THE REMNANT OF ISRAEL
HELPS TO BIBLE STUDY
This is an age which furnishes many privileges.
Men have divided the scriptures into verses, chapters
and bound the hooks together. Then we have the con-
cordance which all should possess. Bible dictionaries
giving each individual and city in the Bible, where
found and their history. We have various versions of
the Bible each expressing the thought in their best
language. Also Bible geographies and manners and
also customs of Bible times. Various commentators
have written verse commentaries of portions and of
the whole book.
Books on prophecy and law have been written.
Also on Bible doctrine of many subjects. All can be
used if desired. But remember, none of them take
the place of a personal acquaintance as an individual
and a personal comparing of the scripture by each one.
These may all Le used as reference to see what this
one or that one believes bul you must know what you
believe. In doing so you will find you believe with
them all on certan points and with none on other
points. The real cause of this is first, the truth is
progressive and much by divine providence is unfolded
to those who search in the age in which theyv live for
the truth applicable for that dav and age. If this is
true it is reascnable that those in past ages would nny
be interested in those things for our times, neither
likely to understand them. Second. Another cause
for the division is denominationalism. Nothing has
caused more harm than they to the people in knowing
"the Bible. The cause of this is thev have bzen built
on what some founder of the sect believed in his day.
They have laid their belief down as land marks for that
sect. It has been unlawful to both God and man, say
they, as interpreted, to in anyway change such a posi-
tion. Hence, that sect remains as expressed by the
prophet by the wine which is settled on its leese, ana
not changed or drawn off from the sediment. Such
is the condition today.
Tio come more fully down to our day we therefore
can’t either look for or expect sound doctrine from
denominationalism. Next. it must Le looked for from
those who are up to date, studying the truth for the
day in which we live as ravealed in the law and through
the prophets. The teaching on those things must be
carefully examined. For false teachers will arise and
deceive if it were possible the very elect. Therefore
we prove all things at all times and hold fast to that
which is good. But we are thankful it is our priv.lege
to Liow what is right.
Page Five
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THE RECHABITES
In the late study of Jeremiah, among the many
things of interest I noted the obedience of the Rechab-
ites. Isa 35. Jeremiah taught Israel in many wavs
by object lessons before their eves, how God looked
upon things pertaining io their day and the future.
One was ha wore a yoke made of wcod about his neck
in the presence of the people to show them how it
would ke with them when God was no longer their
ruler and when they would be ruled by civil govern-
ments of the world. It would then be a yoke of servi-
tude on their necks which they would never get rid of.
Then on ona occasion in the Rechabites who were
the descendants of Jonodab. Jonodab had commanded
his sons that they should never drink wine nor live in
houses all their days. The instruction of their father
was strictly adhered to by his family and their child-
ren. So Jeremiah in order to teach Israel how they
had regarded their Father who was God, the prophet
poured before the Rechabites as they came in the house
of the Lord pets full of wine and cups for them te
drink out of, but they refused and would not drink,
saving our father commanded us not to drink wine
and we have obeved him till this day. Then the pro-
phet sald to Israel: Ye see how the Rechabites obey
their Fathers but God who has blessed vou and led
vou all vour life after you have entered into a cove-
nant with him to keep His commandments but ve have
refused and only do evil in all things.
Then the Lord said through Jeremiah that the
Rechabites should never want for a man to stand be-
fore him all their days because of their true principle
of obedience. The point is obedience. It teaches us
the importance of obeying God. That nothing will ap-
real to God like pure simple obadience and reverenca
for his commandments. Obedience is the highest order
of worship that can be rendered. and why men will
oppose the laws of Jehovah surely must be that they
are not willing to obey. God respected the Rechabites
not that he had commanded them to do what their
father had commanded but because thay were willing
to do the will of their father in what they supposed
was right. Today the man who has never had the light
and bolieves he is keeping the seventh dav in keeping
Sunday not having his attention called to the matter
is far better than the hypocritical dishonest Sabbath
keeper. Read Romans 2nd chapter.
—G. G. Rupert.