Questions From Readers

● How can we explain the scripture at Isaiah 29:4?—P. M., U.S.A.

Isaiah 29:4 reads: “And you must become low so that you will speak from the very earth, and as from the dust your saying will sound low. And like a spirit medium your voice must become even from the earth, and from the dust your own saying will chirp.”

The opening verse of Isaiah 29:1 shows that these words are addressed to Ariel, concerning which the footnote of the New World Translation states: “‘Ariel.’ Meaning, perhaps, ‘the altar hearth of God’; or, ‘the lion of God.’ Designating Jerusalem here.” This prophecy would therefore apply to spiritual Jerusalem as represented upon earth by the remnant.

These words show that God’s earthly organization would come under attack and would be reduced to a very low state by the enemies of God’s kingdom. God’s people would be, as it were, crushed to the earth, at the time of Gog’s attack upon them, so that what utterance they made, what vocal sounds they made, would come up from low down in their abasement. It would be sound coming up from the very dust of the earth. It would be as if a spirit medium were talking with the vocal sound coming from the dust of the earth. However, the next verses show that God would turn his attention to his faithful people who had been brought so low and he would work miracles on their behalf to deliver them from the power of the enemy so that their enemies and oppressors would become like dust and chaff that are quickly blown away by a violent windstorm.

Announcements

FIELD MINISTRY

Servants of God copy his Son and their Master in the way they perform their ministry. They employ the Master’s manner of teaching. During March Jehovah’s witnesses will continue to do that as they present a year’s subscription for this journal, The Watchtower, and three booklets on a contribution of $1.

LORD’S EVENING MEAL

“This do in remembrance of me,” said Jesus as he introduced the Memorial of his death, replacing the annual observance of the Passover. This year the date for the observance is Thursday, March 30, after 6 p.m., standard time. All of Jehovah’s witnesses, both those of the anointed remnant and the other sheep, will assemble at their meeting places to hear a discourse on the subject, after which the emblems, the bread and the wine, will be passed separately after Jehovah’s blessing has been asked upon each. In conclusion all will be invited to share in the field service. All persons of good will are invited and encouraged to attend. If you do not know where the nearest Kingdom Hall is located, write this office for information.

MAN’S PERMANENT HOME—WHERE?

Life savings are often spent to provide a comfortable and attractive home for retirement and old age, even though in time it must be passed on to others. Would it mean something to you to know that God himself is now making available a permanent home for man?—not in another world but here on earth, a home that need never be forfeited through death! It is a provision that God promised almost six thousand years ago when man’s only home was a paradise. To learn why it has waited until our generation to be realized, read the fascinating 256-page book From Paradise Lost to Paradise Regained. Send only 75c.

“WATCHTOWER” STUDIES FOR THE WEEKS

April 23: Parents, Do You Train Your Children? Page 172.

April 30: Parents, Safeguard Your Child’s Life with Accurate Knowledge. Page 178.