The Watchtower, October 1, 1918
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Vol. XXXIX
BROOKLYN, N. Y., OCTOBER 1, 1918
No. 10
REMOVAL NOTICE
Please address of communications in future to
WATCH TOWER BIBLE & TRACT SOCIEY
FEDERAL AND RELIANCE STREETS
N. S. PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA.
The removal will delay about thirty days all orders received
after August 26; but we know the friends will bear patiently
with us for that length of time or even longer.
After prayerful consideration, and counsel with brethren in
otiier places, it was decided by the Board of Directors of the
Watch Toweb Bible and Tract Society, the Executive Committee
and the Board of Directors of the Peoples Pulpit Association
, to move the ofiices of our Society from Brooklyn, N.
Y., to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, North Side. Large and commodious
quarters have been secured in the Martin Building,
third floor, corner of Federal and Reliance streets. A beautiful
reception and fellowship room has been provided for visiting
friends; and all friends are cordially invited to pay us a
visit. The Bethel home has been discontinued for the present.
VIEWS FROM THE WATCH TOWER
For nearly forty years this journal has sought from time to
time to forewarn its readers against the peculiar trials and
temptations of the period marking the closing years of tJie
Gospel age. Especially has it endeavored to warn the Lord's
people against the increasing activities of the demons, evil
spirits, the "angels which kept not their first estate." During
this period we have been much encouraged by the many letters
received from a number of our readers, showing us that our
efforts have not been in vain, but that their influence for good
has been widely felt, not only in restraining the Lord's people
from curious and dangerous investigation of occultism and
various forms of spiritism, but also in opening the eyes of
some — including a few mediums- — who had been partially overcome
by the wiles of the devil and his associated fallen
spirits. — Ephesians 6:12.
Once more we would remind our readers that "the days
are at hand, and the effect of every vision" ; that the restraints
under which the fallen angels have been held ever since the
days of Noah were gradually to be relaxed during the closing
years of the Gospel age, the time now present. The Biblical
record is that the evil spirits, the demons, were "restrained
[in Tartarus, the atmosphere of earth] in lasting chains of
darkness unto the great day" of judgment for the world. ( Jude
6; 2 Peter 2:4) As that great day drew near, the Watchers
have noted many evidences that the chains have been gradually
loosened, that evil spirits have greater liberty than ever before
. FALLEN HUMANITY EASILY DECEIVED
We are well aware that many intelligent people laugh to
scorn the Scripture teaching along these lines. But God's
Word forewarns us that those persons are in great danger
we had for the trustful asking.
IN WORD OR IN DEED
Divine power is called forth by the admonition: "Whatsoever
we do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord
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Jesus." Love prompts, wisdom devises, justice directs, but
power performs.
If we habitually and persistently set our thoughts on things
above, surely we shall have accomplished in us that which
the Master desired to see. No matter how improbable the
outlook may seem, it is not our power but hia that is pledged
to the fulfillment of all that which he has purposed in Christ
Jesus. He shall change this body, now so humiliated, and
fashion it unto his glorious body, according to the working
whereby he is able to subdue all things unto himself.
The lotus bulb' finds itself in the mud and slime of the
river bed. The sun shines through the water upon it. Figuratively
speaking, it sets its heart to respond to the light.
It reaches up, disregarding the slime of its native rooting,
and finally bursts, a pure and lovely flower, to glorify its
Maker.
THE WORK OF THE MESSIANIC KINGDOM
"The creature itself shall be delivered from the bondage of sm and death into the glorious liberty of the
sons of God." — Romans 8:21.
Death, not eternal torment, was the penalty which God
placed upon Father Adam. (Genesis 2:17) Over four thousand
years after the fall of man, our Lord Jesus came into
the world to pay that penalty; and thereby with his own
life he made arrangements for the ultimate purchase of all
mankind. He has laid down the price, and eventually will
take over the purchase. He has not yet completed his work,
but thus far has merely made an imputation of the merit of
his sacrificial death on behalf of the church class. As soon
as the church shall have been completed, they will be glorified
as the body of Christ, his associates in the heavenly nature
, glory, honor and immortality. Then will come the time
for the Christ — Jesus the Head and the church his body — tot
inaugurate the great Messianic Kingdom, which God has long
promised, and for which we pray, 'Thy kingdom come; thy
will be done on earth, as it is in heaven."
Attentively considering the transaction by which Jehovah
is to turn over the world to become responsible to his Son
Jesus Christ, we perceive that it is pictured in the Jewish
day of Atonement. When the high priest had completed
his work of making satisfaction, for the sins of the Israelites,
he forthwith had the divine authority to begin to bless the people
. So when Christ, the great antitypical High Priest, shall
have finished tthe work of offering the "better sacrifices," and
when the last member of the body of Christ shall have been
glorified, then the merit of those "better sacrifices" will be
made applicable to the whole world. (Hebrews 9:23} As in
the one man Adam all mankind were constituted sinners, bo in,
the one Man Jesus Christ both Adam and all of his children
will be justified from the original condemnation, that which
came upon the human race because of Adam's disobedience.
TRANSFER OF ADAM'S ACCOUNT
This squaring off .of accounts will be accomplished by the
transfer of Adam's account to the account of Christ. The death
of Christ will be found to be the full equivalent for the
sin of the whole world; and as far as the divine judgment
is upon the world, mankind will be set free from the sentence
which came upon father Adam in Eden. Forthwith Christ will
take possession of the whole world. His Millennial Kingdom
is for the very purpose of lifting the Adamic race out of
sin, degradation and death, and of restoring them to human
perfection. But he does not purpose, nor is it the Father's
plan, that any one be forced to receive the divine blessing.
"Whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely." —
Revelation 22:17.
Under the beneficent rule of the Messianic Kingdom
the light of the glory of the goodness of God will be manifest
to all mankind. They will be made to know that restitution
to all lost in Eden is God J s provision for the world.
When they shall have come to the knowledge of the divine goodness
, it will be their part to conform their lives to purity and
righteousness. They will retain their own individual will,
however; and if any one should will to do otherwise than
what is right, he will have the opportunity to do so. But he
will not be permitted to do that which is injurious to others;
for the power of Messiah will be exercised at such a time,
and will not permit any one to work injury. Under the full
light and opportunity of that blessed time, a sinner who makes
no progress towards perfection will be cut off from life at
the end of a hundred years of trial. Having had every possible
incentive to do right under that glorious Messianic reign,
he will have no excuse for wrong-doing. If he does not yield
to the regulations of that righteous rule, he will thereby
demonstrate that he loves iniquity. — Isaiah 11:9; 65:20.
WORK OP THE MILLENNIUM OUTLINED
God purposes to give life everlasting to those only who
manifest a disposition to become loyal and obedient to him,
and who by patient perseverance will develop -a character
worthy of being raised up to perfection of life. Those who
manifest the right disposition will be lifted up out of their
fallen condition to the full standard of human perfection as
it was originally in father Adam. This work of human uplift
will be the work of Christ and the church through the
various agencies of that time. The world will then be free
from the condemnation which came upon Adam because of
his disobedience in Eden. God is willing to give them everlasting
life upon condition of obedience to his righteous law.
But they will bo expected to cooperate in this matter; and in
their endeavor to rise out of sin and degradation they will
have everlasting life; but the unwilling and disobedient will be
cut off from life — in the second death.
Manifestly, then, there will be an interim between the
time when mankind are legally forgiven and the time when
they will either reach perfection or die the second death. During
" this interim they will still be of the Adamic race. So
when the hosts of sleeping dead are awakened, they will not
come forth from the tomb as children of Christ, but as children
of Adam. Under the arrangements of the Messianic
Kingdom they will be given the opportunity of renouncing
their allegiance to Adam and of accepting the life everlasting
that Christ will give those who demonstrate their loyalty
to God and to tfhe principles of righteousness. So far as the
world is concerned, this work of Christ will continue until
the end of the thousand years of the Messianic reign. Then
mankind will be perfect, ready to be turned over to the Father,
as the Apostle Paul points out. — 1 Corinthians 15:21-28.
During those thousand years the Father will ignore humanity
altogether. He will have turned the whole Adamic
race over to the Christ, who will have full charge of mankind
. While the Messianic Kingdom is in power, neither
the Father himself nor any one else except the Christ will
have anything to do with humanity. But when at the end of
the Millennium, Christ will present the perfected race to the
Father, it will then be for God to receive them,
ALL CONDEMNATION SET ASIDE
Speaking of the human family, the Apostle Paul says,
"The creature himself was made subject to vanity [frailty!,
not willingly." (Romans 8:20) That is to say, the Adamic
race did not become imperfect through any will of their
own. Father Adam got out of touch with his Creator. Sin
invaded his domain, and he was led astray. Condemnation
to death came upon him; and through the law of heredity all
of his posterity were involved in his condemnation. But "God
so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that
whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting
life." (John 3:16) Our Lord Jesus is ready to redeem
these who have come unwillingly into sin, if they will
accept his terms and conditions. The first-fruits of his work
form the church of the Gospel age. (James 1:18) The expression
"first-fruits" suggests others — after-fruits. In other
words, the church are not the only ones who are to be saved,
but a first gathering only. It is theirs to share with their
Lord in his kingdom of glory, honor and immortality. Then
all mankind will have their opportunity — the creature itself
which was made subject to frailty, and which is to he delivered
from the bondage of corruption. — 1 John 2:2.
Eventually the whole world will have the opportunity of
getting away from the bondage of death. First, there is tljte
legal phase of the condemnation upon the race. This legal
condemnation will be set aside at the beginning of the Millennium
, Then there is the actual condemnation^ — death and. all
of its concomitants. Mankind have become so infected with
the virus of death that their bodies have become diseased.
"There is none righteous, no, not one." Everybody is wrong,
imperfect, out of the way; and the race will still be in this
condition of imperfection after the legal phase of the condemnation
has been set aside.
When at the beginning of the Millennium Christ presents
the merit of his sacrificial death on behalf of the world,
forthwith the race will be turned over to him. But, on being
raised from the dead, the world would soon come into condemnation
again, were they not in the hands of the Mediator
between God and man. (1 Timothy 2:5, 6) If any one had
his sins forgiven and then stood forth in his own strength
before God for even one day, by nightfall he would again be
under condemnation unless he could live sinless for that one
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day. Because of their inability to stand before him, God will
pass the world over to the ministry of Messiah, and will ignore
mankind until the end of the Millennium,
SONS OF OOP OH THB HUMAN FLAJTE
The work of the Christ will be to effect the deliverance
of humanity from the bondage of corruption, from which
they are unable to deliver themselves. Christ will set the
groaning creation free from the power of sin and death, and
will bring the willing and obedient back into the full liberty
of the sons of God. Whoever will then may become a son of
God on the human plane, perfect as was Adam before he fell
from divine favor When Adam was a son of God, he was not
**sold under sin"; but, on the contrary, he was perfect, the
image and likeness of his Creator — "very good." And so it is
with the holy angels. They are the sons of God on the spirit
plane. Thus does God design that it shall be with his human
sons. They shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption
into the full liberty of the sons of God. — Romans 8:19-21.
Father Adam was originally called the son of God. (Luke
3:38) So when humanity shall have been restored to perfection
, "then shall the Son deliver up the kingdom to God, even
the Father," when he shall have put down all insubordination
. Then all those whom God will receive will enter into
the glorious freedom of the children of God. They will be
perfect, in the image and likeness of their heavenly Father.
HOW TO PLEASE OUR NEIGHBOR
"Let every one of us please his neighbor
Suavity, or the quality of being gracious and pleasing to
others, is a good trait, especially when properly used, as the
Apostle here suggests. There are some people naturally so
constituted that they desire to please others. This may at
times, however, become a trap and a snare to them. There is
too great a willingness to please. In order to please, one
might do things that would not be wise or right. There are
some, for instance, who indulge in joking, seeking thus to
please and entertain others. There may be harmless jokes,
but there are some that are not harmless. Those who are thus
constituted are in danger of carrying the thing too far or of
being frivolous and thus greatly injuring their influence for
good. The Lord's children .are instructed to be sober-minded.
Others are naturally inclined to be crusty and taciturn.
Some are fault-finding, naturally inclined to be combative.
Both classes need to curb their dispositions in these directions.
They need to learn to be more suave and kindly in manner,
to have a greater desire to please others and to make themselves
agreeable, to be gentle and considerate, to avoid strife.
Our text addresses the Lord's people— "Let every one of us
please his neighbor for his good." The neighbor may be a
brother in the church, those with whom we are particularly
identified. We are to seek to be pleasing to them, that our
company maty be desirable, that we may be a comfort to the
brethren, helpful to them. The same principle, however, will
apply to our intercourse with our worldly neighbor. To whatever
extent we have opportunity we should seek to do the
things pleasing to our neighbor rather than the things displeasing
to him. There are plenty of things in this world that
are irritating. We should desire to do what will give pleasure
to others, bo far as is wise and proper. We must not deny
toor compromise the truth nor do what is wrong to please our
neighbor. We must not go to places fcbat are contrary to the
for his good to edification," — Romans 15:2.
spirit of the Lord, in order to please man. Principle is always
to rule with the church. But we should have a loving,
kindly sentiment, which desires, so far as loyalty to God will
dictate, to give happiness to all.
This principle is referred to in the latter part of the text.
We are to please our neighbor for his good, for his edification
. We might tell him something that would be very disadvantageous
, very ill-advised. It might be pleasing to him to
hear the thing, yet it might be sowing seeds of discontent or
pride or evil-surmising. We are to endeavor to please by politeness
, by kindness and neighborliness — seeking to be helpful
. We are to remember the standards of the Lord — justice,
purity, truth. We are to do only those things that would be
for the real good and edification of our neighbor.
The word edification has in it the thought of instruction,
benefit. In our relationships with each other as the Lord's
children, we are exhorted by the Apostle to build one another
up on the most holy faith. It is so easy to tear down faith
by some suggestion of error or doubt. The children of God
should do only good works* The adversary has plenty of devices
for tearing them down. We all need to be constructive,
building each other up and helping to be strong in the faith.
The church of God are not to be scandal-anongers, not
to do or say things that would be destructive to character,
but the very reverse. We are to assist one another in the
upward way, which is toilsome and often very difficult. Those
who are seeking to upbuild others of the Lord's flock are sure
to be upbuilding themselves at the same time. Thus we are
coming nearer and nearer to the perfect standard. St. Paul
also exhorts in another place, "Let no evil communication proceed
out of your mouth, but that which is good, to the use of
edifying, that it may minister grace to the hearers". — Ephesians
4:29.
APPETITE AND GREED
November 3. — Genesis 25:27-34.
a marked illustration of divine foreknowledge— twin brothers who were very unlike in disposition — the attitude of
each toward the great abrahamic covenant — different views regarding the sex-ling of the birthright — a
reasonable question and the reply — how spiritual israelites may sell their birthright — esau a type of careless
christians — why this incident is recorded in scripture.
"Every man that striveth in the games ecterciseth self-control in all things. Now they do it to receive a
corruptible crown; but we an tncorruptible" — 1 Corinthians 9:25.
Isaac and Rebecca had two sons, Esau and Jacob, twins,
Esau being the elder by a moment or so. These sons became in,
due time the heads or fathers of two nations nearly as dissimilar
as were the twins themselves. Jacob's family became
known as Israel, the peculiar people of God, inheritors of
the great Abrahamic Covenant, through their father. Esau's
posterity were subsequently known as Edomites, and are well
represented today in the Bedouin tribes of the Arabian desert.
At the birth of the twins the divine prophecy was that the
elder should serve the younger. The Apostle Paul called attention
to this prophecy as an indication of God's foreknowledge
of the difference in the characters of the two children
and of the divine choice as to the one through whom the
Abrahamic promise would descend. — Romans 9:12,
When the twins were about thirty-two years of age, an
incident occurred which had a most important bearing upon
the interests of both for all future time. Esau had been away
on a hunting expedition, and had returned ravenously hungry
at a time when Jacob had prepared for himself a dinner of red
lentils, of which both brothers were very fond. Alexander
White thus graphically relates the incident:
"Esau was a sportsman, boisterous, wild, clumsy, full of
the manliest interests and purposes. He was a proverb of
courage and endurance, a success in the chase. His eye was
like that of the eagle. His ear never slept; his arrow never
missed the mark. A prince among men, a prime favorite with
men, women and children, he was all the time more animal
than man."
SELLING THE BIRTHBIOHT
Esau's tastes and appetites, his desires and pleasures, were
surely of an earthly kind. He had little interest in his father's
God and in the great Abrahamic promise that through Abraham
's posterity all the families of the earth would one day
be blessed. Being naturally of a less religious turn of mind
than was his brother Jacob, he set more store by his inheritance
of his father's possessions than in his rights as the
firstborn to the divine covenants and mercies pertaining to
the future. Jacob on the contrary, had an opposite estimate
of values. He was quite willing that his brother should have
every earthly advantage; but he coveted the special blessing of
God, which had been promised to his grandfather Abraham and
in which his father Isaac trusted.
From this viewpoint Esau had already sold his birthright,
in that it had already in his estimation lost all of its great
value, that it was not comparable with the sensuous pleasures
in which he delighted. On the contrary, Jacob inherited more
of his father's disposition of steadfastness and earnestness, and
had great respect for the Abrahamic Covenant, deploring the
fact that by the apparent accident of birth he had lost the
birthright which his brother did not appreciate. Doubtless,
too, through his mother he had heard the prophecy that the
elder should serve the younger, which implied that in some
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sense of the word it might be God's will that he should eventually
become the heir of the promise.
The incident related in today's lesson, which should be
considered together with chapters 27 and 28, is one which
is generally viewed as casting great reproach upon Jacob, while*
Esau is regarded with sympathy and pity. Jacob is supposed
to have been an unprincipled deceiver, and Esau an innocent
dupe, overpowered by unfortunate circumstances and by his
brother's ambitious cunning. But since the special favor of
God attended the transaction, it is evidently wise to reconsider
the matter, lest haply our conclusions may be found to be
against God as well as against Jacob. And so we do. We
find that which God could commend and reward, and which
when properly viewed was entirely right.
BIGHT OF PRIMOGENITURE
In patriarchal times, the birthright, the chief inheritance
in estate and authority, belonged naturally to the eldest son
of a family. In the case of Isaac, the father of Jacob and
Esau, it included not only personal possessions, but also covenant
blessing which God had especially promised to Abraham
and which had been inherited by Isaac. As Isaac reached advanced
age, he began to realize that this great covenant blessing
was not to be fulfilled in himself personally, but was to be
transmitted to his posterity. This was also indicated to Rebecca
, Isaac's wife, when she was told that "the elder should
serve the younger." Thus Jacob was shown to be the divinely
chosen line through which the covenant blessing should be
realized.
How Jacob's heart must have dwelt upon the possibilities
of so great an inheritance, the blessing of God, ,and of the
blessing of all the families of the earth through his own
posterity I Doubtless for years he had Bought opportunity to
purchase from Esau the birthright which the latter evidently
did not appreciate. Now, when Esau was hungry and desired
the mess of pottage, was not this Jacob's opportunity for
giving Esau what the latter preferred and for getting from
him what he did not appreciate — the birthright which Jacob
esteemed beyond all things of earthly value?
On this point Mr. WJiite says: "Everybody knew that
Esau's birthright was for sale. Isaac knew, Rebecca knew,
and Jacob knew. Jacob had for a long time been watching
his brother for a fit opportunity." At last this canne when
Esau returned hungry from tiie chase just at the time w*hen
Jacob's dinner was ready. So when Esau said in substance:
'Jacob, I am ravenously hungry. Figuratively speaking, I
am famishing for some of those delicious red lentils of your
cooking/ Jacob's answer was in effect: *Yes, you may have
them, and I will go hungry, but on one condition: You are
the elder, and therefore will have the right to inherit the
birthright and blessing. But what do you care for Grandfather
Abraham's covenant? If now you want this pottage
more than the blessing, say so; and it shall be yours.'
In effect Esau's reply was: Take it, Jacob, It may be
good some day, although I confess that I do not have much
faith in it. To me these people round about, whom our
father calls heathen, seem to be good neighbors; and I might
say without prejudice that your doting over that promise
has made you too sober, almost morose. Why do you not
come out and (have a good time with tine rest of us ? However,
if you want my share in the Abrahams promise in exchange
for that soup, you are welcome to it. I prefer tiie soup.'
'Wait a moment,' said Jacob. *Let us do this thing
properly. Make an oath to the effect that this is a bona
fide transaction for all time.' 'I will do it!' cried Esau. 'Now
give me the soup.' Thus was bartered the great oath-bound;
covenant of God and the wonderful blessings which it embraces
, present and future. Neither man knew fully what
he was doing ; for not until this Gospel age has the mystery
of God in respect to that covenant been disclosed. Even now,
as the Apostle tells us, it is made known only to the saints,
to those who receive the holy Spirit of adoption.
A EEASONABLE QTJBSTION
Some one may ask: 'Why did Jacob take from his brother
the birthright and the blessing? Why did he not give Esau
the pottage, since the latter was hungry?'
We think it fair to infer that both Jacob and Esau were
hungry; for if Jacob were not so, he would not have prepared
the pottage. Since we have bo evidence to show that
one was hungrier than the other, let us suppose that they
were equally so, and that there was not pottage enough to
furnish a meal for them both. After Esau had made it known
that he desired something to eat, Jacob evidently thought this
a proper time for him to secure something which Esau had, but
which he did not really appreciate, did not value.
Ihe transaction was a fair one. If one buys a house at
a bargain, and if both buyer and seller are satisfied with the
transaction, we would not say that it was cheating or robbery.
And so it was with Jacob. St. Paul calls our attention to the
matter and declares that Esau was profane. That is, Esau did
not account tine promise which God made to Abraham as
worth anything. He was willing to sell it for a mess of pottage
, as though he were getting the better of the bargain.
Probably he reasoned thus with himself: 'This poor brother
of mine does not know what life is. If only he would take
a few lessons from me, he would begin to live. He actually
believes something which God said to our grandfather, and
he thinks that some day he will get something wonderful out
of it. For m3 T part I do not think it worth considering.' And
so he probably thought that he was the gainer in getting the
savory meal.
ESAU OARED ONLY FOB EARTHLY THINGS
Jacob knew that lie would get into trouble if he would try
to get the blessing; and yet lie was so desirous of obtaining
it that he was willing to forego everything else. As a matter
of fact Esau did not value the birthright except from the
earthly standpoint. He had no confidence in the promise. Of
course it is possible that there is something not written in
the record that might give a different view of the matter, one
more easy to comprehend. The Apostle Paul commends Jacob
's faith, but counts Esau's act of selling the birthright as
reprehensible, and warns the church not to be like the "profane
person who sold his birthright." In this statement the
Apostle seems to intimate that there may be some who
will desire to sell their birthright, and others who may wish
to buy. — Hebrews 12:16.
In our Lord's day the Jews who failed to accept the invitation
of the Lord, and who were not Israelites indeed, sold
their spiritual opportunities for the mess of pottage of earthly
blessings and earthly favor. As a result we who are Gentiles
by birth, and to whom this right did not appertain by nature
, have been invited in to see whether we shall appreciate
the privileges and win the prize. Those who have the right
appreciation of the heavenly favor will he more than conquerors
, and will get the birthright. But the Esau class will
not "so run as to obtain."
ESAU A TYPE OF C ABE LESS CHRISTIANS
It will be remembered that after Esau had sold his birthright
, the name Edom was given to him* This name was also
subsequently applied both to the people descended from him
and to the country in which they lived. Consequently the
name Edom is an appropriate symbol of a class who during
this Gospel age have similarly sold their birthright for a consideration
as trifling as was the mess of pottage wfhich influenced
Esau. The name Edom is frequently used by the
prophets in reference to that great company of professed
Christians sometimes called the Christian world, or Christendom
Like Esau, the masses of Christendom have sold their
birthright of special and peculiar- advantage. By the term
masses we mean the great majority of worldly professors of
the religion of Christ, who are Christians in name only, but
who lack the life of Christ in them. These have preferred
the mean morsels of present earthly advantage to all the
blessings of communion and fellowship with God and Christ,
and the glorious inheritance with our Redeemer promised
to those who faithfully follow in his steps of sacrifice even
unto death.
The Lord made types of these twin children of Isaac and
Rebecca in order to illustrate what he foreknew would be the
condition among his professed people hundreds of years after
Jacob and Esau had died. The election of Jacob to be a type
of the overcoming class was certainly a blessing to him, even
though it cost him considerable. But the election of Esau
to be a type of tine earthly-minded was nothing to his disadvantage
. It did not mean that he would go to eternal torment
; nor did it mean that he would suffer anything as a result
during the present life. On the contrary he was blessed,
even as worldly, natural men today have blessings of a kind
which the Lord graciously withholds from the New Creation,
as being less favorable to their spiritual interests.
"COULD YE NOT WATCH WITH ME ONE HOUR?"
Gethsemane! Gethsemane! the Savior's last dark hours I For some sweet word of comfort from the lips of those he
In agony of soul he sought to know his Father's will; loved.
Three times he prayed, and thrice he came unto his Chosen Alas ! with weariness their eyes vere heavy and they slept,
three Ah, me! did e'er the Man of Sorrows utter sadder words
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Than these: "Could ye not watch with me one hour?" And
then in tones
Of tenderest sympathetic love, "Sleep on and take your rest,"
He knew their frame, remembered they were dust, and. hushed
tthe cry
Of longing in his breaking heart. But he who never sleeps
Nor slumbers heard his well-beloved Son in that he feared,
And sent his holy angel to assure him all was well.
Dear Lord, oh, let me ne'er grow weary or lie down to sleep
While thy dear "feet" are glowing like fine brass in crucible!
Oil! help me watch with them "one hour" — this last sad
darksome one.
Oh ! touch my lips with coals of fire from off thine altar,
Lord,
That I may strengthen, calm, inspire and bless thy faithful
ones,
Until together we shall hear, "It is enougn, come home!"
JACOB DECEIVES HIS FATHER
November 10. — Genes-is 27:18-29.
obtaining thu blessing esau's angeb at his brother — was jacob's course justifiable? — evidences of divine approval
of his acts — hi8 faith not then as strong as later in life? — esau's die honesty and violation of his oath —
st. paul's application of this incident — provision for the spxbrtttally blind.
u Speak ye truth each one Uftth his neighbor" — Ephesians 4:25.
Many years rolled around after tihe transactions recorded to have still clearer views of the Lord's will in such matters,
in our last lesson. Esau, still a hunter, still fraternizing with
the heathen peoples about, had married by this time two Canaanitish
women, and despite his profligacy, was his father's
favorite. Jacob was still a God-fearing man, hoping for the
realization eventually of his purchase, so highly prized. Isaac
was old and had become Mind, and considered that it was the
right time to put the management of the estate into the hands
of the elder son. Accordingly he made it known that he was
about to bestow the patriarchal blessing; and under his instruction
Esau had gone forth to prepare ^ome savory venison
as a feast for his father before the formal pronouncement of
t(he blessing.
Bebecca remembered the prophecy that the elder should
serve the younger, and Jacob confided to her the fact that
he had purchased the blessing of his brother and had taken the
latter's oath. They watched to see whether or not Esau would
regard this oath and the sale of the blessing; but finding
that he was disposed to disregard it and to violate all of his
obligations, both mother and son determined to use their
every power to secure the fulfillment of -Esau's engagement
respecting the blessing. But knowing that Isaac would not
accede to this, they conspired to deceive him.
As Esau's name indicates, he was a hairy man: so they
arranged that Jacob should put on Esau's fine raiment, speak
as much as possible in his tone of voice, and present kid's
flesh to his father and receive the blessing while Esau was
still absent hunting. Lest Isaac should mistrust the deception
, Jacob's neck and arms were covered with the fine hairy
skin of a new-born kid. The deception was carried out. After
Isaac had said: "The voice is Jacob's voice, but the hands
are the hands of Esau," he gave the blessing to bis younger
eon. JACOB A FUGITIVE BECAUSE OF HIS FAITH
Of course the unprincipled Esau, who, after selling the
birthright and confirming the sale with an oath, was about
to take it himself, was angry that his brother should have
outwitted him and obtained the blessing — not apparently that
he cared so much, for the Ahrahamic promise and blessing thus
entailed, but he feared, that in some way his prominence in
the family would be jeopardized and that he might perhaps
lose the major part of the inheritance, the two-thirds, and get
only Jacob's portion, namely, one-third. Anger, malice, hatred,
strife, envy, murder, were in his heart; and he said to himself,
'It will not be very long until father dies. Then I will slay my
brother Jacob, and the entire inheritance will be mine.'
Esau's murderous intentions reached the ears of Jacob's
mother, who informed Jacob and advised that he go for a
time at least and live with her father. Jacob, then over
fifty-seven years of age, following this counsel, started out to
carve his own fortune, leaving the entire estate in the hands
of Esau, holding on only to the covenant promise. Here was
another demonstration of his faith in God. He might have regretted
his bargain, he might have renounced the blessing in
Esau's favor. But no; he would hold to this, cost him what it
might — possessions, a home, family association. He would go
out in the fear of the Lord; he would attest his devotion to
God and his faith in the promise. Is it with any wonder
that we read that in this journey the Lord appeared to him at
Bethel and assured him that the Almighty would be his exceeding
great reward? Jacob's faith and zeal were of the
kind which God approves, the kind which he has blessed
from Abraham's day until the present time.
THE DIVINE STANDARD— FEEFECTIOK
Do we excuse Jacob and his mother, and approve of their
telling lies to Isaac both by word and act? No, we cannot
approve this course; and yet it seems evident to us that
we must not judge Jacob's actions according to the standards
which we would apply to ourselves. As new creatures in
Christ Jesus, begotten of the holy Spirit, we have and ought
still clearer faith than Jacob exercised. But what more coftld
we expect of a natural man than we find in Jacob's conduct?
We must gauge our conceptions of right and wrong by the divine
standard; and while we cannot suppose that God approved
the course adopted by Jacob and Rebecca, we must check ourselves
and others from too rabid denunciation of Jacob's
proceeding by noting the fact that, according to the record,
at no time did God charge up this matter against Jacob or
reprove or punish him for it. On the contrary, we find the
Lord appearing to him and manifesting favor in visions, revelations
and assurances of divine protection and care, without
mention of the deception by which the ends were gained. Where
God keeps silent, is it wise for us to say very much in the way
of reproof?
What better course could Jacob have taken? We answer
that had be possessed greater faith he might have waited on
the Lord and permitted divine providence to bring to him the
blessing which he craved, and which God had foretold should
be his, and which he had purchased at more than its value according
to the estimation of Esau, though at far less than its
value according to Jacob's estimation.
Some point us to the difficulties, trials and perplexities
which came to Jacob as a result of fleeing from his brother
declaring that these were God's punishments upon him. But
we reply that Jacob did not so regard these; that the Scriptures
remind us that whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and
that God particularly told Jacob of his love for him. So it
is with the best and truest of the Lord's people today. The
fact that they have trials, difficulties, disappointments and
persecutions, so that sometimes they must flee for their lives,
by no means proves that the Lord s favor is not with them.
Rather these experiences, as the Apostle assures us, are working
out for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of
glory. Similarly, Jacob's trials, difficulties and sorrowful experiences
worked out for him a blessing of heart and character
. A LESSON FOB SPIRITUAL ISRAELITES
Jacob was not one of those who made the outside of the
cup clean while within it was impure. He was at heart of
the character which the Lord approves. Neither can we say
that he was graspingly selfish with his brother ; for we find
in his general character a breadth of liberality rarely anet
with. Wie recall that he never asked for even the younger
son's one-third interest in the estate, but that returning later
he instead proffered Esau a present of cattle, sheep, etc. If
we must charge Jacob with lying lips, we can at least credit
him with honesty of heart. He lied in order to secure justice
and because his faith was not sufficiently strong to permit
him to trust the Lord implicitly respecting a matter which
he so highly esteemed and was willing to give everything to
possess.
A lesson for the spiritual Israelite is that we not only
esteem, as Jacob did, the value of the divine promise and
favor and blessing, but that to a similar zeal we should add
still more faith, so that we could trust the Lord to give
us the blessings he nas promised. This was the example
which Abraham set, but which Jacob evidently had not fully
appreciated. Abraham was called upon to sacrifice his son
Isaac, the heir of the promise, through whom, the Lord had
declared the promise should be fulfilled. Abraham's faith was
sufficient, and in due time God settled the matter in that
Isaac was received from the dead in a figure. {Hebrews 11:19)
We cannot doubt that if Jacob had possessed a similar degree
of faith God in some manner would have given him the blessing
, despite his father's intentions to the contrary and Esau's
dishonesty and violation of his oath.
The Apostle refers to the main incident of this lesson,
the sale of the birthright, and in very round terms denounces
the spirit of Esau — the spirit that is not appreciative of
[63401
October 1, 1918
THE WATCH TOWER
(302-303)
Cod's mercy and of the blessing which he has in reservation
for them that love him. He speaks of Esau as that "profane
person who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright/' (Hebrews
12:16) He was profane in the sense that all the Gentiles
or heathen were recognized as profane — godless, not reverent
, unbelieving, preferring the things of this present time,
the good and the bad, to the better portion of the future, which.
they have not the faith to realize nor the appreciation to
enjby.
DIFFERENCES IN HEREDITY
The fact that Esau was evidently birth-marked and by
heredity a wild man, loving the more animal and natural
things, so far from being to his condemnation is rather in,
his favor. If his failure to appreciate the spiritual things
was the result of an inherited depravity of taste, then we can
say that the redemption provided in Jesus' sacrifice covers
the entire blemish and guarantees eventually to Esau an opening
of the eyes of his understanding and an enlightenment of
his mind to appreciate the better things — when in due time,
during the Millennial age, the Redeemer shall be the Restorer
. (Acts 3:19-21) For Jacob to nave taken the course
which Esau had taken would have been a much, more heinous
matter; for by. nature he had a loftier mind, a more reasonable
soul, less impaired by the Adamic fall.
So, too, when we apply this principle today we find that
there are many natural men of the Esau type who have no
interest in or appreciation of spiritual things. We sympathize
with them rather than blame them, and look forward
with pleasure to the time when the Lord's mercy shall be
extended toward them in measure proportionate to the degree
of their share in the fall — to assist them by the judgment
of the Millennial age (its rewards and punishments) to see the
right way and to learn righteousness therein, and eventually
(if they will) to attain perfection and eternal life. On the
other hand, if by the grace of God we have been favored in
being born the children of believers, how great is this blessing
, especially if by the grace of God our eyes have been
opened to an appreciation of the heavenly spiritual promises I
What advantage we have every way over* the others of the
Esau type! What manner of persons ought we to be in all
holy conversation and godliness! Surely the Lord may expect
much more of us, and we should expect much more of
ourselves than of our Esau neighbors.
APPRECIATING OUR SPIRITUAL BIRTHRIGHT
Examining the Apostle's argument still more closely we
find that he especially addresses the church, not the world,
in this exhortation that we appreciate God's grace and do not
sell our birthright. The world has no birthright to sell at
the present time; for as children of Adam they were themselves
"sold under sin." The Lord addresses those who have
by his grace escaped from this slavery, being justified by faith
in the precious blood of Christ. We were in bondage, but are
now made free; and whom the Son makes free is free indeed.
(John 8:36) After being made free we received, as a further
grace of God, an invitation to be heirs of the Abrahamic Covenant
— the very one for which Jacob was willing to sacrifice
everything. We come into this relationship, as the Apostle
points out, by our acceptance of our Lord Jesus and our full
consecration unto death with him. The point of the Apostle's
argument is that all of the consecrated followers of Christ are
in the position of these two sons of Isaac. The inheritance of
that Abrahamic Covenant lies between us somewhere; some
will get it and some will not.
The Apostle wishes us to see the character of this class that
will inherit the promise. They must not be, like Esau, careless
, worldly-minded, thoughtless of God and unbelieving respecting
the future provision. If they are thus disposed, they
will be sure to find opportunities for bartering their inheritance
. It would surely slip from them, and be given
to others who have a higher appreciation of its value, as the
inheritance of this covenant slipped from Esau and was secured
by Jacob.
FAITHFULNESS IN WELL-DOING
The law of Christ is one of service and of self-sacrifice
until death. All who wish to do right, to live according to the
lines marked out by the holy Spirit through the words of Jesus
and his apostles, should not only start out well by making a
full consecration to God. but should continue faithful, and not
grow weary of the battle against sin and unrighteousness.
God is seeking to develop and to crystallize character in his
people. Therefore in due time, after they shall have suffered
awhile, battling against the weaknesses of their flesh, they
will reap the reward. They will get the new bodies which
God has promised them, the resurrection bodies. Then their
trials will be ended; for the new bodies will be in perfect accord
with the new will, and there will be no cause of conflict
between them. Then the work of grace will go grandly on,
for the blessing of all the world.
For this reason, the Apostle says, let us not merely
avoid harshness toward those who have been overtaken in
a fault; let us not merely guard ourselves that we shall sow
to the spirit and not to the. flesh; let us not merely avoid
weariness in this good way; but let us additionally, "as we
have opportunity, do good unto all men, especially to those of
the household of faith." In so doing, we shall be copying
the character of our heavenly Father. He is the Fountain of
Blessing. From him come the blessings of the present life,
the sunshine and the rain, upon both just and unjust.
4.9 our heavenly Father is continually giving blessings,
rather than seeking favors, so we as his developed children
are to have the same character likeness, the same disposition
, the same mind. Let tis endeavor always to do good to
everybody, but especially let us earnestly desire to do good
unto all who are the children of God, members of the household
of faith.
LETTERS FROM AFIELD
AN EXHORTATION TO "WALK IN THE LIGHT' 1
T>kab Friends: —
I have been deeply impressed by several sentences in
Volume 3, Studies in the Scriptures, lately brought to my
attention. In the light of recent events these words of our
beloved Brother Russell seem almost prophetic. Speaking of
the Reformation, he says on page 23:
"Many faithful souls in the days of the Reformation walked
in the light, as far as it was then shining. But since their
dav Protestants have made little progress because, instead
of walking in the light, they have halted around their favorite
leaders, willing to see much as they saw, hut nothing more."
Again, on page 25, we read:
"Nor is it sufficient that we find ourselves now in the path
of light ; we must 'walk in the light,' continue to make progress
; else the light, which will not stop, will pass on and
leave us in darkness. The difficulty with many is that they
will sit down, and do not follow on in the path of light."
Moreover, it is a fact that repeatedly our beloved Pastor
declared: "Perfection of knowledge is not yet here; we are
not yet in the fullest light of the perfect day." He never
claimed to have all the truth, or all the light, but simply such
light and such truth as were due to be revealed at this time
to the faithful student of the Word of God.
The foregoing seems to apply to many of those who once
walked with us, in that they declare their willingness to accept
and believe whatever Brother Russell wrote, but decidedly
reject the later truths which are most evidently a
part of the light now due to the household of faith. My desire
, my prayer, is that I "may walk in the light, may continue
to make progress and to be daily more and more prepared
to appreciate and expect still further un foldings of our
Father's plan, With continued confidence and unceasing prayers
that you may be guided by His eye, I remain
Yours in His service. Sister G. W. 8.
LOSING EARTHLY THINGS, GAINING HEAVENLY ONES
Dear Brethren: —
Have just returned home after one of the most blessed
and happy tours of my life. The blessing of the Lord surpasses
all our expectations. Inclosed find the usual reports.
The classes are doing splendidly. Many of them surprise me
with the number, growth in grace and the keenness of their
interest. Much of this, no doubt, is because of the very helpful
character of The Watch Tower articles recently. Surety
the Lord is gracious and has abundantly supplied all our need
through this most wonderful medium. The brethren are reading
and studying it as never before.
All seem to greatly appreciate the example of our beloved
brethren along the lines of cheerful submission; and this
spirit is more and more taking complete control of the church*
They seem to be fully grasping the thought that, seemingly
in losing all things, they gain all things, and that they in
reality do not lose anything. God's name be praised and his
will be 'done! In much love to you, every one, I am
Your fellow servant* 0, L. 8. — N. J.
ENCOURAGING WORDS FROM THE SOUTH
Beix)ve3> Brethren; —
Greetings in our blessed Redeemer's name! It would cheer
[6S41]
(303-307)
THE WATCH TOWER
Pittsburgh, Pa.
your hearts no little to hear the fervent prayers that ascend
in your behalf at each time of our assembling together for
worship.
The last Toweb has been another sup from the Lord's cup
containing the new wine of our Father's kingdom; and we
are rejoicing in the blessedness of the "hope set before us."
Also there seems to be a deep humility and sense of gratitude
pervading the hearts and minds of the Lord's faithful children
in our city.
All seem to be buckling on the armors still closer; and
with facial expression of peace and joy they group themselves
together before and after each study hour, discussing these
wonderful, glorious things now being brought out from the
storehouse of our Father's Word by those "set" in the body
for that very purpose.
Truly do our hearts burn within us as we talk together,
recognizing our Lord's continued leading through the one
faithful channel. Praise his holy name! May we each and
every one be more and more filled with his holy Spirit from
day to day that we may increasingly honor him now, and be
fitted for a place in the rapidly approaching kingdom for which
we have so ardently hoped and prayed.
With exceeding joy may we now lift up our heads, knowing
that our deliverance draweth nigih. With renewal of assurance
of my continued endorsement and my earnest desire to cooperate
in every way possible in what there may remain to be
done before we go home, I earnestly entreat an interest in
your prayers for a fuller measure of the holy Spirit of promise
For many years the friends here have been so handicapped
by poverty that all we had to give was given to our local expenses
— hiring halls for public meetings, etc., but now that
there may be nothing more along that line we hope to send in
all we can to headquarters in order to cooperate with you.
The Lord is indeed pouring out upon us spiritual blessings
and our desire is to show our appreciation in the near future.
Our Father's abounding grace be with you, beloved fellow-pilgrims
, and grant you always his peace that passeth understanding
, and courage to press forward all along the line. Your
sister by his favor and goodness,
Mrs. C. E. K.— Texas,
CHRISTIAN LOVE TO ALL WHO SUITER
MY VERY DEAR BRETHREN: —
"Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and
from our Lord Jesus Christ."
I wish to write you just a few lines to assure you of my
hearty cooperation to the best of my ability and opportunity
in all of the work of the Society, no matter who may hold
the position of visible head. If it is possible to be more convinced
, I am more and more convinced every day that the
Lord is using that channel, and will continue to use it; and
therefore that whoever he is permitting to manage the work
is doing his will.
Is this all the reason I can have for confidence in you —
just that I believe that God is using that channel, and that
therefore it must be all right? No, indeed! Besides this, we
have abundant evidence that the Lord is with you, and that
the Society continually lias his approval, not only in what the
dear friends are permitted to bear for his sake, but also in
the rich spiritual food they are dealing out to us in conventions
and in The Watch Tower. I have long been wishing that
I had the proper words to convey my love and approbation to
the dear ones here and elsewhere.
The Lord opened the windows of heaven and poured out
on the St. Joseph convention a blessing that there was not
room to contain. He also richly blessed me in permitting me
to be there throughout the entire four days. Oh, what a
blessed feast we had! It cannot help but bear rich fruit in
the Kingdom; and I trust that part of it will be in my own
heart; for I am sure that I received not only sweet joy there,
but needed strength as well.
Feeling that I must not take more of your time, I will
close now, hoping that in the Kingdom I shall be able to tell
your more perfectly how much I love you all.
Your Sister by "his grace, L. W. — Mo.
THE CONSOLATION OF THE KINGDOM
Dear Brethren: —
Being blessed by the ministries of yourself and your colaborers
, whom the Lord has ordained to serve his church
after the departure of dear Brother Russell, the special messenger
of the last epoch of the church, we take the opportunity
of sending you this note, which we hope will help to impart
a word of comfort in this hour of trial which is upon
the church, as well as upon the world, and which the Scriptures
call "the hour of temptation."
We pray for you always, that in the hour of stress you
may remember that this is the condition of our consecration.
(Rom. 8:17) We know, dear Brethren, that in all our experiences
the Lord has a purpose to be served, even as it was
in the case of St. Paul and the other faithful apostles. So
may you take comfort and courage from the examples of our
Master and those gone before. Tthe glorious Messianic Kingdom
, which shall furnish the desire of all nations, will soon
be here, and its honors will more than repay for all our
trials. So we are consoled.
"For God has marked each sorrowing day,
And numbered every secret tear;
And blissful ages yet shall pay
For all his children suffer here."
With much Christian love to you and all the dear Bethel
Family, I remain
Your brother in Christ, G. W. T. — Canal Zone.