of the “the man of God . . . complete, equipped for every apostles’ translations of the Old Testament into good work” (2 Tim. 3:17, ESV). Greek; whilst the apostles worked by the power It is fair to say that the vast majority of the tex- of the Holy Spirit, our translators did not. Nor tual variations in the Greek manuscripts available may it be sufficient to argue that the apostles to New Testament translators are insignificant, routinely used existing translations of the He- in that they make no material difference to the brew Scriptures when quoting from them. The meaning of the respective passages in which they fact that an apostle’s Greek quotation of an Old occur. A similar argument can be made for the Testament passage is identical to the Septuagint Old Testament, based on the manuscript evidence (for instance) may or may not be an indication of the Dead Sea Scrolls.3 At the other end of the that he is actually quoting from the Septuagint. spectrum, some of the more egregious errors in Inspiration is still at work in the New Testament New Testament manuscripts are obvious by their record of what he said and did. sheer bizarreness, for the more eccentric a reading One book which I have found helpful in try- of a verse is, the easier it is to spot. If readers are ing to reach a conclusion on variant readings of interested, it may be possible in a future article to New Testament passages is New Testament Text summarise some of the common ways in which and Translation Commentary by Philip Comfort.4 mistakes of transcription are thought to have Professor Comfort’s book is subtitled, “Commen- been made, illustrated by some biblical examples. tary on the variant readings of the New Testa- ment manuscripts and how they relate to major A less important variation English translations.” The description speaks for Although the disappearance of a complete verse itself. The Preface to the book reads as follows: in Romans 16 looks more serious at first sight, “The purpose of this work is to provide . . . the question of the ‘true’ version of this chap- serious Bible readers with a commentary on ter is one that can be discussed safely, with no the variant readings of the New Testament reason to doubt the divine authority of the text. that have significance for Bible interpretation The words of the AV’s verse 24 have already and Bible translation—and to do so in a format appeared verbatim in verse 20; in manuscripts which is communicative and informative to which contain both verses, the Greek appears to English readers as well as those who know be practically identical. No mainstream English G r e e k .” translation I have consulted misses out both The Preface goes on to explain that the book verse 20 and verse 24; so, on the grounds of the arose from a conversation between the professor manuscript evidence, we can confidently say that and one of his students, who asked him whether Paul’s benediction is part of the inspired Word of there was a reference source which explained the God. The only questions are: should it be in the textual variants of the New Testament. The pro- text twice or just once? and, if the latter, should fessor was obliged to reply that there was no such that be in verse 20 or verse 24? work unless one knew Greek, and so recognised

Access to the original manuscripts Like most readers of the New Testament, I am a 2. Foundation Clause, Birmingham Amended Statement of ‘layman’ in that I do not know the koinē Greek in Faith, 1886. 3. See Jay Mayock jnr., “Isaiah and the Dead Sea Scrolls— which it is written. For any guidance on textual is- reasons to believe,” Testimony Special Issue The Wonder sues, I am therefore reliant on experts. The simple of Isaiah, vol. 84, no. 994, May–Jun. 2014, p. 182. choice for us as readers of the Bible is either to 4. Philip W. Comfort, New Testament Text and Translation become proficient in its original languages—not Commentary (2008), Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. Testimony, December 2017 Contents 445 the need for a book to be written to address this “John never wrote the following words: ‘in problem. The rest, as they say, is history. heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit: and these three are one. And there are Transparency three that bear witness in earth.’ This famous The book provides an introductory explanation passage . . . came from a gloss7 on 5:8 which of the main principles of textual criticism. This explained that the three elements (water, is not a topic to worry us. Professor Comfort’s blood, and Spirit) symbolize the Trinity (the chosen definition of textual criticism is as follows: Father, the Word [Son], and the Spirit). This “the technique and art of restoring a text to its gloss had a Latin origin . . . ‘The heavenly original state, as far as possible, in the editing witnesses’ passage has not been found in of Greek and Latin authors.”5 the text of any Greek manuscript prior to the It seems to me that, within a community which fourteenth century . . . It has nothing to do subscribes to the doctrine of the “inspiration of with the Triune God . . .” 8 God in the writers,” there ought to be an appre- We may disagree with Professor Comfort’s alter- ciation of any discipline which can help us to native exposition of this passage, but the evidence establish reliably what those writers wrote. that the passage does not belong in our Bibles is In his Introduction the author provides brief concrete. notes on the perceived merits and demerits of There is an important practical point to be the principal Greek manuscripts and manuscript made from such examples: it is good practice types available to translators today. There are also for speakers and writers in our community to notes explaining which manuscripts lie behind check rigorously the validity of all the references fifteen specific English translations of the Bible. in their talks and articles if this is possible, lest These include all the major translations which an their doctrinal and expositional points be found average English-speaking Bible student is likely to depend on verses which textual criticism indi- to encounter in the course of his or her studies. cates should not be in the text. Imagine listening Finally in the Introduction there is a glossary of to an exhortation based on the AV of 1 John 5:7,8! some of the technical terms a student may come across in the field of New Testament textual Returning to Romans criticism. Where does this get us with Romans 16:24? With- Most of the book, however, consists of a out needing to overcomplicate things, it appears passage-by-passage commentary on the more im- that the translators’ treatment of this verse is portant textual variants in the Greek manuscripts connected to the remainder of the chapter (vv. of the New Testament. Some of the explanations 25-27), and indeed with all of Romans 15 and 16. offered are more technical than others. It is often The debate concerns Paul’s four ‘doxologies’ (15:33; a matter of opinion (even amongst the experts) 16:20; v. 24; vv. 25-27), specifically which of the how much weight should be given to a particular four should be regarded as the ‘true’ end of the manuscript or manuscript type—and opinion is letter. Scholars have pondered the possibility that sometimes very divided.6 Nevertheless, I have Romans originally consisted of only fourteen or found the commentary helpful in offering the fifteen chapters. There is scant evidence indeed layman (me) a fairly transparent explanation of for the first of these options—there are only hints why a certain passage has been translated as it of such a possibility in atypical second-century has. Furthermore, a student acquainted with such quotations of the epistle, and in a few Latin information is in a much better position to make manuscripts. In fact, all extant Greek manuscripts an informed overall decision about the strengths include all the last three chapters of Romans. and weaknesses of particular Bible translations. 5. Definition taken fromOxford Classical Dictionary (1970), Helpful information p. 1,048. On occasion, textual analysis of the New Testa- 6. Some of the issues are touched on in Which Translation, ment is very helpful for confirming typical Chris- The Testimony (Norwich, 2000). tadelphian explanations of doubtful passages. On 7. “A note made in the margin or between the lines of a book, in which the meaning of the text in its original the well-known ‘Johannine Comma’ in 1 John language is explained, sometimes in another language. 5:7,8, erroneously included in the AV and the Sometimes they were included by later copyists as part NKJV but rightly omitted from most translations, of the biblical text itself.” Comfort, Op. cit., p. xxxviii. Professor Comfort is uncompromising: 8. Ibid., p. 785. Testimony, December 2017 446 Contents Theories of fourteen- and fifteen-chapter versions If some of the ‘covering note’ of Romans 16 was of Romans, which require the rejection of chap- even recognised in Rome as being in Paul’s own ter 16, can reasonably be discounted, therefore, handwriting, this would give Phoebe particular however much one ‘feels’ that one of the earlier credibility as the bearer of the letter. Paul speaks doxologies marks the end of Paul’s letter. elsewhere of his autograph being “the sign of For some scholars, this still leaves Romans 16 as genuineness in every letter of mine” (2 Thess. something of a challenge. This is partly because 3:17, ESV). With this plausible scenario now in of Paul’s appeal for the Romans’ prayers and his view, one recalls too that Paul almost certainly doxology at the very end of chapter 15 (“Now the sent his handwritten letter addressed to Philemon God of peace be with you all. Amen”), which is as just such a ‘covering note’ to the Epistle to the not dissimilar in character to the way in which Colossians.11 Paul concludes other epistles, and partly because A further suggestion is that Paul wrote two chapter 16 feels so ‘different’ in style and content copies of his Epistle to the Romans, one intended from the rest of the epistle, or indeed from any- for Rome and accompanied by the personal greet- thing else Paul wrote. This is a subjective opinion, ings of chapter 16, and another for general circula- of course, and it is in danger of overlooking the tion amongst the ecclesias, in which the greetings doctrine of the inspiration of the New Testament, of chapter 16 would have been meaningless. for the Holy Spirit in Paul may have had no regard In none of these possible scenarios is the inspi- whatever for what today’s academic considers the ration of any part of the text of Romans compro- ‘style’ of the inspired author.9 mised. If a later scribe was ever presented with a manuscript of Romans which lacked ‘chapter 16,’ A covering note? yet he knew that this had always been accepted Comfort’s suggested answer to the ‘problems’ of by ecclesias as belonging with the letter proper, Romans 16 is imaginative, and worth sharing with then it would have been entirely appropriate for readers because it matches some of what Scripture him to include it within his transcription of the tells us about how Paul wrote and sent his letters. text. Ultimately, whether or not chapter 16 was Comfort postulates that the epistle proper written separately from the rest of the epistle, the ends at 15:33 and that chapter 16 was originally manuscript evidence helps to confirm it as part “a separate letter of recommendation for Phoebe of what Paul wrote; and Paul wrote—just as he (with personal greetings included), which was had preached Christ—“by the power of the Spirit later attached to the rest of the epistle.”10 This of God” (15:19).12 idea is attractive because one can easily imagine Paul himself, rather than his amanuensis Tertius (16:22), penning a separate note to accompany 9. For an article considering the issue of ‘style’ in the the actual letter, for the purpose of commend- inspired writers of Scripture, see Stephen Palmer, Testimony ing his chosen messenger Phoebe to the Roman “Inspiration and the human element,” Spe- cial Issue Inspiration, vol. 52, no. 619, Jul. 1982, p. 213. ecclesias. Paul describes Phoebe as “a servant 10. Comfort, op. cit., p. 479. [deacon] of the church which is at Cenchrea” (v. 1), 11. For a summary of the evidence, See Daniel Weatherall, suggesting that she was personally unknown to “Philemon: a lesson in reconciliation,” Testimony, vol. the believers in Rome and therefore in need of 84, no. 997, Sept. 2014, p. 335; also Alfred Norris, Acts formal introduction to them. The New Testament and Epistles, Aletheia Books (1989), p. 591. indicates that it was common practice at the time 12. An interesting case for the inspiration, and therefore the value, of Romans 16 is made in Louis Gaussen, for strangers to be introduced to congregations of Theopneusty: or, The Plenary Inspiration of the Holy believers by means of a letter written by one who Scriptures, John S. Taylor & Co. (1842), pp. 195–200. was already known and trusted by those believers The book is more frequently called Theopneustia; other (Acts 15:22,23,30; 28:21; 1 Cor. 16:3; 2 Cor. 3:1-3). translations and editions exist.

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Testimony, December 2017 Contents 447 Exposition The glorious and fearful name Geoff Cave

Reverential awe of God is a powerful motivating the command. If the latter is the case, influence for obedience in our lives—a lesson which, the then it would help to explain why Moses’ first visit to Pharaoh resulted Old Testament shows, Israel all too often failed to learn. in further hardship for Israel. Moses was learning that he could not bring N THE MIDST of the curses which would fall the nation out of bondage by his own means. on Israel if they were disobedient, as recorded As for Pharaoh, he was both ignorant of Israel’s Iin Deuteronomy 28, the nation was warned: God and not prepared to listen to what He had “If thou wilt not observe to do all the words to say. This is typical of the way many people of this law that are written in this book, that think; they are “willingly ignorant.” Pharaoh’s thou mayest fear this glorious and fearful ignorance resulted in rebellion and ultimately name, THE LORD THY GOD; then the LORD his destruction. will make thy plagues wonderful, and the plagues of thy seed, even great plagues, and A glorious name of long continuance, and sore sicknesses, and Regarding the ‘glorious’ aspect of Yahweh’s of long continuance. Moreover He will bring name, the mind is attracted to Moses’ question upon thee all the diseases of Egypt, which in Exodus 33:18, “. . . shew me Thy glory.” Moses thou wast afraid of; and they shall cleave unto experienced the physical glory of God while he thee” (vv. 58-60). was with the angel in the mount: “And it came to The nation were well aware of the plagues which pass, when Moses came down from mount Sinai had fallen on Egypt, resulting in their miraculous with the two tables of testimony in Moses’ hand, deliverance—sent because Pharaoh did not fear when he came down from the mount, that Moses that glorious and fearful name: wist not that the skin of his face shone while He “And afterward Moses and Aaron went in, talked with him” (34:29). The glory seen on the and told Pharaoh, Thus saith the LORD God face of Moses was only a reflection of the glory of of Israel, Let My people go, that they may the angel, whilst in turn the angel’s glory was a hold a feast unto Me in the wilderness. And reflection of the glory of Yahweh. How awesome Pharaoh said, Who is the LORD, that I should must be His physical glory! obey His voice to let Israel go? I know not the But following his request, Moses was shown LORD, neither will I let Israel go” (Ex. 5:1,2). the moral glory of Yahweh, which leads to the As an aside, it is worth mentioning that a care- salvation of His people: “And the LORD passed by ful reading of the record in Exodus shows that before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD Moses and Aaron did not say to Pharaoh what God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and was commanded: abundant in goodness and truth, keeping mercy “And the LORD said unto Moses, When thou for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgres- goest to return into Egypt, see that thou do all sion and sin, and that will by no means clear the those wonders before Pharaoh, which I have guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the put in thine hand: but I will harden his heart, children, and upon the children’s children, unto that he shall not let the people go. And thou the third and to the fourth generation” (vv. 6,7). shalt say unto Pharaoh, Thus saith the LORD, Two complementary aspects of the Father’s Israel is My son, even My firstborn: and I say character are seen here; both are necessary to unto thee, Let My son go, that he may serve effect the salvation of His children, and both are Me: and if thou refuse to let him go, behold, I of equal importance. Without mercy and grace, will slay thy son, even thy firstborn” (4:21-23). effective through the sacrifice of Christ, salvation Either the record is silent on further instructions would be beyond the reach of all. As Paul writes given to Moses, or he was not fully obedient to in Romans 3:23: “for all have sinned, and come Testimony, December 2017 448 Contents short of the glory of God.” Yet truth is equally noise of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking: important and vital. Without truth there is no sure and when the people saw it, they removed, and hope of salvation. The apostle writes in Hebrews stood afar off. And they said unto Moses, Speak 6:18, “by two immutable things, in which it was thou with us, and we will hear: but let not God impossible for God to lie, we . . . have a strong speak with us, lest we die” (vv. 18,19). The fear consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold they exhibited showed a lack of faith and of the upon the hope set before us.” reverential awe necessary to serve God aright.

A fearful name Failure in the wilderness The other aspect of God’s name in Deuteronomy Psalm 106 comments on Israel in the wilderness: 28 is that it is a ‘fearful’ name. This aspect is “Our fathers understood not Thy wonders in emphasised in the passage, being prefaced with Egypt; they remembered not the multitude of the comment, “that thou mayest fear” (v. 58). The Thy mercies; but provoked Him at the sea, even at Hebrew for ‘fearful’ and ‘fear’ is the same: yare. In the Red sea” (v. 7). The psalm proceeds to reveal the AV it is translated in the following ways: fear, the works of Israel in the wilderness: they lusted afraid, terrible, terrible thing, dreadful, reverence, exceedingly, they made a calf, they despised the fearful, terrible acts. Our fear for Yahweh has to pleasant land, they murmured in their tents, be more than a respect for Him and His Word; they joined themselves to Baal-peor. When they one brother may respect another but there may entered the land, be times when they do not agree. This happens “They did not destroy the nations, concerning because they are both fallible humans; but God whom the LORD commanded them: but were cannot be wrong: mingled among the heathen, and learned their “I the LORD speak righteousness, I declare works. And they served their idols: which things that are right . . . there is no God else were a snare unto them. Yea, they sacrificed beside Me; a just God and a Saviour; there their sons and their daughters unto devils” is none beside Me. Look unto Me, and be (vv. 34-37). ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am All this because they did not understand what God, and there is none else. I have sworn by Almighty God was doing with them. Had they Myself, the word is gone out of My mouth in listened carefully and ‘taken on board’ the eternal righteousness, and shall not return, That unto covenant God made with them, they would never Me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall have behaved as they did. They did not listen swear” (Isa. 45:19-23); carefully because they treated the Word of God “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nei- lightly; reverential awe was not present. As was ther are your ways My ways, saith the LORD. testified of them centuries later: “But they mocked For as the heavens are higher than the earth, the messengers of God, and despised [held in so are My ways higher than your ways, and contempt] His words, and misused His prophets, My thoughts than your thoughts” (55:8,9). until the wrath of the LORD arose against His As we contemplate the character of Yahweh, we people, till there was no remedy” (2 Chron. 36:16). can only stand in awe of Him and give Him So an awesome fear of Yahweh will lead to thanks that He has revealed Himself in the pages a careful and prayerful reading of His Word, of Scripture and through His Son. Further, we acknowledging that its teachings are not sug- give thanks that He has graciously called us to be gestions to be considered if it suits us, but rules part of His eternal purpose, a privilege He has not given by the all-wise Creator for the good of His afforded to the vast majority of people on earth. creation. This in turn will lead to a determination Returning to Israel at Sinai, we read in Exodus to put His commandments into practice, knowing 20:20, “And Moses said unto the people, Fear not: that looking for reasons to ignore them is not “for for God is come to prove you, and that His fear our good” (Deut. 6:24). “The fear of the LORD is may be before your faces, that ye sin not.” There the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding appears, on the surface, a contradiction in this have all they that do His commandments: His verse; Israel were not to fear and they were to fear. praise endureth for ever” (Ps. 111:10). When Moses said “Fear not” he was referring to the fact that they were terrified at the presence Fear God or fear the consequences of Yahweh on the mount: “And all the people If we have the right fear, awesome respect for saw the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the God, then we shall have nothing else to fear. The Testimony, December 2017 Contents 449 converse of this can be seen in those who treat the • “Surely His salvation is nigh them that fear Word of God as they would the word of man—on Him; that glory may dwell in our land” (85:9) a ‘take it or leave it’ basis. Perhaps they will at • “For as the heaven is high above the earth, some point experience the same fear that Israel so great is His mercy toward them that fear showed at Sinai. Or worse still: “and thy life shall Him” (103:11) hang in doubt before thee; and thou shalt fear day • “Ye that fear the LORD, trust in the LORD: He and night, and shalt have none assurance of thy is their help and their shield” (115:11) life: in the morning thou shalt say, Would God • “By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and it were even! and at even thou shalt say, Would by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil” God it were morning! for the fear of thine heart (Prov. 16:6) wherewith thou shalt fear, and for the sight of • “By humility and the fear of the LORD are thine eyes which thou shalt see” (Deut. 28:66,67). riches, and honour, and life” (22:4) The following passages show further the bless- • “But unto you that fear My name shall the ings which flow from having the right fear of God: Sun of righteousness arise with healing in • “And the LORD commanded us to do all these his wings” (Mal. 4:2) statutes, to fear the LORD our God, for our • “Then they that feared the LORD spake often good always, that He might preserve us alive, one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and as it is at this day” (6:24) heard it, and a book of remembrance was • “The secret of the LORD is with them that fear written before Him for them that feared the Him; and He will shew them His covenant” LORD, and that thought upon His name. And (Ps. 25:14) they shall be Mine, saith the LORD of hosts, • “The angel of the LORD encampeth round in that day when I make up My jewels; and about them that fear Him, and delivereth I will spare them, as a man spareth his own them” (34:7) son that serveth him” (3:16,17). Contents Pertinent pronouns (4) Geoff Henstock

ND GOD SAID, Let Us make man in Our likeness.” John Thomas in Phanerosis makes the image, after Our likeness: and let them point that “the plurality of Elohim in the work of have dominion over the fish of the sea, creation is manifest from Genesis 1:26—‘Let Us “A 1 and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, make man in Our image after Our likeness.’” It and over all the earth, and over every creep- is evident, therefore, that man was made in the ing thing that creepeth upon the earth. So God image and likeness of the angels, albeit at that created man in His own image, in the image of time inferior to them in regard to nature. God created He him; male and female created He The record goes on in verse 27 to say that “God them” (Gen. 1:26,27). [Elohim] created man in His own image . . . created The record of creation is familiar to all Bible He him . . . Created He them.” All these pronouns readers. Throughout Genesis 1 the creative work relating to the plural Elohim are singular. It is of the Almighty is ascribed to the Elohim, a plural likely that this change in pronouns is intended to word. Many commentators have noted, however, emphasise the personal involvement of Yahweh that the Hebrew verb translated “created” is sin- in the creation of man as “the image and glory gular, which indicates that the Elohim were acting of God” (1 Cor. 11:7), even though it was wrought as agents of the Creator. From Psalm 8:5 and its through His agents the angels. This is suggested quotation in Hebrews 2:9 it can be determined by the point made in Genesis 2:7 that “the LORD that it was the angels who acted as the Deity’s God [Yahweh Elohim] formed man of the dust agents in the work of creation (see also Job 38:4-7). of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the Consistent with the fact that it was angels who breath of life; and man became a living soul.” were acting in Genesis, when the first pronouns in the record appear in verse 26 they are in the 1. John Thomas, Phanerosis and Other Writings, p. 33 plural—“let Us make man in Our image, after Our (author’s emphasis). Testimony, December 2017 450 Contents News from the Nations

Compiled by Shaun Maher from material supplied by Jonie Barrett Trump’s Iran plans driving EU Vatican, Moscow and China: a new global religious and toward Russia and China spiritual hegemony The foreign policy of the Trump Relations between the Roman Catholic Church and Russia have administration is forcing a re- never been as strong as they are today. The Vatican foreign think of the traditional alliance envoy, Cardinal Parolin, has been cultivating strong relationships between the USA and Europe with the Russian Orthodox Church and Vladimir Putin. Pope that has been the norm since the Francis is a shrewd operator, as is Mr Putin. Both understand end of the Second World War. that the combined power of church and state will help them to European nations are nervous maintain, project and increase their power and influence. Full and are looking elsewhere. Eyes story at are now turning eastwards to http://moderndiplomacy.eu/index.php?option=com_ Russia and China. Full story at k2&view=item&id=2904:vatican-moscow-china-a-new-global- religious-and-spiritual-hegemony https://www.reuters.com/article/ us-iran-nuclear-trump-germany/ trumps-iran-plans-driving-eu-to INDIA PARTICIPATES IN JOINT MILITARY EXERCISE ward-russia-and-china-germany- WITH ISRAEL FOR FIRST TIME idUSKBN1CH2OK Following the very cordial visit of India’s prime minister to Israel earlier in 2017 and record levels of trade between India and Israel, in Novem- ber Indian troops joined Israeli troops in a joint military exercise. This Israel provides free medical burgeoning economic and military alliance between Israel and India is care for Syrians injured in being driven, at least in part, by a common Muslim enemy. Full story at civil war https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20171114-india-takes-part- Over the past six years, thousands in-first-ever-military-drill-with-israel/ of injured Syrians have been treated in an Israeli military field hospital How strongly is NATO ally Turkey pivoting to Russia and Iran? in the Golan Heights. The recent Turkey’s relationship with the West and the NATO alliance appears political scandal involving Priti Patel, to be in terminal decline. With every passing month more evidence the British minister for international emerges of strengthening links between Russia and Turkey. As we development, who held unofficial see the relationship between Israel and the Gulf states developing meetings whilst on a holiday to Is- in the south, so in parallel we see Russia, Turkey and Iran coming rael, is also linked to this story. One closer together in the north. Full story at https://www.csmonitor. of her meetings was to explore ways com/World/Middle-East/2017/0922/How-strongly-is-NATO-ally- to secure funds from the UK to allow Turkey-pivoting-to-Russia-and-Iran this work to continue. Eventually Ms Patel was forced to resign, but the There is one conclusion: the universe should not exist work of the field hospital continues. Scientists at CERN (the European organisation for nuclear research) One wonders whether the same studying the relationship between matter and anti-matter have kindness would be extended the reached the conclusion that the forces in the universe are so pow- other way if the tables were turned. erful and mutually destructive that the universe really shouldn’t Also, why have these important and be here. The probabilities involved are causing leading minds to noteworthy stories gone largely un- question whether our existence is as the result of the action of an reported in the Western media? Full as yet “unknown entity.” We might respond as Paul did on Mars’ story at https://www.timesofisrael. Hill: “What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to com/uk-minister-sought-to-help- you. The God who made the world and everything in it . . .” (Acts fund-idf-humanitarian-aid-to- 17:23,24, ESV). Full story at http://m.ign.com/articles/2017/10/24/ syrian-war-casualties/ cern-scientists-conclude-that-the-universe-should-not-exist Testimony, December 2017 Contents 451 Watchman Storm clouds gather on Israel’s northern border Shaun Maher

EVELOPMENTS in recent months have seen the so-called Islamic State (IS) more Dor less removed from its last strongholds in Syria and Iraq. The downfall of IS in Syria has come about as the result of the combined power of Russia, Iran and Hezbollah coming together to support the Syrian army and prop up president Assad.1 The Syria emerging from the rubble looks very different from the pre-Arab Spring Syrian state. The latter was relatively prosperous, with a thriv- ing middle class comprised of highly educated professionals, doctors, teachers, engineers and the like. Many, if not most, of these fled the country to escape the ravages of the civil war, leaving only the poor, the militias, various political factions and foreign fighters. Syria has in effect become a disempowered puppet state with a number of foreign powers and rebel factions active in the different areas of the country. With their mission almost complete and a ceasefire of sorts in place between other rebel Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammad bin factions, the troops from Russia and Iran, along Salman. with Hezbollah, are taking steps to maintain their in order to establish influence and power. With presence in Syria.2,3,4 Russia’s military presence Iran appearing to have had a number of suc- is widely known about and at present offers no cesses of late, not just militarily in Syria but also threat to Israel. The same cannot be said, however, in Iraq, and diplomatically with the wider world of Iran or Hezbollah—both of whom openly state (President Trump excepted!), the ire of regional their intent to destroy the Jewish State and expel rival Saudi Arabia has been raised. Crown Prince or kill its Jewish occupants. Evidence is now Mohammad bin Salman, defence minister and emerging of both Iranian and Hezbollah activity heir to the throne, is young and ambitious. He in southern Syria, a development that has been has been emboldened by support from the USA, of great concern to the Israeli government, which and, from his policies and actions to date, ap- now has an array of combatants gathering on her pears to want to take on Iran through diplomatic northern borders, stretching from the Mediter- manoeuvrings and proxy conflicts. Any of these ranean coast of Lebanon across and down along the Syrian border to Jordan. 1. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/nov/09/isis- Tensions rising ousted-syria-stronghold-albu-kamal-islamic-state-iraq 2. As the war in Syria winds down, it may be that http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Israel-unveils-new- Hezbollah-leader-on-Syria-border-508368 eyes will now turn to another much greater 3. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-41945189 prize—that is, Israel. A number of regional pow- 4. https://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2017/11/ ers are ramping up tensions in the Middle East israel-hezbollah-russia-syria-iran-golan-conflict.html Testimony, December 2017 452 Contents headline in the Spectator read: “Saudi Arabia has united with Israel against Iran—and a desert storm is brewing.” This is an interesting choice of words that perhaps calls to mind the words of the prophet Isaiah (21:1,2) and his description of the Old Testament judgements and conflicts that concerned some of the very nations we are considering in this article. Perhaps we are see- ing the beginnings of a latter-day outpouring of judgement on the same nations. Added to this there are increasing reports that the clandestine alliance between Saudi Arabia and Israel, and the strong support of the USA for a Saudi-led peace plan for Israel, are leading the Saudis to increase pressure on the Palestinian leadership to accept terms for peace.10,11 Of course, these reports are vigorously denied by Mahmoud Abbas,12 but if Saudi Arabia can persuade the Arab leadership in Israel to join their anti-Iranian coalition, then things could get very interesting.

On a war footing The removal of the Lebanese prime minister by Lebanon’s Prime Minbister Saad Hariri, who Saudi Arabia is likely to lead to political instabil- resigned in Saudi Arabia in early November. ity in Lebanon, which in turn raises the prospect He later “suspended” his resignation pending of an Israeli confrontation with Hezbollah in “further consultation.” southern Lebanon to protect citizens living in the have the potential to escalate into a full blown, northern areas of Israel. At the time of writing it face-to-face war, which could eventually spell is unclear how things will develop, but there is disaster for the stability of the region and the widespread expectation that open conflict is now economy of the wider world. much more likely.13 The war in Yemen is a case in point; and when Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Iranian-backed forces launched a missile towards has also spoken openly to the world’s media about the Saudi capital Riyadh in November, the Saudi the Iranian presence in Syria. He stated that Israel government announced that it was treating it as an “act of war.”5 A few days on into November, the stakes were raised even further, with the res- 5. https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/06/world/middleeast/ yemen-saudi-iran-missile.html ignation of Lebanon’s prime minister, allegedly 6. http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/11/hariri-held- on the grounds that he feared an assassination refusing-confront-hezbollah-171112060742360.html plot against him. Subsequent information and 7. https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/1.822032 analysis has suggested that he was effectively 8. http://www.jpost.com/Middle-East/Saudi-urges-resi removed by the Saudis because of his collusion dents-to-leave-Lebanon-as-tensions-heat-up-Middle- with Hezbollah and for failing to take a stronger East-513812 stand against the proxy Iranian military power 9. https://www.spectator.co.uk/2017/11/saudi-arabia-has- 6,7 united-with-israel-against-iran-and-a-desert-storm-is- in his own backyard. The Gulf States seem to brewing/ be preparing for the worst, as the recent instruc- 10. http://www.jpost.com/Middle-East/Report-Saudi-docu tion to all Saudi, Kuwaiti and Bahraini citizens to ment-lays-out-plans-for-peace-with-Israel-514200 leave Lebanon “immediately” seems to indicate.8 11. http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/abbas-riyadh-sau dis-court-palestinian-support-alliance-israel-113726755 A desert whirlwind 12. http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/11/palestinians- Saudi Arabia’s moves to stem Iranian influence in reject-reports-saudi-pressure-abbas-171114080542464. html the region have further strengthened its natural 13. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/nov/11/is 9 alliance with Israel. The angels are undoubtedly rael-leadership-talks-up-another-war-with-hezbollah- at work manoeuvring the nations into place. One lebanon Testimony, December 2017 Contents 453 will not allow these enemies to establish bases in this period can be found in Judges 2:1-5,11-15; Syria, and also that any threat from Hezbollah in 3:7,8; 4:1,2 and so throughout the record). southern Lebanon will be dealt with very firmly Israel today has generally been in the ascend- and decisively.14 In Trump-like fashion he also ency over her enemies for the last seventy years took to social media, stating on Twitter: “Iran is or so—relatively a very short period of time. But attempting to establish itself militarily in Syria. even in modern times the Jews remain plagued I told the Russian DM [defence minister]: Iran by enemies from within and without, and cannot needs to understand that Israel will not allow rest. This threat is so real and ever-present that t h i s .” 15 It sounds as if Israel is letting the world Israel has one of the world’s highest proportions know that it is likely to act militarily in the face of its population trained for military service. Only of this threat. nations like North Korea have a higher proportion Despite the Saudi attempts to pressure the of the population trained for combat.18 Palestinians into more conciliatory mood, the Not only this, but Israel’s enemies still pos- recent attempts at reunification between Hamas sess key tracts of land that are historically Jew- and Fatah still have the potential to revitalise the ish heartland, large areas of the West Bank and threat to Israel from within. If the moves towards the Temple Mount being the two most obvious reconciliation succeed and the ruling factions in pieces of real estate still in the hands of those who these two territories stop fighting with each other, hate the Jews. The presence of these enemies is then that is probably bad news for Israel—unless, a source of great tension in the land, and those of course, they acquiesce to the Saudi influence who have visited Temple Mount or an Arab town described above.16 in the West Bank have been left in no doubt how these enemies feel about their Jewish cousins and Perpetual enmity their claim to sovereignty. The condemnation of Throughout her history as a nation there has the Arab nations by the prophet Ezekiel (ch. 35) rarely been a time when Israel has not been comes to mind. In Ezekiel’s time God said that he surrounded by enemies intent on her destruc- would judge Mount Seir (Edom) because: tion. Except perhaps for relatively short periods • they “cherished perpetual enmity” (v. 5) during the reigns of David, Solomon and one or • they “did not hate bloodshed” (v. 6) two others, Israel has been under constant threat • they said, “These two nations . . . shall be mine, of annihilation. Even in the Diaspora, Jews were and we will take possession of them” (v. 10) at best subjected to overt discrimination, and at • they “magnified [themselves] against [God] worst slaughtered indiscriminately on a horrify- with [their] mouth” (v. 13) ing scale. All this is a powerful witness to God’s • they said, “Aha . . . The ancient heights have purpose and His Word. As the inspired words become our possession” (36:2). of Moses recorded more than 3,000 years ago It may be that we will see a latter-day fulfilment testify: of these words too. “But if you will not obey the voice of the LORD your God or be careful to do all His No more pricking briar commandments and His statutes that I com- When the time comes for Israel to recognise the mand you today, then all these curses shall Messiah and the Jews are reconciled to God (Zech. come upon you and overtake you . . . And 12:10), the words of the prophet Ezekiel will be the LORD will scatter you among all peoples, fulfilled in their entirety: from one end of the earth to the other . . . “I will make with them a covenant of peace And among these nations you shall find no and banish wild beasts from the land, so that respite, and there shall be no resting-place for they may dwell securely in the wilderness and the sole of your foot, but the LORD will give you there a trembling heart and failing eyes 14. https://aawsat.com/english/home/article/1082226/israel- and a languishing soul” (Deut. 28:15,64,65).17 threatens-destroy-iranian-base-syria Even when they are in the land, both formerly 15. https://t.co/lmKCY7xivT; https://twitter.com/netanyahu and now, when Israel is estranged from God 16. https://idsa.in/idsacomments/fatah-hamas-reconcilia there is no respite from enemies—as illustrated in tion-and-prospects-for-the-elusive-palestinian-unity_ mmquamar_031117 the time of the Judges, for example. When Israel 17. Bible quotations are from the ESV. obeyed God they had rest; when they disobeyed 18. http://www.nationmaster.com/country-info/stats/Mili they were plagued by enemies (examples from tary/Personnel/Per-capita Testimony, December 2017 454 Contents sleep in the woods. And I will make them and give the nation a new heart filled with His spirit the places all round My hill a blessing, and I (36:26,27)—not because Israel has excelled, but, on will send down the showers in their season; the contrary, despite their hard-hearted rebellion they shall be showers of blessing . . . They shall and their failure to rise above the profanity of no more be a prey to the nations, nor shall the the nations around them (v. 23). He will do these beasts of the land devour them. They shall things in order to declare His holy name, that the dwell securely, and none shall make them nations might know Him: “the nations will know afraid . . . And they shall know that I am the that I am the LORD, declares the Lord GOD, when LORD their God with them, and that they, the through you I vindicate My holiness before their house of Israel, are My people, declares the eyes . . . Then the nations that are left all around Lord GOD” (34:25,26,28,30). you shall know that I am the LORD” (vv. 23,36). Looking to the north we see that the prophet The events we have been considering indicate also has words of judgement concerning Israel’s clearly that God is at work and is bringing the enemies in the region of Sidon. This is the south- Gentile age to its fulfilment, drawing the nations ern area of Lebanon controlled today by Israel’s together. These things give us encouragement as arch-enemy, and Iran’s proxy army, Hezbollah. we look forward to that day when God’s spirit Of the enemies in this region the prophet speaks: will fill our hearts and energise our bodies to do “And for the house of Israel there shall be no His work and bring the nations to a knowledge more a brier to prick or a thorn to hurt them of His glory and power. The continued threat of among all their neighbours who have treated Iran and Hezbollah, and the growing alliance them with contempt. Then they will know of Israel with Saudi Arabia (the biblical territory that I am the Lord GOD” (28:24). of Dedan and Sheba), are precisely the sort of There will be a time once more when this enemy developments we have been waiting and watch- will also be removed and no longer trouble Israel. ing for. We hope that these developments mean that the Kingdom age is drawing near—the time I will put My spirit in you when our Master will raise the faithful of old and To experience a lasting and restful peace, the call those of us who remain to meet with him nation of Israel needs to be reconciled to God, (1 Thess. 4:15-17). Our sincere prayer is that our but they cannot be reconciled to God until they God will soon execute the written judgements, have looked upon, and accepted, the risen Christ and bring justice and peace at the hand of His in all his glory. In that day the Almighty will Son, our Saviour, the Lord Jesus.

“Heaven and earth will pass away” In his Olivet Prophecy, spoken shortly before his arrest and crucifixion, the Lord Jesus spoke to his disciples of things which would “pass away” and things which would “not pass away”: “. . . when you see all these things, recognise that he is near, right at the door. Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away” (Mt. 24:32-35, NASB). Much has been written about the meaning of the word “generation” and the time period that the Lord may have indicated by the use of this word. Did he mean that, within forty years of the re-establishment of the nation of Israel, his followers would see his coming again? Or was it fifty years? Or seventy years? Bible verses have been put forward as supplying evidence for each of these explanations. But very nearly seventy years have passed, and still the Lord is not here. It is more likely, therefore, that the Lord was not referring to a specific time period, but to the “generation” of the people of Israel. The phrase “heaven and earth” can then be understood as a reference to the nation as it was currently constituted—the political and religious system of Israel, sometimes referred to as ‘the Mosaic order,’ which would soon come to an end in the horrific events of AD 70. The Jewish nation and system of things would soon be removed—but the Jewish people would never be destroyed. This understanding of “heaven and earth” would be consistent with 2 Peter 3:7: “But by His word the present heavens and earth are being reserved for fire, kept for the day of judgement and destruction of ungodly men” (NASB).

Testimony, December 2017 Contents 455 Exposition The work of God on men’s hearts 8. God at work amongst believers Stephen Green

O CONCLUDE, we will look at God’s work The human contact with this work is, as Paul on men as expressed in general statements says, through faith—that is, faith in the gospel. Ttaken from the Epistles, and draw out some And he confirms this in joy when writing to the of the principles involved. Philippians, making request in prayer “for your It is fundamental to God’s work that He can fellowship in furtherance of the gospel from the do as He wishes: “. . . predestinated according to first day until now; being confident of this very the purpose of Him who worketh all things after thing, that He which began a good work in you the counsel of His own will: that we should be to will perfect it until the day of Jesus Christ” (Phil. the praise of His glory . . .” (Eph. 1:11,12). 1:5,6, RV). So the work of God in them continues As part of the work expressed in this pas- while their faith is sufficient to share with Paul sage, we are not permitted to propose our own and Timothy in promoting the gospel. constraints upon God’s activity; but for the same reason, neither can we deny Him the opportunity ‘Work out’ and ‘work in’ to define His own constraints. Being a God of There is a well-used passage from Philippians: truth, He limits Himself by His own Word. If “So then, my beloved, even as ye have always He makes a promise, He is constrained to keep obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now it; or if He claims to work in a particular way, much more in my absence, work out your own our understanding of God should be moulded salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God to fit His claim. which worketh in you both to will and to work, The theme we have pursued in this study for His good pleasure” (2:12,13, RV). is God’s work of creation of spiritual sons and Although, of course, God is the basic source daughters, and the passages we are now to ex- of salvation, salvation was ‘worked out’ (that is, amine tell the purpose of that work and how it brought into effect) for the Philippians by their is accomplished. obedience to Paul; thus verse 12 is saying that their “own” part was needful. But God was the The work of God true source of their salvation, so it was “God We are “the work of God” (Rom. 14:20): “even which worketh in you.” If “to will and to work” when we were dead through our trespasses, refer to God’s will and His working, then verse [God has] quickened us together with Christ . . . 13 is simply saying that God was working in the For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Philippians to effect His good pleasure. If, as an- Jesus for good works . . .” (Eph. 2:5,10, RV). Paul other possibility, the will and the work belonged explains that it is not by human works that we to the Philippians, then the verse is saying that are saved, but by grace; it is by the gift of God, God was at work in them to create a will, a de- which works through faith (vv. 8,9). In this work, sire, for God’s good pleasure, and an execution God has brought the Gentiles near to Himself in of it. the blood of Christ (v. 13), and both Jews and Gen- In either case, the means by which God worked tiles together are reconciled to God through the upon the Philippians in practice was through cross, Christ “having slain the enmity thereby” Paul, through the message he brought, which they (v. 16). were to receive “with fear and trembling.” Paul Testimony, December 2017 456 Contents is emphasising in verse 13 that it was not merely among us, and will certainly continue to wane if him, a mere man, they would be obeying, but we believe that the Scriptures do not effectually God, who was working in them through Paul, and work in those who believe. whose good pleasure they would be fulfilling. The effectiveness of God’s work as seen in the above passage depends on faith. A similar The power at work dependence is seen when Peter writes to those The greatness of God’s power in working on our “who are kept by the power of God through behalf is stressed in Paul’s letter to the Ephesians: faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the “. . . that ye may know . . . what is the exceeding last time” (1 Pet. 1:5). Peter is speaking of God’s greatness of His power to us-ward who believe, work of preserving the elect to the incorrupt- according to the working of His mighty power” ible inheritance reserved for them (v. 4). Success (1:18,19). But we must recognise that this working depends upon our faith, which after trial will is, as verses 20 and 22 say, what God “wrought be found to “praise and honour and glory at the in Christ, when He raised him from the dead, appearing of Jesus Christ” (v. 7). and set him . . . over all things to the church.” He quickened us with Christ and forgave us our Residing place for the glory of God sins (2:1,5,6,8; also Col. 2:12,13). The dependence of God’s work upon our faith The same power worked “mightily” through also emerges from a passage in Ephesians looked the preaching and labour of Paul to warn and at earlier: “. . . that we should be to the praise of teach “every man in all wisdom” and “present His glory, who first trusted in Christ. In whom every man perfect in Christ Jesus” (Col. 1:28). ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of The work involved the co-operation of Paul. The truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also exceeding abundant working of this power, above after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that all that we ask or think, can work in us (Eph. holy Spirit of promise” (1:12,13). 3:20) to effect that same perfection, the fullness Another important point made by the apostle of God (v. 19). But this perfection is accomplished is that, as the work of God, we can be to the praise only in so far as we allow the Word of God to of God’s glory. We are built as parts of a dwelling operate as the power which is at work within us place for God, fitly framed and built together as (v. 20, NIV). a holy temple: “. . . in whom ye also are builded God’s power worked in Paul to effect the together for an habitation of God through the preaching of this Word by the gift of grace (vv. Spirit” (2:22). The perfection of God’s work pro- 7,8)—that is, by the miraculous gifts of healing motes His glory. But the glory of our Lord Jesus and inspiration, by which the Spirit divided to Christ is also fostered by the work, since by the every man as He willed (1 Cor. 12:6-11), whether grace of God he tasted death for every man. This apostles, prophets, teachers, miracles or other gifts prayer from the Letter to the Hebrews expresses (v. 28). God gave diverse gifts by the one Spirit, that glory: so that the whole body might profit as a living “Now the God of peace, that brought again organism, not a robot. In this way He worked in from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great and through the body of Christ. shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you perfect in The Word of God working by faith every good work to do His will, working in The Word, having been given through the lips you that which is wellpleasing in His sight, of Paul, subsequently worked in the hearts and through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for minds of those who heard and believed it: “For ever and ever. Amen” (13:20,21). this cause also thank we God without ceasing, The work of perfection is achieved through Jesus because, when ye received the word of God Christ, through faith in his resurrection from the which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the dead, and his daily care for his sheep. word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that For the praise of God’s glory believe” (1 Thess. 2:13). The graciousness of God is expressed toward Do we believe that the Word works effectually us in the work performed upon us. God is not in those who believe it? If we do, we will have glorified by misunderstanding the work of His that incentive to read it and make it part of our spiritual creation, any more than He is glorified lives. Daily Bible reading may be on the wane by a misunderstanding of the way in which He Testimony, December 2017 Contents 457 made the natural creation. He is not glorified During this study we have looked at the work by suggesting that He works upon believers in- of God upon men as exemplified in the lives of ternally and directly to change their characters various men and women from the biblical record. without His having clearly stated that this is so. In many cases the work of God appears to have To invent such a thought ourselves would be to been successful. All Christ’s followers await the tell God what He ought to do, as denying a clear judgement for divine analysis and pronounce- statement would be to tell Him what He ought ment of success. May His work upon those who not. And offering some false means to perfection read these words be successful, that at that time will, at the very least, distract from God’s own we may rejoice greatly, and praise God for what means provided. He has done in us. Contents (Concluded)

Archaeology Israel and the Canaanites David Burges

When a recent genetic study showed that the DNA the region today. They concluded that sequences of ancient Canaanites and modern Lebanese present-day Lebanese derive around share many common features, the authors declared, in ninety per cent of their ancestry from the ancient Canaanites, implying passing, that this showed the Bible to be wrong, since “the significant genetic continuity in the Bible reports the destruction of the Canaanite cities and the Levant since at least the Bronze Age.3 annihilation of its people . . . if true, the Canaanites could not have directly contributed genetically to present-day The Canaanites populations.” Although this is not what the Bible reports, The various Canaanite tribes inhab- ited an area bounded by Anatolia this was the feature of the report that made headlines in (modern Turkey) to the north, Meso- the world’s press. Corrections subsequently appeared in potamia to the east, and Egypt to small print in some of the web editions.1 the south, with access to Cyprus and Greece through the Mediterranean. URRENT RESEARCH in the field of human Few textual records have survived from the Ca- genetics is seeking to uncover the genetic naanites themselves, however, which is possibly Cmake-up of ancient peoples, in order to related to their use of papyrus instead of clay for discover their relationship to other ancient popu- records. Most of their history known today has lations and to assess their genetic contribution to been reconstructed from ancient Egyptian and present-day populations. Dramatic improvements Greek records, the Hebrew Bible, and archaeo- have been made in the technology of recovering logical excavations. In their published paper the and sequencing the DNA of human remains from researchers stated: archaeological sites, allowing new light to be cast “Uncertainties also surround the fate of the on the history of ancient peoples. Canaanites: the Bible reports the destruction of A recent study by scientists from the Welcome the Canaanite cities and the annihilation of its Foundation’s Sanger Institute in Cambridge, UK, people; if true, the Canaanites could not have compared the genome sequences of ancient Ca- directly contributed genetically to present- naanites and present-day Lebanese.2 The ancient day populations. However, no archaeological DNA was recovered from the base of the skulls of evidence has so far been found to support five individuals, dated to between about 1750 and widespread destruction of Canaanite cities 1650 BC, uncovered from ancient remains in the between the Bronze and Iron Ages: cities on area of the port city of Sidon. This was compared the Levant coast such as Sidon and Tyre show with the DNA of ninety-nine Lebanese living in continuity of occupation until the present.”4 Testimony, December 2017 458 Contents dwelt in Mount Lebanon . . .” (3:3). Consequently, the results The Telegraph 28 July 2017 of the failure of the tribes to obey the commands of the Law Headline: Study shows ancient Canaanites were as predicted: they “dwelt survived divine call in Bible for them to be among the Canaanites . . . And they took their daughters to wiped out be their wives, and gave their daughters to their sons; and Correction: The original version of this story they served their gods” (vv. 5,6). erroneously said the Bible claimed the Canaanites were wiped out. However, elsewhere in the Bible, it says the The Bible was right It is sad that, based on incorrect elimination was not successful. information, the Word of God has once again been denigrated The basis for the claim that the Bible “reports in the press, when in fact the scientific research in- . . . annihilation of [the Canaanites]” is based volved actually confirms the accuracy of the Bible upon the instructions concerning warfare and record. The Canaanites have indeed survived to the conquest of the Land in the Law of Moses: modern times and, as it happens, are still largely “But of the cities of these peoples which the hostile to the chosen people. In the words of the LORD your God gives you as an inheritance, psalmist: “The word of the LORD is proven; He you shall let nothing that breathes remain is a shield to all who trust in Him” (Ps. 18:30). alive, but you shall utterly destroy them: the Hittite and the Amorite and the Canaanite . . . lest they teach you to do according to all their 1. Chris Graham, “Study shows ancient Canaanites abominations . . .” (Deut. 20:16-18).5 survived divine call in Bible for them to be wiped o u t ,” Telegraph Science, 28 Jul. 2017, http://www.telegraph. It is important to note that this injunction ap- co.uk/science/2017/07/28/study-disproves-bibles-claim- plied only to cities within the land designated ancient-canaanites-wiped/; similar reports can be for Israel’s occupation; an offer of peace could found at: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/27/science/ be made to cities further off (vv. 10,11). The area ancient-canaanites-bible-lebanon.html; http://www. which is now southern Lebanon certainly came independent.co.uk/news/science/bible-canaanites- within the northernmost area of the land allocated wiped-out-old-testament-israelites-lebanon-descend to the tribes (Josh. 13:2-6). The western, coastal ants-discovered-science-dna-a7862936.html; http:// www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-4733046/ area, as far as Tyre and Sidon, was appointed for Canaanites-ancestors-modern-day-people-Lebanon. Asher (19:24-31), while Naphtali was allocated the html; https://www.timesofisrael.com/the-canaanites- eastern area towards the River Jordan and the werent-annihilated-they-just-moved-to-lebanon/ Sea of Galilee (vv. 32-39). 2. “Continuity and admixture in the last five millennia The Bible makes clear, however, that these of Levantine history from ancient Canaanite and tribes neither exterminated nor drove out the present-day Lebanese genome sequences,” M. Haber American Journal of Human Genetics Canaanite inhabitants of these areas, but rather et al., , vol. 101, pp. 274–82, 3 Aug. 2017. settled among them: “Nor did Asher drive out 3. It should be noted that these conclusions are based on the inhabitants of Acco or the inhabitants of Sidon complex statistical analysis and that the authors also . . . So the Asherites dwelt among the Canaanites admit that they found that modern Sardinians and . . . Nor did Naphtali drive out the inhabitants of North Italians shared significantly more genes with Beth Shemesh or the inhabitants of Beth Anath; ancient Sidonians when compared with the Lebanese. but they dwelt among the Canaanites . . .” (Judg. In this regard, it is known that the Phoenicians (the Greek name for the Canaanites) created extensive 1:31-33). We are further informed that God actu- colonies around the Mediterranean, including some ally left strong nations in the Land to test Israel: in Sardinia. “. . . namely, five lords of the Philistines, all the 4. “Continuity and admixture,” op cit. Canaanites, the Sidonians, and the Hivites who 5. Bible quotations are from the NKJV. Multiple subscriptions Multiple subscriptions for 2018 may now be ordered via the magazine’s website: http:// testimonymagazine.com/shop/subscriptions

Testimony, December 2017 Contents 459 Prophecy Haggai Apathy, attitude and anticipation Ian Coates

The short prophecy of Haggai consists of four distinct year of King Darius”1 (520 BC). They messages from God, each directed to a different listener relate to rebuilding the temple that has lain waste since the Babylonian or combination of listeners, and all designed to address destruction of 586. Their aim is to attitudes that were preventing God’s work on behalf of the encourage, rebuke and spur on their nation being completed. recipients to activity.

ESPITE HAGGAI BEING described at the Background: rebuilding the temple start of his book as “the prophet,” he is Figure 1 shows events recorded by Ezra the scribe, Dnot a man who records vivid symbolic who recounts this historical background in the dreams or who is sent specifically to condemn first six chapters of the book that bears his name. sin. Rather, in the true meaning of Hebrew nabi, He tells how the Persian King Cyrus decreed he relays messages from God. His book records that Israelites should rebuild God’s temple in what can be considered as four ‘letters’ that God Jerusalem, appointing Zerubbabel and the high sends to key people in Jerusalem “in the second priest Jeshua to lead that work. The ‘team’ ar- rives in 536 BC, but serious BC opposition from the people 2

Start of Persian rule (539) in the land (Ezra 4:4) halts 540 Cyrus’ decree to rebuild the temple (538) the rebuilding in 526. Zerubbabel and Jeshua return and commence rebuilding (536) By 520 things have wors- ened; not only has the Jews’ 1–6) (chs. record historical Ezra’s work been thwarted, but 530 their crops are regularly Opposition stops work (526) being ruined by blight, mil- dew and drought (Hag. God’s messages via Haggai (520) 1:6,11; 2:16,17). Not surpris- 520 Zechariah’s prophecy starts (519) ingly, the people’s morale is Temple restored (515) low, and Haggai is sent to explain the reasons for their problems and to encourage 510 them to restart their task.

460 Ezra arrives with more articles for the temple (458) 1. Bible quotations are from the

Nehemiah Ezra’s personal account NKJ V. 2. Assyrian policy had been to replace exiled inhabit- 450 ants with people from other nations. Ezra 4:2 shows that Nehemiah rebuilds city walls (444) “the people of the land” who opposed the Jews’ rebuild-

440 ing were foreigners deported there earlier by the Assyr- Figure 1. Historical events in Haggai and Ezra. ians. Testimony, December 2017 460 Contents Zerubbabel and Jeshua Ezra 5:2 tells of the two key figures in Jerusalem at this time: Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel and Je- Aaron shua son of Jozadak. The Persian king appointed Zerubbabel as the secular leader of those who returned. This was an excellent choice; as de- scendant of David, and grandson of Jehoiachin, who had been king when the Babylonians came Zadok against Jerusalem (see Fig. 2), Zerubbabel was a leader whom the Jews would naturally respect. In passing, it is interesting to note that Haggai uses a non-Hebrew word to describe Zerubbabel’s new role: pechah (translated in 1:1 as “governor”) is found on both Assyrian and Babylonian in- scriptions. Jozadak The people’s religious leader was to be Jeshua, son of Jozadak the high priest. He, too, could  claim strong credentials for his role. As Figure 3 CAPTIVITY shows, he was descended from Aaron and Zadok, and he therefore had the necessary respect of the Jeshua people in religious matters.  Jehoiachin had been king and Jozadak had RETURN been high priest prior to the destruction of the temple by the Babylonians. Now, nearly seventy years later, it is their direct descendants who Figure 3. Jeshua’s family tree. lead the rebuilding, and both figure heavily in returning exiles had been back in the land for the messages Haggai conveys. approximately sixteen years. Ezra 1:3 states that they were sent back with the sole purpose of Summary of Haggai’s messages building the temple, so where was it? Haggai’s Haggai delivers four messages during a three- role is threefold: he must attack their apathy and month period in 520 BC, when the first wave of challenge their priorities, but also encourage them in their work. The last of these he does by David trying to instil in them an anticipation of * renamed Zedekiah and what a future temple will be like. established as governor in The first of Haggai’s four messages is Jerusalem until he rebelled, addressed to Zerubbabel and Jeshua; the Josiah at which point he too was second is an open letter to those two lead- carried away ers and the general populace; the third is to the priests; and the final is a personal Jehoiakim Mattaniah* message to Zerubbabel. CAPTIVITY Why wasn’t the temple being built? Jehoiachin 2 Kings 25:9,13-17 records how the Babylo-  nians pillaged the metal from the temple CAPTIVITY before burning the building to the ground. It seems that nothing was left but the Shealtiel foundation. What was now required was to clear from the site the rubbish that had accumulated over the intervening seventy Zerubbabel years, to make any necessary repairs to  the foundation stones, and then to bring RETURN timber onsite to rebuild the temple. This was not happening, and so in Haggai 1:7,8 Figure 2. Zerubbabel’s family tree. God commands, “Consider your ways! Go Testimony, December 2017 Contents 461 Key dates in Haggai Message Date To Comment Reference 1 1st day of 6th month Zerubbabel & Jeshua Feast of New Moon 1:2-11 24th day of 6th month work commences 1:15 2 21st day of 7th month Zerubbabel, Jeshua last day of the Feast 2:1-9 and the people of Tabernacles 3 24th day of 9th month the priests 2:10-19 4 same day Zerubbabel foundation 2:20-23 completed Three-and- temple completed Ezra 6:15 a-half years later up to the mountains and bring wood and build the heaven it shall come down on you until the temple . . .” you are destroyed . . . You shall carry much We gain an insight into why construction had seed out to the field but gather little in, for not started when God asks them, “Is it time for the locust shall consume it. You shall plant you yourselves to dwell in your panelled houses, vineyards and tend them, but you shall nei- and this temple to lie in ruins?” (v. 4). Obviously ther drink of the wine nor gather the grapes; the people had needed basic shelter for themselves for the worms shall eat them. You shall have and their flocks when they first returned from olive trees throughout all your territory, but Babylon and before starting work on the temple, you shall not anoint yourself with the oil; for but things seem to have gone far beyond neces- your olives shall drop off” (28:23,24,38-40). sities. The word translated “panelled” means ‘to It should have shocked them to be told that this decoratively panel the inside.’ Rather than simply was the state they were in. Twice in chapter 1 providing basic shelter, the people had instead Haggai warns them, “Consider your ways!” spent years developing luxurious houses. Hag- If the first day of the month was a holy day gai is sent to tell them that this is why they are during which no work was to be done (Ps. 81:3), not prospering. then the people would be gathered together rather The message was delivered on the first day of than being scattered across the fields. God chose the sixth month (the end of August). The harvest that moment to send the message to Zerubbabel ingathering was well underway, although the and Jeshua, who therefore had immediate op- Feast of Tabernacles that marked its conclusion portunity to address the people. There appears was still to come. The farmers would therefore to be no hesitation in dealing with the problem, be well into crop gathering and acutely aware and the leaders explain to the workers that their that this was another poor harvest. One can lack of blessings was due to the way they were imagine them asking the question, ‘Why is it so looking after themselves at the expense of the job bad again?’ Haggai delivers God’s reply: their they’d been sent to do (Hag. 1:12). The result is crops were meagre “Because of My house that that “the people feared the presence of the LORD.” is in ruins, while every one of you runs to his own house. Therefore the heavens above you Work commences withhold the dew, and the earth withholds its Although the people responded, rebuilding work fruit” (vv. 9,10). These phrases should have been still did not commence for a further three weeks, very familiar to Zerubbabel and Jeshua, because as shown in the table above. Commentators they mirrored God’s warning in Deuteronomy suggest several possible reasons for this delay. of the consequences of turning away from Him: One is that the people felt the need to complete “your heavens which are over your head ingathering—although with the crops blighted shall be bronze, and the earth which is under it is possible there was little work left. A more you shall be iron. The LORD will change the likely reason is that they needed time to clear rain of your land to powder and dust; from the rubbish and vegetation that would have Testimony, December 2017 462 Contents ­accumulated over the original foundation of the do your bit and I’ll do what is necessary to fill temple, and to gather timber and other necessary it with riches.’ materials. Ezra 3:7, for instance, tells us that they In verses 6-8 God continues: “‘Once more (it sent money to Sidon and Tyre at the beginning of is a little while) I will shake heaven and earth, the seventh month to pay for experts to cut cedars the sea and dry land; and I will shake all nations, from Lebanon and to transport them by sea to and they shall come to the Desire of All Nations, Joppa. From there, the Jews would need to carry and I will fill this temple with glory,’ says the them to Jerusalem—not a quick task. LORD of hosts. ‘The silver is Mine, and the gold is Building work eventually recommenced, but Mine,’ says the LORD of hosts.” The meaning of the had to pause only a few weeks later in the sev- wording here is lost in many translations. Some enth month (Num. 29:12) because of the Feast of commentators tell us that the phrase “the desire Tabernacles. It would be natural for the building of all nations” is better rendered ‘the treasures of work to be discussed during the holiday, and it all nations’—hence the Holman Christian Standard seems that it was at this time that those who Bible’s “I will shake all the nations so that the remembered the original temple voiced disap- treasures of all the nations will come, and I will pointment at the inferiority of its replacement. If fill this house with glory.” This translation gives the rebuilding work was to progress well, such us a picture of God holding the nations upside demotivating talk had to be countered, and on the down over the temple and shaking them until last day of that feast, with the workers poised to the money falls from their pockets. return to the building, God again sends Haggai Indeed, some years later, after it has been com- with a suitable message. With everyone already pleted, Ezra is sent from Persia to carry further gathered together because of the feast, God’s riches for the temple. King Cyrus commands Ezra, messenger directly addresses the people as well “. . . you are to carry the silver and gold which as their leaders (Hag. 2:2). the king and his counsellors have freely offered to the God of Israel . . . all the silver and gold that Reasons for disappointment you may find in all the province of Babylon . . . To understand this second message, we need to are to be freely offered for the house . . .” (Ezra explore the cause of their disillusionment. 7:15,16). Ezra brings twenty-two tonnes of silver Although it is hard to compare the footprints and 3.4 tonnes of gold, along with a number of of the two temples, the dimensions decreed by valuable vessels (8:25-27, GNB). Later, Herod the Cyrus in Ezra 6:3 do not appear inferior to those Great would lavish so many riches upon the of the original in 1 Kings 6:2. It is more likely, temple that one of Jesus’ disciples was moved to therefore, that the people’s disappointment was comment in awe, “Teacher, see what manner of due to the temple’s lack of grandeur rather than stones and what buildings are here!” (Mk. 13:1; to its size. This is supported by Haggai’s open- see also Lk. 21:5). So the people of Haggai’s day ing question, “Who is left among you who saw were not to worry about the material splendour this temple in its former glory? And how do you of the temple; God would make up any shortage. see it now? In comparison with it, is this not in Yet God was looking for more than ephemeral your eyes as nothing?” (Hag. 2:3). Perhaps their riches when He sent Haggai with his message lament concerned the quality of the foundation’s of encouragement. The writer to the Hebrews stonework (the foundation stones formed high quotes Haggai: “Yet once more I shake not only walls around the hill and were not hidden be- the earth, but also heaven” (12:26, quoting Hag. neath soil). More probably, they remembered the 2:7). Focusing on the phrase “once more,” he riches that David and Solomon had lavished on looks forward to a future time when God will the temple,3 and mourned when they compared it shake the world of men to remove human rule with what the Persian king had provided. Haggai and replace it with God’s rule. Haggai’s encour- needed to counter their disappointment before it agement to the builders was therefore twofold: demoralised the workforce: “‘Yet now be strong, they were not to worry about its comparative lack Zerubbabel,’ says the LORD; ‘and be strong, Joshua, of physical riches because God would resolve son of Jehozadak, the high priest; and be strong, that; furthermore, in the future, a house of God all you people of the land,’ says the LORD, ‘and work; for I am with you’” (v. 4). The rest of this second message can be summed up as follows: 3. David allocated 3,400 tonnes of gold and 34,000 tonnes ‘Don’t worry about any lack of splendour—you of silver for the temple (1 Chron. 22:14, GNB). Testimony, December 2017 Contents 463 would be filled with even greater splendour in instead: “Consider now from this day forward . . . the glory of God. Perhaps it was also intended from the day that the foundation of the LORD’s to remind them that Jeremiah had prophesied a temple was laid . . . from this day I will bless time when all nations would flow to this place you” (vv. 18,19). It is their change of heart which to worship God (Jer. 3:17). Such promises will means that they are no longer unclean. This not go unfulfilled. third message through Haggai ensured that they would not draw the wrong conclusion from their Cleanness and uncleanness change in fortunes. Spurred on by Haggai’s second message, the The previous month (Zech. 1:1; cf. Hag. 2:10) people return to their work after the festival of God had sent Zechariah with a similar message of booths. Since much of Solomon’s original founda- repentance. Haggai’s words were those of gentle tion was still in place, their work would consist persuasion, but Zechariah’s were harsher: “Turn of digging out charred remains of wooden tim- now from your evil ways,” he demanded. “Do not bers and replacing or straightening cracked or be like your fathers” (Zech. 1:4). displaced stones. Two months later the foundation was ready for A blessing to come the temple itself to be built, and with his third On the same day that Haggai delivers to the message Haggai is sent to the priests with two priests his third message, he also delivers a strange questions: final message of encouragement to their leader “‘Now, ask the priests concerning the law, Zerubbabel. saying, “If one carries holy meat in the fold Jeremiah had earlier declared a curse on of his garment, and with the edge he touches the descendants of Jehoiachin (also known as bread or stew, wine or oil, or any food, will Coniah), painting a picture of the former king it become holy?”’ Then the priests answered as a signet ring ripped from God’s finger and and said, ‘No.’ And Haggai said, ‘If one who discarded (Jer. 22:24-30). Haggai now tells Zerub- is unclean because of a dead body touches babel, Jehoiachin’s grandson, that this curse has any of these, will it be unclean?’ So the priests been lifted, declaring, “I . . . will make you like answered and said, ‘It shall be unclean.’ Then a signet ring” (Hag. 2:23). Although Zerubbabel Haggai answered and said, ‘So is this people, does not sit as king on a throne, as his grandfather and so is this nation before Me,’ says the had done, nevertheless he is now declared to be LORD, ‘and so is every work of their hands; God’s chosen leader. and what they offer there is unclean’” (Hag. 2:11-14). A completed temple The historical record indicates that the rituals With the people fired up by God’s prophet in of the burnt offerings and the religious feasts this way, work continues apace. Haggai’s role were taking place before the temple foundation seems to have been to ensure that the temple was repaired (Ezra 3:6), but now God explains foundation was laid. Once that has been achieved, through Haggai that, until now, none of these and his last two messages have been delivered, had been accepted. The heart of the people— Haggai disappears from the scene. Zechariah their attitude—had been wrong during those continues the work of declaring God’s message years, which made them, and hence their offer- to the builders. Although there is far less direct ings, unclean. Their rituals had all been wasted mention of the rebuilding of the temple in the effort. Book of Zechariah, Ezra states clearly that he But their fortunes were about to change, and played an important part in continuing the work God wanted to ensure that His people did not that Haggai had started (Ezra 6:14). Zechariah misunderstand the reason for this. Blessings were reminded the people of Haggai’s work, saying, about to return, not because they had been sacri- “Let your hands be strong, you who have been ficing during this time, but because their attitude hearing in these days these words by the mouth had now changed,4 as demonstrated by their of the prophets, who spoke in the day the founda- renewed commitment to rebuilding God’s tem- tion was laid for the house of the LORD of hosts, ple. Haggai reminds them of the blight, mildew, that the temple might be built” (Zech. 8:9). Both hail and unfruitful trees they had experienced (vv. 16,17), but tells them that, now that they are again working on the temple, they will be blessed 4. In the spirit of 1 Sam. 15:22. Testimony, December 2017 464 Contents prophets played their part, and the temple was come their initial apathy, and to adopt an attitude duly completed three-and-a-half years after Hag- that was right in God’s eyes, and had encouraged gai’s first prophecy (Ezra 6:15). them with the anticipation of a greater glory to The four messages delivered by Haggai had come for God’s temple. Let us likewise prioritise done their job. He had helped the people to over- God’s work. Contents

Exhortation Words from the mount and the cross (3) Edward Carr

“Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the thief, “Behold, I say unto you . . .”; and to mother earth” (Mt. 5:5). and disciple, “Woman, behold your son . . . Be- hold your mother”—all come before those which EEKNESS IS WIDELY misunderstood. express his own needs and thoughts. Biblical meekness is an active overruling This should in no way be a surprise for a man Mof natural power, ability and pride; it is whose whole life was defined by this principle of the conscious willingness to put others before ‘others first.’ His meekness is found in the subjec- self. Jesus and Moses are the only two men to tion of his power, which could have brought him be described this way (Mt. 11:29; Num. 12:3). down from the cross, to concentrate on the needs Meekness is not a passive attribute but an active of others before himself. Jesus’ sayings from the control of self to the benefit of others and with cross—put others first—challenge our way of the needs of others foremost. thinking. Jesus lived by the same principles all This third beatitude becomes another para- his life. His sayings throughout his ministry are dox. Those who give themselves nothing will replete with this same challenge of meekness: inherit everything; those who choose not to take “. . . whosoever will be great among you, everything for themselves will instead receive shall be your minister . . . For even the Son everything from God. In a general context, this of man came not to be ministered unto, but characteristic of meekness is another essential to minster, and to give his life a ransom for aim for us all in emulating the sacrifice of the many” (Mk. 10:43,45); Lord. His meekness of mind and demeanour is “If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed expressed by Paul: “Let nothing be done through your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let feet. For I have given you an example, that each esteem other better than themselves . . . Let ye should do as I have done to you . . . If ye this mind be in you, which was also in Christ know these things, happy are ye if ye do them” Jesus” (Phil. 2:3,5). (Jno. 13:14,15,17)—recalling the blessedness of Where did this mind lead? It led to Jesus’ the beatitude. making himself of no reputation, a servant, to humility, becoming obedient “even [to] the death Practical thoughts of the cross.” The sacrifice on the cross epitomises The everyday practical impact on us as indi- the beatitude, the mind of meekness, the mind viduals in seeking to be meek—to place our of putting others before self. own power and abilities, such as they are, in submission to others—is enormous. This is true Others before self for our dealings with everyone around us, but Jesus’ sayings from the cross began with thoughts perhaps comes into sharpest focus in relation to of the needs of others before self. The first three our interactions with our brothers and sisters. sayings—to captors, “Father forgive them . . .”; to In an ecclesial setting it is a vitally important Testimony, December 2017 Contents 465 characteristic for ‘those in charge’ to realise they In a world that encourages us to stand up are anything but; those who could potentially for our ‘rights’ and to put ‘me first,’ a desire to ‘rule the roost’ need to develop meekness as a serve and put others first can easily be seen as a key characteristic—a desire to put aside their weakness. It takes strength of mind and a definite ‘authority’ for the greater good of all and to be resolve to be able to apply the principles espoused servant of all. The need for meekness is perhaps and promoted by the Lord. Our inheritance of the also especially worth remembering in ecclesial earth, and thereby our part in God’s promises, business meetings! depends upon our willingness to try. Contents

Exposition Genesis 1–2 Concluding remarks Peter Heavyside

T THE OUTSET of this series I highlighted that it has limitations arising from its contempo- a principal point of contention with those rary sociological, religious and political cultural Awho argue for theistic evolution, or evo- context. For such a person, cultural background lutionary creationism, in the handling of Scrip- is the weightiest or overriding determinant of ture. Over the course of these articles I believe the meaning of Scripture—both at the level it is accurate to say that, for the most part, the of literary genre and at the level of individual disharmonies between Genesis 1 and 2 claimed words—rather than God’s Word being able, in- by theistic evolutionists as evidence for lack dependently and creatively, to reveal and teach of historicity have been dismissed reasonably new things, however challenging to the under- easily. standing of contemporary humans that may be. This being the case, the question inevitably In such a reading, disharmony is not a problem arises as to why the theistic evolutionist who spots but a natural consequence of differing cultural the differences between Genesis 1 and 2 then human elements and, sometimes, the frailties of draws conclusions about disharmony between the redaction process. the two chapters, rather than seeing them func- It is evident that this approach dominates tion harmoniously and purposefully in the way theistic-evolutionary handling of Scripture. One that has been a constant theme in these articles. theistic evolutionist, for example, writes: I suggest that there is a significant difference “When faced as we are with the strong, even between two alternative views of what Scripture overwhelming, evidence for . . . the presence is, which we can summarise as follows: of Mesopotamian creation . . . stories that look • Scripture is a product of its time, which also like what we see in Genesis, it is clear that functions as God’s Word; 1 versus models 2 are needed that do not force these • Scripture is revelation from God within its data into existing models that are ill-suited time. to handle them.” 3 It is these two competing views of Scripture that form the nub of where my disagreement arises. The first of these leads to unsound handling of 1. See, for example, Peter Enns, “An incarnational model,” Scripture. http://biologos.org/blogs/archive/an-incarnational- model [referenced 31 Oct. 2016]. 2. The writer uses “model” to refer to an intellectual Scripture a product of its time construct deployed to explain why Scripture is like With regard to the former view, the one who it is. reads Scripture in this way readily conceives 3. Enns, op. cit. Testimony, December 2017 466 Contents The claim here is that the discovery of Mesopota- Anachronistic handling mian creation stories has shown that a ‘literalist/ Another matter that theistic evolutionists em- historicistic’ model 4 for interpreting Genesis 1 phasise in their handling of Scripture is that it and 2 fails adequately to explain these chapters. is anachronistic to read Genesis 1 and 2 through In other words, the discovery of Ancient Near- the lens of modern science, or to treat them as Eastern (ANE) creation stories demands that a scientific handbook of what happened at crea- we read Genesis 1 and 2 in a non-literal and tion.8 With this I agree. But an additional reason non-historical manner, because their meaning is they arraign for reading Genesis 1 and 2 in the defined and delimited by ANE understanding(s) way they do, beside the claim that ANE crea- and semantics.5 And this is required, according tion stories demand that we read these chapters to this reading, no matter how Genesis 1 and 2 in a non-literal and non-historical way, is that present themselves intra-textually and contex- overwhelming “evidence for evolution” likewise tually, or how they are handled by the rest of makes it clear that “models [for interpreting Gen- Scripture. esis 1 and 2] are needed that do not force these Contrarily, what has been abundantly evident data into existing models that are ill-suited to in these articles is that, intra-textually, contextu- h a n d l e t h e m .” 9 In other words, it is not only ANE ally and inter-textually, Genesis 1–2 is presented creation stories that are important determinants as the history of creation and the origins of man, for the meaning of Genesis 1 and 2, but so are and that God presents things the way He does the conclusions of modern evolutionary theory. in order to reveal His purpose with man. The Yet the more one’s reading of Genesis 1 and question each of us must answer is this: Do I trust 2 is constrained or shaped by the conclusions of interpretations of Scripture’s meaning through evolutionary science, the closer one gets to the exploring what Scripture says within and about very trap such interpreters have set out to avoid. itself, or do I trust interpretations of ANE litera- A truly non-anachronistic reading of Genesis 1 ture to determine Scripture’s significance?6 and 2 needs to determine whether it is portrayed,

Every word of God proves true It must be clear by now that I take Scripture as 4. Ibid. revelation from God within its time, and that 5. See, for example, Peter Enns, “Genesis 1 and a Babylo- the way to determine Scripture’s meaning is to nian creation story,” http://biologos.org/blogs/archive/ genesis-1-and-a-babylonian-creation-story [referenced discover what it says within and about itself. 31 Oct. 2016]; Denis Alexander, Creation or Evolution, Do This approach is based on the conviction that the We Have to Choose? (Monarch Books, Oxford, UK and proverb’s claim about God’s Word is to be trusted: Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA, 2nd edition, pp. 178, “Every word of God proves true” (Prov. 30:5, 184). It is salutary to note that methodologies akin to ESV). these have been employed to demonstrate that other This is a claim that Scripture is found to be true scriptures are not historical. Equivalent conclusions at the level of the individual word. And since, for are reached about Acts, for example, based on com- parison with historians of antiquity (Martin Dibelius, the theistic evolutionist, the status of Genesis 1–2 “The speeches in Acts and ancient historiography,” in as the Word of God is not in dispute, this claim Heinrich Greeven, ed., Studies in the Acts of the Apostles, is more particularly about every word in these trans. Mary Ling (London and New York, 1956), pp. two chapters. This is important, because it nec- 138–91). essarily follows from claims about disharmony 6. Elsewhere, I have suggested that the deployment of between Genesis 1 and 2 that the only way these ANE creation stories in the interpretation of Genesis chapters can be viewed as God’s Word is at the 1–2 is the kind of thing that the Apostles Paul and Peter had in mind in their condemnation of “fables” (1 Tim. conceptual or thematic level, not at the verbal 1:4; 4:7; 2 Tim. 4:4; Tit. 1:14; 2 Pet. 1:16); see http://www. level. christadelphianvault.net/index.php?directory=Peter% But there are other elements at play. It is 20Heavyside, 1Timothy-1-DevotionToMythsVsStew- clear from the way that Scripture ‘re-uses’ itself ardship.mp3 through citation, allusion and echo that inspired 7. See, for example, Peter Heavyside, “‘Comparing spir- prophets have laid down a foundation of proper itual things with spiritual’: the whole counsel of God as the basis for sound doctrine,” Testimony, vol. 55, no. handling of Scripture, which is to be found in 652, Apr. 1985, p. 131. 7 what Scripture says about itself. If Scripture 8. See, for example, Alexander, Creation or Evolution, pp. handles Genesis 1–2 as historical, then it must 48 – 57. be historical. 9. Enns, op. cit. See also Alexander, op. cit., pp. 155,178,184. Testimony, December 2017 Contents 467 within itself and through other scriptural com- In the light of such evidence, we are faced mentary, as a historical description of creation with determining where we place our trust. A and the origins of man. To determine that these believer in Scripture’s claims about itself—that chapters cannot have a literal or historical mean- it is God’s Word—is compelled to take Genesis ing because of the conclusions of evolutionary 1–2 as authoritative about God’s creation as these science is itself most certainly anachronistic. chapters describe it, whatever evolutionary sci- ence might claim. The theistic evolutionist’s prin- Rightly handling the Word of truth cipal authority lies elsewhere: in the conclusions I propose that the remedy to these problems is of evolutionary science, and in interpretations of proper intra-textual, contextual and inter-textual Genesis 1–2 based on comparative analysis with analysis, allowing Scripture to define its own other ANE creation stories. For him, Scripture’s meaning. Only such an approach will exclude record of creation is always subject to these other anachronistic or inappropriate sociocultural ‘ a u t h o r i t i e s .’ interpretations. Such a practice accepts all of In many instances I have acknowledged differ- Scripture as coherent within its own spiritual ences between Genesis 1 and 2; and yet handling cultural unit—not only at a given time but, given these within the framework of accepting them as that its Author is from everlasting to everlasting God’s Word has yielded very different outcomes and His understanding infinite, across time. from those reached by the theistic evolutionist. Of course, Scripture also interacts with, and We have seen that the differences are part of reveals things about, its contemporary cultures; Scripture’s own harmonious portrayal of God’s but its purpose in doing so is to call out from purpose with man, and of how He works out those cultures a people for God’s name. Since that purpose with us. The harmony we have Scripture interacts with, and takes place within, seen shows that the differences are purposeful. specific cultures, a knowledge of those cultures In fact, to be able to discern the purposefulness will often help sharpen our understanding of in Scripture, we have witnessed that we need to the thrust and focus of the relevant scriptures, in read Genesis 1 and 2 together and to see them their appeal to people to turn to God and in their as concerned with the same historical events, polemics against their cultural frameworks. But albeit with Genesis 2 being narrower in scope, there is a world of difference between a handling with a focus on just part of the sixth day of crea- of Scripture in the context of its cultural back- tion. There is a strong interdependency between ground and one which proceeds on the basis that the chapters that assists our understanding the cultural background determines Scripture’s of both. literary genre and meaning. Taking our lead from the Lord Jesus Christ’s harmonised reading of Genesis 1–2, the approach A historical Genesis 1–2 I have adopted has yielded insights into deeper As evidenced throughout these articles, there things. As the Apostle Paul teaches, in a context is no disharmony in these two chapters which where he advertises the Holy Spirit’s method justifies the claim that they are to be read as of teaching—“comparing spiritual things with non-historical. Rather, we have seen that the two spiritual” (1 Cor. 2:13)—those who bring the chapters are presented as two portrayals of the natural mind to the things of God’s Spirit do not same history, and that subsequent scriptural com- accept these things because they cannot discern mentary on them handles them as this history. them.

“The denial of verbal inspiration to the scriptures may seem a light thing; but let it be re- membered that it is founded on the assumption of their verbal accuracy; and it is almost superfluous to say that inaccuracy of words involves inaccuracy of thought and of state- ment; so that according to deniers of verbal infallibility, the Bible, though its author is God, contains inaccurate language, deals in inaccurate statements, and utters inaccurate thought . . . The denial of verbal inspiration may facilitate the Rationalist in evading all that he is not inclined to believe, and may free him from certain trammels which are felt to be irksome and oppressive; but founded as it is on the assumption of inaccuracy in word and opinion, it can only lead to an utter denial of the whole book itself, if not to a denial of Him whose revelation it professes to be . . .” (John Thomas, “The verbal accuracy of scripture,” Herald of the Kingdom and Age to Come, 1858, pp. 214-5).

Testimony, December 2017 468 Contents The words of the wise 9. The fate of enemies Mark Vincent WO SAYINGS—a pair towards the end of sister in trouble for doing something it shouldn’t the Words of the Wise collection—discuss have done. But the parent has no pleasure in the Tthe fate of sinners and those who oppose second child’s joy—it probably makes things the believer. worse, because it saddens him that there would The first saying looks to be relatively straight- be this resentment in the family in the first place. forward, but it has a surprise in store: It is the father’s job to punish, not the children’s “Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let to make matters worse by acting as a kind of not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth: ‘emotional disgrace amplifier.’ lest the LORD see it, and it displease Him, and This leads into an interesting paradox in the He turn away His wrath from him” (Word 28, last line, which seems to say that if we rejoice P r ov. 24:17,18). then God might paradoxically reward (punish?) We may not feel as besieged by enemies as the us by stopping the punishment of the enemy! So biblical writers did, but there are still plenty of if you want him to keep being punished, don’t people whom we don’t like—people who annoy laugh. us because of their personal attitudes or habits, In this way there is an element of deconstruc- people who are different from us, people who tion in the saying. We think from the first line seek to harm us, oppose us or put us down. that it’s going to tell us just that it’s bad to laugh Such feelings can be particularly acute if the at others’ misfortune, but the surprise is that we people in question stand in spiritual opposition might actually undo the punishment and help to us in some way. The proverb teaches that our enemy by doing so! we need to think very carefully about how we The message is therefore to let God’s business treat such people, because God is the one who as Judge be God’s business, and concentrate on is to be judge, and not us; other people are His getting our own house in order. The saying is and not ours, and thus they are answerable to quite subversive. Him. Word 29 provides another more conventional It is not for us, therefore, to say ‘Aha’ when perspective on the fate of the wicked: they stumble, to secretly (or publicly) rejoice in “Fret not yourself because of evildoers, and some misfortune they may face. There is no place be not envious of the wicked, for the evil man for what the Germans term Schadenfreude (rejoic- has no future; the lamp of the wicked will be ing in others’ bad luck or downfall). We need to put out” (Word 29, Prov. 24:19,20, ESV). remember that our enemy remains a creature of When wicked people are prosperous and yet their God, made by Him in His image, and responsible judgement doesn’t seem to be coming, don’t worry to Him as his or her Lord, whether or not they yourself about it. God is fully aware of what is recognise it. The saying doesn’t go quite as far going on, so there is no need for us to resent their as the “Love your enemies” injunction of the success or even their apparent survival. What New Testament, but it seems to be on the way looks like success now will not turn out that way. towards it. Their days will end in darkness, their lamp ex- It could be that the stumbling our enemy has tinguished. Though their lives of self-indulgence experienced is already a judgement from God, may appear to have flickered brightly, that will and that this judgment is enough without our be the only light they have. rubbing salt into the wounds. Since God does not The AV’s translation of verse 20 (“for there shall enjoy having to punish people, any more than a be no reward to the evil man . . .”) is captured good human father would, then you or I shouldn’t effectively (if somewhat paraphrastically) by the take delight in it either. We are debtors ourselves ESV: “for the evil man has no future . . .” This to Him, so what right do we have? life will be all that he has, so our own energies The parental analogy is an effective one. A are best spent focused on something of more child can be happy when it sees its brother or eternal significance. Testimony, December 2017 Contents 469 The Testimony—Index of Titles Vol. 87 Nos. 1,023–1,033 2017

100 years ago. S.M. 414. False prophets and the example of Balaam (2 Pet. 2:12-22). J.D.T. 221. Abinadab (C). C. Davenport. 243. “Feed my sheep”: the Epistles of Peter. G.H. & J.N. 161. Acts 26:14. R. Ginn. 247. Fellowship. J. Benson. 395. Ambition. G.H. 278. Fictional account of the life of Jeremiah (R). G.H. 55. Anointing(s?) at Bethany. J. Harding. 127. Fiery trial (1 Pet. 4:12-19). G.H. 201. Anointings of Jesus (C). P. Forbes. 244. For the joy set before him. E.D.M. 89. Anointing the most holy. J.D.T and A. Hart. 335. For the joy set before him (C). A. Thomas. 320. Apostles’ speeches in Acts. W. M. Ramsay. 83. Fresh look at the parables of the lost and found. P. Owen. 10. “As soon as I was ‘scent’ for.” S. Alexander. 60. Fruit of the vine. E.D.M. 275. At the memorial meeting. G. Booker. 38. Furnishing our faith abundantly (2 Pet. 1:5-11). J.N. 213. Australia subscriptions. 16. Genesis 1–2. P. Heavyside. 72,267,388,466. Balfour Declaration. J.D.T. 429. Genocide and the Bible. N. Robin. 68. “Be ye holy; for I am holy.” G. Booker. 182. Give attendance to reading . . . in January. G.H. 436. Birmingham Central Ecclesia. J.D.T. 158. Glorious and fearful name. G. Cave. 448. Blind and the lame in the temple. G.H. 430. Grace, mercy and peace. G. Booker. 75. Born again to be living sacrifices (1 Pet. 1:22–2:8).S.M. 183. Bringing the ark to Zion. P. Forbes. 357. Haggai: apathy, attitue and anticipation. I. Coates. 460. Brother Cyril Carter. 368. Handshakes all round. G.H. 35. Handshakes all round (C). N. Rice. 243. Calling on the name of the Lord. C. Parry. 355. “Heaven and earth will pass away.” 455. Cherubim (C). G.H. 321. “He must needs go through Samaria.” E.C. 341. Cherubim of glory. D. Green. 299,326,364,406,438. “He must needs go through Samaria” (C). A. E. Walker. 399. “Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye Holiness. J. Harding. 32, 4 4, 82, 2 37, 2 87, 315, 3 56, 397, 4 3 5. should follow his steps” (1 Pet. 2:21). F. W. Turner. 165. Christ in the prophets (1 Pet. 1:10-21). M. Benson. 180. “I ascend unto my Father.” D. Manser. 297. Christ in you, the hope of glory (R). J.N. 423. Incorruptible inheritance (1 Pet. 1:1-9). J. Quill. 177. Clippings. S.M. & J. Barrett. 332,412. Information for readers: 2018 subscriptions and other Conforming to the Spirit’s standard. R. Roberts. 176. information. J.D.T. 354. Crinthians in Daniel. 242. Intensive Plural. H. A. Whittaker. 200. “In the beginning . . .” at Sinai. M. Benson. 245. Damascus in history and prophecy. S. Levett. 284,342. Iron sharpens iron. 25,88,306. Dealing with the big questions of life (R). G.H. 305. Is Genesis plagiarised? G.H. 28. Deborah and Jael. C. Byrnes. 13. Israel and her neighbours. S.M. 138. Decisive moment for Europe? S.M. 415. Israel and the Balkans: two stamps of friendship. P. Destroying strongholds. M. Jamieson. 316. ­Maplethorpe. 372. Did God forsake His Son? R. Barker. 5. Israel and the Canaanites. D.J.B. 458. Did God forsake His Son? (C). T. Hughes. 74. Israelitish basis of scriptural history. W. H. Barker & W. H. Divine principles in marriage (1 Pet. 3:1-7). T. Hughes. 189. Boulton. 370. Drinking the cup. A. Jones. 56. ‘It is truth.’ T. McCarthy. 145. Drying up of the Euphrates? S.M. 292. Jewish scenes. J.D.T. II, IV, VI, VIII, XII, XIV, XVI, XVIII, Early ecclesia’s sharing. L. Buckler. 134. XX, XXII. Ehud: the handicapped warrior? J. Cope. 93. Jude: a study in threes. D. Palmer. 302. “End of all things is at hand” (1 Pet. 4:1-11). S. Levett. 198. End of all things (C). S. Camplin. 369. Labourers in the vineyard. D. Brown. 45. End-time prophecies. A. Harrison. 256. Letters of John Thomas to Alexander Campbell. R. Carr. Epistles of Peter: select bibliography. G.H. and M. Edge- 109,259,400. combe. 231. Life of godliness. D. Styles. 232. Eve, temptation and the serpent. C. Byrnes. 84. Like precious faith (2 Pet. 1:1-4). M. Bilton. 210. Evidence for chiasmus. J. Breck. 244. Limiting God. G.H. 65. Evidence, reason and faith. K. Hammond. 17, 4 8,95,124, Living in the ecclesia (1 Pet. 3:8-17). D.J.B. 192. 235. Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of Extracts from Roland Allen, Missionary Methods. 78. God (R). J.N. 269. Testimony, December 2017 470 Contents Lord’s Prayer. S. Blackstone. 34. Testimony Committee. 39. Testimony Special Issues. 98. Magnetic termites. D. M. Pearce. 334. Testimony Special Issues: an overview. J.D.T. 26. Man called his wife’s name woman (C). R. Barker, E.D.M. “There shall be false teachers among you” (2 Pet. 2:1-11). & J.D.T. 319. B. Burt. 218. Matthew’s Gospel and the kingdom of heaven. D.J.B. 52. Thessalonian background to 2 Thessalonians. G.H. 366. Merging culture. A. Jones. 39. “Things hard to be understood.” W. H. Boulton. 209. “Millions now living will never die!” D. Whitehouse. 426. Things that will be no more. J. Barrett. 153. Missing electronic subscriptions. 447. Thirty Words of the Wise. 361. Missing verse of Romans 16. J.D.T. 444. “This second epistle”: the structure of the Second Epistle Mountains of Israel. S.M. 57. of Peter. G.H. 208. Moving of the water. P. Forbes. 398. “Thou art my God from my mother’s womb” (C). J. Multiple subscriptions. 459. ­Perryman. 399. My eight-legged intruder. J.D.T. 408. Thought on . . . D. Collard: Good Samaritan. 328. Nations against Israel. S.M. 22. Malchus, the servant of the high priest. 31. “New heavens and a new earth” (2 Pet. 3:13-18). C. ­Byrnes. Marks of Jesus. 54. 228. Time of Jacob’s sojourning. M. Benson. 116. News from the nations. S.M. 451. Tower of Nimrod. C. Parkin. 362. New world order coming? S.M. 329. “True grace of God” (1 Pet. 5:1-14). A. Powell. 203. Trustees’ annual report 2017. 353. Obed-Edom. G.H. 71. Trusting in horses and chariots. G.H. 248. Trusting in horses and chariots (C). J. Shenton. 322. Peter and Mark. L. G. Sargent. 171. Two books for those seeking the way of the tree of life Peter’s life in Peter’s letters: a chronological table of allu- (R). G.H. 371. sions. R. Carr. 166. Pertinent Pronouns. G.H. 114,156,350,450. Unbiblical review (R). J.D.T. 104. Pilgrimage of Jesus—part 1 by Brother John Mitchell. 314. Unbiblical review (C). B. Davison & J.D.T. 280. Practical parenting in difficult times. E.C. 425. Preaching to the spirits in prison (1 Pet. 3:18-22). D. Green. When did the Last Supper take place? A. Jones. 385. 195. “Where is the promise of his coming?” (2 Pet. 3:1-12). Private interpretation. H. Sulley. 217. E.D.M. 225. Publishing Editor’s column. J.D.T. 1,41,81,121,233,273,313, Who is Antichrist? 137. 393,433. Who was the firstborn son of Josiah? (C).C. Davenport. 443. Putting us in remembrance (2 Pet. 1:12-21). J. Benson. 214. Why isn’t this easier? D. Kohlman. 150. Wilderness journey (1 Pet. 2:9-25). S. Hole. 186. Righteousness of God. T. McCarthy. 3. “With wings as eagles”: biomimicry in aircraft design. Russian plans and aspirations. J. Brooks. 24. E.C. 250. Words from the mount and the cross. E.C. 157,296,465. Science update. D.J.B. 19,99. Words of the wise. M. Vincent. 79,119,159,271,311,351,391, Sea and the waves roaring. S.M. 23. 431,469. Searching out “the Spirit of Christ.” P. Forbes. 240. Work of God on men’s hearts. S. Green. 10 8,147, 26 3, 3 07, 3 47, Seven little planets all in a row. A. Harrison. 141. 380,418,456. Seventy Gentile nations. G.H. 117. World on the brink? S.M. 377. Sharing Israel’s hope (R). G.H. 143. World order at the crossroads? S.M. 252. Short biography of Peter. J.N. & G.H. 162. World watchman. S.M. 102. Six decisive points that changed Syria’s war. J.D.T. 255. Write this man childless. R. Kidd. 419. Sold to the Greeks. G.H. 428. Sons of Zadok. M. Sawyer. 322. Yahweh Elohim (C). J. Farrar. 33. Spider silk. D.J.B. 410. “Ye once knew this.” E.D.M. 390. Spiritual strategies for the last days. R. Ginn. 9,239. Stones cry out. D.J.B. 289. Storm clouds gather on Israel’s northern border. S.M. 452. Structure of 2 Peter (C). S. Palmer. 282. Suffering and glory: the structure of the First Epistle of Notes: Peter. J.N. 173. (C) = Correspondence (R) = Review. Definite and indefinite articles have been dropped “Tempted in all points” (R). G.H. 340. to facilitate alphabetisation. Testimony Bible reading plan. J.D.T. 430. Editors are designated by their initials only.

Testimony, December 2017 Contents 471 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, December 2017 472 Contents helped to facilitate the Anglo-American invasion Jewish scenes of 1942. The Jewish population had risen to 140,000 by 1955. 10. Algeria: Constantine Serious problems began after Algeria achieved independence from France in 1962. The Jews were considered to have sided with the colonial overlords and were therefore no longer wel- come. Around 130,000 left for France—unusu- ally amongst the Jews of North Africa, relatively small numbers emigrated direct to Israel. The few remaining Jews came under further pres- sure during the Algerian civil war of the 1990s. The last operating synagogue was abandoned when Islamist insurgents declared non-Muslims personae non gratae in 1994. Former synagogues have been converted to mosques.

At the time of the first Zionist Congress in 1897, the Jewish community of Algeria was sufficiently influential to send two delegates, including one from Constantine. Soon afterwards, Theodore Hertzl received an enthusiastic letter of support HE ANCIENT PHOENICIAN city of Sewa, from Jews in the city. In recent years, the gov- later known by the Numidians as Cirta, ernment of Algeria—an overwhelmingly Muslim Tcame under Roman control in the first cen- country—seems to have taken deliberate action tury BC. It received its current name, Constantine, to play down the place of the Jews in the nation’s in honour of the eponymous emperor in the early history. There are thought to be less than fifty fourth century. The city is dramatically located Jews in Algeria today.—Jeremy Thomas astride a deep ravine, crossed at intervals by bridges old and new.

Like its neighbours on the North African coast, Algeria has been a home to Jews since at least the first century. Its Jewish community expanded considerably after the expulsion of Jews from Spain in 1492. Trades traditionally practised here by Jews included metalwork, and in the market district of Constantine there is still a lane known as the Street of the Jews, where gold and silver jewellery is bought and sold.

The Jews of Algeria appear generally to have lived settled, prosperous lives in the following centuries. During Algeria’s colonisation by France, Jews received French protection and so typically sided with them in disputes with the local Arab population. Despite a number of anti-Jewish incidents in the years between the two World Wars, Algerian Jews rose to around 120,000 immediately before the Second World War—in Constantine, Jews made up more than seven per cent of the population. Jewish participation in resistance to the German occupation of Algeria

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