The Watchtower, February 1, 1952
Download: PDF — The Watchtower, February 1, 1952
"YOU ARE MY WITNESSES," SAYS JEHOVAH.—Isa. 43:12
The WATCHTOWER
Announcing
JEHOVAH'S
KINGDOM
FEBRUARY 1, 1952
Semimonthly
IS INTERFAITH GOD'S WAY?
JEHOVAH'S THEOCRATIC
ORGANIZATION TODAY
TESTING THE CHAIN OF
PAPAL SUCCESSORS
HARVEST TIME IN NORTHERN EUROPE
AVOID SHAME BY STUDY
©WTB&TS
“YOU ARE MY WITNESSES,” SAYS JEHOVAH.—Isa. 43:12 THE PURPOSE OF "THE WATCHTOWER"
Literal towers in Bible times were elevated vantage points from which watchmen could observe happenings, warn of danger, or announce good news. Our magazine figuratively occupies such a vantage point, for it is founded on the very pinnacle of wisdom, God's Word. That elevates it above racial, national and political propagandas and prejudices, frees it from selfish bias. It is not bound by any traditional creed, but its message advances as the light on God's purposes and works increases.-Habakkuk 2:1-3.
It sees things Scripturally. When it observes this generation afflicted with greed, delinquency, hypocrisy, atheism, war, famine, pestilence, perplexity and fear, and persecution of unpopular minorities, it does not parrot the old fable about history repeating itself. Informed by Bible prophecy, it sees in these things the sign of the world's time of the end. But with bright hope it also sees opening up for us just beyond these woes the portals of a new world.
Thus viewed, "The Watchtower" stands as a watchman atop a tower, alert to what is going on, awake to note signs of danger, faithful to point out the way of escape. It announces Jehovah's kingdom established by Christ's enthronement in heaven, feeds his kingdom joint-heirs with spiritual food, cheers men of good will with glorious prospects of eternal life in a paradise earth, comforts us with the resurrection promise for the dead.
It is not dogmatic, but has a confident ring in its voice, because it is based on God's Word. It does not privately interpret prophecy, but calls attention to physical facts, sets them alongside prophecy, and you see for yourself how well the two match, how accurately Jehovah interprets his own prophecy. In the interests of our salvation, it keeps sharp and faithful focus on Bible truth, and views religious news generally.
'Be watchful in these perilous times,' God admonishes. So keep on the watch by regularly reading "The Watchtower".
PUBLISHED BY THE WATCH TOWER BIBLE & TRACT SOCIETY
117 Adams Street Brooklyn 1, N. Y., U. S. A.
N. H. KNORR, President GRANT SUITER, Secretary
"They will all be taught by Jehovah."—John 6:45, NW; Isaiah 54:13
CONTENTS
Avoid Shame by Study 67
Is Interfaith God's Way? 69
"Record Record" 75
Jehovah's Theocratic Organization Today 76
"Out of the Mouth of Babes" 83
Testing the Chain of Papal Successors 84
Theocracy's Increase 88
Harvest Time in Northern Europe 89
Questions from Readers 94
Announcements 96
Abbreviations used in "The Watchtower" for the following Bible versions
AS - American Standard Version LXX- The Septuagint Version
AT - An American Translation Mo - James Moffatt's version
Da - J. N. Darby's version NW - New World Translation
Dy - Catholic Douay version Ro - J. B. Botherham's version
ED - The Emphatic Diaglott RS - Revised Standard Version
Le - Isaac Leeser's version Yg - Robert Young's version
Unless otherwise indicated, the Bible used is the King James Version
Printing this issue: 1,310,000 Five cents a copy
PUBLISHED IN THE FOLLOWING LANGUAGE Semimonthly Monthly
Semimonthly
Monthly
Afrikaans
Italian
Arabic
Portuguese
Cebu-Visayan
Japanese
Chishona
Russian
Danish
Norwegian
Cinyanja
Siamese
English
Pangasinan
Ciwemba
Sikololo
Finnish
Slovenian
Greek
Slovak
French
Spanish
Ibo
Twl
German
Swedish
Kanaarese
Ukrainian
Hiligaynon-Visayan
Tagalog
Malayalam
Yoruba
Hollandish
Zulu
Polish
Bocane
Watch Tower Society offices Yearly subscription rate
America, U.S., 117 Adams St., Brooklyn 1, N.Y. $1
Australia, 11 Beresford Rd., Strathfield, N.S.W. 8s
British West Indies, 21 Taylor St., Port of Spain, Trinidad$ 1.72
Canada, 40 Irwin Ave., Toronto 5, Ontario $1
England, 34 Craven Terrace, London, W. 2 7s
Jamaica, 151 King St., Kingston 7s
New Zealand, G.P.O. Box 30, Wellington, C. 1 7s
South Africa, 623 Boston House, Cape Town 7s
Remittances should be sent to office in your country in compliance with regulations to guarantee safe delivery of money. Remittances are accepted at Brooklyn from countries where no office is located, by international money order only. Subscription rates in different countries are here stated in local currency. Notice of expiration (with renewal blank) is sent at least two issues before subscription expires. Change of address when sent to our office may be expected effective within one month. Send your old as well as new address.
Entered as second-class matter at Brooklyn, N. Y., Act of March 3.1879. Printed in U.S.A.
AVOID SHAME BY STUDY
A POPULAR fable tells us of a donkey that yearned to be like the ferocious lion that could rush out and roar mightily and scatter people in a panic. One day this donkey came upon a lion's skin. He saw his chance. He draped it over his frame and charged into a group of men. They scattered in a most gratifying way, and in his elation the donkey forgot himself and thought that he would roar like a lion. But he only brayed like an ass. The masquerade was over. The men knew him for what he was and returned and gave him a good beating.
Proverbs 17:28 (Mo) declares: "Even a fool may pass for wise, if he says nothing; with closed lips he may be counted sensible." Proverbs 18:6 (Mo) states: "A fool's talk gets him into trouble, his tongue brings him a beating." The donkey looked the part of a lion and as long as he kept quiet he fooled the men, but when he opened his mouth he betrayed his true identity. His asinine tongue brought him a beating.
So it is with many who claim to be ministers of God. They dress the part. For outward show many overdress the part, seeking to advertise their supposed piety. They are like the scribes and Pharisees that Jesus described: "All the works they do they do to be viewed by men; for they broaden the scripture-containing cases that they wear as safeguards, and enlarge the fringes of their garments." (Matt. 23:5,
NW) If they kept quiet and were content to dress and pose the part of ministers, they might fool even informed persons into thinking them representatives of the lion of the tribe of Judah. Instead, they open their mouths and bray out ancient paganisms and creeds, or modern philosophies and politics, and expose themselves as impostors and bring down upon their heads a beating from God's Word.Jer.23:25-32.
These professed ministers of God spurn his unadulterated Word, yet in their worldly-wise speeches try to twist and distort his Word into supporting their lies. Of such Jehovah says: "My people know not the ordinance of the LORD. How can you say, 'We are wise, and the law of the LORD is with us'? When lo, the lying pen of the scribes has turned it into a lie! So the wise shall be abashed, they shall be dumbfounded and taken; for lo, they have spurned the word of the Lord, and what wisdom, then, have they?" (Jer. 8:7-9, AT) Their unscriptural utterances put them more and more in line for a beating from God's Word, and as their exposure increases their shame will mount: "It shall come to pass on that day, that the prophets will each be ashamed of his vision when he prophesies; nor will he clothe himself with a hairy mantle [the prophet's garb] in order to deceive people. And he will say, 'No prophet am I! I am a tiller of the soil. The land has been my occupation from my youth.'"—Zech. 13:4, 5, AT.
What a reversal! Now they seek a disguise to hide their former pretense of being a minister! Just as two wrongs do not make a right, so two disguises do not make a right identity. First they pretend to be ministers of God, next they pretend to be tillers of soil, while all the time they are ministers of Satan. It is no cause for wonder. "Satan himself keeps transforming himself into an angel of light. It is therefore nothing great if his ministers also keep transforming themselves into ministers of righteousness." (2 Cor. 11:14, 15, NW) But when they fail in this deception, they shift to another disguise, rather than admitting their falseness.
If they had studied God's Word in sincerity, they could have spoken in a way that would have proved their ministerial claims true. Their lack of study in a spirit of meekness and humbleness has brought them to shame. It should be an object lesson to true ministers. It should make them realize the necessity of diligent study of God's Word. When you arm yourself with "the sword of the spirit, that is, God's word", and go on the streets and from door to door and into the homes of the people, preaching the gospel as Jesus did, you appear to be his follower, a minister of God. (Eph. 6:17,NW) Then persons ask you questions about the Bible. No longer can you merely appear to be a minister. You must open your mouth and talk. Will your words expose you as an impostor, or will they confirm you as a well-informed minister of Jehovah? Will you be like the donkey in the lion's skin, or like the clerical wolves in sheep's clothing? You will if you have not studied to answer.—Matt. 7:15.
But if you have done what Jehovah God has told you to do, you know how to answer and avoid shame. "The righteous man studies what he should answer." Do this, "so as to know how you ought to give an answer to each one." You will be "always
ready to make a defense before everyone that demands of you a reason for the hope in you". Without shame you will be able to handle the truth expertly and accomplish your ministry, even in a time when people prefer to have their ears tickled by empty speeches and unhealthful teachings: "Do your utmost to present yourself approved to God, a workman with nothing to be ashamed of, handling the word of the truth aright. But shun empty speeches that violate what is holy; for they will advance to more and more ungodliness. For there will be a period of time when they will not put up with the healthful teaching, but, in accord with their own desires, they will accumulate teachers for themselves to have their ears tickled, and they will turn their ears away from the truth, whereas they will be turned aside to false stories. You, though, keep your balance in all things, suffer evil, do missionary work, thoroughly accomplish your ministry."—Prov. 15:28, AT; Col. 4:6; 1 Pet. 3:15; 2 Tim. 2:15, 16; 4:3-5, NW.
Let the clergy of Christendom, to their ultimate shame, specialize in studying the foolish wisdom of this world. (1 Cor. 3:19) "You, however," like young Timothy, "continue in the things you learned and were persuaded to believe, knowing from what persons you learned them and that from infancy you have known the holy writings which are able to make you wise for salvation through the faith in connection with Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired of God and beneficial for teaching, for reproving, for setting things straight, for disciplining in righteousness, that the man of God may be fully competent, completely equipped for every good work." (2 Tim. 3:14-17, NW) Then you can both look and sound like a true representative of Christ the Lion of the tribe of Judah, instead of being found an impostor through asinine braying.
Is INTERFAITH
God's Way?
"A little yeast
ferments the whole lump."
—Gal. 5:9, NW.
EHOVAH is a God of truth. He does not compromise with error. No crisis can panic him into abandoning his principles of truth for the sake of expediency. No peril can frighten him into uniting forces with error to present a more powerful front against a common enemy. No threat can make him view the difference between truth and error as petty and insignificant, thus making a merger of the two seem justifiable under such circumstances. His truth is recorded in his Word the Bible, and despite any crises or perils the future
ened. All churches, all creeds, are menaced. The very future of the word of God—the teaching that has come down to us from the days of the prophets and the life of Jesus-is at stake." (New York Times, September 29, 1951) Nearly two years earlier, when pledging support to the Brotherhood Week of the National Conference of Christians and Jews, Truman said: "Brotherhood is not only a generous impulse but also a divine command. Others may be moved into brotherhood only by sentiment. We acknowledge brotherhood
of that truth is assured: "The word spoken by Jehovah endures forever." (Deut. 32:4; John 17:17; 1 Pet. 1:25, NW) Hence the true religion will not merge with false religions to face with greater numbers the double peril of communism and world war, as President Truman strongly urged in a speech to churchmen on September 28, 1951:
2 "In this crisis of human affairs, all men who profess a belief in God should unite in asking his help and his guidance. We should lay aside our differences and come
as a religious duty." (New York Times, November 12, 1949) But is brotherhood among differing church groups a divine command and religious duty? Since this is a Bible matter, to the Bible we go for an authoritative answer.
3 In unquestionable terms it testifies that Jehovah God has been against interfaith from beginning to end. From the time true and false worship first appeared side by side, Jehovah has accepted the true and rejected the false. He did not sanction interfaith by looking with favor upon both
together now—for never have our differences seemed so petty and insignificant as they do in the face of the peril we confront today. It is not just this church or that church which is in danger. It is not just this creed or that creed which is threat-
Cain's and Abel's worship: "Cain bringeth from the fruit of the ground a present to Jehovah; and Abel, he hath brought, he also, from the female firstlings of his flock even from their fat ones; and Jehovah looketh unto Abel and unto his present,
1, 2. What has Truman urged churchmen to do, and why will true religion refuse?
In the beginning how did God show himself against interfaith?
and unto Cain and unto his present He hath not looked; and it is very displeasing to Cain, and his countenance is fallen.
And Jehovah saith unto Cain, 'Why hast thou displeasure? and why hath thy countenance fallen? Is there not, if thou dost well, acceptance? and if thou dost not well, at the opening [door] a sin-offering is crouching, and unto thee its desire, and thou rulest over it.' Abel's animal sacrifice showed recognition of his need of a sinatoning sacrifice; it prefigured Christ's death as a ransom. Cain's bloodless offering was empty formalism. Even after correction from God the hurt religious pride of Cain would not let him copy Abel's acceptable way of worship by offering a suitable animal, which was close at hand for use. He murdered Abel instead. (Gen. 4:3-8, Yg; Heb. 9:22) Who showed intolerance? Abel? Jehovah? Neither; it was the false religionist Cain.
Many centuries later Jehovah demonstrated in a spectacular way that he still opposed the idea of interfaith. The captive Israelites in Egypt wished to worship God, but could not freely do so in the midst of their Egyptian captors, who were steeped in false religion. (Ex. 8:25, 26) In the ten plagues that followed, Jehovah showed that he opposed the gods of the Egyptians and would tolerate no interfaith movement involving his people and false religions. This is clearly shown by the following quotation, from the book What Has Religion Done for Mankind?:
5 "By each of the plagues the demon gods of Egypt were put to humiliation and disgrace before Jehovah whom Pharaoh defied: first, their river god the Nile, by the turning of it and all waters in Egypt into blood; then the frog-goddess Heqt; then Watchit the god of the ichneumon fly; then by the deadly pest upon Egypt's livestock
the cow-goddess Hathor and her corresponding divinity Apis the bull; then by the plague of boils and blisters Imhotep the god of medicine; next by the plague of hail Reshpu and Qetesh the gods of storm and of battle; next by the plague of locusts the deities of providence responsible for Egypt's fertility and harvests; next by the three-day plague of darkness Thoth the counselor of Osiris and god of the moon as well as systematizer of sun, moon and stars; also Amon-Ra the god of the sun; and by the tenth and last plague the god Ra, who occasionally appeared as a male sheep and to whom all the firstborn were sacred, being dedicated to him from birth." P.118.
ISRAEL WARNED AGAINST INTERFAITH
After separating his people from the false faiths of Egypt, and disgracing the Egyptian cults in the process, Jehovah gave his law to his people in the wilderness. This law specifically forbade any interfaith movements. Certainly brotherhood with the false worshipers in the Promised Land was not being established by "a divine command" or as "a religious duty" in these words of instruction from Jehovah: "You must be careful never to make any compact with these natives of the land to which you are going, lest that allure you into danger; you must demolish their altars and break their obelisks and cut down their sacred poles (for you must never worship any other god: the Eternal whose [disposition] is jealous is a jealous God), lest you make a compact with the nations, deserting to their gods, sacrificing to their gods, agreeing to partake of their sacrificial meals, marrying your sons to their daughters, who will desert to their gods and make your sons desert also." (Ex. 34:12-16, Mo; Deut. 7:1-6, 16, 25, 26) In-
4, 5. Centuries later what did God do to show he still opposed interfaith and false gods?
How did Jehovah's law forbid interfaith movements for his people?
terfaith compacts with false worshipers were outlawed by Jehovah. Even such nonreligious associations as marriage were forbidden as being dangerous to the integrity of the true worshiper.
However, the Israelites did not heed this command against interfaith and intermarriage with the demon-worshiping heathen in Canaan, and as a result they were oppressed and enslaved and were no longer effective in Jehovah's service. They compromised and made compacts with the native inhabitants of the Promised Land and failed to root out and utterly destroy demon religion; rather they came under bondage to it. Therefore Jehovah said: "I will not drive them out from before you; but they shall be as thorns in your sides, and their gods shall be a snare unto you." (Judg. 2:3) Because of their unwise tolerance of false worship the Israelites were pierced with thorny demonism and snared by false gods. Even Israel's wisest human king was unable to ignore with impunity Jehovah's counsel against entangling alliances with the heathen. The account of this king's disobedience and the disastrous results is found at 1 Kings 11:1-11, Mo:
"Now king Solomon was a lover of women; he had seven hundred royal wives, and three hundred mistresses. He married many foreign women—Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Phoenicians, and Hittites belonging to nations against whom the Eternal had warned the men of Israel, 'You must not mix with them, nor let them mix with you, for they will be sure to seduce you to follow their gods.' Solomon clung to these women in love. When he grew old, he had no undivided mind for the Eternal his God, as his father David had; his wives seduced him to follow foreign gods. Solomon did what was evil in the
eyes of the Eternal; he did not follow the Eternal faithfully, as his father David had done. For he put up shrines for Astartê the goddess of the Phoenicians, and for Milkom the detestable idol of the Ammonites, and for Kemôsh the detestable idol of Moab, on a hill to the east of Jerusalem. He did the same for all his foreign wives, burning incense and offering sacrifice to their gods. The Eternal was angry with Solomon for letting himself be seduced from the Eternal, the God of Israel, who had twice appeared to him and given him this order, that he was not to follow foreign gods; he did not obey what the Eternal had ordered, and so the Eternal said to Solomon, 'Since this is your mind, since you have not obeyed my compact and the rules I laid down for you, I will tear the kingdom from you and give it to your servant.' "
Solomon really believed in interfaith, plunging into it on a big scale. This may have promoted good will with his foreign wives and brought a measure of religious peace into his household life, just as interfaith movements today may subdue religious differences in national life. But it brought no peace with God. Along with his catering to the demon gods of his foreign wives, he kept up a pretense of also serving Jehovah, but he flouted the divine law: "You must love the Lord your God with all your mind and all your heart and all your strength." (Deut. 6:5, AT) "He had no undivided mind" for Jehovah's worship, but split his attentions. The psalmist expressed Jehovah's view when he wrote: "I hate men who are half and half." Prior to the fall of unfaithful Judah in 607 B.C. condemnation was pronounced against those who did "swear to Jehovah and swear by Malcam". (Ps. 119:113, Mo; Zeph. 1:5, AS) They were like many of the faiths in
What resulted when Israel failed to heed this command?
Into what plight did Solomon's disobedience on this point plunge him?
In what did Solomon's interfaith activities result, and who else have placed themselves in similar circumstances?
Christendom today that take the name of God and Christ on their lips but teach and practice demon doctrines and pagan ceremonies. (Matt. 7:20-23) Such interfaith fence-straddlers are neither hot nor cold for Jehovah's worship, so to these indifferent compromisers Christ Jesus says: "I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were cold or else hot. So, because you are lukewarm and neither hot nor cold, I am going to vomit you out of my mouth."—Rev. 3:15, 16, NW.
10 Centuries later when Jesus the Messiah was on earth the Jewish religionists were split into several sects, yet they were united in taking the Lord God's name upon their lips and they were also united in certain political purposes and social goals and even in the religious end of silencing Jesus and his followers. But this surface cooperation in certain matters brought no real unity in the important field of worship, as shown by their being divided and set at odds with one another even while they were uniting for a common purpose, the squelching of the one true worship. Acts 23:6-10.
JESUS NO CHAMPION FOR INTERFAITH
11 However, some professed Christians today say that Jesus himself was for interfaith, quoting in support Mark 9:38-40 (NW): "John said to him: 'Teacher, we saw a certain man expelling demons by the use of your name and we tried to prevent him, because he was not accompanying us.' But Jesus said: 'Do not try to prevent him, for there is no one that will do a powerful work on the basis of my name that will quickly be able to revile me; for he that is not against us is for us.'" They contend that this shows the propriety of separate religious organizations, each doing good work in its way; yet since they all operate
on the basis of Jesus' name they can and should join in interfaith movements that work toward the accomplishment of certain mutual, broad aims, while allowing complete doctrinal independence for each organization.
12 In using this text to support the existence of separate church groups or faiths, they ignore the circumstances of those times. Not all believers in Jesus followed him along with the twelve apostles. Some who wanted to follow Jesus were told to go back home and bear witness to him there. (Mark 5:18-20) Hence it was not necessary for this man to bodily follow Jesus to be on his side. When Jesus sent out his twelve apostles to preach, his instructions did not include any directions to establish congregations of Christians, nor was this command given to the seventy sent out later. (Matt. 10:1-42; Luke 10:1-16) They were merely to give a witness from house to house and locate believers there. Jesus was not then establishing the congregational arrangement in opposition to the synagogues, but he allowed the synagogues to remain and his believers to attend the services there. He went there himself and preached about the Prophets and the Law, which Law was still in effect and which he did not oppose. (Matt. 5:17; Luke 4:15-21) So this young man who was preaching and casting out demons on the basis of Jesus' name did not have to be in the immediate company of Jesus and the twelve apostles, and his being separated from them did not imply that he was of a separate congregation, for the Christian congregation had not been set up at that time.
13 After Pentecost when Jesus did build up his spiritual congregation on himself as the anointed King, then distinct congregations of Christians were established. Then
What religious unity existed in Jesus' day?
What do some today contend concerning Mark 9:38-40?
What do such contenders ignore and fail to appreciate?
14. How did the situation change after Pentecost. and what incident proves a change took place?
if this young man wanted to be a real follower of Christ he could not keep himself apart from the company of Christians, but he must associate with some company of Christians and function with them in order to receive the outpouring of the holy spirit and the spiritual gifts through or in the presence of Jesus' apostles. The time was past for such individual preaching and ousting of demons, and if the young man had tried that he would have been wrongly trying to build up an organization of followers for himself. His use of Jesus' name in exorcising demons would have been wrong, and the results would have been as disastrous as in the case of the sons of Sceva, Jews who used Jesus' name without becoming Christians. Note that the record of their improper use of Jesus' name continues on and shows that sincere converts abandoned such former practices and became a part of the established Christian congregational arrangement:
14 "Certain ones of the traveling Jews who practiced the casting out of demons also undertook to name the name of the Lord Jesus over those having the wicked spirits, saying: 'I solemnly charge you by Jesus whom Paul preaches.' Now there were seven sons of a certain Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, doing this. But in answer the wicked spirit said to them: 'I know Jesus and I am acquainted with Paul; but who are you?' With that the man in whom the wicked spirit was leaped upon them, got the mastery of the two of them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled naked and wounded out of that house. This became known to all, both the Jews and the Greeks that dwelt in Ephesus, and a fear fell upon them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus went on being magnified. And many of those who had become believers would come and confess and report their practices openly. Indeed, quite a number of those who practiced magical arts
brought their books together and burned them up before everybody. And they calculated together the prices of them and found them worth fifty thousand pieces of silver. Thus in a mighty way the word of Jehovah kept growing and prevailing." Acts 19:13-20, NW.
15 So the case of this young man cannot be used to justify the existence of numerous sects and cults operating in Jesus' name. They are against Jehovah's faithful witnesses who now preach Jesus and his kingdom, and, since they are against the least of these his brothers, they are against him and their mere use of Jesus' name does not gain favorable recognition of them as true followers. (Matt. 7:21; 25:40,45) They are like the religious sects of the Jews in Jesus' day that used God's name but sought to scatter the sheep: "He that is not on my side is against me, and he that does not gather with me scatters." (Matt. 12:30, NW) There is no neutral ground; one is either for or against. No loose bonds of interfaith can draw the two sides together.
16 Christ Jesus' opposition to a mingling of different faiths is forcefully shown by an illustration he used on one occasion. Certain ones had stated, "The disciples of John fast frequently and offer supplications, and so do those of the Pharisees, but yours eat and drink," and to this Jesus replied: "No one cuts a patch from a new outer garment and sews it onto an old outer garment; but if he does, then both the new patch tears away and the patch from the new garment does not match the old. Moreover, no one puts new wine into old wineskins; but if he does, then the new wine will burst the wineskins, and it will be spilled out and the wineskins will be ruined. But new wine must be put into new wineskins. No one that has drunk old wine
How do sects and cults today show themselves against Christ?
What illustration is quoted for consideration?
wants new; for he says, 'The old is nice.'" —Luke 5:33-39, NW.
17 By this illustration Jesus pointed out that he was bringing in an entirely new system of things, and that it was not to be attached to the groups that followed John the Baptist or the Pharisees. The disciples of Jesus were not to attach themselves to such groups or conform to their customs or ceremonies. Jesus was not bringing in this new system of things to patch up or bolster up or prolong old worn-out systems of worship that were ready for the discard. The previous religious systems could not contain the new system of things, were not adequate for this new system, could not exist alongside the new system, but would be brought to their end by the new system of things. Even the Law of Moses was to be nailed to the torture stake as being fulfilled and canceled. Just as a new outer garment was not to be cut up and used to patch up hopelessly old garments, but was to remain intact and entirely new; just as new wine was not to be poured into dried-up old wineskins that had lost their elasticity and would burst, but was to have its own new wineskin, just so the new Christian organization must have an entirely new system of things, permanently separate from the old religious systems that had either failed or passed the period of their usefulness. Yet, the adherents of these old systems would cling to the old, saying they had become accustomed to the comfortable fit and mellow age of the old systems. To them the old was nice; they were satisfied with their religion, it had been in the family a long time, and they did not want to change to anything new. So there is a separateness existing that prohibits the inclusion of the true faith in any interfaith movement.
18 Christ Jesus in unmistakable terms showed that he wanted no interfaith movement with the clergy of his day. Instead of joining with them he told his followers: "Let them be. Blind guides is what they are. If, then, a blind man guides a blind man, both will fall into a pit." (Matt. 15:14, NW) On another occasion Jesus said: "Be on the alert and watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees." Seeing that his disciples were confused and thinking of literal loaves with yeast in them, Jesus enlightened them as to the meaning of his pictorial language: "How is it you do not discern that I did not talk to you about loaves? But watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.' Then they grasped that he said to watch out, not for the yeast of the loaves, but for the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees." Jesus also said: "Watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy." The great danger that this yeast of false religion would be to the true Christian congregation is stated for us, as follows: "A little yeast ferments the whole lump." (Matt. 16:6, 11, 12; Luke 12:1; 1 Cor. 5:6; Gal. 5:9, NW) So the true faith stays aloof from contaminating interfaith moves.
19 If Jesus favored silent toleration of error, as do modern interfaithers, why did he unleash such torrid denunciations at the scribes and Pharisees, calling them hypocrites, blind guides, fools, outwardly beautiful but inwardly filthy, serpents and viperous offspring doomed to destruction? (Matt. 23:1-33) If he considered brotherhood "a divine command" and "a religious duty", why did he tell religious leaders: "You are from your father the Devil"? (John 8:44, NW) Would he join with them in a Brotherhood Week? To acknowledge them as his brothers would be to acknowl-
How did this illustration forcefully show there was to be no mingling of different faiths?
Why is it so necessary for the true faith to stay aloof from interfaith moves?
What facts crush the claim that Jesus favored interfaith?
edge their father as his father. He would never link up with a brotherhood scheme that would make the Devil his father instead of Jehovah! Yet modern interfaith zealots would embrace all, as shown by an editorial on "Interfaith Day": "Christian, Jew, Moslem, Buddhist, or whatever we may be, we are all children of God, however differently we may conceive him." (New York Times, September 23, 1951) But our conception of God does matter. He is approached only through Christ. (John 14:6) Even professed Christians that do not allow themselves to be disciplined by God into conformity with his Word "are really illegitimate children, and not sons". (Heb. 12:4-11, NW) The broad road of interfaith, on which "anything goes", is the broad road to destruction.—Matt. 7:13, 14.
20 Centuries after Jesus' day the Roman emperor Constantine launched an interfaith movement to fuse all religions, allowing the various sects and cults to retain their many conflicting beliefs, but agreeing
on a few principal points, just as in interfaith movements today. Its purpose was to promote political solidarity and religious uniformity. Only true Christians resisted, knowing that the apostate Christians that merged with paganism and succumbed to the state-sponsored interfaith drive had violated Jehovah's Word: "Do not become unevenly yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership do righteousness and lawlessness have? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness? Further, what harmony is there between Christ and Belial? Or what portion does a faithful person have with an unbeliever? And what agreement does God's temple have with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said: 'I shall reside among them and walk among them, and I shall be their God, and they will be my people.' "Therefore get out from among them, and separate yourselves," says Jehovah, "and quit touching the unclean thing,"' "and I will take you in."'" Then Jehovah will be our Father and we his sons, but not otherwise.—2 Cor. 6:14-18, NW.
"Record Record"
"From Washington last week came some figures which caused one sect to rejoice, while other churches might well feel ashamed.
"In the biggest religious gathering ever assembled in the nation's capital, Jehovah's Witnesses held a three-day meeting of 57,500 persons. The members heard good news: Their numbers since 1900 have grown from 6,000 to 425,000 this year in 115 [now 121] countries. The Watchtower, major publication of the group, is now available in 32 [36] languages and sells 1,210,000 [semimonthly; now 1,310,000] copies. . . . But even more encouraging to the Witnesses—who refuse to serve in the armed forces and will not salute the flag because they consider it an act of worship—was the increase of understanding of their beliefs. From 1935, when 500 Witnesses ran afoul of the law because of such accusations as peddling papers without a permit or disorderly conduct, the number of annual arrests rose to 2,500 in 1942. Last year, only 50 were arrested.
"The sad story was that, in general, churches and religious organizations are employing fewer workers and paying them lower wages than they did 22 years ago. The U.S. Department of Commerce revealed that religious groups this year were employing 218,000, but this was 4,000 below the 1929 figure. Moreover, in 1929 clergy and lay workers earned about 200 above the yearly average for all occupations (which was 1,421). Now the average yearly income is 3,024but religious workers got about 750 less than that."—Newsweek magazine, October 29, 1951.
KORAH did not appreciate it. Miriam and Aaron did not always appreciate it. The Israelites in the wilderness often failed to appreciate it. The mixed multitude of nonIsraelites accompanying them did not always appreciate it. Achan lost appreciation for it. So did King Saul. So did King Uzziah. Certainly the scribes and Pharisees of Jesus' day did
not appreciate it, no more than do the clergy of our day appreciate it.
2 When Korah and his associates in the wilderness wanted to exalt themselves to the priesthood and charged Moses and Aaron with taking too much on themselves, they proved that they did not appreciate theocratic organization. The earth swallowed them up. (Num. 16:1-33) When Miriam and Aaron spoke against Jehovah's servant Moses they momentarily failed to appreciate the theocratic organization, suffered severe rebuke from the Lord, but were reinstated in divine favor when they endured the correction. (Num. 12:1-15) When the Israelites from twenty years old and upward refused to enter the Promised Land because the spies reported the presence of giants, they rebelled against theocratic organization and showed a lack of faith in the great Theocrat Jehovah. They died in the wilderness as a result, never entering the Promised Land at all. (Num. 13:25-33; 14:1-38) When the mixed multitude that had accompanied the Israelites out of Egypt craved flesh to eat and complained against Jehovah's provision of manna and sowed discord, they demonstrated a lack of appreciation for theocratic order, and brought a plague upon themselves and others. Ex. 12:38; Num. 11: 4-34.
3 When Achan covetously took things accursed, when King Saul took over priestly duties, when King Uzziah arrogated to himself the service of the Aaronic priesthood, all of them
proved that they did not discern and respect the theocratic organization of Jehovah. (Josh. 6:17-19; 7:1, 19-25; 1 Sam. 13:9-14; 2 Chron. 26:16-21) The scribes and Pharisees of Jesus' day were also untheocratic, for they substituted the traditions of men for the Word of God and rejected Jesus the Messiah. (Matt. 15:1-9; John 19:13-18) In this they prefigured the clergy of Christendom, who reject the Bible and teach man-made doctrines and creeds and ally themselves with the politics of this world in preference to supporting Christ the enthroned King. They refuse to see the sign of his enthronement in heaven, and especially do they clamp shut their eyes to the feature of the sign concerning the visible theocratic organization Jehovah would set up for his use in these last days of this old world, as foretold: "Who really is the faithful and discreet slave whom his master appointed over his domestics to give them their food at the proper time? Happy is that slave if his master on arriving finds him doing so. Truly I say to you that he will appoint him
1, 2. On what occasions did Korah, Miriam, Aaron, the Israelites and the mixed multitude fail to show appreciation for theocratic order?
In what ways did Achan, King Saul, King Uzziah and the scribes and Pharisees show themselves untheocratic, and how do the clergy of Christendom show the same thing today?
over all his belongings."—Matt. 24:45-47, NW.
Those who lack appreciation of the theocratic order and who press for personal power and exaltation forget the principle recorded at Psalm 75:5-7: "Lift not up your horn on high: speak not with a stiff neck. For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another." The visible headquarters of God's typical theocratic organization of Israel was spoken of as being in or on "the sides of the north". (Ps. 48:2; Isa. 14:13) So not from east or west or south but from Jehovah through his channel was proper promotion to come. He worked through that one theocratic organization, not several. In time it was replaced by a new system, and for a new, visible theocratic organization Christ "gave gifts in men", which men served in various capacities in the one theocratic arrangement. They were promoted to their positions by Jehovah, and all were united in just the one hope, one faith, one baptism. Nothing interfaith about this visible theocratic organization. (Eph. 4:4-13, NW) As foretold, after the death of the apostles and their co-workers wolfish ones scattered and split the flock into divisive sects and disrupted the visible organization. (Acts 20:29, 30; 2 Pet. 2:1) In our present time the visible theocratic organization has been
restored by the setting up of "the faithful and discreet slave".
"THE FAITHFUL AND DISCREET SLAVE"
"Who really is the faithful and discreet slave whom his master appointed over his domestics to give them their food at the proper time?" The slave and the domestics are the same persons, only from different viewpoints. Under the term "slave" Christ's anointed followers of today are viewed as a class, a composite slave or composite servant. God himself so interprets matters: "Ye are my witnesses, saith Jehovah, and my servant whom I have chosen." (Isa. 43:10, AS) Note that many witnesses are called one servant. Under the term "domestics" those making up the slave class are viewed as individuals. They are spoken of as "body of attendants" at Luke 12:42 (NW). Murdock's translation from the Syriac agrees in using "domestics" at Matthew 24:45, and another translation from the Syriac, by A. S. Lewis, renders it "companions", that is, companion slaves. They are domestic slaves in the household of God and, as a united class or society, are termed "the faithful and discreet slave". Similarly, when a number of domestics turn wicked and start to beat their
What is the meaning of the terms "slave" and "domestics", as used at Matthew 24:45?
fellow slaves these evildoers become the foretold "evil slave" class.—Matt. 24:48- 51, NW.
6 Matthew 24:45-51 shows the service privileges granted to the faithful ones as a class and the punishment meted out to the unfaithful ones as a class. Matthew 25:14-30 shows the Lord's dealing with faithful and unfaithful slaves as individuals. As individuals each one must strive to measure up to the Master's requirements. United as a faithful company of slaves they comprise a visible theocratic organization and in Jesus' illustration here under discussion are pictured as a "faithful and discreet slave", and this composite slave class must see to it that it provides properly for all its individual members, the domestics. Prior to the coming of the Master, Christ Jesus, it must be providing for all its members "their food at the proper time". It must also be noted that God does not have several discreet-slave classes, several theocratic organizations among which the work is divided. "Does Christ exist divided?" No! It is "one body".—1 Cor. 1:13; 12:12, 13, NW.
But again we ask, "Who really is the faithful and discreet slave whom his master appointed over his domestics to give them their food at the proper time?" In 1878, forty years before the Lord's coming to the temple for judgment, there was a class of sincere consecrated Christians that had broken away from the hierarchic and clergy organizations and who sought to get back to true Christianity, as practiced by early Christians before the grievous wolves ravished the flock after the death of the apostles. They launched a campaign to restore the fundamental truths for the spiritually hungry to feed
upon, to replace the pagan doctrines that had been adopted by apostate Christendom. It was the proper time for such spiritual food, to prepare the way before Christ's coming for judgment at the temple. (Mal. 3:1;4:5,6) This group of faithful students began publication of The Watchtower, then called "Zion's Watch Tower and Herald of Christ's Presence", and in the first issue, July 1879, its announced purpose was to provide "meat in due season" to the "little flock". The facts show that it did this from 1879 on. In 1884 they formed a legal corporation to represent in a business or legal way the society of witnesses or ministers. Down to this day the legal corporation, the Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society, has been used as an agency to publish for and direct and unify the preaching activities of the society of witnesses overspreading the earth. When Christ came for judgment in 1918 he found some associated with this group that thought the Lord had delayed his coming and they were oppressing their fellow slaves in Christ. These were cast off as the "evil slave" class. Those faithfully serving God were identified as the "faithful and discreet slave" class.
What is the Master's decision regarding the discreet slave? "Truly I say to you that he will appoint him over all his belongings." Before this promotion the slave is over only the Lord's domestics or body of attendants, to give them their spiritual food at the proper time. Now, because of faithfulness in this one service, the slave is given much more to do. Just as the individual slaves in the illustration of the talents are shown being rewarded with more privileges if faithful and the removal of all privileges if unfaithful, so in this illustration dealing with the classes the faithful, discreet-slave class is appointed over all the master's belongings whereas the evilslave class is cast off completely. Where
What different views of Christ's anointed followers are taken at Matthew 24:45-51 and Matthew 25:14-30, and what is indicated by "the faithful and discreet slave" being only one?
Whom do the facts identify as "the faithful and discreet slave"?
What promotion comes to this faithful-slave class?
once the discreet slave was responsible for feeding only the anointed body members of Christ, now it must take on the commission: "This good news of the kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for the purpose of a witness to all the nations, and then the accomplished end will come."—Matt. 24:14, NW.
To it are committed all the Kingdom interests on earth, a primary one of which is the flood of new truths that come into existence because of the fulfillment of many prophecies. The message is becoming more full and complete, more vital for the critical times in which we live, more effective in dividing the peoples of the nations into either the sheep or the goat class. These sheep now being gathered are the Lord's "other sheep", belonging to him, and since all of the Master's belongings are to be cared for by the discreet slave this faithful anointed class must expand its feeding program to supply not only the domestics but also these "other sheep" with "their food at the proper time". (John 10:16) This the discreet slave faithfully does. Through its legal agency, the Watchtower Society, it provides the spiritual food in printed form, arranges for meetings, organizes service activities, sends out special traveling representatives and missionaries, arranges for large assemblies, and in many other ways provides the means for the domestics and other sheep to be fed and strengthened and efficiently directed in united action for Jehovah's praise.
POINTS TO APPRECIATE
10 Jehovah God deals with his people as a servant class. He does not feed each one individually nor does he appoint an individual over them. No individual student of
God's Word reveals God's will or interprets His Word. (2 Pet. 1:20, 21) God interprets and teaches, through Christ the Chief Servant, who in turn uses the discreet slave as the visible channel, the visible theocratic organization. David approached God through the priestly organization represented by Abiathar, who had the ephod; and a servant of today must likewise look to God's visible organization for spiritual food that is timely and for directions in Kingdom service. (1 Sam. 23:6,9-11; 30:7,8) Just as is shown in the illustration of the talents where different amounts were committed to different individual slaves on the basis of their abilities, so the domestics are assigned service privileges on the basis of their abilities and devotion and readiness to submit and conform to the leadings of the holy spirit. Jehovah through Christ sets the domestics in their service positions in the discreet-slave body. 1 Cor. 12:18.
11 We must show our understanding in these matters, appreciating our relationship to the visible theocratic organization, remembering the fate of those like Korah and Achan and Saul and Uzziah and others who forgot the theocratic order. Are we assigned as individuals to bring forth the food for the spiritual table? No? Then let us not try to take over the slave's duties. We should eat and digest and assimilate what is set before us, without shying away from parts of the food because it may not suit the fancy of our mental taste. The truths we are to publish are the ones provided through the discreet-slave organization, not some personal opinions contrary to what the slave has provided as timely food. Jehovah and Christ direct and correct the slave as needed, not we as individuals. If we do not see a point at first we should keep trying to grasp it, rather
Who are included in "all his belongings", what added responsibility does this mean for the slave, and how is it met?
How does God deal with his earthly servants, as shown in David's case?
How do we show appreciation of our relationship to the visible theocratic organization, especially as regards spiritual food?
than opposing and rejecting it and presumptuously taking the position that we are more likely to be right than the discreet slave. We should meekly go along with the Lord's theocratic organization and wait for further clarification, rather than balk at the first mention of a thought unpalatable to us and proceed to quibble and mouth our criticisms and opinions as though they were worth more than the slave's provision of spiritual food. Theocratic ones will appreciate the Lord's visible organization and not be so foolish as to pit against Jehovah's channel their own human reasoning and sentiment and personal feelings.
12 Now some may ask, Should we accept as from the Lord and true the food provided through the discreet slave, or should we withhold acceptance until we have proved it for ourselves? If we have gained our present understanding of the Bible by feeding at the table set by the slave, if we have been thereby freed from false doctrines and built up in the clean and undefiled worship of God and given a new world hope, we should have some confidence in the slave's provisions. After being nourished to our present spiritual strength and maturity, do we suddenly become smarter than our former provider and forsake the enlightening guidance of the organization that mothered us? "Forsake not the law of thy mother." (Prov. 6:20-23) And if the heavenly Father would not give a stone or serpent or scorpion to a child who asked for bread or fish or an egg from him, are we to take the spiritual food he provides through the slave into our hands as if we were going to be bruised by a stone or bitten by a serpent or stung by a scorpion? (Matt. 7:7-11; Luke 11:9-13, NW) Are we to be doubtful and suspicious about each new provision? "He who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven by the wind and
blown about. In fact, let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from Jehovah." (Jas. 1:6,7,NW) Even the Beroeans first received Paul's preaching "with the greatest readiness of mind", and then went to "carefully examining the Scriptures daily as to whether these things were so". (Acts 17:11, NW) This was the first real contact the Beroeans had with Paul's preaching, yet they received it readily and then studied the Scriptural support for themselves. How much more readily we can receive the slave's provisions with confidence, since, unlike the Beroeans, we have much past experience with the precious provisions from the slave. After receiving these food supplies we prove their Scripturalness for ourselves to make the message our own, in a spirit of meekness and trustfulness and not combativeness.
THE FOLLY OF SPECULATING
13 There are some who seem to dote on speculations. They love to be the talking center of little groups, voicing their theories on how or when this or that is going to happen. They may not be deliberately rebellious about what the slave provides, but if they can offer only what the slave has already supplied they do not stand out. How can they shine personally if they merely reflect what all others of Jehovah's witnesses are reflecting? So they seek for something more sensational, for some "new light" to dazzle unwary listeners. As they feed the open-mouthed listeners their line of new theories, the listeners by their rapt attention feed the ego of the speculators. When someone else begins to do the talking and occupies the spotlight, the speculator loses interest in the conversing group and drifts on. These speculating ones may acknowledge that some of their past theories were wrong, but they do not show they have learned the lesson from these mis-
In view of our past experience, in what attitude can we receive the slave's provisions?
Why do some habitually speculate and theorize?
takes by refraining from bringing forth new theories. Their longing to be viewed as an independent and deep thinker is stronger than their desire to be theocratic.
Some of the speculating ones are more rebellious than others, disagreeing dogmatically with the discreet slave's provisions, exalting themselves above the Lord's established channel. They argue that the theocratic organization has not always been right, and that they once had ideas the organization rejected but now teaches, and thus imply that their present theories will likewise be accepted in time. They never mention the numerous speculations they have advanced in the past that were never adopted. That would spoil their campaign to get their present ideas gobbled up. What their conceit blinds them to is that the visible theocratic organization has never claimed infallibility, that it knows the message will be continually purified by the elimination of erroneous ideas, that it expects new truths to become manifest as more prophecies are fulfilled, that gradually the light will shine more and more until the perfect day, and that the clarifications will come through the discreet slave and not self-exalting speculators. (Prov. 4:18; Isa. 6:5-7; Mal. 3:1-3) It is a continuous process, for the slave is "to keep giving them their measure of food supplies at the proper time". (Luke 12:42, NW) Doubtless some do have ideas that are not published until later; to do so earlier may have been premature, may not have been "at the proper time". Wait upon the Lord.
15 But whether they speculate rebelliously or only thoughtlessly, they can do harm. They place themselves within the danger of becoming puffed up with a feeling of importance, or they may stumble weak
ones in the faith. They can hinder oneness of mind and prevent everyone's seeing in harmony. They draw attention to the creature rather than to the Creator and his visible organization. Their unfounded speculations may spread, raise questions and doubts, and jeopardize unity of action. Theocratic persons will shun speculations and speculators. They will drink deeply of the truth waters, not muddying them with inflated personal opinions and speculations. By all drinking the same water of truth, all will see in harmony, work shoulder to shoulder, and march into the new world side by side, all keeping in step with the "faithful and discreet slave". Those who speculate and concoct their own pet theories and set a little spiritual table of their own, or who sit at the Lord's table but supply little side dishes of their own, and try to get others to taste of them, they are the ones out of step with the theocratic organization, though in their blind conceit they think the slave and the domestics and the other sheep are out of step.
16 The slave and the domestics and the other sheep are in step with one another and with God and Christ. They are not out of step and they should not even consider changing to get in step with a sprinkling of self-exalted ones who overlook the Scriptural counsel on these matters. "If any man teaches other doctrine and does not assent to healthful words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, nor to the teaching that accords with godly devotion, he is puffed up with pride, not understanding anything, but being mentally diseased over questionings and debates about words. From these things spring envy, strife, abusive speeches, wicked suspicions, violent disputes about trifles on the part of men corrupted in mind and despoiled of the truth." "Guard what is laid up in trust with you,
How do some speculating ones argue, but to what does their conceit blind them?
What harm can come from unfounded speculations, and how will theocratic persons react toward such?
What Scripture counsel do speculators overlook that we should heed?
turning away from the empty speeches that violate what is holy and from the contradictions of the falsely called 'knowledge'. For making a show of such knowledge some have deviated from the faith." "Keep holding the pattern of healthful words which you heard from me with the faith and love that are in connection with Christ Jesus." "Keep reminding them of these things, charging them before God as witness, not to fight about words, a thing of no usefulness at all because it overturns those listening. But shun empty speeches that violate what is holy; for they will advance to more and more ungodliness, and their word will spread like gangrene." "They are subverting the faith of some." "Turn down foolish and speculative questionings, knowing they produce fights." "Keep your eye on those who create divisions and causes for stumbling contrary to the teaching which you have learned, and avoid them."—Rom. 16:17; 1 Tim. 1:4, 7; 6:3-5, 20, 21; 2 Tim. 1:13; 2:14, 16-19, 23-26; Titus 3:9-11, NW.
WHY WE BLUNTLY REJECT INTERFAITH
17 Many in Christendom will angrily say Jehovah's witnesses take too much on themselves. That is what Korah protested to Moses. (Num. 16:3) Yet the facts show Jehovah's witnesses are the ones preaching of the Kingdom's establishment, and warning all nations of Armageddon's approach. Their organization is run theocratically, and it brings forth the spiritual food that is timely. What orthodox religious organization in Christendom provides new spiritual food for these critical times? Are not the fundamentalists still offering the same dry husks, still prattling the same centuries-old creeds, and monotonously repeating again and again their few basic doctrines borrowed from paganism? Truly, "their
religion is a mockery, a mere tradition learned by rote." (Isa. 29:13, Mo) The modernist churches have brought forth new teachings to fit the times, but their new offerings are not fit for gospelpreaching. Instead, they scuttle the Bible, dismissing it as myth and legend, at best only good literature, and offer science and evolution, psychology and psychiatry, in an endeavor to be popular with a materialistic civilization. God bluntly says Christendom's "tables are full of vomit". Among them spiritual famine reigns supreme. What a contrast between the condition of their followers and that of Jehovah's witnesses!—Isa. 28:8; 65:13-15; Jer. 2:13; Amos 8:11, 12.
18 In substituting ancient paganisms or modern philosophies for the truths contained in the Bible, Christendom's religions match backsliding Israel who professed to be Jehovah's people: "The ox knows its owner, and the ass its master's crib; but Israel does not know, my people shows no understanding." (Isa. 1:3, AT) They put themselves in position for stinging condemnation, which they cry out against as intolerant. But does not God himself here say they have less sense than the ox and the ass? His Word calls them "dumb dogs" and "greedy dogs". Christ Jesus called them fools and liars and sons of the Devil. Sarcasm and mockery and derision are used against the false religionists. Note Job's words to some of such: "How you have helped him that was powerless, and saved the arm that was not strong! How you have counselled him that was without wisdom, and abundantly made known sound wisdom!" For another example of mocking irony, consider Elijah's words to false worshipers when their god failed to respond after hours of coaxing: "Cry aloud; for he is a god: either he is musing,
…